Roman-Dutch law Meets the Common law on Jurisdiction in International Matters

Abstract

An intriguing aspect of South Africa's Roman-Dutch jurisdictional rules is that a foreign defendant can be arrested for the purpose of assuming jurisdiction over him in a claim sounding in money. This rule, unknown to the common law, also exists in other Southern African countries and has been criticised. The rule was abolished by a recent decision of the South African Supreme Court of Appeal. The court also accepted mere presence within the jurisdiction as a basis of jurisdiction in international matters and suggested the defendant could contest whether South Africa was the forum conveniens. The former rule was unknown to Roman-Dutch law. The existence of the latter was disputed. But both are well entrenched in the common law. This paper examines the judgment and argues that it is a manifestation of a gradual movement of convergence between Roman-Dutch law and the common law.