EXERCISE:
Law of delict students:
I’ve read through some of the short passages that you wrote in your previous lecture, regarding a function of the law of delict. Here are some tips that I can give you:
- Your formulations are too vague. I know this is partly because the subject is still new to you. However, taking time to formulate your ideas coherently and to the point, is something that you can start working on immediately. This is a skill that will be of great value to you throughout your career. Here are some examples of vague formulations:
- “Die deliktereg help om spanning op te los tussen mense en groepe en beskerm die individue se persoonlike sekuriteit.” (Na wattter spanning verwys jy? Wat is hierdie persoonlike sekuriteit waarvan jy praat? Hoe beskerm die deliktereg dit?)
- “The main function of the law of delict is to provide a regulatory framework for the horizontal relationship between persons.” (In what sense? Why? How? Between what persons?)
- “One of the main functions of Delictual law is to allow private parties the opportunity to receive remuneration from another private party.” (Why and how? This sounds more like labour law.)
- Your choice of words is sometimes random, incorrect or just too vague. For example:
- “persoonlike sekuriteit” (wat is dit?)
- “To regulate, control and make amends for injustices committed to another person.” (Through the use of these words the whole legal system is implicated.)
- “Delictual law is ex lege, meaning that it does not need a contractual binding to be held responsible in the delictual sense.” (Almost all the words in this sentence are used incorrectly or in a way that is too vague or random.)
- “Basies in essensie handel die deliktereg dat ‘n individue moontlike vergoeding kan eis vir aksies teen hom gepleeg.” (Onnodige woorde!)
It is very important in the legal world that you learn to say exactly what you want to say in as little words as possible. If you are not sure about the meaning of a word, do not use it. Take time to formulate your sentences in a way that is to the point, so that it conveys exactly what you want to say and only what you want to say. Rather use simpler language in a way that is specific and correct, than throwing around big words in an incorrect and incoherent way.
Please come see me if you have any questions and good luck with your next assignments!
Regards,
Azille Coetzee