CIV3701 Assignment 1 SEMESTER 1

CIV370 Assignment 1 SEMESTER 1 CIV 3701 Assignment 1 Unique Number# Question 1 Explain briefly why the introduction of the small claims courts was successful in increasing access to justice for litigants in South Africa. • These courts were specifically created by statute to deal with claims which do not exceed an amount of R12 000, which makes it accessible to a large portion of the population. • To facilitate (assist) self-representation by each of the litigants, pre-trial proceedings are informal, the rules of evidence have been relaxed and the role of the judicial officer (the commissioner) has been radically modified in that he/she plays an active role in assisting the litigants in presenting their cases. • They were also introduced to extend the basis of