Prof Hanri Mostert

Faculty of Law; University of Cape Town

Tel: +27 21650 4122

Fax: +27 21 650 5770

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PROPERTY LAW IN A CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER
Draft Course Outline and Readings

1

General Information

Course Aims: To promote an integrated approach to the study of property law, taking into account its position within a constitutional order; to introduce students to the complexities of comparing principles of property law from different jurisdictions and settings; to contextualise the principles of property law within particular historical, constitutional and political settings; to examine the impact of constitutional limitations and land reform on land law; to promote critical study of property law through comparison of principles from various different contexts

Course Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, students should be able to formulate informed legal opinions on the constitutional limitations upon property, and the impact of reform upon existing property law principles. Students should have an understanding of the differences and similarities between various systems of property law, and be able to comment on these critically. Students should be equipped to make recommendations for future law reform, based on their comparative study of the topic.

Assessment: Examination counts 50 % and year mark counts 50 % of final grade.Year mark based on the following % contributions:Projects 60% (7000 word Research Paper); Seminars 40% (Oral Presentation)

Proposed seminar schedule:

12 x 3 hour seminars

First meeting: Introduction to Course and Ground Rules

Theme A: Principles of Property Law

Introduction to the basic principles of property law from a comparative perspective, with particular focus on their origins and development

Readings:

  • J Watson Hamilton & N Bankes “Different Views of the Cathedral: The Literature on Property Law Theory” in A McHarg, B Barton, A Bradbrook & L Godden (eds) Property and the Law in Energy and Natural Resources, Oxford University Press, 2010, pp 19-59
  • S Coyle & K Morrow The Philosophical Foundations of Environmental Law: Property, Rights and Nature, Hart Publishing, Oxford / Portland 2004, pp 9-105
  • L Underkuffler, The Idea of Property, Its Meaning and Power, Oxford University Press, 2003, pp 11-102
  • R Barnes, Property Rights and Natural Resources, Hart Publishing, Oxford & Portland, Oregon pp 21-162
  • G Alexander “Commodity & Propriety: Competing Visions of Property in American Legal Thought 1776-1970” University of Chicago Press, 1997 pp 1 - tbc

Discussion Topics: Seminars 2, 3, 4 and 5

  • Property in Civil Law
  • Property in Anglo-American / Common Law
  • Property in Mixed Legal systems
  • Property in Customary Law

Theme B: Property Law in a Constitutional Order

Focus on property protection, regulation and infringement (i.e. deprivation, expropriation, compensation) in various kinds of constitutional arrangements

Readings:

  • Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 108 of 1996
  • Agri South Africa v Minister of Minerals and Energy 2013 4 SA 1 (CC)
  • National Credit Regulator v Opperman and Others 2013 (2) SA 1 (CC)
  • First National Bank of SA Ltd t/a Wesbank v Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service 2002 (4) SA 768 (CC).
  • Law Society of South Africa and Others v Minister for Transport and Another (CCT 38/10) 2011 (1) SA 400 (CC) para 4, 81 ff
  • Mohunram and Another v National Director of Public Prosecutions and Another (Law Review Project as Amicus Curiae) 2007 (4) SA 222 (CC)
  • Grobler v Msimanga and Others [2008] 3 All SA 549 (W)
  • City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality v Blue Moonlight Properties 39 (Pty) Ltd and Another 2012 (2) SA 104 (CC)
  • Erf 16 Bryntirion (Pty) Ltd v Minister of Public Works [2011] ZASCA 246.
  • Offit Enterprises (Pty) Ltd and Another v Coega Development Corporation (Pty) Ltd and Others 2010 (4) SA 242 (SCA)
  • Harvey v Umhlatuze Municipality and Others 2011 (1) SA 601 (KZP)
  • Haffejee and Others NNO v eThekwini Municipality 2011 (6) SA 134 (CC)
  • United Reformed Church, De Doorns v President of the Republic of South Africa and Others 2013 (5) SA 205 (WCC)
  • Du Toit v Minister of Transport 2006 (1) SA 297 (CC)
  • HaakdoornbultBoerdery CC and Others v Mphela and Ohers 2008 (7) BCLR 704 (SCA)
  • Governing Body of the JumaMusjid Primary School & Others v Essay N.O. and Others 2011 (8) BCLR 761 (CC)
  • AJ van der Walt “Striving for the Better Interpretation - A Critical Reflection on the Constitutional Court's Harksen and FNB Decisions on the Property Clause” 2004 (121)SALJ 854
  • AJ van der Walt Property and Constitution Pretoria University Law Press, 2012, pp 1-111
  • G Alexander The Global Debate over Constitutional Property: Lessons for American Takings Jurisprudence, University of Chicago Press, 2006 pptbc
  • AJ van der Walt Constitutional Property Law 3rded, Juta, 2011, pp 12-79

Discussion Topics: Seminars 6, 7, 8 and 9

  • Property clauses in first-generation constitutions (including Due process and takings in US Constitutional Law)
  • Property clauses in second-generation constitutions (including Constitutionalisation of the Social Obligation of Ownership under the German Basic Law)
  • Property clauses in third-generation constitutions (including Constitutional protection and limitation of property in South Africa)
  • Constitutions without property clauses (including Dealing with due process and takings in Canadian / Australian Law)

Theme C: Property Law and Transformation

Closer analysis of the political and constitutional context in which Property Law functions, with particular reference to societies in transition:

Readings:

  • J Waldron The Right to Private Property Oxford University Press pp 115-117; 423-445
  • AJ van der Walt Property and Constitution Pretoria University Law Press, 2012, pp 113-186
  • AJ van der Walt Constitutional Property Law 3rded, Juta, 2011, pp 521-528
  • R Teitl “Transitional Jurisprudence: The Role of Law in Political Transformation” 2009 (106) Yale Law Journal 2009-2080
  • N Bohler-Muller ‘Some thoughts on the ubuntu jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court’ 2007 (28) 3 Obiter 590-599
  • C Himonga, M Taylor & A Pope ‘Reflections on judicial views of ubuntu’ 2013 (16) 5 PELJ 372-429

Discussion Topics: Seminars 10 and 11

  • Property law and economic transitions (including developments in post-socialist jurisdictions; and developments pursuant to the global financial meltdown)
  • Property law and political transformation
  • Property Law and social engineering (including developments in post-colonial jurisdictions; socio-economic rights and BEE)
  • Property Law and Ubuntu

Theme D: Towards New Theories Of Property Law: Comparative Evaluations

Critical evaluation of the foundations, principles and context of property law based on the comparative study of property law in the constitutional order

Readings:

  • AJ van der Walt Property and Constitution Pretoria University Law Press, 2012, pp 113-186

Discussion Themes: Seminar 12

  • Rethinking the foundations, principles and context of property law
  • Comparing property law(s)and constitutional order(s)