ATC South Africa Wireless Infrastructure (Pty) Ltd I and Another v Desai N.O and Another (262/2019) [2020] ZAECPEHC 7 (25 February 2020)
Court
Eastern Cape High Court, Port Elizabeth
Case number
262/2019
Judge
N P Jaji
The court found that the plaintiffs' particulars of claim, read with the lease agreement, failed to disclose a cause of action because they did not allege that prior written consent was obtained for the assignment of the lease as required by Clause 14. The assignment without such consent constituted a material breach, depriving the plaintiffs of locus standi to enforce the contract. The exception was not defeated by technical objections raised by the plaintiffs, as they had taken further steps in the proceedings and opposed the exception on the merits. The authorities cited by the excipients…
The court considered whether negligent performance of contractual professional services can also found delictual liability, and held that Aquilian liability may coexist with contract.