Gericke v Griffons Rugby (EDMS) Beperk and Another (LA 107/2005) [2006] ZAFSHC 105 (26 January 2006)
- Citation
- [2006] ZAFSHC 105
- Status
- Ruling
- Jurisdiction
- South Africa
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Panel
- Cillié, R
- Case number
- LA 107/2005
More details
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Panel
- Cillié, R
- Case number
- LA 107/2005
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The court found that the applicant failed to convince it that there were reasonable prospects of success in the appeal. Although the applicant initially sought to approach the Constitutional Court directly on a constitutional point, circumstances changed and the applicant requested judgment from this court. However, no details of the changed circumstances were provided, and the applicant's submissions did not establish a basis for granting leave to appeal. Accordingly, the application for leave to appeal was dismissed with costs.
Court disposition
Application for leave to appeal dismissed with costs.
Orders
- The application for leave to appeal is dismissed with costs.
02
Material facts
Parties
J E von Gericke
Applicant Counsel: Mr DaffueGriffons Rugby (EDMS) Beperk
RespondentAnother
Respondent03
Procedural history
Posture
Leave to Appeal / Application for Leave to Appeal Before the High Court
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the applicant has shown reasonable prospects of success for leave to appeal before this court.
- 02
Whether the constitutional point raised by the applicant justifies granting leave to appeal.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The applicant, represented by Mr Daffue, argued that the only ground for appeal is a constitutional point and requested that the court withhold judgment on the leave to appeal application to allow direct approach to the Constitutional Court. Subsequently, circumstances changed and the applicant sought judgment from this court, but did not provide details of the changed circumstances.
- Respondent
- The respondents opposed the application for leave to appeal, contending that the applicant failed to demonstrate reasonable prospects of success and that the constitutional point did not warrant leave to appeal before this court.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Section 17 of the Superior Courts Act
Leave to appeal should only be granted if there is a reasonable prospect that the appeal will succeed.
- 02
Gericke v Griffons Rugby (EDMS) Beperk and Another (LA 107/2005) [2006] ZAFSHC 105
A constitutional issue may justify direct access to the Constitutional Court, but the applicant must still demonstrate prospects of success before the lower court.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The court found that the applicant failed to convince it that there were reasonable prospects of success in the appeal. Although the applicant initially sought to approach the Constitutional Court directly on a constitutional point, circumstances changed and the applicant requested judgment from this court. However, no details of the changed circumstances were provided, and the applicant's submissions did not establish a basis for granting leave to appeal. Accordingly, the application for leave to appeal was dismissed with costs.
Obiter and limits
- The court noted that the applicant did not disclose the nature of the changed circumstances that led to the renewed request for judgment.
- The court observed that the mere raising of a constitutional point does not automatically entitle an applicant to leave to appeal.
Court disposition
Application for leave to appeal dismissed with costs.
- The application for leave to appeal is dismissed with costs.
Source and reliance status
Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
This page organises the available record for research. Confirm quotations, current status, and subsequent treatment against the official source before relying on the case.
Judgment reading view
Judgment text
The complete available source text.
Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
Ruling
IN DIE HOOGGEREGSHOF VAN SUID-AFRIKA
(ORANJE VRYSTAATSE PROVINSIALE AFDELING)
Saak Nr. : LA107/2005
In die saak tussen:
J
E VON GERICKE Applikant
en
GRIFFONS RUGBY (EDMS) BEPERK
EN ANDER Respondente
UITSPRAAK: CILLIé, R
AANGEHOOR OP: 9 SEPTEMBER 2005
_____________
GELEWER OP: 26 JANUARIE 2006
[1] Hierdie aansoek om verlof tot appèl is op 9 September 2005 aangehoor. Gedurende die betoog het dit duidelik geword dat die enigste grond waarop die applikant wens te appelleer ân grondwetlike punt is. Mnr Daffue namens die applikant (appellant) het my daarop versoek om nie uitspraak op die aansoek om verlof tot appèl te gee nie, tot verdere kennisgewing. Die oogmerk was om die Grondwetlike Hof direk te nader vir verlof om op die grondwetlike punt na daardie Hof te appelleer.
[2] Per skrywe gedateer 16 Januarie 2006 is ek deur die applikant se prokureur ingelig dat die omstandighede sodanig verander het dat uitspraak op die aansoek om verlof voor hierdie Hof versoek word. Dit is nie aan my bekend gemaak wat die veranderde omstandighede is nie.
Mnr. Daffue namens die applikant het my nie oortuig dat daar ân redelike vooruitsig bestaan dat hierdie appèl kan slaag nie.
[3] Ten aansien van die aansoek om verlof tot appèl voor hierdie Hof word dan as volg beveel:
Die aansoek om verlof tot appèl word afgewys met koste.
____
C.B. CILLIé, R
/EM
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