What happens if there is a breach of contract in South Africa?

When a party materially breaches a contract, the innocent party must decide whether it wishes to cancel or enforce the contract. If the breach is not material, the innocent party may only elect to enforce the contract. A claim for damages is available to the innocent party regardless of this election.

What are the remedies for breach of contract in South Africa?

When there is a breach of contract, you usually have a choice to either uphold the contract, or cancel the contract. But whether you uphold the contract or cancel it, you will usually also be entitled to ‘damages’: compensation that puts you in the position you would have been in if the breach had not happened.

How do you prove breach of contract in South Africa?

The innocent party must be able to prove that a contract existed between the parties, that the other party breached the contract and that it has suffered damages as a result of such breach. The innocent party must be able to prove or quantify the damages it has incurred as a result of the breach.

How do you win a breach of contract case?

Here are five tips on how to win your breach of contract lawsuit.

  1. Hire the right attorney. Not all attorneys are alike.
  2. Compile all of your documents and evidence. Be prepared when you visit your attorney.
  3. Ask your attorney to analyze your case.
  4. Explore settlement.
  5. Ask your attorney to keep you informed.

What is the common law remedy for breach of contract?

award of damages
The basic remedy for breach of contract is an award of damages. it’s by far and away, the most common legal remedy for breach of contract. Damages is the legal right substituted for performance, when the defaulting party fails to perform the contract, as referred to above.

Can I take someone to court for breach of contract?

To sue for breach of contract, you must be able to show: Prove that there was a contract in existence – It would need to be proven that a legally binding contract was in place and that it had been breached.

How do you win a case for a breach of contract?

What is proof of breach of contract?

How do you prove a breach of contract?

The Elements of a Breach of Contract Claim

  1. The contract must first exist.
  2. The plaintiff performed according to the terms of the contract.
  3. The defendant has breached the contract by not fulfilling their obligations.
  4. The plaintiff was damaged as a direct result of the breach.

What constitutes a breach of contract?

When entering into an agreement, a general requirement is that the contracting parties act in good faith. Therefore, the last thing that contracting parties want to focus on is the possibility of the agreement falling through or one of the contracting parties not performing in terms of the contract; in other words committing a breach.

Who bears the onus of proving a breach of contract?

The party alleging that a breach has occurred bears the onus of proving, on a balance of probabilities, that the other party has breached the contract. Please login to follow content.

Who is at fault in a breach of contract?

the breaching party must be at fault. This occurs when defective performance is delivered by a party to the contract. The party alleging that a breach has occurred bears the onus of proving, on a balance of probabilities, that the other party has breached the contract.

What are the remedies available for breach of contract?

‘ The remedies available for a breach or, in some cases, a threatened breach of contract are five in number. Specific performance, interdict, declaration of rights, cancellation, damages.