PVL1003W 2021 PAST PAPER
Question 1 ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS IN PARAGRAPH FORMAT
Question 1 (30)
1.1 Briefly discuss the difference between rule of law and rule by law. In your answer you
must provide your own definition of both. Also, mention two South African legalhistorical
events where these two governing methods are evident. (10)
1.2 Briefly discuss the Wacks and Dugard debate in your own words. Which scholar do
you agree with and why? (6)
1.3 “Law contains certain inherent values and is therefore not value-neutral” - “Crowbars
and Cobwebs: Executive Autocracy and the Law in South Africa” (1989), Corder. Do you
agree or disagree with Corder? Motivate your answer. (4)
1.4 How did the legal culture evident in R v Detody 1926 AD 198 influence our current
legal culture? (6)
1.5 What was the judgment in Schlesin v The Law Society 1909 TS? Was it similar or
different to the judgment reached by the court in Incorporate Law Society v Wookey 1912
AD 623? (4)
1
, Question 2 (20)
Discuss Minister of Posts and Telegraphs v Rasool 1934 AD 167. Your discussion must
include the following:
2.1 Who was authorized to enact the by-laws? (3)
2.2 Was this law-making authority limited, why, or why not? (3)
2.3 Which legal principle did the court rely on from Kruse v Johnson 1898? (3)
2.4 Which legal principle did the court rely on from Plessy v Ferguson 1896? (3)
2.5 Which Rule of Law element was undermined by the court’s decision? (3)
2.6 Do you agree or disagree with the court’s decision? Motivate your answer. (5)
Question 1
1.1
Rule by law is when Parliament enacts a law, which is then applied to the citizens
within the jurisdiction of the government. Historically, it has been the tool of dictators
to oppress people. Rule by law is any law that is prescribed by the supreme law-
making authority.
In contrast, Rule of Law implies that the law enacted should achieve a minimum
level of fairness or justice. Simply put, a Head of State must abide by the law. Dicey
proposes three concepts to explain the rule of law:
1. Supremacy of Law: This means that no one can be arrested, punished, or
lawfully compelled to suffer by the courts for breaking a law established legally in
the ordinary course of business.
2. Every person is equal before the law administered by ordinary courts.
3. Predominance of the Legal Spirit: This means that the rights exercised by the
people today such as the freedom from arrest, the freedom of holding meetings of
the public, and other rights are determined by legal decisions in court. Therefore,
the courts of law must act as the guardians of liberty. This means, in South Africa,
2
Question 1 ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS IN PARAGRAPH FORMAT
Question 1 (30)
1.1 Briefly discuss the difference between rule of law and rule by law. In your answer you
must provide your own definition of both. Also, mention two South African legalhistorical
events where these two governing methods are evident. (10)
1.2 Briefly discuss the Wacks and Dugard debate in your own words. Which scholar do
you agree with and why? (6)
1.3 “Law contains certain inherent values and is therefore not value-neutral” - “Crowbars
and Cobwebs: Executive Autocracy and the Law in South Africa” (1989), Corder. Do you
agree or disagree with Corder? Motivate your answer. (4)
1.4 How did the legal culture evident in R v Detody 1926 AD 198 influence our current
legal culture? (6)
1.5 What was the judgment in Schlesin v The Law Society 1909 TS? Was it similar or
different to the judgment reached by the court in Incorporate Law Society v Wookey 1912
AD 623? (4)
1
, Question 2 (20)
Discuss Minister of Posts and Telegraphs v Rasool 1934 AD 167. Your discussion must
include the following:
2.1 Who was authorized to enact the by-laws? (3)
2.2 Was this law-making authority limited, why, or why not? (3)
2.3 Which legal principle did the court rely on from Kruse v Johnson 1898? (3)
2.4 Which legal principle did the court rely on from Plessy v Ferguson 1896? (3)
2.5 Which Rule of Law element was undermined by the court’s decision? (3)
2.6 Do you agree or disagree with the court’s decision? Motivate your answer. (5)
Question 1
1.1
Rule by law is when Parliament enacts a law, which is then applied to the citizens
within the jurisdiction of the government. Historically, it has been the tool of dictators
to oppress people. Rule by law is any law that is prescribed by the supreme law-
making authority.
In contrast, Rule of Law implies that the law enacted should achieve a minimum
level of fairness or justice. Simply put, a Head of State must abide by the law. Dicey
proposes three concepts to explain the rule of law:
1. Supremacy of Law: This means that no one can be arrested, punished, or
lawfully compelled to suffer by the courts for breaking a law established legally in
the ordinary course of business.
2. Every person is equal before the law administered by ordinary courts.
3. Predominance of the Legal Spirit: This means that the rights exercised by the
people today such as the freedom from arrest, the freedom of holding meetings of
the public, and other rights are determined by legal decisions in court. Therefore,
the courts of law must act as the guardians of liberty. This means, in South Africa,
2
