Since the incorporation of the separation of powers doctrine into the South African Constitution, the problem has arisen that, each of the three tiers of government, the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature, has sought to protect exclusive jurisdiction over matters that fall within what constitutes that tier's own realm of authority. The effects of this are especially apparent in the field of dispute resolution in administrative law. The administration is predominantly the province of the Executive, and to a lesser extent, the Legislature. Thus, the acceptability of judicial review in dispute resolution and generally, the intrusion by the Judiciary in matters of the administration is perennially questioned and challenged by both the Executive and the Legislature. In this context, the duty to exhaust internal remedies assumes a pivotal role. It offers a compromise, by prescribing qualified exclusion of judicial review as a first port of call for dispute resolution while simultaneously entrusting initial dispute resolution to the administration. Often, this approach yields tangible results, but from a constitutional and fundamental rights perspective, the duty to exhaust internal remedies is problematic. Its exclusion of judicial review goes against, not only the right of access to court in section 34 of the Constitution, but also the rule of law, to the extent that the rule of law allows for the challenging, in court, of illegal administrative action as soon as it is taken. This thesis analyses the constitutionality of the duty to exhaust internal remedies in section 7(2) of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act by assessing the consistency of section 7(2) of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act with the right of access to court in section 34 of the Constitution. The thesis initially examines the origins and historical development of the duty to exhaust internal remedies in the English law, and the subsequent adoption of the duty to exhaust internal remedies into the South African common law for the purpose of interpreting and comprehending the duty to exhaust internal remedies as it is appears in section 7(2) of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act. Ultimately, the study focuses on and identifies the deficiencies in the current approach to the question of the constitutionality of section 7(2) of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, and offers suggestions on how the law might be developed.

The legislative supremacy of Parliament, a dominant characteristic of the Westminster system of government, has for a long time been the basic norm of South African constitutional law. In line with the Westminster prototype, the South African judiciary did not have the power to review the substantive validity of legislation. The creation of a new order, based on a supreme Constitution which entrenches fundamental rights and gives the courts the power to review not on! y the procedural validity but also the substantive validity of legislation, has brought about a significant change. This thesis examines the role of the South African judiciary during the transition from a system of legislative supremacy to one of constitutional supremacy and judicial review. The thesis is based on the interim Constitution of 1993. The entrenchment of fundamental human rights in the Constitution implies a greater role for the judiciary. The judiciary has to apply and interpret the human rights provisions vigorously and fearlessly. The human rights provisions have to be applied and interpreted with a keen awareness that a system of constitutional supremacy differs materially from one of legislative supremacy. In a system of legislative supremacy the intention of the legislature is paramount; in a system of constitutional supremacy the Constitution is supreme and overrides all laws, including Acts of Parliament, which are in conflict with it The doctrine of legislative supremacy has in the past led to a literalist and mechanical application of law; this has had a negative impact on the constitutional role of the South African judiciary. The provisions of a Constitution, especially its human rights provisions, are framed in wide and open ended terms; these need to be elaborated before they can be applied; the nature of these provisions, their purpose and the larger objects of the Constitution are important. The interpretation of the provisions of a supreme Constitution is incompatible with a literalistic and mechanical approach. A purposive and liberal or generous approach is called for. A framework and approach to the interpretation and application of South Africa's Bill of Rights are suggested in the thesis. / Constitutional International and Indigenous Law / LL.D.

Estreia, na Constituição Federal de 1988, de forma expressa, a incidência dos princípios da ampla defesa e do due process no processo administrativo, consagrando, pois, a presença efetiva do modelo Estado de Direito a emoldurar e balizar a atividade desenvolvida pelo Poder Público. Considerando, destarte, que o Estado atua não apenas por intermédio de atos administrativos isolados, mas também por via de processos, cada dia mais complexos, demandando um particular debruçar por parte dos analistas, pareceu-nos oportuno o estudo da incidência da teoria das nulidades em sede de processos administrativos. A perspectiva deste estudo, sem abandonar a teoria da invalidez dos atos administrativos, busca o aprofundamento no domínio da ocorrência de fatores que possam conduzir à nulidade e invalidade do processo administrativo tanto geral, como disciplinar perquirindo as condições necessárias para assegurar aos processos trâmites regulares, afastando os vícios e mantendo-os sempre no campo da legalidade. A perspectiva do trabalho, destarte, busca recolocar tema tão polêmico em debate e, sob a lente da investigação científica, apresentar, de modo sistematizado, as doutrinas, as teses desenvolvidas e a jurisprudência construída de modo a assegurar a evolução do tratamento jurídico oferecido ao processo administrativo para o efetivo atingimento de suas finalidades públicas. Ao administrado, de outro lado, a pesquisa se revela de interesse, porquanto põe à luz, evidenciando, os princípios pelos quais a Administração deve se pautar para que determinado ato seja válido e eficaz. Cuida-se de preservar a supremacia do interesse público, em prol dos objetivos fundamentais do standard do Estado Democrático de Direito, dentre eles, uma sociedade livre, justa e solidária / For the first time, the 1988 Brazilian Federal Constitution expressly provides for the application of the principles of fair hearing and due process of law to administrative procedures, thereby enshrining the tangible presence of the rule of law approach, whose purpose is to frame and limit the activities performed by the Government. Therefore, considering that the Government does not operate only through isolated administrative acts, but also through increasingly complex processes that require particular examination by analysts, it seems fitting to study the application of the theory of nullities in administrative procedures. Although it does not depart from the theory of invalidity of administrative acts, the focus of this study is to inquire into facts that may result in the nullity and invalidity of administrative procedures both of a general and disciplinary nature and establish the necessary conditions to ensure the regular course of procedure, thereby avoiding errors and preserving its legal integrity. Thus, this paper aims to rekindle the discussion on this controversial subject and, based on a scientific analysis, presents a systematized portrayal of the relevant doctrines, theses and case law that were produced with a view to the development of the legal framework that underpins administrative procedure and the fulfillment of its public mission. On the other hand, this research is of interest also to private individuals, as it brings to light the principles the Public Administration must observe for any given act to be considered valid and effective. Particular care is taken to preserve the paramount importance of public interest as a fundamental objective that determines the standards of a state founded on the rule of law, including a free, equal and fair society.

University of Macau / Faculty of Law

The legislative supremacy of Parliament, a dominant characteristic of the Westminster system of government, has for a long time been the basic norm of South African constitutional law. In line with the Westminster prototype, the South African judiciary did not have the power to review the substantive validity of legislation. The creation of a new order, based on a supreme Constitution which entrenches fundamental rights and gives the courts the power to review not on! y the procedural validity but also the substantive validity of legislation, has brought about a significant change. This thesis examines the role of the South African judiciary during the transition from a system of legislative supremacy to one of constitutional supremacy and judicial review. The thesis is based on the interim Constitution of 1993. The entrenchment of fundamental human rights in the Constitution implies a greater role for the judiciary. The judiciary has to apply and interpret the human rights provisions vigorously and fearlessly. The human rights provisions have to be applied and interpreted with a keen awareness that a system of constitutional supremacy differs materially from one of legislative supremacy. In a system of legislative supremacy the intention of the legislature is paramount; in a system of constitutional supremacy the Constitution is supreme and overrides all laws, including Acts of Parliament, which are in conflict with it The doctrine of legislative supremacy has in the past led to a literalist and mechanical application of law; this has had a negative impact on the constitutional role of the South African judiciary. The provisions of a Constitution, especially its human rights provisions, are framed in wide and open ended terms; these need to be elaborated before they can be applied; the nature of these provisions, their purpose and the larger objects of the Constitution are important. The interpretation of the provisions of a supreme Constitution is incompatible with a literalistic and mechanical approach. A purposive and liberal or generous approach is called for. A framework and approach to the interpretation and application of South Africa's Bill of Rights are suggested in the thesis. / Constitutional International and Indigenous Law / LL.D.

Estreia, na Constituição Federal de 1988, de forma expressa, a incidência dos princípios da ampla defesa e do due process no processo administrativo, consagrando, pois, a presença efetiva do modelo Estado de Direito a emoldurar e balizar a atividade desenvolvida pelo Poder Público. Considerando, destarte, que o Estado atua não apenas por intermédio de atos administrativos isolados, mas também por via de processos, cada dia mais complexos, demandando um particular debruçar por parte dos analistas, pareceu-nos oportuno o estudo da incidência da teoria das nulidades em sede de processos administrativos. A perspectiva deste estudo, sem abandonar a teoria da invalidez dos atos administrativos, busca o aprofundamento no domínio da ocorrência de fatores que possam conduzir à nulidade e invalidade do processo administrativo tanto geral, como disciplinar perquirindo as condições necessárias para assegurar aos processos trâmites regulares, afastando os vícios e mantendo-os sempre no campo da legalidade. A perspectiva do trabalho, destarte, busca recolocar tema tão polêmico em debate e, sob a lente da investigação científica, apresentar, de modo sistematizado, as doutrinas, as teses desenvolvidas e a jurisprudência construída de modo a assegurar a evolução do tratamento jurídico oferecido ao processo administrativo para o efetivo atingimento de suas finalidades públicas. Ao administrado, de outro lado, a pesquisa se revela de interesse, porquanto põe à luz, evidenciando, os princípios pelos quais a Administração deve se pautar para que determinado ato seja válido e eficaz. Cuida-se de preservar a supremacia do interesse público, em prol dos objetivos fundamentais do standard do Estado Democrático de Direito, dentre eles, uma sociedade livre, justa e solidária / For the first time, the 1988 Brazilian Federal Constitution expressly provides for the application of the principles of fair hearing and due process of law to administrative procedures, thereby enshrining the tangible presence of the rule of law approach, whose purpose is to frame and limit the activities performed by the Government. Therefore, considering that the Government does not operate only through isolated administrative acts, but also through increasingly complex processes that require particular examination by analysts, it seems fitting to study the application of the theory of nullities in administrative procedures. Although it does not depart from the theory of invalidity of administrative acts, the focus of this study is to inquire into facts that may result in the nullity and invalidity of administrative procedures both of a general and disciplinary nature and establish the necessary conditions to ensure the regular course of procedure, thereby avoiding errors and preserving its legal integrity. Thus, this paper aims to rekindle the discussion on this controversial subject and, based on a scientific analysis, presents a systematized portrayal of the relevant doctrines, theses and case law that were produced with a view to the development of the legal framework that underpins administrative procedure and the fulfillment of its public mission. On the other hand, this research is of interest also to private individuals, as it brings to light the principles the Public Administration must observe for any given act to be considered valid and effective. Particular care is taken to preserve the paramount importance of public interest as a fundamental objective that determines the standards of a state founded on the rule of law, including a free, equal and fair society.

Le contentieux administratif de la séparation des Eglises et de l’Etat sous la IIIe République est un objet ancien de curiosité doctrinale. Un renouvellement de l’approche traditionnelle était cependant possible. Alors que les études classiques insistent sur l’apport du Conseil d’Etat à la réussite de la Séparation et à la protection des libertés de conscience et des cultes, il est envisageable d’étudier la jurisprudence sous l’angle des interactions entre les institutions républicaines et le contrôle juridictionnel de l’administration. Soumise à cette problématique, l’oeuvre du Conseil d’Etat permet une approche monografique de l’histoire de la juridiction administrative républicaine révélant les influences réciproques entre le juge administratif et les institutions républicaines. Dans le cas du contentieux de la Séparation, la jurisprudence administrative a ainsi joué un rôle décisif dans la mise en oeuvre et l’approfondissement des grands principes de la loi du 9 décembre 1905, contribuant à donner une consistance à la notion juridique de laïcité de l’Etat. Dans le même temps, et spécialement dans le cadre du contentieux de la police des cultes, le contexte politique et juridique de la Séparation a contribué à la construction du recours pour excès de pouvoir républicain. Cet apport s’est manisfesté par la modernisation des techniques de contrôle juridictionnel et par un encadrement plus étroit du pouvoir discrétionnaire de l’autorité de police. En abordant ces deux aspects du contentieux de la Séparation, cette étude voudrait éclairer la transformation d’une justice administrative d’inspiration impériale en une justice administrative démocratique et républicaine. / Law scolars are traditionnally interested in the implementation of the separation of church and state by the administrative courts during the Third Republic. However, a renewal of the classic understanding was possible. While classic studies focus on the contribution of the Conseil d’Etat to the success of the Séparation and the protection of freedom of thought and religion, it is conceivable to study administrative case law from the angle of interactions between republican institutions and judicial review of administration. This methodological framework allows to underline mutual influences between the judiciary and republican institutions in the history of the administrative jurisdiction. Thus, as the Séparation is concerned, case law has played a strategic part in the implementation and enrichment of the principles established by the 9 december 1905 Act, therefore contributing to provide substance to the legal concept of laïcité de l’Etat. In the same time, and especially concerning the case law relating to the administrative regulation of expressions of religious beliefs in the public space, the political and legal context of the Séparation has had a decisive influence on the construction of the republican recours pour excès de pouvoir. This contribution consisted in a modernization of the judicial review techniques and a more accurate control of discretionary powers of the administrative authority. Through the study of the two main aspects of administrative case law relating to the Séparation, this research would like to enlighten the transformation of the traditional imperial-type administrative jurisdiction into a democratic and republican one.

Pas de résumé / Doctorat en droit / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Section 34 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 outlines the scope of judicial authority as encompassing the resolution of any dispute that can be resolved by the application of law. The courts in South Africa have developed several justiciability canons that restrain when courts may adjudicate disputes, such as standing, mootness, ripeness, and the prevention of advisory opinions. These justiciability canons emanate from constitutional considerations such as respect for separation of powers and the proper role and scope of judicial review in a constitutional democracy. This study focuses on another justiciability canon - the political question doctrine. This doctrine arises from the principle of separation of powers and, in the main, provides that certain questions of constitutional law are allocated to the discretion of the elected branches of government for resolution. As a result, such questions are non-justiciable and require the judiciary to abstain from deciding them because not doing so intrudes into the functions of the elected branches of government. The underlying theme is that such questions must find resolution in the political process. Through a comparative lens, the study examines the origins and current application of the political question doctrine in selected countries with a view to obtain lessons therefrom. It examines the origins of the doctrine, by placing particular emphasis on the early application of the doctrine by the US Supreme Court. The study also examines the modern application of the doctrine in the constitutional jurisprudence of several countries, including Ghana, Uganda and Nigeria. It advances the view that while the doctrine exists in the South African jurisprudence, the Constitutional Court should articulate and develop it into a clear doctrine taking into account lessons from those countries. The study offers some recommendations in this regard. The study submits that the political question doctrine is an appropriate legal mechanism through which the South African judiciary can address the recent problem of the proliferation of cases brought to the courts that raise non-justiciable political questions and threaten to delegitimize the role of the courts in a democracy. / Public, Constitutional and International Law / LL. D.

Doctorat en droit / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished