Thesis (LLM)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: On the basis of a comparative analysis of the case law in Germany, England and South Africa
dealing with fundamental change of circumstances, it is submitted that the underlying
principle of this problem area is the idea of frustration of the contractual purpose (causa
finalis). The problem of fundamental change of circumstances is directly connected with
basic issues of legal theory such as the dichotomy between legal certainty and substantive
justice, the role and limits of interpretation, the concretisation of principles, the adjudication
of interests and the problem of value-judgements in the law which are of immediate influence
on the understanding of the problem by judges and legal commentators. A broad perspective
on the topic is necessarily indicated hereby.
The thesis therefore starts off with an account of the role of purpose (causa finalis) in the
history of legal philosophy, with a focus on developments in Germany. The continuing
relevance of Aristotelian-Thomistic legal thinking is emphasized. The German and English
case law dealing with fundamental change of circumstances is analyzed in an analogous
manner. An account of the history and development of the doctrines dealing specifically with
fundamental change of circumstances is given: the clausuIa rebus sic stantibus of the ius
commune, the doctrine of WegJall der Geschaftsgrundlage in Germany and the doctrine of
frustration of contract and common mistake in England. The crucial elements of the approach
of the courts are restated. The positions of the two most influential German legal authors
involved on opposite sides of the debate concerning the doctrine of WegJall der
Geschaftsgrundlage are discussed. At the end of the discussion of English case law, the
approach of the English courts is compared with that of their German counterparts, providing
a basis for the development of the author's understanding of the concept causafinalis.
Notwithstanding the fact that South African law does not recognize a doctrine dealing
specifically with fundamental change of circumstances, and in spite of dicta to the effect that
the English doctrine of frustration of contract is not part of South African law, it is submitted
that the doctrine of frustration of contract has nevertheless strongly influenced the South
African law of supervening impossibility and supposition, and has arguably become part and
parcel of it. Likewise, cases of frustration of the contractual purpose due to a fundamental
change of circumstances have been dealt with by means of other doctrinal devices such as
common mistake. It is submitted, finally, that the famous and controversial issue of the role
of causa in South African law should be reconsidered, since it may contribute to the
understanding of the notion of contract, and assist in overcoming the current doctrinal crisis
of the theory of contract. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Aan die hand van 'n vergelykende analise van die regspraak in Duitsland, Engeland en Suid-
Afrika betreffende fundamentele verandering van omstandighede, word ter oorweging gegee
dat die beginselonderliggend aan hierdie probleemgebied te vind is in die gedagte van
verydeling van die kontraksoogmerk. Die probleem van fundamentele verandering van
omstandighede staan in onmiddellike verband met basiese vrae van die regsteorie, onder
andere die teenstelling tussen regsekerheid en substantiewe geregtigheid, die rol en perke van
uitleg, die konkretisering van beginsels, die opweging van belange en die probleem van
waarde-oordele in juridiese verband wat almal inspeel op die hantering van die probleem deur
regters en kommentatore. Met die oog hierop is 'n breë invalshoek op die ondersoekveld
gebiedend.
Die ondersoek neem derhalwe as vertrekpunt 'n oorsig oor die rol van oogmerk (causa
finalis) in die geskiedenis van die regsfilosofie met 'n besondere klem op ontwikkelinge in
Duitsland. Die deurlopende belang van Aristoteliaans- Thomistiese denkwyses word
beklemtoon. Die Duitse en Engelse regspraak betreffende fundamentele verandering van
omstandighede word op 'n eenvormige grondslag ontleed. 'n Oorsig van die geskiedenis van
leerstukke wat spesifiek verband hou met fundamentele verandering van omstandighede word
aangepak, te wete die sg clausuia rebus sic stantibus van die ius commune en die leerstuk van
Wegfall der Geschafstgrundlage in Duitsland en die leerstuk van frustration of contract en
common mistake in Engeland. Die kemaspek van die benadering van die howe word
uitgespel. Die botsende standpunte van twee van die mees invloedryke Duitse denkers in die
teoretiese debat bied 'n breë konseptueie raamwerk vir die uiteindelike vergelyking van die
Engelse regspraak met die van die Duitse howe en die ontwikkeling van 'n eie standpunt
aangaande die begrip causafinalis.
Die Suid-Afrikaanse reg erken nie 10 soveel woorde dat veranderende omstandighede as
sodanig die bestaan van 'n kontrak raak nie, en in die besonder word die Engelsregtelike
leerstuk van frustration of contract in vele regterlike dicta verwerp. Die ondersoek na die
Suid-Afrikaanse respraak lei egter tot die gevolgtrekking dat die Suid-Afrikaanse reg
aangaande onmoontlikwording van prestasie en die veronderstelling inderdaad in wesenlike
opsigte deur die leerstuk van frustration beïnvloed is. Verydeling van die kontraksoogmerk
ten gevolge van veranderende omstandighede geniet ook juridiese erkenning deur middel van
. ander juridiese meganismes soos die leerstuk van gemeenskaplike dwaling. Die slotsom van
die behandeling van die Suid-Afrikaanse reg is dat die berugte en omstrede rol van causa in
die Suid-Afrikaanse Kontraktereg herwaardering verg.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/52278 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Von Alvensleben, Philipp Carl |
| Contributors | Lubbe, G. F., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Law. Dept. of Private Law. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 224 p. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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