Putco Ltd. v TV & Radio Guarantee Company (Pty) Ltd.; TV & Radio Guarantee Company (Pty) Ltd. v Putco Ltd.; Putco Ltd. v TV & Radio Guarantee Company (Pty) Ltd.; TV & Radio Guarantee Company (Pty) Ltd. v Putco Ltd. and Others (2) (18404/1981, 18488/1981, 9937/1981, 5165/1982) [1985] ZASCA 73; [1985] 2 All SA 533 (A) (10 September 1985)

Putco Ltd. v TV & Radio Guarantee Company (Pty) Ltd.; TV & Radio Guarantee Company (Pty) Ltd. v Putco Ltd.; Putco Ltd. v TV & Radio Guarantee Company (Pty) Ltd.; TV & Radio Guarantee Company (Pty) Ltd. v Putco Ltd. and Others (2) (18404/1981, 18488/1981, 9937/1981, 5165/1982) [1985] ZASCA 73; [1985] 2 All SA 533 (A) (10 September 1985)

The Supreme Court of Appeal held that the agreement between Putco Limited and TV & Radio Guarantee Company was a temporary interim arrangement, not intended to be of indefinite duration. The court found that Putco was entitled to terminate the agreement on reasonable notice. The notice given in annexure 'O' was deemed reasonable, as there was no evidence to suggest otherwise. The investments and expenses incurred by TV & Radio Guarantee Company did not render the notice unreasonable, as the company had reaped substantial benefits during the arrangement. The court distinguished the facts from the Decro-Wall case, noting the lack of evidence that TV & Radio Guarantee Company would suffer...

Citation
[1985] ZASCA 73
Parties
Appellant: Putco Limited; Respondent: TV & Radio Guarantee Company (Proprietary) Limited; Cross Appellant: TV & Radio Guarantee Company (Proprietary) Limited; Cross Respondent: Putco Limited; Respondent: [Proprietary] Limited; Appellant: [Proprietary] Limited; First Respondent: Putco Limited; Second Respondent: Albino Carleo; Third Respondent: Busadvert (Proprietary) Limited; Fourth Respondent: J J Mulder
Court
Supreme Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Judgment Date
10 September 1985
Case Number
18404/1981, 18488/1981, 9937/1981, 5165/1982
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Appeal From the Court a Quo
Outcome
Appeal upheld; notice of termination found valid and reasonable.
Judges
Kotzé, Joubert, Trengove, Viljoen, Smalberger
Legal Topics
Termination of Contract, Reasonable Notice, Interim Agreement, Specific Performance

Case Brief

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Parties

Putco Limited

Appellant

TV & Radio Guarantee Company (Proprietary) Limited

Respondent

TV & Radio Guarantee Company (Proprietary) Limited

Cross Appellant

Putco Limited

Cross Respondent

[Proprietary] Limited

Respondent

[Proprietary] Limited

Appellant

Putco Limited

First Respondent

Albino Carleo

Second Respondent

Busadvert (Proprietary) Limited

Third Respondent

J J Mulder

Fourth Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Appeal From the Court a Quo

  1. 1 Whether the notice of termination given by Putco Limited was valid and reasonable under the interim agreement.
  2. 2 Whether the temporary interim arrangement could be terminated on reasonable notice.
  3. 3 Whether TV & Radio Guarantee Company suffered unreasonable prejudice due to the notice period.

Ratio Decidendi

The Supreme Court of Appeal held that the agreement between Putco Limited and TV & Radio Guarantee Company was a temporary interim arrangement, not intended to be of indefinite duration. The court found that Putco was entitled to terminate the agreement on reasonable notice. The notice given in annexure 'O' was deemed reasonable, as there was no evidence to suggest otherwise. The investments and expenses incurred by TV & Radio Guarantee Company did not render the notice unreasonable, as the company had reaped substantial benefits during the arrangement. The court distinguished the facts from the Decro-Wall case, noting the lack of evidence that TV & Radio Guarantee Company would suffer...

Court Disposition

Appeal upheld; notice of termination found valid and reasonable.

Orders

  • The appeal is upheld.
  • The notice of termination given by Putco Limited in annexure 'O' is declared valid and reasonable.