Bisonboard Ltd v k Braun Woodworking Machinery (Pty) Ltd 1991 (1) Sa 482 (a)

8/13/2019 Bisonboard Ltd v k Braun Woodworking Machinery (Pty) Ltd 1991 (1) Sa 482 (a)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bisonboard-ltd-v-k-braun-woodworking-machinery-pty-ltd-1991-1-sa-482-a 1/21

BISONBOARD LTD v K BRAUN WOODWORKING MACHINERY (PTY) LTD 1991 (1) SA

482 (A)

1991 (1) SA p482

Ci!i"#

1991 (1) SA 482 (A)

C"$%

Appellate Division

&$'

Hoexter JA, BOTHA JA, MI!" JA, !I#HOAS AJA an$ %ODSTO!" AJA

H!%'

Mar&' 9, 199

&$'*#

Septe*er 1, 199

A##"!i"#+

in+ to #ase Annotations

B

,-.#" / S-$-0""%'

#ort - Jris$i&tion - Spree #ort A&t .9 o/ 19.9, s 19(1) (a) - 0rovin&ial or o&al Division 'avin

ris$i&tion over all persons # resi$in or *ein in its area o/ ris$i&tion - 3'ere reistere$ o//i&e o/

&opan an$ its pla&e o/ &entral &ontrol or its ain or sole pla&e o/ *siness lo&ate$ in $i//erent

pla&es, s&' &opan 'avin $al resi$en&e /or ris$i&tional prposes - #ort t's &opetent to

'ear an$ $eterine a&tion son$in in one aainst &opan in&orporate$ in Sot' D A/ri&a i/

reistere$ o//i&e o/ s&' &opan lo&ate$ 5it'in area o/ ris$i&tion o/ s&' #ort6

#opan - A&tions * or aainst - A&tion son$in in one aainst &opan in&orporate$ in Sot'

A/ri&a 5'ere reistere$ o//i&e an$ pla&e o/ &entral &ontrol or ain or sole pla&e o/ *siness lo&ate$ in

$i//erent pla&es - Jris$i&tion o/ #ort to 'ear an$ $eterine s&'"

a&tion - S&' &opan 'avin$al resi$en&e /or ris$i&tional prposes - #ort 5it'in 5'ose area o/ ris$i&tion &opan7s

reistere$ o//i&e lo&ate$ t's 'avin ris$i&tion, even t'o' &opan7s pla&e o/ &entral &ontrol

lo&ate$ in area otsi$e o/ #ort7s ris$i&tion6

H!'#" / K"p#"!

Se&tion 19(1)(a) o/ t'e Spree #ort A&t .9 o/ 19.9 provi$es t'at a o&al Division 7s'all 'ave

ris$i&tion over all persons resi$in or *ein in an$ in relation to all &ases arisin666 5it'in its

area o/ la5 ris$i&tion66676 It is esta*lis'e$ la5 t'at t'e 5or$s 7&ases arisin7 ean 7leal

pro&ee$ins $l arisin7, t'at is pro&ee$ins in 5'i&' t'e #ort 'as ris$i&tion n$er t'e

&oon la56 I/ a $e/en$ant is eit'er $oi&ile$ or resi$ent in t'e area o/ ris$i&tion o/ t'e

#ort, % t'is 5ill *e a s//i&ient ris$i&tional &onne&tin /a&tor6 !eit'er o/ t'ese reireents

pre$i&ates t'e a&tal p'si&al presen&e o/ t'e $e/en$ant 5it'in t'e #ort7s area6 (orst'

Private International Law 2n$ e$ at 1:. - ;6)

A &opan &an an$ $oes 'ave a $al resi$en&e /or ris$i&tional prposes 5'ere its &entral

&ontrol (t'e pla&e 5'ere its eneral a$inistration is lo&ate$, /ro 5'ere t'e eneral

sperinten$en&e o/ its a//airs ta+es pla&e an$ 5'ere, &onseentl, it is sai$ t'at it &arries on

its real or prin&ipal *siness) an$ its reistere$ o//i&e are lo&ate$ at $i//erent H pla&es6 A #ort

is a&&or$inl &opetent to 'ear an$ $eterine an a&tion son$in in one institte$ aainst

a &opan in&orporate$ in Sot' A/ri&a 5it' its reistere$ o//i&e 5it'in t'e area o/ ris$i&tion

o/ s&' #ort, even i/ s&' &opan7s sole or ain pla&e o/ *siness or its pla&e o/ &entral

&ontrol is otsi$e t'e area o/ ris$i&tion o/ s&' #ort ( per Hoexter JA, Bot'a JA an$ %ol$stone

AJA &on&rrin, Milne JA an$ !i&'olas AJA $issentin)6

T'e $e&ision in Dairy Board v John T Rennie & Co (Pty) Ltd 19:; (<) SA :;8 (3) approve$6 I

T'e $e&ision in t'e 3it5atersran$ o&al Division in Bisonboard Ltd v K Braun oodwor!in"#a$hinery (Pty) Ltd reverse$6

C!+ I#"%*!i"#

Appeal /ro a $e&ision in t'e 3it5atersran$ o&al Division (M*r' J AJ)6 T'e isses /or

ONBOARD LTD v K BRAUN WOODWORKING MACHINERY... http://0-ipproducts.jutalaw.co.za.wam.seals.ac.za/nxt/print.asp?NXTSc...

21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



$e&ision appear /ro t'e $ent o/ Hoexter JA6

1991 (1) SA p48

HO"=T"> JA

A D J %haw C an$ Klevans!y /or t'e appellant re/erre$ to t'e /ollo5in at'orities?

'rishaw v #i$a #ines Ltd 1912 T0D 4.@ T Be$!ett & Co Ltd v Krooer Ltd 1912 AD

<24@ I%# Inter Ltd v #araldo198< (4) SA 112 (T)@ Dairy Board v John T Rennie & Co (Pty)

Ltd 19:; (<) SA :;8 (3)@ *nit Constru$tion Co Ltd v Bullo$! (Inspe$tor o+ Ta,es) 19.9 < All

"> 8<1 at 8<:@ Todd v -"yptian Land and Investent Co Ltd B ./0123 /4 TC //0 at /456

%wedish Central Railway Co Ltd v Thopson 192. 9 T# <42 at <:2 - <6

P Blieden %C /or t'e respon$ent re/erre$ to t'e /ollo5in at'orities? -, parte #inister o+

7ative 8++airs 1941 AD .< at .8 - ;2@ -state Koot$her v Coissioner +or Inland Revenue 1941

AD 2.; at 2;@ De Beers # Consolidated #ines v owe 19; A# 4.. at 4.9@ T Be$!ett & Co

Ltd v Krooer Ltd 1912 AD <24 at <<4@ 'rishaw v #i$a #ines Ltd 1912 T0D 4. at 4.; - :@

I%# Inter Ltd v #araldo198< (4) SA 112 (T) at 114 - 1.@ #inister o+ Law and 9rder v

Patterson1984 (2) SA :<9 (A) at :..% - :.;"@ Dairy Board v John T Rennie & Co (Pty) Ltd 19:;

(<) SA :;8 (3)@ D Heno&'s*er on The Copanies 8$t 4t' e$ at 2.;@ :eneta #ineraria %P8 v

Carolina Collieries (Pty) Ltd (in Li;uidation)198: (4) SA 88< (A)6

Cur adv vult 6

Postea (Septe*er 1)6 "

&$'*#

Hoexter JA? T'is appeal raises t'e estion o/ t'e &opeten&e o/ a &ort to 'ear an$ $eterine

an a&tion son$in in one institte$ aainst a &opan solel on t'e ron$s t'at it 5as

in&orporate$ in Sot' A/ri&a an$ 'as its reistere$ o//i&e 5it'in t'e area o/ ris$i&tion o/ s&'

&ort6 In t'e 3it5atersran$ o&al Division t'e appellant institte$ an a&tion /or t'e paent

o/ $aaes aainst t5o $e/en$ants6 T'e /irst $e/en$ant in t'e a&tion is t'e respon$ent in t'e

appeal6

#'apter CII o/ A&t ;1 o/ 19:< (7t'e #opanies A&t7) reires ever &opan to 'ave a postal

a$$ress an$ a reistere$ o//i&e 5it'in t'e >ep*li& o/ Sot' A/ri&a6 S*se&tions (1) an$ (2)(a)

o/ s 1: rea$ as % /ollo5s?

71:(1) "ver &opan in&l$in ever external &opan s'all 'ave in t'e >ep*li& -

(a) a postal a$$ress to 5'i&' all &oni&ations an$ noti&es a *e a$$resse$@ an$

(b) a reistere$ o//i&e to 5'i&' all &oni&ations an$ noti&es a *e H a$$resse$ an$ at 5'i&' all pro&ess

a *e serve$6

(2)(a) pon in&orporation o/ a &opan, noti&e o/ t'e sitation o/ t'e reistere$ o//i&e an$ o/ t'e postal a$$ress

s'all *e iven to t'e >eistrar67

Apart /ro plea$in to t'e erits o/ t'e &ase t'e respon$ent /ile$ a spe&ial plea in 5'i&' it

raise$ an o*e&tion to t'e ris$i&tion o/ t'e 3it5atersran$ o&al Division to 'ear t'e a&tion6

Alt'o' its reistere$ o//i&e is sitate$ in Jo'annes*r t'e respon$ent &arries on its I

*siness in Btter5ort' in t'e >ep*li& o/ Trans+ei6 T'e respon$ent7s o*e&tion to t'e

ris$i&tion o/ t'e #ort a ;uo 5as *ase$ pon t'e /a&t t'at its sole pla&e o/ *siness is in t'e

Trans+ei6

In t'e #ort *elo5 t'e spe&ial plea 5as resiste$ on a n*er o/ $i//erent ron$s6 T'e &'ie/

&ontention a$van&e$ on *e'al/ o/ t'e J appellant 5as

1991 (1) SA p484

HO"=T"> JA

A t'at, inas&' as t'e respon$ent 'a$ its reistere$ o//i&e in Jo'annes*r, it 5as, 5it'in t'e

eanin o/ s 19(1)(a) o/ t'e Spree #ort A&t .9 o/ 19.9 (7t'e S# A&t7), 7666 a person resi$in or *ein in7

t'e area o/ ris$i&tion o/ t'e 3it5atersran$ o&al Division6 T'e atter B &ae *e/ore J

M*r' AJ6 T'e learne$ J$e rle$ t'at t'e respon$ent 5as not 7a person resi$in or *ein in7


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t'e area o/ ris$i&tion@ an$ 'e ree&te$ t'e /rt'er s*issions raise$ on *e'al/ o/ t'e

appellant in spport o/ its arent t'at t'e trial #ort 5as epo5ere$ to entertain t'e a&tion6

T'e spe&ial plea 5as a&&or$inl p'el$, an$ a*soltion /ro t'e instan&e, 5it' &osts, 5as

or$ere$6 #

3it' leave o/ t'e trial #ort t'e appellant appeals to t'is #ort6 T'e sole isse raise$ in t'e

appeal is t'e &orre&tness or ot'er5ise o/ t'e $e&ision * M*r' AJ t'at t'e respon$ent 5as

not 7a person resi$in or *ein in7 t'e area o/ ris$i&tion o/ t'e 3it5atersran$ o&al Division6

T'e respon$ent is not a natral person *t a &orporation6 As pointe$ D ot * Martin 3ol// Private International Law 2n$ e$ (19.) at 29.?

7666 (I)t is se/l to realise t'at &on&eptions se$ in t'e &ase o/ natral persons, s&' as nationalit, $oi&ile, or

resi$en&e, &an *e applie$ to leal persons onl * 5a o/ analo an$ not 5it'ot $istortion o/ t'eir oriinal an$

enine eanin6 Eet it sees ipossi*le to $o 5it'ot t'ese &on&eptions6 or ever leal sste &ontains

soe rles 5'i&' atta&' &ertain &onseen&es to a person7s " nationalit, $oi&ile, or resi$en&e 5it'ot

$istinis'in *et5een natral an$ arti/i&ial persons67

A $ent son$in in one a *e pt into e//e&t an5'ere6 ro t'is it /ollo5s (see 0olla+

The %outh 8+ri$an Law o+ Jurisdi$tion (19<:) at 22) t'at in an a&tion /or t'e paent o/ one

7666 it is a s//i&ient *asis /or ris$i&tion t'at t'e State in 5'ose &ort t'e a&tion is *ro't 'as po5er over t'e

$e/en$ant76

Dealin 5it' t'e State7s spree po5er an$ t'e ris$i&tion o/ its &orts Bristo5e J rear+e$ in

%$hlier v Risin"<s -,e$utri, 194 TH 18 at 111?

7!o5 t'e ris$i&tion o/ t'e &orts o/ ever &ontr is territorial in % its extent an$ &'ara&ter, /or it is $erive$

/ro t'e soverein po5er, 5'i&' is ne&essaril liite$ * t'e *on$aries o/ t'e State over 5'i&' it 'ol$s s5a6

3it'in t'ose *on$aries t'e soverein po5er is spree, an$ all persons, 5'et'er &itiFens, in'a*itants, or

&asal visitors, 5'o are personall present 5it'in t'ose *on$aries an$ so lon as t'e are so present, an$ all

propert (5'et'er ova*le or iova*le) /or t'e tie H *ein 5it'in t'ose *on$aries, are s*e&t to it an$ to

t'e la5s 5'i&' it ena&te$ or re&onise$67

Alt'o' t'e sae &oon la5 applies t'ro'ot Sot' A/ri&a, it is trite t'at pon t'e

esta*lis'ent o/ t'e nion o/ Sot' A/ri&a t'e separate $i&ial sstes o/ t'e /or &olonies

5ere larel preserve$ $espite t'eir /oral ni/i&ation in t'e Spree #ort o/ Sot' A/ri&a6 I

In ters o/ s 19 o/ t'e S# A&t t'e oriinal ris$i&tion enoe$ * t'e 0rovin&ial an$ o&alDivisions is liite$ to t'e extent o/ t'eir respe&tive territorial areas6 S&' territorial ris$i&tion

is &on/ire$ * s ;8(2) o/ t'e >ep*li& o/ Sot' A/ri&a #onstittion A&t 11 o/ 198<6

In rear$ to t'e ris$i&tion o/ Sot' A/ri&an &orts over $oesti& J &orporations Polla! (op $it

at 94) states?

1991 (1) SA p483

HO"=T"> JA

A 7A &orporation in&orporate$ in t'e nion is s*e&t to t'e po5er o/ t'e Sot' A/ri&an State an$ it /ollo5s

t'ere/ore t'at on prin&iple Sot' A/ri&an &orts s'ol$ 'ave ris$i&tion in an a&tion /or a $ent son$in in

one aainst it6 Bt o5in to t'e non-existen&e o/ an &ort 'avin at'orit in respe&t o/ t'e 5'ole nion an$

o5in to t'e territorial liitations ipose$ pon t'e at'orit o/ t'e Divisions o/ t'e Spree #ort, t'isprin&iple &annot * itsel/ /rnis' a &riterion B o/ ris$i&tion in an a&tion aainst a $oesti& &orporation6 T'e

&orts 'ave t'ere/ore *een na*le to rel solel on t'is prin&iple /or t'e prpose o/ $eterinin t'eir ris$i&tion

in a&tions aainst $oesti& &orporations an$ 'ave *een &opelle$ to sppleent t'is prin&iple * anot'er

&riterion o/ ris$i&tion6 T'is t'e 'ave /on$ in t'e notion o/ t'e prin&ipal pla&e o/ *siness o/ a &orporation67 #

T'e notion to 5'i&' Polla! a+es re/eren&e in t'e &on&l$in senten&e o/ t'e passae &ite$

a*ove 5as $is&sse$ in an earl $ent o/ t'is #ort in T Be$!ett & Co Ltd v Krooer

Ltd 1912 AD <246 In Be$!ett<s &ase t'e $e/en$ant 5as a &opan 5'i&' 'a$ its reistere$

o//i&e an$ its prin&ipal pla&e o/ *siness in 0retoria6 It also 'a$ a *ran&' in D Jo'annes*r6 T'e

plainti// se$ t'e $e/en$ant in t'e 3it5atersran$ o&al Division /or $aaes /or allee$ *rea&'

o/ &ontra&t6 Be/ore t'e trial #ort an o*e&tion 5as ns&&ess/ll raise$ to t'e ris$i&tion o/

t'e 3it5atersran$ o&al Division, *t on appeal t'is #ort 'el$ t'at t'e o*e&tion 'a$ *een

properl ta+en6 T'e $ent o/ t'is #ort 5as " $elivere$ * Innes JA6 T'e ris$i&tion o/ t'etrial #ort 5as $erive$ /ro s 1; o/ t'e Transvaal A$inistration o/ Jsti&e 0ro&laation 14 o/

192, a&&or$in to 5'i&' ena&tent (I ote /ro t'e $ent o/ Innes JA at <<1 - 2) t'e

o&al Division

7666 s'all 'ave &onisan&e o/ all pleas an$ ris$i&tion in all &ivil &ases an$ pro&ee$ins arisin666 5it'in t'e sai$


21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



#olon, 5it' ris$i&tion over His Maest7s s*e&ts an$ all ot'er persons 5'osoever resi$in or *ein 5it'in

t'e sai$ #olon76

T'is #ort 'el$ t'at t'e resi$en&e o/ t'e appellant 5as at 0retoria, 5'ere its eneral

a$inistration 5as &entre$@ an$ t'at it &ol$ not *e $eee$ to 'ave a resi$en&e in

Jo'annes*r /or t'e servi&e o/ pro&ess in % respe&t o/ a &ontra&t entere$ into 5it' its 0retoria

o//i&e6 In t'e &orse o/ 'is $ent t'e learne$ J$e o/ Appeal o*serve$ at <<4?

7!o5 t'e ters Gresi$eG an$ Gresi$en&eG &an onl *e se$ in t'eir tre sini/i&an&e 5it' rear$ to natral persons6

T'e resi$en&e o/ a leal persona, li+e a &opan, arti/i&iall &reate$, st *e a ere notional &on&eption

intro$&e$ /or prposes o/ ris$i&tion an$ la56666 T'e H onl 'oe 5'i&' a &orporation &an *e sai$ to 'ave ist'e pla&e 5'ere t'e operations /or 5'i&' it 5as &alle$ into existen&e are &arrie$ on6 So /ar as it &an *e sai$ to

resi$e an5'ere, t'at is 5'ere it resi$es6 An$ i/ t'e analo o/ a natral person is to *e /ollo5e$, one 5ol$ sa

t'at it &ol$ onl resi$e in one pla&e at one tie6 T'is is a point on 5'i&' /ro t'e natre o/ t'ins it is not

possi*le to o*tain >oan-Dt&' I at'orit@ *t t'ere is aple spport in "nlis' la5 - *ot' text *oo+s an$

&ases - /or t'at vie5 in rear$ to t'e $oesti& aspe&t o/ t'e resi$en&e o/ &opanies67

Se&tion 19 o/ t'e S# A&t $eals 5it' t'e persons over 5'o an$ t'e atters in relation to 5'i&'

0rovin&ial an$ o&al Divisions o/ t'e Spree #ort 'ave ris$i&tion6 >elevant to a

&onsi$eration o/ t'e present appeal are t'e intro$&tor 5or$s o/ s 19(1)(a) an$ s 19(<) J

5'i&' rea$ as /ollo5s?

1991 (1) SA p48

HO"=T"> JA

A 719(1)(a) A 0rovin&ial or o&al Division s'all 'ave ris$i&tion over all persons resi$in or *ein in an$ in

relation to all &ases arisin an$ all o//en&es tria*le 5it'in its area o/ ris$i&tion an$ all ot'er atters o/ 5'i&' it

a a&&or$in to la5 ta+e &onisan&e6666

(b)666

(2)666

B (<) T'e provisions o/ t'is se&tion s'all not *e &onstre$ as in an 5a liitin t'e po5ers o/ a 0rovin&ial or

o&al Division as existin at t'e &oen&eent o/ t'is A&t, or as $eprivin an s&' Division o/ an ris$i&tion

5'i&' &ol$ la5/ll *e exer&ise$ * it at s&' &oen&eent67

T'e 5or$s 7&ases arisin7 se$ in s 19(1) o/ t'e S# A&t are - in # varios xtapositions - to *e

/on$ in all t'e stattes esta*lis'in t'e &olonial pre$e&essors o/ t'e varios 0rovin&ial an$

o&al Divisions in Sot' A/ri&a (e s < o/ t'e #'arter o/ Jsti&e 18<4@ s ; o/ t'e Spree #ort

A&t (!atal) <9 o/ 189;@ s 1; o/ t'e A$inistration o/ Jsti&e 0ro&laation (Transvaal) rea$ 5it'

s < o/ t'e "sta*lis'ent o/ D t'e Spree #ort an$ Hi' #ort Or$inan&e (Transvaal) 2 o/

192@ s < o/ t'e A$inistration o/ Jsti&e Or$inan&e (O>#) 4 o/ 192)6 See Polla! (op $it at : -

8)6 In a lon line o/ &ases t'e 5or$s 7&ases arisin7 'ave *een interprete$ as sini/in not

7&ases o/ a&tion arisin7 *t 7leal pro&ee$ins $l arisin7, t'at is to sa, pro&ee$ins in

5'i&' t'e #ort 'as ris$i&tion n$er t'e &oon la56 In %teytler 79 v =it>"erald " /0// 8D

10? Innes J8 (at 5/?) said o+ the phrase <all $auses arisin"<@

7T'ere t'e 5or$ G&asesG &learl eans leal pro&ee$ins6666 GArisinG o/ &orse eans $l arisin6 An$ an a&tion

arises 5'ere it 'as its oriin, 5'ere t'e /irst steps to *ein it &an *e $l ta+en6 So t'at 5'en a #ort is iven

nliite$ ris$i&tion in all G&ases arisinG 5it'in a &ertain area, t'at is eivalent to ivin it ris$i&tion to

tr all atters /or 5'i&' * t'e &oon la5 o/ t'e &ontr t'e 'i'est #ort o/ /irst instan&e 5ol$ in t'at area*e t'e proper /or67In t'e sae &ase aren&e JA pt t'e atter t's (at <<1)?

73'en $oes a &ase Garise in t'e sai$ $istri&tsG It appears to e t'at it &an onl so arise 5'en t'e part, t'e

$e/en$ant, or t'e a&&se$, % is aena*le to t'e /or &reate$ * t'e A&t6 In &ivil atters 'e is so aena*le i/

'e resi$es t'ere, 5'erever t'e &ase o/ a&tion arose, on t'e prin&iple a$tor se;uitur +oru rei 67

See /rt'er? The 9wnersA #aster and Crew o+ the %% <uber< v The 9wners and #aster o+ the

%% <8nswald< 1912 AD .4; at ..< - 4@ Le! v -state 8"ents Board 19:8 (<) SA 1; (#) at 1;;H -

1;:#@ %o+te, #attress (Pty) H Ltd v Transvaal #attress and =urnishin" Co Ltd 19:9 (1) SA :..

(D) at :.:B - D6 In 'ul+ 9il Corporation v Rebrandt =abri!ante en andelaars (-ds)

Bp! 19;< (2) SA 1 (T) Trollip J sarise$ t'e position (at 1: - H) as /ollo5s?

7T'e reslt is t'at t'e #ort7s ris$i&tion n$er s 19(1) is sipl I $eterine$, as 'it'erto, * re/eren&e to t'e

&oon la5 an$or an relevant statte6 In s&' $eterination t'e presen&e or resi$en&e o/ t'e $e/en$ant or

respon$ent 5it'in or 5it'ot t'e #ort7s area o/ ris$i&tion 5ill 'ave t'at iportan&e or relevan&e 5'i&' t'e

&oon or statte la5 atta&'es to it (Polla! at 9 - 14 5'ere all t'e at'orities are &olle&te$)6 See too s 19(<) *

virte o/ 5'i&' t'e ris$i&tion 5'i&' an Division 'a$ * &oon la5 an$or statte la5 at t'e J

&oen&eent o/ t'e Spree #ort A&t is retaine$67

1991 (1) SA p485


21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



HO"=T"> JA

A In rear$ to t'e &onne&tin /a&tors or rationes urisdi$tionis re&onise$ * or &oon

la5, a &onvenient startin point is t'e &lassi& stateent o/ De Cilliers #J in -inwald v The

'eran est 8+ri$an Copany (188:) . S# 8; at 91?

73'at t'en are t'e ron$s pon 5'i&' t'e ris$i&tion o/ t'is #ort &an *e exer&ise$, in respe&t o/ an &ontra&t

over an $e/en$ant 5it'ot B 'is &onsent, express or iplie$ T'e ron$s are t'ree/ol$@ viF by virtue o+ the

de+endant<s doi$ile bein" here, * virte o/ t'e &ontra&t eit'er 'avin *een entere$ into 'ere or 'avin to *e

per/ore$ 'ere, an$ * virte o/ t'e s*e&t atter in an a&tion in re *ein sitate$ in t'is #olon67

("p'asis spplie$6) It is no less &lear, 'o5ever, t'at at &oon la5 # resi$en&e o/ t'e

$e/en$ant entren&'es t'e ris$i&tion o/ t'e relevant /or6 In %$ia$ero & Co v Central %outh

8+ri$an Railways 191 TS 119, t'e $ent o/ Innes #J *eins (at 121) 5it' t'e /ollo5in

5or$s?

7T'e eneral rle 5it' rear$ to t'e *rinin o/ a&tions is a$tor se;uitur +oru rei 6 T'e plainti// as&ertains 5'ere

t'e $e/en$ant resi$es, oes to 'is /or, an$ serves 'i 5it' t'e sons t'ere67 D

T'e &on&ept n$erlin ris$i&tion *ase$ pon $oi&ile an$ resi$en&e o/ a $e/en$ant 5'o is a

natral person in an a&tion /or a $ent son$in in one is $es&ri*e$ as /ollo5s * Polla!

(lo$ $it at 24 - .)?

7I/ t'e $e/en$ant, alt'o' not p'si&all present 5it'in t'e State, is $oi&ile$ t'erein, a $ent aainst 'i

son$in in one &an " sall *e a$e e//e&tive aainst 'i6 I/ a person is $oi&ile$ in a State 'e sall'as 'is 'oe t'ere6 S&' a person &an t'ere/ore *e expe&te$ to retrn to t'e State an$ to 'ave t'e *l+ o/ 'is

possessions 5it'in t'e State6 A $ent son$in in one &an t'ere/ore norall *e a$e e//e&tive aainst a

person 5'o is $oi&ile$ 5it'in t'e State6 It is tre t'at a person a *e $oi&ile$ in a State 5it'ot 'avin 'is

'oe t'ere, an$ in s&' a &ase it a *e nli+el t'at a $ent son$in in one &an *e a$e e//e&tive

aainst 'i in s&' State6 T'is, 'o5ever, is an nsal &ase@ norall a person is $oi&ile$ in t'e State 5'i&' is

in /a&t 'is 'oe6 It is t'ere/ore not nreasona*le to $isrear$ t'e nsal &ase an$ to sa t'at t'e $oi&ile o/

t'e $e/en$ant 5it'in t'e State is a s//i&ient *asis /or ris$i&tion in an a&tion in 5'i&' a $ent son$in in

one is &laie$6

3'at 'as *een sai$ in /avor o/ $oi&ile as a *asis /or ris$i&tion % applies eall to resi$en&e6 I/ t'e

$e/en$ant is resi$ent 5it'in t'e State, t'en, alt'o' 'e is not p'si&all present 5it'in t'e State at t'e tie o/

t'e &oen&eent o/ t'e a&tion, a $ent son$in in one 5ill norall *e e//e&tive aainst 'i67

I s'all retrn to t'e s*e&t o/ $oi&ile - an$ t'en ore spe&i/i&all in relation to &orporations -

later in t'is $ent a/ter $e&i$in 5'et'er t'e #ort a ;uo 5as &orre&t in rlin t'at t'erespon$ent 5as H not resi$ent 5it'in its area o/ ris$i&tion6 Bt it a *e as 5ell to sa at t'is

n&tre t'at in t'e &ase o/ #inister o+ the Interior v Cowley 7919.. (1) SA <: (!) Brooe J0,

in respe&t/l opinion, erre$ (at <11% - H) 5'en 'e state$ t'at 'e 5as

7666 not prepare$ to a&&ept t'e *roa$ rle t'at a #ort 5ill al5as I 'ave ris$i&tion in a &lai son$in in one

aainst a $e/en$ant 5'o is $oi&ile$ 5it'in its area o/ ris$i&tion76

I /rt'er aree 5it' t'e vie5 expresse$ * Polla! (lo$ $it at 41, note 1) t'at no sti/i&ation

exists /or t'e $o*t expresse$ * Mason J0 in =oord v =oord 1924 3D 81 as to 5'et'er

$oi&ile 5it'ot resi$en&e or p'si&al presen&e is a s//i&ient ron$ /or ris$i&tion in an

a&tion J in 5'i&'

1991 (1) SA p488HO"=T"> JA

A $ent son$in in one is &laie$6 At 41 Polla! &ites in t'is &onne&tion t'e at'orit o/

!oo$t Coentaries on the Pande$ts at .61@ an$ Croans Tra$taat de =oro Copetenti

(16IC64) 5'o states?

7"n is so$anien 0ersoon &onveni*el voor $ien >e&'ter, on$er 5ien Jris$i&tie ' sin $oi&ili e+oren 'ee/t,

'et F $at ' al-$aar evon$en 5er$ personeli+, o/te niet67 B

In vie5 t'e leal position is &orre&tl sarise$ t's * orst' Private International Law

2n$ e$ (199) at 1:. - ;?

70rovi$e$ t'at t'e $e/en$ant is an in$ola o/ t'e &ort7s area o/ ris$i&tion, t'e &ort 5ill *e prepare$ to 'ear t'e

&ase6666 A&&or$inl, i/ t'e $e/en$ant is eit'er $oi&ile$ or resi$ent in t'e area, t'is 5ill *e a s//i&ient ris$i&tional &onne&tin /a&tor6 # !eit'er o/ t'ese reireents pre$i&ates t'e a&tal p'si&al presen&e o/ t'e

$e/en$ant 5it'in t'e &ort7s area6 I/ t'e $e/en$ant is present, 'e a *e *ro't to &ort * sons in t'e

or$inar anner@ i/ 'e is a*sent, t'en, s*e&t to t'e >les o/ #ort, sons a *e e//e&te$ * e$i&tal

&itation or s*stitte$ servi&e, as t'e &ase a *e6 Doi&ile an$ resi$en&e sest no ore t'an a notional

&onne&tion 5it' t'e D &ort7s area6 A*sen&e is relevant onl in rear$ to t'e pro&e$ral atter o/ servi&e67


21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



In t'e instant atter M*r' AJ, in p'ol$in t'e respon$ent7s o*e&tion to t'e &opeten&e

o/ t'e trial #ort, $e&line$ to /ollo5 an earlier $ent in Dairy Board v John T Rennie & Co

(Pty) Ltd 19:; (<) SA :;8 (3) in 5'i&' "lo// J 'a$ $e&i$e$ t'at in la5 a Sot' A/ri&an $oesti&

&opan resi$es at t'e pla&e o/ its reistere$ o//i&e6 " Heno&'s*er 9n the Copanies 8$t 4t'

e$ (198.) vol 1 at 2.; s*its t'at in t'e Dairy Board &ase supra t'e #ort rea&'e$ a 5ron

&on&lsion@ an$ t'at /or prposes o/ &oon la5 ris$i&tion a $oesti& &opan resi$es at its

prin&ipal pla&e o/ *siness (ie its a$inistrative &entre)6

In t'e Dairy Board &ase eetins o/ t'e $e/en$ant &opan7s *oar$ o/ $ire&tors 5ere 'el$

&'ie/l in Dr*an 5'ere ost o/ its $ire&tors live$6 T'e *siness o/ t'e $e/en$ant 5as &ontrolle$

/ro Dr*an6 Ho5ever, t'e $e/en$ant 'a$ its reistere$ o//i&e in Jo'annes*r, an$ t'e

plainti// institte$ its a&tion (/or en/or&eent o/ an n$erta+in a$e * t'e $e/en$ant in ters

o/ s <9(1)(a) o/ t'e Mer&'ant S'ippin A&t .: o/ % 19.1) in t'e 3it5atersran$ o&al Division6

Inas&' as t'e &ase o/ a&tion 'a$ not arisen in t'e 3it5atersran$ o&al Division t'e trial

#ort 5as &opetent to 'ear t'e a&tion onl i/ in la5 t'e $e/en$ant 7resi$e$7 5it'in its

ris$i&tion6

In t'e &orse o/ 'is $ent "lo// J rear+e$ at :;9% - H?

H 7As to t'e sini/i&an&e o/ t'e /a&t o/ t'e sitation o/ t'e reistere$ o//i&e o/ a &opan, 0olla+ The Law o+

Jurisdi$tion at 94 - . states?

GIn t'e noral &ase t'e reistere$ o//i&e an$ t'e prin&ipal pla&e o/ a &opan are one an$ t'e sae pla&e6 T'ea, 'o5ever, *e $i//erent, an$ in s&' &ase t'e sitation o/ t'e prin&ipal pla&e o/ *siness an$ not t'at o/ t'e

reistere$ o//i&e is t'e relevant /a&tor /or t'e prposes o/ ris$i&tion in an a&tion /or a $ent son$in I in

one aainst t'e &opan6G

!o at'orit is ote$ /or t'is proposition, 'o5ever, an$ t'ere is, as /ar as I 'ave *een a*le

to as&ertain, no $e&i$e$ &ase in 5'i&' it 5as lai$ $o5n t'at t'e pla&e iven as t'e reistere$

a$$ress o/ a &opan in&orporate$ in Sot' A/ri&a is not t'e pla&e 5'ere t'e &opan resi$es

or is67

"lo// J $istinis'e$ Be$!ett<s &ase supra in 5'i&', so o*serve$ t'e J learne$ J$e (at :: -

%)?

1991 (1) SA p489

HO"=T"> JA

A 7666 (T)'e #ort $i$ not 'ave to &onsi$er t'e estion 5'et'er a &opan i't not *e sai$ to resi$e or *e

5'ere its reistere$ a$$ress is@ it 'a$ erel to $eal 5it' t'e estion 5'et'er a &orporation 5it' a /irl

esta*lis'e$ resi$en&e in t'e sense $es&ri*e$ in t'e a*ove-ote$ passae7 (ie 5'ere its eneral a$inistration is

&entre$) 7&ol$ a&ire a se&on$ resi$en&e * reason o/ 'avin a /rt'er pla&e o/ *siness else5'ere6 T'e

pro*le 5it' 5'i&' I a presentl &on&erne$ is nsal B /or t'e reason, as is pointe$ ot * Polla! (supra ),

t'at it is reasona*le to sppose t'at a &opan 5ill norall sele&t as its reistere$ 'ea$ o//i&e its prin&ipal

pla&e o/ *siness6 An$ I $o not t'in+ t'at is t'e sort o/ sitation to 5'i&' t'e learne$ J$e o/ Appeal a$$resse$

'is in$ 5'en expressin 'isel/ as 'e $i$67

ater in 'is $ent "lo// J (at ::1B - D) &ite$ provisions o/ t'e # #opanies A&t 5'i&'

pres&ri*e t'at t'e reistere$ o//i&e is t'e pla&e at 5'i&' all pro&ess aainst a &opan a *e

serve$@ an$ 5'ere are +ept s&' o//i&ial $o&ents an$ re&or$s appertainin to t'e &opanas t'e inte *oo+ o/ its eneral eetins@ t'e reister o/ allotent o/ s'ares@ t'e reister o/

e*ers an$ $ire&tors an$ o//i&ers@ t'e reister o/ atten$an&e o/ eetins o/ $ire&tors an$

anaers@ t'e reister o/ D /ixe$ assets, an$ so /ort'6 S&' provisions le$ "lo// J to $ra5 t'e

in/eren&e (at ::1D - ") t'at t'e eislatre 'a$ inten$e$ to en$o5 t'e reistere$ o//i&e 5it'

t'e alit o/ *ein t'e pla&e to 5'i&' t'e 5orl$ i't loo+ as t'e &opan7s leal 'oe an$

a$inistrative &entre6 In t'e opinion o/ t'e learne$ J$e t'is vie5 o/ t'e atter 5as rein/or&e$

* " &onsi$erations o/ &oer&ial &onvenien&e an$ expe$ien&6 At ::1" - H 'e rear+e$?

7666 (T)o vie5 t'e reistere$ o//i&e as t'e resi$en&e o/ a &opan is to &reate &ertaint an$ to *rin a*ot

&oer&ial &onvenien&e6666

To 'ol$ t'at t'e reistere$ o//i&e is t'e pla&e o/ resi$en&e /or prpose o/ ris$i&tion is to reove all $o*t as to

t'e #ort in 5'i&' a person inten$in to se a &opan &on$&tin *siness at varios pla&es a $o so6 In

t'is rear$ it is not inappropriate to rear+ t'at in t'ese $as &opanies soeties &on$&t t'eir a//airs so t'at

it a *e $i//i&lt to $eterine 5'ere its General a$inistration is &entre$G6 An$ alt'o' it a in /a&t 'ave

*een tre in 1912 t'at a &opan an$ a person 'a$ onl one resi$en&e, one /in$s it sai$ in 0aler7s Copany

Law 21st e$ at ;; t'at?

% GMoreover, a &opan - li+e an in$ivi$al - a 'ave several resi$en&es at t'e sae tie6G


21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



In vie5, a &opan reistere$ in Sot' A/ri&a resi$es in la5 5'ere t'e reistere$ o//i&e is6

I/ its prin&ipal pla&e o/ *siness is sitate$ else5'ere it a also resi$e at t'e latter pla&e6 I

a&&or$inl 'ol$ t'at t'is #ort 'as ris$i&tion in t'e present atter67

H Aainst t'e *a&+ron$ s+et&'e$ a*ove it is ne&essar no5 to loo+ ore &losel at t'e

reasons 5'i&' propte$ t'e #ort a ;uo to p'ol$ t'e respon$ent7s o*e&tion to t'e ris$i&tion

o/ t'e 3it5atersran$ o&al Division6 In 'is $ent M*r' AJ relie$ pon t'e di$tu o/

Innes JA in Be$!ett<s &ase 5'i&' 'as alrea$ *een ote$ * e@ an$ 5'i&' 5as $is&sse$ *

"lo// J in t'e Dairy Board &ase supra6 Be$!ett<s &ase is I not, I &onsi$er, erane to t'e isse in

t'e present appeal6 T'e ltiate &on&lsion at 5'i&' t'is #ort arrive$ in Be$!ett<s &ase 5as a

liite$ one6 Innes JA ron$e$ o// 'is $ent (at <<9) 5it' t'e /ollo5in s&&in&t rear+s?

7or t'e prpose o/ t'is &ase it is not ne&essar to sa ore t'an t'at a &opan s'ol$ not *e &opelle$ to

a&&ept servi&e an5'ere, save J at its &entral o//i&e, o/

1991 (1) SA p496

HO"=T"> JA

A pro&ess t'e o*e&t o/ 5'i&' is to en/or&e or re&over $aaes in respe&t o/ a &ontra&t entere$

into 5it' t'e o//i&ials o/ its &entral a$inistration67

M*r' AJ /rt'er &onsi$ere$ t'at 'e 5as *on$ * t'e Transvaal ll Ben&' $e&ision in

'rishaw v #i$a #ines Ltd 1912 T0D 4.6 It sees to e, 5it' respe&t, t'at 'avin rear$ tot'e onl isse 5'i&' t'ere arose B t'e $ent in t'at &ase is not 'elp/l in resolvin t'e

pro*le 5'i&' &on/ronte$ t'e learne$ J$e in t'e instant atter6 In t'e 'rishaw &ase t'e

$e/en$ant 5as a /orein &opan $ire&te$ an$ &ontrolle$ in "nlan$6 It o5ne$ *ase etal

&lais in t'e otpans*er 5'i&' 'a$ *een anae$ * t'e plainti//6 T'e plainti// se$ t'e

$e/en$ant /or arrear 5aes in t'e &ort o/ t'e &ivil aistrate at Jo'annes*r6 As a /orein

&opan t'e # $e/en$ant 'a$ &oplie$ 5it' s 198 o/ A&t <1 o/ 199 * /ilin 5it' t'e

Transvaal >eistrar o/ #opanies t'e nae o/ a person at'orise$ to a&&ept servi&e o/ pro&ess

lo&all on *e'al/ o/ t'e $e/en$ant@ an$ t'e sons 5as serve$ at s&' person7s reistere$

a$$ress in Jo'annes*r6 T'e onl point in t'e &ase 5as 5'et'er or not t'e $e/en$ant 5as a

person D 7resi$in or &arrin on *siness7 in Jo'annes*r 5it'in t'e eanin o/ t'e

Maistrates7 #orts 0ro&laation 21 o/ 1926 T'e aistrate $e&i$e$ t'at t'e $e/en$ant neit'erresi$e$ nor &arrie$ on *siness at Jo'annes*r at t'e tie o/ t'e isse o/ sons an$ 'e

$isisse$ t'e sons6 T'e ll Ben&' &onsi$ere$ t'at t'e aistrate7s $e&ision 5as ri't an$

it $isisse$ t'e appeal to it6 "

Apart /ro t'e /a&t t'at 'e /elt 'isel/ *on$ * t'e 'rishaw &ase supra, M*r' AJ 5as

/rt'er in$e$ to rle in /avor o/ t'e respon$ent * invo+in aainst t'e appellant t'e

prin&iple o/ e//e&tiveness6 In t'is &onne&tion t'e learne$ J$e rear+e$?

7It sees to e to *e ore in +eepin 5it' t'at prin&iple t'at s 19(1)(a) o/ t'e A&t s'ol$ *e interprete$ to

ean t'at, in t'e &ase o/ a &opan, its resi$en&e is 5'ere it &arries on its ain *siness an$ not 5'ere its

reistere$ o//i&e is, 5'en its reistere$ o//i&e is not at its prin&ipal pla&e o/ *siness67

T'is last rination $oes not, 5it' respe&t, &oen$ itsel/ to e6 I/ t'ere s'ol$ *e /on$ to

*e present in t'e instant &ase an o/ t'e re&onise$ &onne&tin /a&tors s//i&ient to /on$ ris$i&tion, t'en, so % it sees to e, t'e position o/ t'e respon$ent is s&' t'at t'e $o&trine

o/ e//e&tiveness 5ill not ilitate aainst an a&tal exer&ise o/ t'e #ort7s ris$i&tion6 In$ee$, as

I s'all tr to s'o5 later in t'is $ent, t'e atter stan$s ver $i//erentl6

T'e arents a$$resse$ to s a *e s'ortl state$6 A$optin t'e H &riti&is levelle$ *

eno$hsber" (op $it ), Mr Blieden /or t'e respon$ent re$ pon s t'at t'e $ent in t'e

Dairy Board &ase supra &on/se$ t'e &on&ept o/ a ere pla&e at 5'i&' pro&ess an$ noti&es

i't *e serve$ pon a &opan 5it' t'e ver $i//erent &on&ept o/ ris$i&tion as &onteplate$

* s 19 o/ t'e S# A&t@ an$ t'at t'e #ort a ;uo 'a$ &orre&tl $e&line$ to /ollo5 t'e $ent o/

"lo// J in t'at &ase6 A I s*ission set /ort' in 'is 5ritten 'ea$s o/ arent 5'i&' so't to

rel on t'e $o&trine o/ e//e&tiveness 5as a*an$one$ * Mr Blieden, 5isel I t'in+, in t'e &orse

o/ 'is arent *e/ore s6 Mr %haw , 5'o appeare$ /or t'e appellant, s*itte$ t'at t'ere 5as&' to *e sai$ /or t'e eneral approa&' a$opte$ * "lo// J in t'e Dairy Board &ase@ an$ 'e

&onten$e$ t'at in t'at &ase t'e o*e&tion * t'e $e/en$ant to t'e J ris$i&tion o/ t'e

1991 (1) SA p491


21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



HO"=T"> JA

A 3it5atersran$ o&al Division 'a$ *een properl $isisse$6 Ho5ever, &allin to in$ t'e

intri&ate 5e*5or+ o/ t'e "nlis' leal prin&iples overnin t'e s*e&t, Mr %haw o5ne$ to *ein

5ar o/ t'e &on&ept o/ 7resi$en&e7 in relation to Sot' A/ri&an $oesti& &opanies6 S'in a5a

/ro t'e 5or$ 7resi$in7 in s 19(1) o/ t'e S# A&t, 'e pre/erre$ to la stress on t'e 5or$s 7or

*ein in76 A eanin ot'er (an$ a reireent B ore /lexi*le) t'an 7resi$en&e7 s'ol$ *e

assine$ to t'e 5or$s 7*ein in76 #onsel seste$ t'at, 5'ile t'e p'rase 7*ein in7 sini/ie$

soe sort o/ 7presen&e7, it 5as nevert'eless a presen&e less 'a*ital an$ ore ep'eeral t'an

t'at &opre'en$e$ * t'e 5or$ 7resi$en&e76 T'is less rioros reireent, so it 5as sai$, 5as

apl satis/ie$ * t'e lo&ation o/ a $oesti& &opan7s reistere$ o//i&e 5it'in a parti&lar #

area6 On t'is narro5 ron$ &onsel /or t'e appellant invite$ s to $i//er /ro t'e &on&lsion at

5'i&' t'e #ort a ;uo arrive$6 or reasons 5'i&' /ollo5 I a na*le to a&&e$e to t'is

arent6

In %$hlier v Risin"<s -,e$utri, (supra ) t'e $e/en$ant live$ in 0retoria6 S'e 'a$, 'o5ever,

t'e ont'l tenan& o/ a 'ose in or$s*r6 D T'is 'ose s'e s*-let, save /or a sinle roo

5'i&' s'e reserve$ /or 'er o5n se6 On an averae s'e visite$ Jo'annes*r on&e a 5ee+ to

&onslt 'er leal a$visers, an$ o&&asionall s'e slept in t'e roo6 T'e ris$i&tion o/ t'e

3it5atersran$ Hi' #ort $epen$e$ (as $i$ t'e ris$i&tion o/ t'e 3it5atersran$ o&al Division

in Be$!ett<s &ase supra ) on t'e provisions o/ t'e Transvaal A$inistration o/ Jsti&e

0ro&laation, 1926 T'e plainti// se$ t'e $e/en$ant in t'e 3it5atersran$ Hi' #ort an$ t'e

latter7s po5er to 'ear t'e a&tion $epen$e$ on 5'et'er or not t'e $e/en$ant 5as a person

7resi$in or *ein 5it'in7 t'e #ort7s area6 Allein t'at s'e resi$e$ in 0retoria, t'e $e/en$ant

o*e&te$ to t'e #ort7s ris$i&tion6 T'e o*e&tion 5as sstaine$6 Havin ote$ t'e relevant

provisions o/ t'e 192 pro&laation, Bristo5e J sai$ t'e /ollo5in (at 11)?

7It 5as &onten$e$ t'at t'ese se&tions ta+en toet'er ive t'is #ort ris$i&tion over all persons Gresi$in or

*einG 5it'in its $istri&t, an$ t'e arent trne$ ainl on 5'et'er 'avin a roo 5it'in t'e ris$i&tion

&onstitte$ G*einG 5it'in it6 On &onsi$eration I $o*t % 5'et'er t'is arent is son$6 Se&tion 1; ives t'e

Spree #ort in t'e /irst pla&e, G&onisan&e o/ all pleasG 5'i&' I ta+e to ean pleas o/ t'e #ro5n6 It is /ro

t'is t'at it $erives its &riinal ris$i&tion6 !ext it ives t'e #ort ris$i&tion in all &ivil &ases arisin 5it'in t'e

&olon6 ro t'is it $erives its &ivil ris$i&tion6 T'ir$l, it ives it ris$i&tion over all persons resi$in or *ein

5it'in t'e &olon6 T'is I rea$ as erel sppleentin t'e &riinal an$ &ivil H ris$i&tion alrea$ iven, *

&on/errin on t'e #ort s&' po5ers over people in t'e &olon as are ne&essar to ena*le it to ive e//e&t to itssenten&es, $ents, an$ or$ers6

I/ t'is is t'e tre vie5, t'en t'e ris$i&tion o/ t'e Spree #ort in a &ivil pro&ee$in $epen$s on 5'et'er it is a

&ase or pro&ee$in GarisinG in t'e &olon, an$ not on 5'et'er t'e $e/en$ant is Gresi$in or *einG 5it'in t'e

&olon@ an$ * parit o/ reasonin t'e ris$i&tion o/ t'e Hi' #ort in a &ivil pro&ee$in $epen$s on 5'et'er it is

a &ase I or pro&ee$in arisin 5it'in t'e $istri&t o/ t'e Hi' #ort, not on 5'et'er t'e $e/en$ant is Gresi$in or

*einG 5it'in s&' $istri&t6 T'e *roa$ reslt o/ t'is is t'at not'in trns on t'e 5or$s Gor *einG67

In t'e passae st ote$ it sees to e, 5it' respe&t, t'at * sain t'at t'e #ort7s

ris$i&tion $i$ not $epen$ on 5'et'er t'e $e/en$ant 5as 7resi$in or *ein 5it'in7 t'e #ort7s

$istri&t, t'e learne$ J$e J &learl $i$

1991 (1) SA p492

HO"=T"> JA

A not inten$ to &onve t'at t'e /a&t o/ resi$en&e 5as irrelevant to t'e inir6 T'at 'e &ol$

'ave entertaine$ no s&' intention is a$e ite plain, /or exaple, * t'e /ollo5in passae

later (at 112) in 'is $ent?

7T'e estion 5'i&' I 'ave to $e&i$e is t'ere/ore sipl 5'et'er s'e resi$es 5it'in or is an in'a*itant o/ t'e

$istri&t &overe$ * t'e B ris$i&tion o/ t'e Hi' #ort, or 5'et'er s'e is a ere pere"rinus67

It sees to e t'at 5'at Mr Jsti&e Bristo5e 'ere 'a$ in in$ 5as sipl t'e prin&iple (ore

expli&itl enn&iate$ * t'is #ort in 1911 in %teytler 79 v =it>"erald (supra )) t'at one

sitation in 5'i&' a 7&ase arises7 is 5'ere t'e $e/en$ant resi$es 5it'in t'e #ort7s area an$ is

t's aena*le to s&' /or6 #

T'e reasonin o/ Bristo5e J 5as applie$ in Ban! o+ 8+ri$a v Cohen 198 TH .2, a &ase 5'i&'

is ost pertinent to t'e point no5 *ein $is&sse$6 T'ere t'e plainti// se$ t'e $e/en$ant in

Jo'annes*r /or provisional senten&e on a proissor note 5'i&' 'a$ *een a$e in

Ki*erle6 T'e $e/en$ant 5as a resi$ent o/ Ki*erle 5'o 'a$ &oe to Jo'annes*r on a D

visit6 It 5as are$ /or t'e plainti// t'at t'e #ort 'a$ ris$i&tion to 'ear t'e &ase, *e&ase o/


21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



t'e 5or$s 7or *ein7 in s 1; o/ t'e 0ro&laation6 T'e arent 5as ree&te$ * #rle5is J, 5'o

sai$ t'at t'e 5or$s o/ s 1; 'a$ &oe n$er &onsi$eration in %$hlier<s &ase supra, an$ t'at

'e a&&epte$ t'e interpretation t'ere pla&e$ pon t'e * Bristo5e J6 (#/ also t'e rear+s o/

%reen*er J in :an yl v :an yl " /012 LD /0? at /0 E F and /00G)

3it' t'e a$vent o/ nion t'e leal position state$ a*ove reaine$ n&'ane$ in relation to

t'e varios Divisions o/ t'e Spree #ort 5'i&' too+ t'e pla&e o/ t'e &olonial Spree

#orts6 !or $i$ t'e A$inistration o/ Jsti&e A&t 2: o/ 1912 *rin a*ot an &'ane in t'e

position6 Its provisions an$ t'eir e//e&t 5ere sarise$ * Trollip JA in -state 8"ents Board v

Le! 19:9 (<) SA 148 (A) at 1;1B - H6 It is nne&essar to repeat 5'at 5as sai$ t'ere6

I respe&t/ll aree 5it' t'e vie5 expresse$ * Bristo5e J in %$hlier<s &ase supra t'at in

t'e 192 Transvaal 0ro&laation not'in % trne$ on t'e 5or$s 7*ein 5it'in76 T'e erel

a//ir *t $o not enlare t'e ris$i&tion en$o5e$ * 7&ases arisin76 T'e sae applies to t'e

5or$s 7*ein in7 in s 19(1) o/ t'e S# A&t6 A siilar vie5 o/ t'e atter is expresse$ * =orsyth

(op $it )6 Dealin 5it' t'e resi$en&e o/ natral persons /or ris$i&tional prposes t'e learne$

at'or states (at 1;4 - .)?

7In s 19(1)(a) o/ t'e Spree #ort A&t, it is provi$e$ t'at t'e H varios Divisions o/ t'e Spree #ort s'all

'ave ris$i&tion over Gall persons resi$in or *ein inG t'eir areas o/ ris$i&tion@ *t t'e ter Gresi$inG is not

$e/ine$ in t'e A&t6 Instea$ it st *e $e/ine$ in ters o/ t'e &oon la56 As 5e 'ave seen, s 19(1)(a) 'as

*een interprete$ to ean little ore t'an t'at t'e Divisions o/ t'e #ort are liite$ to t'eir territorial ris$i&tion

a&&or$in to t'e prin&iples to *e /on$ in t'e &oon la56 In parti&lar, t'e #orts 'ave re/se$ to I eateGresi$inG in s 19 5it' G*einG, ie t'e 'ave not &onsi$ere$ t'eir ris$i&tion to *e $epen$ent either on ere

p'si&al presen&e or on resi$en&e6 A stri&t $istin&tion is al5as $ra5n *et5een t'ese t5o &on&epts67

I/, t'en, a parti&lar Division o/ or Spree #ort is not en$o5e$ 5it' ris$i&tion over a

natral person 5'o is an in$ola o/ t'e >ep*li& *t a pere"rinus 5it'in its area o/ ris$i&tion,

solel *e&ase o/ s&' J person7s

1991 (1) SA p49

HO"=T"> JA

A presen&e (7*ein7) 5it'in t'at area at t'e tie o/ servi&e o/ a sons pon 'i, $oes not

t'e sae prin&iple appl in t'e &ase o/ a &opan I/ t'e &stoar arti/i&ial analo *et5een

natral an$ risti& persons, 5'i&' is to *e /on$ in t'e &ases on t'e topi& o/ ris$i&tion, isapplie$, t'e ans5er st *e es6

Sin&e 7resi$en&e7 is a &on&ept *ase$ on t'e 'a*its o/ a natral an, B t'e notion o/ a

&opan7s 7resi$en&e7, as 'as alrea$ *een pointe$ ot, is ne&essaril a soe5'at a*strse an$

ne*ls one6 Inso/ar as t'e la5 reires t'e &on&ept to *e assine$ to a &orporation, 'o5ever,

it sees to e t'at t'e i$ea o/ t'e reistere$ o//i&e o/ a $oesti& Sot' A/ri&an &opan as its

7'oe7 represents a risti& a*stra&tion 5'i&' is * no eans nson$ in prin&iple6 In "nlan$

t'e $e&isions in Cesena %ulphur # Co Ltd v 7i$holson (18:;) 1 "x Div 428 an$ Cal$utta Jute

#ills Ltd v 7i$holson (18:;) 1 "x Div 4<: ar+e$ t'e *einnin o/ t'e ela*oration o/ a $i//erent

$o&trine in "nlan$6 T'e &opan &on&erne$ in ea&' &ase 5as a oint sto&+ &opan

in&orporate$ in "nlan$6 In *ot' &ases t'e ratio de$idendi 5as t'at t'e test o/ a &opan7s

resi$en&e /or prposes o/ D In&oe Tax 5as t'at o/ &ontrol@ a test later esta*lis'e$ *eon$$o*t * t'e Hose o/ or$s in t'e &ase o/ De Beers Consolidated #ines Ltd v owe 19; A#

4..6 In -"yptian Delta Land and Investent Co Ltd v Todd 1929 A# 1 t'e In&oe Tax

#oissioners 'el$ t'at an investent &opan reistere$ in "nlan$, *t &ontrolle$ /ro

a*roa$, 5as not resi$ent in " "nlan$6 In a nanios $ent t'e #ort o/ Appeal 'el$ t'at

a &opan relate$ * t'e 198 #opanies A&t 'a$ a resi$en&e (t'o' not ne&essaril a sole

resi$en&e) at its reistere$ o//i&e6 3it' re/eren&e to t'e an stattor reireents ipose$

on a &opan * t'e #opanies (#onsoli$ation) A&t (198) or$ Han5ort' M> rear+e$ (see

1928 1 KB at 1;: - 8)?

7I/ t'e atter is to *e $eterine$ * analo I s'ol$ a//ir t'at a an 5it' a lo&al 'a*itation an$ &opelle$ to

$o &ertain a&ts in a&&or$an&e 5it' lo&al la5s666 &ol$ not prevent t'e in/eren&e *ein $ra5n t'at 'e G+ept 'oeG

in t'at lo&alit67

Ho5ever, in t'e Hose o/ or$s it 5as naniosl 'el$ t'at in&orporation in "nlan$ an$ a

reistere$ o//i&e in t'at &ontr $i$ % not, 5it'ot ore an$ as a leal &onseen&e, a+e a

&opan resi$ent in "nlan$ /or in&oe tax prposes6 (An illinatin $is&ssion o/ t'e topi& o/

t'e resi$en&e o/ a &orporation in "nlis' la5, toet'er 5it' a &lose analsis o/ t'e &ase la5, is


21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



to *e /on$ in arns5ort' The Residen$e and Doi$il o+ Corporations (19<9)6)

H T'e parti&lar evoltion in "nlan$ o/ leal rles overnin t'e $eterination o/ a

&opan7s resi$en&e not5it'stan$in, it is 5ort' o/ note, I &onsi$er, t'at t'ere 'ave *een

varios $i&ial pronon&eents in t'e "nlis' #orts to t'e e//e&t t'at 5'en t'e pro*le is

vie5e$ prel as one o/ prin&iple, ntraelle$ * $i&ial pre&e$ent an$ leislative

ena&tent, t'e notion t'at t'e resi$en&e o/ a &opan is its I reistere$ o//i&e 'as &' to

&oen$ itsel/6 One s&' exaple is provi$e$ * t'e di$tu alrea$ ote$ /ro t'e $ent

o/ t'e Master o/ t'e >olls 5'en t'e -"yptian Delta &ase supra 5as *e/ore t'e #ort o/ Appeal6

T5o /rt'er illstrations a se/ll *e ta+en /ro t'e spee&'es rea$ in t'e Hose o/ or$s

5'en t'e latter pset t'e $ent o/ t'e #ort o/ Appeal6 In t'e &orse o/ 'is $ent or$

B&+aster J sai$ (at <.)?

1991 (1) SA p494

HO"=T"> JA

A 7T'e $i//i&lt666 is $e to t'e /a&t t'at resi$en&e is essentiall a &on$ition appli&a*le to en, an$ t'e tests /or

its $eterination, s&' as livin an$ sleepin, &an 'ave no proper &onterpart in an a*stra&t entit s&' as an

in&orporate$ &opan 5'i&' &an neit'er live nor sleep6 It st, 'o5ever, *e asse$ t'at a &opan has a

resi$en&e, an$ i/ t'e estion is loo+e$ at entirel apart /ro at'orit, I s'ol$ 'ave B t'o't t'at t'e pla&e

o/ t'e reistere$ o//i&e 5as also t'e pla&e 5'ere t'e a*stra&tion +no5n as Ga &opanG resi$e$67

At 4 or$ 3arrinton o/ #l//e expresse$ 'isel/ as /ollo5s?

7In$epen$entl o/ at'orit, an$ in t'e a*sen&e o/ an relevant provisions o/ t'e In&oe Tax A&t, 1918 t'ro5in

li't on t'e eanin attri*te$ * t'e eislatre to t'e 5or$s Gresi$inG an$ Gresi$entG as se$ in t'e A&t, I

s'ol$ pro*a*l 'ave *een o/ t'e opinion t'at t'e # provisions o/ t'e #opanies A&t to 5'i&' I 'ave re/erre$

lea$ to t'e &on&lsion t'at, 5'atever ot'er resi$en&e t'e &opan a 'ave, t'e eislatre 'as provi$e$ t'at

t'e reistere$ o//i&e s'all *e a resi$en&e6

666

T'e &lative e//e&t o/ t'ese provisions apparentl &reates /or t'e &opan a stattor 'oe 5'ere it is to

per/or t'e &orporate /n&tions D a*oveentione$, an$ 5'ere it is rear$e$ as at all ties present an$ rea$ to

re&eive s&' $o&ents an$ &oni&ations as are le/t or sent t'ere67

T'e *roa$ line o/ reasonin prse$ * "lo// J in t'e Dairy Board &ase supra 5'i&' le$ 'i to

&on&l$e t'at in Sot' A/ri&a a $oesti& &opan in la5 resi$es at t'e pla&e o/ its reistere$o//i&e 'as alrea$ *een exaine$6 It s'ol$ *e a$$e$, 'o5ever, t'at in $is&ssin t'e

stattor " o*liation o/ a Sot' A/ri&an &opan to a&&ept servi&e o/ pro&ess at its reistere$

o//i&e t'e learne$ J$e rear$e$ as sini/i&ant an$ 'e so't to rel pon t'e /a&t t'at in

"nlis' la5 servi&e o/ a 5rit represents t'e te&'ni&al /on$ation o/ ris$i&tion6 In t'is

&onne&tion (at :: in +in - ::1) "lo// J rear+e$?

7T'is &orrelation *et5een t'e a$$ress at 5'i&' servi&e a *e e//e&te$ an$ ris$i&tion over a &orporation is, I

t'in+, in a&&or$an&e 5it' 5'at 5as sai$ * #'es'ire Private International Law :t' e$ at 1:4 as /ollo5s?

GI/ 'e is /on$ 'ere 'e &an *e serve$ 'ere an$ at &oon la5 t'e exer&ise o/ ris$i&tion $epen$s pon servi&e6

It is t'e sae in t'e &ase o/ a &orporation6G7

% T'e son$ness o/ t'is line o/ arent 'as *een estione$, al*eit 5it' 'is &stoar

s&'olarl $i//i$en&e, * 0ro/essor "llison Ka'n6 In The 8nnual %urvey o+ %8 Law (19:;) 'e5rites (at .24)?

73it' respe&t, one 5on$ers 'o5 persasive t'is rle is? ris$i&tion in a&tions in persona *ase$ on servi&e o/ t'e

5rit, so *asi& to "nlis' H la5, is not +no5n to or la56 As /or t'e eneral attit$e o/ "nlis' la5 to t'e

resi$en&e o/ a &orporation, it appears to var 5it' t'e isse involve$6 In t'e "nlis' la5 o/ taxation, 5'ere it is a

vital &on&ept, t'e resi$en&e is at t'e &entre o/ t'e anaeent an$ &ontrol o/ t'e &orporation7s a//airs, 5it' t'e

proviso t'at i/ &ontrol is virtall eall $ivi$e$ *et5een t5o &entres, t'e &opan 'as t5o resi$en&es, one at

ea&' &entre (Di&e L Morris on The Con+li$t o+ Laws 9t' e$ (19:<) at :< - .@ #'es'ire7s Private International

Law 8t' e$ (19:) at 18; - 9@ J I H # Morris The Con+li$t o+ Laws (19:1) at <2@ > H %raveson Con+li$t o+ Laws

:t' e$ (19:4) at 224)6 Bt in t'e "nlis' la5 relatin to ris$i&tion in a&tions in persona - an$ onl /or t'at

prpose - t'e resi$en&e o/ a &opan is $eee$ to *e 5'ere it 'as its reistere$ o//i&e (Di$ey & #orris at 1::)67

(or t'e sa+e o/ &opleteness it a *e entione$ t'at in "nlan$ t'e J &rrent position

appears to *e t'at a &opan reistere$ n$er t'e 198.

1991 (1) SA p493

HO"=T"> JA


f 21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



A #opanies A&t is rear$e$ as present in "nlan$ an$ servi&e o/ a 5rit a *e e//e&te$ *

sen$in it to t'e reistere$ o//i&e o/ t'e &opan6 See #'es'ire L !ort'7s Private International

Law 11t' e$ (198:) at 1886)

In respe&t/l vie5 t'e &riti&is o/ 0ro/ Kahn ote$ a*ove is 5ell-/on$e$6 Ma+in $e

allo5an&e /or it, 'o5ever, I nevert'eless /in$ attra&tive t'e reain$er o/ t'e reasonin o/ "lo// J

an$ t'e &on&lsion B to 5'i&' 'e 5as ipelle$, nael t'at /or prposes o/ $e&i$in in an

a&tion /or a $ent son$in in one 5'et'er a parti&lar Division o/ t'e Spree #ort o/

Sot' A/ri&a 'as po5er to entertain leal pro&ee$ins aainst it, a $oesti& Sot' A/ri&an

&opan 7resi$es7 5'ere its reistere$ o//i&e is6

# In t'e Dairy Board &ase "lo// J expresse$ t'e /rt'er opinion t'at, i/ s&' a &opan7s

prin&ipal pla&e o/ *siness is sitate$ else5'ere t'an at its reistere$ o//i&e, t'en t'e &opan

i't in la5 also 7resi$e7 at t'e latter pla&e6 On t'is point too, an$ /or t'e reasons 'eren$er, I

aree 5it' "lo// J6

It is tre t'at in Be$!ett<s &ase supra at <<4 Innes J sai$ in D relation to a &orporation t'at

7666 i/ t'e analo o/ a natral person is to *e /ollo5e$, one 5ol$ sa t'at it &ol$ onl resi$e in one pla&e at one

tie76

It sees to e, 5it' reat respe&t, t'at t'e son$ness o/ t'e a*ove-ote$ proposition is open

to estion6 In -, parte #inister o+ " 7ative 8++airs 1941 AD .< t'is #ort 5as &alle$ pon to

ive a rlin as to t'e eanin o/ t'e 5or$ 7resi$es7 in t'e proviso to s 1(<) o/ t'e Bla&+

A$inistration A&t <8 o/ 192:6 In $eliverin t'e $ent o/ t'e #ort #entlivres JA rear+e$

at .8 - 9?

7666 (I)t is &lear on t'e at'orities t'at a person &an 'ave ore t'an one resi$en&e an$ s'ol$ in t'at &ase *e

se$ *e/ore t'e aistrate o/ t'e pla&e 5'ere 'e resi$es at t'e tie 5'en t'e sons is isse$67

or &ertain prposes "nlis' la5 re&onises t'e possi*ilit o/ $al resi$en&e in t'e &ase o/

&opanies6 In %wedish Central Railway Co Ltd v Thopson 192. A# 49. (H) it 5as 'el$ t'at

/or in&oe tax prposes a % reistere$ &opan &ol$ 'ave ore t'an one resi$en&e6 T'e

aorit in t'e Hose o/ or$s &on&rre$ in t'e opinion o/ or$ #ave #6 #oentin pon t'e

earlier $e&ision in t'e &ase o/ De Beers Consolidated #ines Ltd v owe (supra ), or$ #ave sai$

at .1?

7T'e e//e&t o/ t'is $e&ision is t'at 5'en t'e &entral &ontrol an$ anaeent a*i$es in a parti&lar pla&e, t'e

&opan666 'as a H resi$en&e at t'at pla&e@ *t it $oes not /ollo5 t'at it &annot 'ave a resi$en&e else5'ere6 An

in$ivi$al &an &learl 'ave ore t'an one resi$en&e666 an$ in prin&iple t'ere appears to *e no reason 5' a

&opan s'ol$ not *e in t'e sae position67

I 'ave 'a$ t'e a$vantae o/ rea$in t'e $ent prepare$ in t'is appeal * Brot'er

!i&'olas6 !i&'olas AJA ta+es t'e vie5 t'at t'e I &on&lsion o/ "lo// J t'at a &opan 7resi$es7

5'ere its reistere$ o//i&e is, is &ontrar to prin&iple an$ at'orit6 I a na*le, 5it' respe&t,

to s'are t'at vie56

!i&'olas AJA *ases 'is vie5 parti&larl on t'ree &ases? -state Koot$her v Coissioner +or

Inland Revenue 1941 AD 2.;@ Be$!ett<s &ase supra @ an$ t'e 'rishaw &ase supra6 I s'all

presentl &onsi$er ea&' o/ J t'ese &ases

1991 (1) SA p49

HO"=T"> JA

A in$ivi$all, *t it is &onvenient to a&+no5le$e, in eneral ters, t'at it 5as 'el$ in ea&' o/

t'e t'at a &opan resi$es at t'e pla&e 5'ere its eneral a$inistration is lo&ate$, ie at t'e

seat o/ its &entral anaeent an$ &ontrol, /ro 5'ere t'e eneral sperinten$en&e o/ its

a//airs ta+es pla&e, an$ 5'ere, &onseentl, it is sai$ t'at it B &arries on its real or prin&ipal

*siness6 or t'e sa+e o/ *revit I s'all re/er to t'is as t'e &opan7s 7pla&e o/ &entral &ontrol76

T'at a &opan resi$es at its pla&e o/ &entral &ontrol 5as aain a&&epte$ in :anderbil Par!

ealth Coittee and 9thers v ilson and 9thers19. (1) SA 44: (A) at 4;; - :6 T'e prin&iple

is a&&or$inl 5ell esta*lis'e$ in or la5, an$ I &an see no 5arrant /or $epartin /ro it6 Ia&&ept, # /rt'erore, t'at it applies in respe&t o/ atters o/ ris$i&tion, 5it' t'e reslt t'at

t'e &ort o/ t'e area 5'ere t'e &opan7s pla&e o/ &entral &ontrol is sitate$ 5ill 'ave

ris$i&tion to entertain a onetar &lai aainst t'e &opan on t'e ron$ t'at it is resi$ent

5it'in t'e &ort7s area o/ ris$i&tion6 On t'is approa&' it /ollo5s D t'at, i/ t'e &opan7s


f 21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



reistere$ o//i&e is lo&ate$ else5'ere t'an at its pla&e o/ &entral &ontrol, a /in$in t'at t'e

&opan is resi$ent at t'e pla&e o/ its reistere$ o//i&e /or t'e prposes o/ ris$i&tion st

ne&essaril involve an a&&eptan&e o/ t'e prin&iple t'at a &opan &an /or s&' prposes (ie in

rear$ to estions o/ ris$i&tion) *e resi$ent at t5o pla&es at t'e sae tie6 In $ent,

t'e &ases t'at I 'ave entione$ $o not pre&l$e t'e a&&eptan&e o/ s&' a prin&iple, as " I s'all

en$eavor to s'o5 in a oent, an$ I &onsi$er t'at t'is #ort s'ol$ no5 approve it6

A&&or$inl I /in$ t'at a &opan &an an$ $oes 'ave a $al resi$en&e /or ris$i&tional

prposes, 5'ere its &entral &ontrol an$ its reistere$ o//i&e are lo&ate$ at $i//erent pla&es6

In t'e &ase o/ -state Koot$her (supra ) t'e #ort 5as not &on&erne$ 5it' an estion

relatin to ris$i&tion an$ its $ent $i$ not to&' at all on t'e estion no5 *ein

$is&sse$6 T'is is pertinentl $eonstrate$ * t'e $e&ision in 8ppleby (Pty) Ltd v Dundas

Ltd 1948 (2) SA 9. (")6 In t'at &ase a /orein &opan, reistere$ in "nlan$ an$ 5it' its

'ea$ o//i&e in "nlan$, 'a$ a *ran&' o//i&e in Jo'annes*r, 5'ere it &arrie$ on *siness6 It

5as se$ in t'e "D on &ontra&ts % entere$ into 5it'in t'at #ort7s area o/ ris$i&tion6 T'e

isse /or $e&ision 5as 5'et'er t'e &opan resi$e$ in t'e nion 5it'in t'e eanin o/ t'at

p'rase in s . o/ t'e 1912 A&t6 It 5as 'el$ t'at it $i$6 Hoexter J sai$ (at 911 - 12)?

7#onsel /or t'e $e/en$ant relie$ ver stronl on t'e &ase o/ -state Koot$her v Coissioner +or Inland Revenue

1941 AD 2.;, in 5'i&' t'e H Appellate Division 'el$ t'at t'e Stan$ar$ Ban+ o/ SA t$ is not, /or t'e prposes o/

s 4(a) (ii) o/ t'e Deat' Dties A&t 29 o/ 1922, a person or$inaril resi$ent in t'e nion6 It 5as 'el$ t'at t'e

Stan$ar$ Ban+ o/ SA t$ resi$es in "nlan$, 5'ere it is reistere$ an$ 5'ere its &entral anaeent an$ &ontrola&tall a*i$e, an$ t'at it &ol$ not a&ire a resi$en&e in t'e nion * 'avin *ran&'es an$ &arrin on

*siness 'ere6

I T'at &ase, 'o5ever, $ealt 5it' $eat' $ties an$ 5as not inten$e$ to overn t'e interpretation o/ t'e 5or$

Gresi$eG 5'en it o&&rs in a statte &on&ernin ris$i&tion6 T'at it 5as not so inten$e$ a *e in/erre$ /ro t'e

/ollo5in passae in t'e $ent o/ 3atereer JA at 2;1?

GT'ere are, 'o5ever, a n*er o/ &ases in 5'i&' t'e sestion 'as *een a$e t'at a &orporation 7resi$es7 or

even a&ires a 7$oi&ile7 at t'e pla&e 5'ere its tra$e or *siness is &arrie$ on, eanin * J t'at p'rase t'e

a&tal operations

1991 (1) SA p495

HO"=T"> JA

A 5'i&' earn a pro/it an$ not t'e &entral &ontrol o/ t'ose operations6666 Bt t'ose &ases are all &ases in 5'i&' t'eestion 5as 5'et'er t'e &orporations &on&erne$ 5ere aena*le to t'e ris$i&tion o/ &orts in t'e nite$

Kin$o, an$ it sees &lear t'at t'e 5or$s 7resi$en&e7 an$ 7$oi&ile7 5ere not se$ in t'e proper risti& sense

$eterine$ * &ases s&' as t'e De Beers &ase6G 7

It is &lear /ro t'e $ent o/ Hoexter J at 91 - 11 t'at a $al B resi$en&e o/ a &opan /or

ris$i&tional prposes is re&onise$ 5'en &onsi$eration o/ &onvenien&e reires t'at to *e

$one6 It is tre t'at t'e &ase &on&erne$ a /orein &opan 5'i&' &arrie$ on *siness in t'is

&ontr, *t it is 5ort' o/ note t'at t'e learne$ J$e, otin t'e rear+s o/ Innes J in

Be$!ett<s &ase supra at <<8 &on&ernin t'e earlier # &ase o/ allis v The 'ordon Diaond

#inin" Co Ltd ; H#% 4<, pointe$l o*serve$ (at 91) t'at t'e estion 5as le/t open in

Be$!ett<s &ase 5'et'er t'e sae prin&iple s'ol$ *e applie$ also to $oesti& &opanies6 (I

s'all revert to Be$!ett<s &ase on t'is point *elo56) In opinion t'e $ent in 8ppleby<s

&ase s'o5s t'at t'e re&onition o/ a $al resi$en&e o/ a $oesti& &opan, /or reasons o/

&onvenien&e in rear$ to D estions o/ ris$i&tion, 5ol$ not ipine on an prin&iple o/ or

la56 In t'is &ontext no atter o/ prin&iple (as oppose$ to ere seanti&s) is involve$ in

re/errin to a &opan7s pla&e o/ &entral &ontrol as its resi$en&e 7in t'e proper risti& sense7, as

in Koot$her<s &ase supra, an$ to a $i//erent pla&e 5'ere it &arries on *siness as its 7liite$ or

partial7 resi$en&e, as in %wi+t v 7ational " Ban! o+ %outh 8+ri$a 192< O0D 24 at 2: (ote$ in

8ppleby<s &ase at 91) or as 7t'e /i&tion o/ separate resi$en&e7, as in ri"ht v %tutta+ord and Co

1929 "D 1 at <: (ote$ in 8ppleby<s &ase at 911)6 T'at *ein so, I &an per&eive no o*e&tion

in prin&iple, in t'e sae &ontext, to t'e re&onition o/ a separate resi$en&e o/ a $oesti&

&opan at t'e pla&e o/ its reistere$ o//i&e, 5'ere t'at is sitate$ else5'ere t'an at its

pla&e o/ &entral &ontrol6

I trn to Be$!ett<s &ase supra, t'e /a&ts o/ 5'i&' 'ave alrea$ *een note$6 T'e a*it o/ t'e

a&tal $e&ision in t'at &ase 5as a ver liite$ one6 T'e $e&ision t'at t'e 3it5atersran$ o&al

Division 'a$ no ris$i&tion to entertain t'e a&tion s'ol$ not in$is&riinatel *e exten$e$ in

e//e&t *eon$ t'e narro5 &on/ines o/ t'e /a&ts o/ t'e &ase6 % Inso/ar as Innes J in t'e &orse o/


f 21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



'is reasonin a$e stateents o/ an ostensi*l eneral tenor, t'e s'ol$ not *e applie$ to

sitations to 5'i&' t'e learne$ J$e 5as not t'en a$$ressin 'is in$6 So, 5'en t'e learne$

J$e sai$ (at <<4) t'at 7t'e onl 'oe t'at a &orporation &an *e sai$ to 'ave7 5as at its pla&e

o/ &entral &ontrol, an$ t'at 7one H 5ol$ sa t'at it &ol$ onl resi$e at one pla&e at a tie7, 'e

&ol$ not 'ave inten$e$ to la $o5n in/lexi*le prin&iples o/ niversal appli&ation6 In$ee$, t'is is

apparent /ro t'e rest o/ 'is reasonin6 In revie5in t'e $e&isions o/ "nlis' #orts (at <<; -

:) 'e a&&epte$, * ipli&ation, t'e propositions t'at, in rear$ to /orein &opanies, 7a

&orporation i't *e $eee$ to 'ave t5o resi$en&es7, an$ t'at a I &orporation is * a /i&tion

sppose$ to 'ave an "nlis' resi$en&e or $oi&ile7@ an$ 'e sai$ t'at 7t'e #orts $evise$ an"nlis' resi$en&e /or t'e &opan ot'er t'an its real one76 Tre, 'e pointe$ ot t'at t'e "nlis'

#orts $i$ not appl t'is approa&' to $oesti& &opanies, an$ 'e $e&line$, /or reasons o/

&onvenien&e, to appl it to t'e /a&ts o/ t'e J &ase 5it' 5'i&' 'e 5as $ealin, sain (at <<8)?

1991 (1) SA p498

HO"=T"> JA

A 7An$ t'ere sees no reason 5' 5e s'ol$ in &onne&tion 5it' pro&ee$ins /on$e$ on a &ontra&t entere$ into

5it' t'e 'ea$ o//i&e $evise a /i&tional resi$en&e /or t'e $e/en$ant &opan at Jo'annes*r67

Bt, on t'e ot'er 'an$, t'e learne$ J$e expressl re/raine$ /ro 'ol$in t'at a $oesti&

&opan &ol$ not 'ave a resi$en&e, /or ris$i&tional prposes, at a pla&e ot'er t'an t'at o/ its

&entral B &ontrol6 In allis v 'ordon Diaond #inin" Co Ltd (supra ), an$ in t'e Aeri&an &aseo/ 8ldri$! v 8n$hor Coal Co 41 A State >eports 8<1 (t'e relevant passae o/ 5'i&' is ote$

in 8ppleby<s &ase supra at 911), it 5as 'el$ t'at a /orein &opan &arrin on *siness in t'e

area o/ ris$i&tion o/ a lo&al &ort is resi$ent, /or ris$i&tional prposes, in t'at area in relation

to &ases o/ a&tion arisin ot o/ its *siness # a&tivities t'ere6 3it' re/eren&e to t'ose &ases

Innes J sai$ at <<8 - 9, in $ealin 5it' t'e position o/ a $oesti& &opan?

73it' rear$ to t'e &ontra&ts o/ lo&al *ran&'es, t'e *alan&e o/ &onvenien&e 5ol$ pro*a*l *e in /avor o/ t'eir

*ein en/or&e$ * lo&al tri*nals &opetent to a$$i&ate pon t'e s*e&t atter6 Bt 5'et'er it 5ol$ *e

/on$ possi*le in s&' &ases to appl to $oesti& &opanies D t'e prin&iples re&onise$ in rear$ to /orein

&orporations in allis v 'ordon Diaond Co, an$ also lai$ $o5n * an Aeri&an #ort in 8ldri$! v 8n$hor Coal

Co (41 A State >ep at 8<1), is a point 5'i&' $oes not arise in t'ese pro&ee$ins6 T'e estion is one o/

pra&ti&e, an$ s'ol$ reain open ntil it &oes p $ire&tl /or $e&ision67

T'e estion le/t open pertaine$ to a pla&e 5'ere t'e &opan &arrie$ " on *siness, *t, o/

&orse, a siilar estion in relation to t'e pla&e 5'ere a &opan7s reistere$ o//i&e is

sitate$ $i$ not arise an$ 5as not a$verte$ to at all6 In $ent, t'ere/ore, Be$!ett<s &ase

$i$ not la $o5n an prin&iple 5'i&' 5ol$ *e in/rine$ * 'ol$in t'at a Sot' A/ri&an

$oesti& &opan resi$es, /or ris$i&tional prposes, also at t'e pla&e o/ its reistere$

o//i&e, i/ t'at is lo&ate$ else5'ere t'an at its pla&e o/ &entral &ontrol6

It 5ill *e re&alle$ t'at in 'rishaw<s &ase t'e #ort 5as &on&erne$ 5it' a stattor provision

5'i&' reire$ a /orein &opan to lo$e 5it' t'e >eistrar o/ #opanies t'e naes an$

a$$resses o/ one or ore persons resi$ent in t'e #olon, at'orise$ to a&&ept on *e'al/ o/ t'e

% &opan servi&e o/ pro&ess an$ an noti&es reire$ to *e serve$ on t'e &opan6 In

opinion t'e ere reistration in t'e #opanies O//i&e o/ s&' naes an$ a$$resses n$er t'at

se&tion &annot properl *e rear$e$ as eivalent to t'e position o/ a &opan7s reistere$

o//i&e in ters o/ s 1:(1)(b) o/ t'e #opanies A&t6 3'ile Bristo5e J at 4.: re/erre$ to H an

a$$ress n$er s 198(1)($) o/ t'e 199 A&t as t'e 7reistere$ o//i&e7 o/ t'e &opan, t'at 5as,

5it' respe&t, reall a isnoer@ an$ t'at t'e learne$ J$e eant to se t'e p'rase in a

liite$ sense sees to *e &lear /ro 'is stateent at 4.; t'at t'e 7reistere$ o//i&e7 5as t'e

pla&e 5'ere t'e &opan 'a$ 7&'osen its doi$iliu $itandi et e,e$utandi 76 T'e reistere$

o//i&e provi$e$ /or in s 1:9(1)(b) o/ t'e I present A&t 'as, in vie5, /ar reater sini/i&an&e

t'an t'e reistere$ a$$ress 5it' 5'i&' 'rishaw<s &ase 5as &on&erne$6 #onseentl I $o not

&onsi$er t'at &ase to *e o/ an real oent in t'e &ontext o/ t'e present $is&ssion6 I 5ol$

a$$ t'e /ollo5in o*servations6 T'e /a&t t'at soe &opanies in pra&ti&e pre/er to se t'eir

reistere$ o//i&es as no ore t'an a +in$ o/ postal $epot, rea&'e$ J /ro t'e pla&e 5'ere

*siness is a&tall &on$&te$, &annot $etra&t /ro

1991 (1) SA p499

HO"=T"> JA


f 21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



A t'e iportan&e 5'i&' t'e reistere$ o//i&e is a&&or$e$ * virte o/ t'e provisions o/ t'e A&t

5'i&' are entione$ * "lo// J in t'e Dairy Board &ase supra at ::1B - D6 An$ 5'en one is

$ealin 5it' an arti/i&ial person, one st per/or&e 5or+ 5it' /i&tions6 On t'at s&ore, I $o not

&onsi$er it to *e an less a&&epta*le to rear$ a &opan7s resi$en&e as *ein sitate$ at its

reistere$ o//i&e, as &opare$ to its pla&e o/ B &entral &ontrol, or a $i//erent pla&e 5'ere it

&arries on *siness@ nor, 5it' respe&t, $o I t'in+ t'at it is an t'e less arti/i&ial to rear$ t'e

&opan as *ein 7present7 at its reistere$ o//i&e rat'er t'an *ein 7resi$ent7 t'ere6

In $ent, t'ere/ore, /or t'e reasons iven, t'e &on&lsion at 5'i&' "lo// J arrive$ in

t'e Dairy Board &ase supra 5as not &ontrar to prin&iple or at'orit6 In respe&t/l vie5 'is

&on&lsion 5as # risti&all son$, an$ it erits en$orseent * t'is #ort6 It appears to e,

oreover, t'at in rea&'in 'is $e&ision in t'e Dairy Board &ase "lo// J properl 'a$ rear$ to

&onsi$erations o/ &onvenien&e6 T'e sini/i&an&e o/ t'e /a&tor o/ &onvenien&e 5as stresse$ *

Trollip JA in -state 8"ents Board v Le! (supra )6 At 1;:" - o/ 'is $ent t'e D learne$

J$e o/ Appeal o*serve$?

7In t'e present &ontext o/ or nitar $i&ial sste o/ 'avin one Spree #ort 5it' $i//erent Divisions666

&onvenien&e an$ &oon sense, are, inter alia, vali$ &onsi$erations in $eterinin 5'et'er a parti&lar Division

'as ris$i&tion to 'ear an$ $eterine t'e parti&lar &ase6 See t'e %onia &ase 19.8 (1) SA ... (A) at .;2A an$

, " .;4A@ an$ &/ 8ppleby (Pty) Ltd v Dundas Ltd 1948 (2) SA 9. (") at 91167

T'at /in$in, * itsel/, $oes not &on&l$e t'e appeal in /avor o/ t'e appellant6 T'e inir is

a $al one? (1) is t'ere a re&onise$ ron$ o/ ris$i&tion@ an$, i/ t'ere is, (2) is t'e $o&trineo/ e//e&tiveness satis/ie$ - 'as t'e #ort po5er to ive e//e&t to t'e $ent so't See

u"o v essels198: (<) SA 8<: (A) at 849H - 8.A6 In t'is &ase t'e se&on$ estion is &learl

to *e ans5ere$ in t'e a//irative6 T'at t'e respon$ent &arries on *siness in t'e >ep*li& o/

Trans+ei an$ t'at all its assets a *e /on$ t'ere is irrelevant6

In ters o/ s <44 o/ t'e #opanies A&t a &opan a *e 5on$ p * % 7t'e #ort7 i/ it is

na*le to pa its $e*ts6 An$, in ters o/ s 12 7t'e #ort7 is an 0rovin&ial or o&al Division o/

t'e Spree #ort 5it'in t'e area o/ t'e ris$i&tion 5'ereo/ t'e reistere$ o//i&e o/ t'e

&opan or its ain pla&e o/ *siness is sitate6 In ters o/ s <4. a &opan is $eee$ to *e

na*le to pa its $e*ts i/, inter alia, a &re$itor to 5'o t'e &opan is in$e*te$ in a s o/ not

less t'an >1 H 'as serve$ on t'e &opan at its reistere$ o//i&e a $ean$ /or paent

t'ereo/, an$ t'e &opan 'as /or t'ree 5ee+s t'erea/ter nele&te$ to a+e paent t'ereo/ orto /rnis' reasona*le se&rit t'ere/or6 T'e aonts &laie$ * t'e appellant in its a&tion total

t'osan$s o/ ran$s6 Apart /ro t'e /a&t t'at (as I 'ave /on$) t'e #ort a ;uo 5as &opetent

to entertain t'e appellant7s a&tion, it is &lear t'at t'e #ort a ;uo I also has urisdi$tion in any

appli$ation a"ainst the respondent in whi$h an order +or its windin" up ay be sou"htG *pon

the "rant o+ a windin" up order a $on$ursus $reditoru is institte$, t'e e//e&t 5'ereo/ is t'at,

to se t'e lanae o/ Innes JA in al!er v %y+ret 79 1911 AD 141 at 1;;?

J 7666 (T)'e 'an$ o/ t'e la5 is lai$ pon t'e estate66667

1991 (1) SA p366

HO"=T"> JA

A 3in$in p t'ere/ore represents a potent eans o/ en/or&eent o/ t'e $ent so't *

t'e appellant aainst t'e respon$ent6 T'e or$er so't * t'e appellant is t's easil a$e

e//e&tal 5it'in t'e area o/ ris$i&tion o/ t'e #ort a ;uo6

It /ollo5s, in vie5, t'at t'e #ort a ;uo s'ol$ 'ave $isisse$ t'e B spe&ial plea aainst

its ris$i&tion to 'ear t'e appellant7s a&tion@ an$ t'at t'e appeal st s&&ee$6

Ho5ever, alt'o' it 5as not an isse prse$ at an lent' in arent *e/ore s, I

&onsi$er /rt'er t'at, apart /ro t'e /a&t t'at t'e respon$ent 5as resi$ent 5it'in t'e area o/ its

ris$i&tion, t'e &opeten&e o/ t'e #ort *elo5 to entertain t'e appellant7s a&tion is # /on$e$

no less se&rel on t'e existen&e o/ ris$i&tion ratione doi$ilii 6

In t'e reporte$ &ases pra&ti&al illstrations o/ $oi&ile a*on$, *t as et no &opre'ensive

an$ satis/a&tor $e/inition appears to 'ave *een /orlate$6 See e >an&'o$ 7T'e #on&ept o/

Doi&ile in SA a57 8$ta Juridi$a (19:) at .< - .@ =orsyth (op $it at 11 - <)6 In 'is

onorap' D T'e SA a5 o/ Doi&ile o/ !atral 0ersons 0ro/ Ka'n (at .) otes t'e stateent

* > A e/lar 8eri$an Con+li$ts Law (19;8) at 1:, t'at $oi&ile is


f 21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



7666 a leal relation *et5een a person an$ a pla&e &reate$ * la5 an$ not * t'e person, an$ $esine$ altoet'er

to serve t'e la57s prposes76

" #artin ol++ (op $it at 1;) states?

7A person7s $oi&ile is t'e pla&e or &ontr 5'i&' is &onsi$ere$ * la5 to *e t'e &entre o/ 'is li/e, 'is G&entre o/

ravitG, as it 5ere6 T'is notion is &oon to all leal sstes@ *t t'e 'ave ver $i//erent 5as o/ $eterinin

t'e pla&e to *e loo+e$ on as s&' &entre67

3'at appears to 'ave *een t'e position at &oon la5 in "nlan$ a *e at'ere$ /ro

'as;ue v Coissioners o+ Inland Revenue 194 2 KB 8 (an appeal aainst assessents to

srtax) 5'i&' $e&i$e$ t'at t'e $oi&ile o/ a liite$ &opan 5as $eterine$ * its pla&e o/

reistration@ an$ t'at s&' $oi&ile &lins to it t'ro'ot its existen&e6 In t'e &orse o/ 'is

$ent Ma&!a'ten J rear+e$ at 84 - .? %

7It 5as seste$ * Mr 7eedha on *e'al/ o/ t'e appellant t'at * t'e la5 o/ "nlan$ a *o$ &orporate 'as no

$oi&il6 It is ite tre t'at a *o$ &orporate &annot 'ave a $oi&il in t'e sae sense as an in$ivi$al an ore

t'an it &an 'ave a resi$en&e in t'e sae sense as an in$ivi$al6 Bt * analo 5it' a natral person t'e

attri*tes o/ resi$en&e, $oi&il an$ nationalit &an *e iven, an$ are, I t'in+, iven H * t'e la5 o/ "nlan$ to a

*o$ &orporate6666 T'e $oi&il o/ oriin, or t'e $oi&il o/ *irt', sin 5it' respe&t to a &opan a /ailiar

etap'or, &lins to it t'ro'ot its existen&e6666

T'e Soli&itor-%eneral &alle$ attention to t'e &ase in t'e Aeri&an #orts o/ Ber"ner &

-n"el Brewin" Copany v Drey+us (1898 : A State >ep 2.1)6 T'e $ent in t'at &ase 5as

$elivere$ * Holes J6 An opinion o/ t'at ver einent J$e, ore parti&larl on anestion I relatin to t'e &oon la5 o/ "nlan$, is entitle$ to t'e 'i'est respe&t in an

"nlis' #ort6 T'e 'ea$note to t'at &ase, 5'i&' &orre&tl represents t'e $e&ision, is t'is? GA

&orporation 'as its $oi&il in t'e ris$i&tion o/ t'e state 5'i&' &reate$ it, an$, as a

&onseen&e, 'as no $oi&il an5'ere else6G 7

In "nlan$ t'e #ivil Jris$i&tion an$ J$ents A&t 1982 /or ris$i&tional prposes attri*tes a

$oi&ile to &orporations * J assiilatin

1991 (1) SA p361

HO"=T"> JA

A $oi&ile to t'e &orporation7s 7seat7@ an$ * pres&ri*in rles 5'i&' rel on a &o*ination o/

t'e pla&e o/ in&orporation, t'e pla&e o/ t'e reistere$ o//i&e, an$ t'e pla&e o/ resi$en&e as&riteria /or $eterinin t'e seat6 See Di&e an$ Morris The Con+li$t o+ Laws 11t' e$ (198:) at

11< - 1@ Morris an$ !ort' Cases and #aterials on Private International Law (1984) at :9 et

se;6 B 5a o/ illstration t'e B provisions o/ ss (<) an$ (4) o/ s 42 o/ t'e A&t a 'ere *e

ote$?

7(<) A &orporation or asso&iation 'as its seat in t'e nite$ Kin$o i/ an$ onl i/ -

(a) it 5as in&orporate$ or /ore$ n$er t'e la5 o/ a part o/ t'e nite$ Kin$o an$ 'as its reistere$ o//i&e or

soe ot'er o//i&ial # a$$ress in t'e nite$ Kin$o@ or

(b) its &entral anaeent an$ &ontrol is exer&ise$ in t'e nite$ Kin$o6

(4) A &orporation or asso&iation 'as its seat in a parti&lar part o/ t'e nite$ Kin$o i/ an$ onl i/ it 'as its seat

in t'e nite$ Kin$o an$ -

(a) it 'as its reistere$ o//i&e or soe ot'er o//i&ial a$$ress in t'at part@ or

(b) its &entral anaeent an$ &ontrol is exer&ise$ in t'at part@ or

D ($) it 'as a pla&e o/ *siness in t'at part67

3'ile re/eren&e to &oparative leal sstes is se/l an$ instr&tive it nee$ 'ar$l *e sai$

t'at $oi&ile is an isse to *e $eterine$ * t'e le, +ori 6 T'is rle applies not onl in t'e

&on/li&t o/ la5s to t'e sele&tion stae 5'ere t'e le, doi$ilii a 'ave to *e $eterine$, *t

o*viosl also in t'e $eterination o/ t'e isse 5'et'er an parti&lar " Division o/ t'e

Spree #ort 'as t'e &opeten&e to 'ear an a&tion ratione doi$ilii 6 See -llison Kahn (op $it

at 11)6 T'e position is neatl pt * =orsyth (op $it at 18)?

7666 (I)/ $oi&ile is *ein se$ as a ris$i&tional lin+ rat'er t'an as a &onne&tin /a&tor in a &'oi&e o/ la5 rle666t'e lo&al &ort is interpretin a rle /n$aental to its o5n po5er to $eterine t'e $ispte66667

See /rt'er -, parte Jones@ In re Jones v Jones1984 (4) SA :2. (3) at :2:" - 6

T'e tests /or $eterinin $oi&ile are ore ela*orate an$ elsive t'an t'ose /or ere

resi$en&e6 Sin&e t'e as&ription o/ eit'er resi$en&e or % $oi&ile to a &opan $erives /ro t'e


f 21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



eiparation o/ a natral person an$ a risti& entit *ot' notions - as pointe$ ot *

Ma&!a'ten J in 'as;ue v CIR (supra ) - are eall ipalpa*le6 Ho5ever transparent t'e

/i&tion involve$ a *e, its se is $i&tate$ * leal ne&essit@ an$ t'e &on&ept o/ $oi&ile, no

less t'an t'at o/ resi$en&e, st *e applie$ to H a &opan as *est one &an6

T'e &on&ept o/ $oi&ile en&opasses *ot' a p'si&al an$ a ental eleent6 T'e p'si&al

eleent is resi$en&e at a parti&lar pla&e or 5it'in a parti&lar re$hts!rin"6 T'e estion o/

&riti&al iportan&e on t'is part o/ t'e present &ase is to $eterine t'e territorial a*it o/ t'e

re$hts!rin" 5it'in 5'i&' t'e respon$ent is $oi&ile$6 Dealin 5it' I t'e $oi&ile o/ &orporations

=orsyth (op $it at 1;:) states?

7A &orporation is notionall $oi&ile$ at is pla&e o/ in&orporation6 A &orporation a, o/ &orse, *e $oi&ile$ onl

in t'e >ep*li& as a 5'ole an$ t'is is not s//i&ient /or it to *e $oi&ile$ in t'e area o/ an parti&lar Division o/

t'e Spree #ort6 Hen&e, /or t'e prpose o/ esta*lis'in ris$i&tion in a Division, $oi&ile alone 5ill never J

s//i&e67

1991 (1) SA p362

HO"=T"> JA

A T'at in t'e &on/li&t o/ la5s a &opan in&orporate$ in Sot' A/ri&a 5it' its reistere$ o//i&e

soe5'ere 5it'in t'e >ep*li& 5ill 'ave a Sot' A/ri&an $oi&ile is ani/est6 Bt it sees to

e, 5it' respe&t, to *e /ar /ro o*vios t'at in t'e sitation 5'ere $oi&ile is *ein invo+e$ as

a &onne&tin /a&tor to esta*lis' ris$i&tion s&' a &opan &annot 'ave a $oi&ile territoriallnarro5er an$ ore &ir&s&ri*e$ t'an a B national $oi&ile6 3'atever a *e t'e position in

ot'er leal sstes, I see no ron$, in t'e li't o/ t'e pe&liar $i&ial str&tre o/ Sot'

A/ri&a, /or ex&l$in 5'at a &onvenientl *e $es&ri*e$ as 7provin&ial7 $oi&ile6

It 'as *een pointe$ ot t'at $espite t'e &reation o/ a sinle Spree #ort it la&+s at'orit

over t'e 5'ole &ontr@ an$ t'at onl Divisions # t'ereo/ 'ave ris$i&tion to entertain a&tions6

or t'e prposes o/ ris$i&tion t'e area in respe&t 5'ereo/ a $e/en$ant is an in$ola or a

pere"rinus is t'e area o/ t'e Division to 5'i&' t'e #ort in 5'i&' t'e a&tion is institte$

*elons6 To t'at extent or $i&ial str&tre 'as a /e$eral aspe&t6 T'e &opli&ation &onseent

t'erepon is $es&ri*e$ t's in an arti&le on 7Doi&ile7 * 0olla+ in (19<<) . %8LJ 449 at 4.;?D

7In t'e li't o/ t'ese &ir&stan&es, &an it *e sai$ t'at t'ere is s&' a t'in as a nion $oi&ile, or &an one spea+

onl o/ a provin&ial $oi&ile It is s*itte$ t'at no 'ar$ an$ /ast ans5er &an *e iven to t'is estion6 T'e

ans5er 5ill $epen$ pon t'e natre o/ t'e inir in rear$ to 5'i&' t'e estion o/ $oi&ile is raise$6 I/ t'e

inir relates to t'e ris$i&tion o/ a 0rovin&ial Division $oi&ile in t'at provin&e is ne&essar, an$ t'is

reireent is not et * s'o5in a " peranent 'oe in anot'er provin&e or a peranent 'oe in t'e nion

as a 5'ole67

Dealin 5it' one &lais aainst &orporations in 'is treatise on Jurisdi$tion, 0olla+ expresses

$isapproval o/ eit'er resi$en&e or $oi&ile as &onne&tin /a&tors to /on$ ris$i&tion@ an$ 'e is

in$e$ to $is&ar$ *ot' &on&epts6 T'ere t'e learne$ at'or 5rites (at 92)?

7It is propose$ t'ere/ore to state t'e la5 5it' rear$ to a&tions aainst &orporations 5it'ot a+in se o/ t'e

notions o/ $oi&ile an$ resi$en&e67

I respe&t/ll *t /irl $isaree 5it' t'e a*ove approa&' to t'e pro*le6 I $o not &onsi$er t'atit a&&ratel re/le&ts t'e &rrent leal position in Sot' A/ri&a6

% Despite 'is $isin&lination in prin&iple to invo+e t'e $oi&ile o/ a &orporation as a

ris$i&tional &onne&tin /a&tor, it a *e note$ t'at Polla! nevert'eless re&onises an$ a&&epts

t'e existen&e o/ a 7provin&ial7 $oi&ile in t'e &ase o/ a Sot' A/ri&an &opan6 T'is appears

/ro t'e se&on$ part o/ 'is arti&le on $oi&ile (see (19<4) .1 H SAJ at <;)6 Havin expresse$

s&epti&is as to 5'et'er t'e attri*tion o/ a /i&titios $oi&ile to a &orporation serves an real

se/l prpose, Polla! points ot, 'o5ever, t'at in /a&t Sot' A/ri&an #orts 'ave se$ t'e

notion@ an$ 'e pro&ee$s to $is&ss 75'at is to *e &onsi$ere$ to *e t'e $oi&ile o/ a

&orporation76 To t'is en$ t'e learne$ at'or /orlates a n*er o/ rles, t'e /irst o/ 5'i&' is

state$ in t'e /ollo5in ters? I

7(1) In t'e &ase o/ a tra$in &opan in&orporate$ an$ reistere$ in t'e nion an$ 'avin is prin&ipal pla&e o/ *siness in t'e nion, t'e $oi&ile o/ t'e &opan is t'e Provin$e in 5'i&' its prin&ipal pla&e o/ *siness is

sitate67

("p'asis provi$e$6)


f 21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



It 'as alrea$ *een pointe$ ot t'at t'e &on&ept o/ $oi&ile len$s J itsel/ to exepli/i&ation

rat'er t'an to pre&ise $e/inition6 O/ t'e an

1991 (1) SA p36

!I#HOAS AJA

A $e/initions t'at 'ave *een attepte$, 'o5ever, it sees to e t'at /or prposes o/ t'e

present appeal (an$ I 'asten to a$$, /or t'ose prposes onl) a terse *t se/l stateent is to

*e /on$ in t'e $ent $elivere$ alost a &entr ao in t'e &ase o/ In re Crai"nish@

Crai"nish v ewitt 1892 < #' 186 T'ere #'itt J applie$ (at 192) t'e /ollo5in $e/inition in

Stor7s Con+li$t o+ Laws (1), nael B

7t'at pla&e is properl t'e $oi&il o/ a person in 5'i&' 'is 'a*itation is /ixe$ 5it'ot an present intention o/

reovin t'ere/ro76

"arlier in t'is $ent it 'as *een 'el$ t'at * reason o/ t'e sitation o/ its reistere$ o//i&e

in Jo'annes*r t'e respon$ent 'as its 'a*itation (7resi$en&e7) 5it'in t'e re$hts!rin" o/ t'e

3it5atersran$ o&al Division6 On t'e parti&lar /a&ts o/ t'e instant &ase I /rt'er # /in$ t'at as

lon as t'e respon$ent retains t'at sitation o/ its reistere$ o//i&e, t'ere s*sists *et5een t'e

respon$ent an$ t'e area o/ ris$i&tion o/ t'e 3it5atersran$ o&al Division a relation, &reate$

* la5, 5'i&' ren$ers t'e respon$ent $oi&ile$, /or t'e prposes o/ /on$in ris$i&tion,

5it'in t'at area6

I a &are/l to &on/ine t'e a*ove /in$in in rear$ to t'e D respon$ent7s $oi&ile to t'e

pe&liar /a&ts o/ t'e &ase, /or t'e /ollo5in reasons6 I/ one a&&epts, as I $o, t'at a &opan

5'i&' 'as its pla&e o/ &entral &ontrol else5'ere t'an at its reistere$ o//i&e resi$es

siltaneosl at *ot' pla&es, t'en t'e estion o/ t'e respon$ent7s $oi&ile i't 5ell 'ave

asse$ a $i//erent &oplexion 'a$ t'e respon$ent &arrie$ on its *siness not in t'e Trans+ei

*t 5it'in t'e " >ep*li& an$ *eon$ t'e area o/ ris$i&tion o/ t'e 3it5atersran$ o&al

Division - sa, /or instan&e, at 0retoria6 3'ile I 'ave no $i//i&lt in a&&eptin t'at /or

ris$i&tional prposes a &opan a 'ave $al resi$en&e, it is not eas to &on&eive, /or

ris$i&tional prposes, o/ t'e as&ription o/ ore t'an a sinle $oi&ile to a &opan6

A&&or$inl I 5ol$ liit t'e sele&tion o/ $oi&ile as an alternative ron$ o/ ris$i&tion /or

t'e 3it5atersran$ o&al Division in t'is &ase to t'e parti&lar &ir&stan&e t'at t'e respon$ent'as no pla&e o/ *siness or &entral &ontrol an5'ere 5it'in t'e >ep*li&6

In t'e 'pot'eti&al exaple entione$ a*ove it i't *e a atter o/ &onsi$era*le $i//i&lt

to $e&i$e 5'et'er t'e &opan 5as $oi&ile$ % 5it'in t'e area o/ ris$i&tion o/ t'e

3it5atersran$ o&al Division or t'at o/ t'e Transvaal 0rovin&ial Division6 Sin&e t'e estion

nee$ not *e investiate$ /or prposes o/ t'e present appeal, I 5ol$ pre/er to leave it open6

T'e appeal s&&ee$s 5it' &osts, in&l$in t'e &osts o/ t5o &onsel6 H T'e or$er o/ a*soltion

/ro t'e instan&e 5it' &osts a$e * t'e #ort a ;uo is set asi$e, an$ t'e /ollo5in or$er is

s*stitte$ t'ere/or?

7T'e /irst $e/en$ant7s spe&ial plea raisin an o*e&tion to t'e ris$i&tion o/ t'e #ort is $isisse$ 5it' &osts67

Bot'a JA an$ %ol$stone AJA &on&rre$ in t'e $ent o/ Hoexter JA6 I

&$'*#

!i&'olas AJA? I a in respe&t/l areeent 5it' t'e 5'ole o/ t'e $ent o/ Hoexter JA, save

in its en$orseent o/ t'e $ent in Dairy Board v John T Rennie & Co (Pty) Ltd 19:; (<) SA

:;8 (3) an$ t'e $e&ision t'at a &opan reistere$ in t'e >ep*li& o/ Sot' A/ri&a J resi$es

5'ere its reistere$ o//i&e is sitate$6

1991 (1) SA p364

!I#HOAS AJA

A T'e 5or$ 7resi$en&e7 'as a variet o/ eanins, ranin /ro ere p'si&al presen&e to

$oi&ile6 (See Polla! (op $it at 44)6) T'e learne$ at'or $is&sses t'e pro*le o/ 5'at is eant* 7resi$en&e7 in relation to ris$i&tion at 4. - 8, 5'ere 'e otes /ro t'e $ent o/

Bristo5e J in Robinson v Coissioner o+ Ta,es 191: T0D .42 at .4: - 86 In B /ootnote 1 at 4;

- : 'e otes a n*er o/ ot'er $i&ial attepts to $es&ri*e 5'at is eant * resi$en&e in

relation to a natral person6


f 21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



T'ere is norall no $i//i&lt in $e&i$in 5'ere a natral person resi$es, *t 5'en t'e

inir relates to a &opan soe arti/i&ial test st *e applie$6 or a &opan is a &reation o/

t'e la5, an$ exists onl in abstra$to6

# 7T'e arti/i&ial leal person &alle$ t'e &orporation 'as no p'si&al existen&e6 It exists onl in &onteplation o/

la56 It 'as neit'er *o$, parts, nor passions6 It &annot *ear 5eapons nor serve in t'e 5ars6 It &an *e neit'er

loal nor $isloal6 It &annot &opass treason6 It &an *e neit'er /rien$ nor ene6 Apart /ro its &orporators it

&an 'ave neit'er t'o'ts, 5is'es, nor intentions, /or it 'as no in$ ot'er t'an t'e in$s o/ t'e &orporators67D

(Per B&+le J in Continental Tyre and Rubber Co ('reat Britain) Ltd v Dailer Co Ltd 191.112 T> <24 at <<<6)

In -state Koot$her v Coissioner +or Inland Revenue 1941 AD 2.;, t'e $ispte$ estion

5as 5'et'er t'e Stan$ar$ Ban+ o/ Sot' A/ri&a t$ 5as in la5 to *e rear$e$ as 7resi$ent7

5it'in t'e nion6 3atereer JA sai$ " at 2;?

7!o5 it 'as *een /reentl pointe$ ot t'at 5'en t'e 5or$s Gresi$eG or Gresi$entG are se$ in &onne&tion 5it' a

&orporation to in$i&ate its presen&e in a pla&e /or soe perio$ o/ its &orporate existen&e, t'e 5or$s are se$ in a

/irative sense an$ &an onl *e iven a eanin analoos to t'e eanin o/ t'e 5or$s se$ 5it' rear$ to a

'an *ein6 A 'an *ein 'as a *o$ an$ a in$ an$ t'e in$ al5as a&&opanies t'e *o$@ t'e in$

t'ere/ore resi$es (i/ a in$ &an *e sai$ to resi$e) 5'ere t'e *o$ resi$es6 A &orporation 'as no *o$ *t it 'as

5'at * analo &an *e &alle$ a $ire&tin in$6 In a 'an *ein t'e lo&ation o/ t'e *o$ 5it' its atten$ant

in$, i/ s&' lo&ation *e perio$i& or sal or 'a*ital, $eterines t'e resi$en&e o/ t'at 'an *ein, an$ it is

t'ere/ore to *e expe&te$ t'at t'e resi$en&e o/ a &orporation 5ill *e % $eterine$ * t'e perio$i&, sal or'a*ital lo&ation o/ t'e $ire&tin in$6 In t'e &ase o/ De Beers Consolidated #ines v owe 19; A# 4.. at 4.9,

or$ ore*rn state$ t'e la5 as /ollo5s?

GIn applin t'e &on&eption o/ resi$en&e to a &opan, 5e o't, I t'in+, to pro&ee$ as nearl as 5e &an pon

t'e analo o/ an in$ivi$al6 A &opan &annot eat or sleep, *t it &an +eep 'ose an$ $o *siness6 3e o't,

t'ere/ore, to see 5'ere it reall +eeps 'ose H an$ $oes *siness6 An in$ivi$al a *e o/ /orein nationalit,

an$ et resi$e in t'e nite$ Kin$o6 So a a &opan6666 A &opan resi$es /or prposes o/ in&oe tax

5'ere its real *siness is &arrie$ on666 t'e real *siness is &arrie$ on 5'ere t'e &entral anaeent an$ &ontrol

a&tall a*i$es6666G

T'is passae 'as *een ote$ 5it' approval an$ /ollo5e$ in neros &ases o/ t'e 'i'est

at'orit67 I

i+e De Beers, -state Koot$her 5as a tax &ase, *t t'e sae prin&iple 5as state$ * t'e

Appellate Division in a &ase relatin to ris$i&tion n$er s 1; o/ t'e Transvaal A$inistration o/ Jsti&e 0ro&laation6 Innes J sai$ in T Be$!ett & Co Ltd v Krooer Ltd 1912 AD <24 at <44?

7!o5 t'e ters Gresi$eG an$ Gresi$en&eG &an onl *e se$ in t'eir tre sini/i&an&e 5it' rear$ to natral persons6

T'e resi$en&e o/ a leal J persona li+e a

1991 (1) SA p363

!I#HOAS AJA

A &opan, arti/i&iall &reate$, st *e a ere notional &on&eption intro$&e$ /or prposes o/ ris$i&tion an$

la5 (see =oote at 112)6 T'e onl 'oe 5'i&' a &orporation &an *e sai$ to 'ave is t'e pla&e 5'ere t'e operations

/or 5'i&' it 5as &alle$ into existen&e are &arrie$ on6 So /ar as it &an *e sai$ to resi$e an5'ere, t'at is 5'ere it

resi$es6 An$ i/ t'e analo o/ a natral person is to *e /ollo5e$, one 5ol$ sa t'at it &ol$ onl resi$e in one

pla&e at one tie6 T'e $o&trine is /irl esta*lis'e$ t'at 5'ere a &opan &arries on *siness at ore pla&es

t'an B one its tre resi$en&e is lo&ate$ 5'ere its eneral a$inistration is &entre$6 To ote t'e 5or$s o/

in$le Copanies ;t' e$ at 122<? GT'e resi$en&e an$ $oi&ile o/ an in&orporate$ &opan are $eterine$ *

t'e sitation o/ its prin&ipal pla&e o/ *siness6 T'is is not onl t'e opinion o/ t'e ost re&ent 5riters on private

international la5, *t is spporte$ * t'e $e&isions o/ or o5n #orts6 B t'e prin&ipal pla&e o/ # *siness is

eant t'e pla&e 'ere t'e a$inistrative *siness o/ t'e &opan is &on$&te$@ t'is a not *e 5'ere its

an/a&trin or ot'er *siness operations are &arrie$ on6G 7

Ho5ever, in Dairy Board v John T Rennie & Co (Pty) Ltd (supra ), 5'ere t'e estion 5as

5'et'er t'e 3D 'a$ ris$i&tion over t'e $e/en$ant &opan, "lo// J 'el$ t'at a &opan

reistere$ in Sot' A/ri&a resi$e$ D in la5 5'ere its reistere$ o//i&e is6 T'e $e/en$ant7s

reistere$ o//i&e 5as 5it'in t'e #ort7s area o/ ris$i&tion, *t its *siness a&tivities 5ere

&on$&te$ /ro Dr*an, 5'ere its anaeent 5as sitate$, its *oo+s o/ a&&ont 5ere +ept,

its $ire&tors et ost o/ t'e tie, an$ its *siness 5as &ontrolle$6 T'e learne$ J$e pose$ t'e

estion? 7In t'e " li't o/ t'e &ir&stan&es &an it *e sai$ t'at $e/en$ant resi$es or is in t'e3it5atersran$ 5it'in t'e eanin o/ s 197 His ans5er 5as a//irative?

7In vie5, a &opan reistere$ in Sot' A/ri&a resi$es in la5 5'ere t'e reistere$ o//i&e is6 I/ its prin&ipal

pla&e o/ *siness is sitate$ else5'ere it a also resi$e at t'e latter pla&e67


f 21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



He a&&or$inl 'el$ t'at t'e 3D 'a$ ris$i&tion in t'e atter6 In respe&t/l opinion t'is

&on&lsion is &ontrar to prin&iple an$ at'orit, an$ &annot *e spporte$6

Havin re/erre$ to di$ta in T Be$!ett (supra ) "lo// J o*serve$ t'at t'e #ort $i$ not t'ere

'ave to &onsi$er 5'et'er a &opan i't not *e sai$ to resi$e or *e 5'ere its reistere$

o//i&e is, an$ sai$ (at ::H)? %

73'at is, in opinion, o/ iportan&e in t'e $ent in Be$!ett<s &ase is t'at t'e #ort &onsi$ere$ t'at t'ere is

a &lose &orrelation *et5een t'e $t o/ a &opan to a&&ept servi&e at a parti&lar pla&e an$ its pla&e o/

resi$en&e6 At <<9 t'e &on&l$in pararap' o/ t'e $ent rea$s?

Gor t'e prpose o/ t'is &ase it is not ne&essar to sa ore t'an t'at a &opan s'ol$ not *e &opelle$ to

a&&ept servi&e an5'ere, H save at its &entral o//i&e, o/ pro&ess t'e o*e&t o/ 5'i&' is to en/or&e or re&over

$aaes in respe&t o/ a &ontra&t entere$ into 5it' t'e o//i&ials o/ its &entral a$inistration6G 7

I $o not t'in+ t'at t'is passae provi$es spport /or "lo// J7s opinion6 3'at Innes J 5as sain

5as t'at a &opan s'ol$ *e &opelle$ to a&&ept servi&e at its &entral o//i&e an$ at no ot'er

pla&e - 'e 5as not sain I t'at i/ a &opan 5as o*lie$ to a&&ept servi&e at soe ot'er

pla&e, t'at pla&e 5as to *e &onsi$ere$ as its resi$en&e6

"lo// J 5ent on to sa t'at t'is &orrelation *et5een t'e pla&e at 5'i&' servi&e a *e e//e&te$

an$ ris$i&tion over a &orporation 5as

7666 in a&&or$an&e 5it' 5'at 5as sai$ * #'es'ire Private J International Law :t' e$ at 1:4, as /ollo5s?

1991 (1) SA p36

!I#HOAS AJA

A GI/ 'e is /on$ 'ere 'e &an *e serve$ 'ere an$ at &oon la5 t'e exer&ise o/ ris$i&tion $epen$s on servi&e6

It is t'e sae in t'e &ase o/ a &orporation6G

%o5er #odern Copany Law <r$ e$ at 44: is to siilar e//e&t 5'ere 'e sas sub vo$e GT'e &opan7s 'oeG?

GB t'e expression o/ 7'oe7 5e ean t'e o//i&e at 5'i&' t'e reisters 'ave to *e +ept an$ 5'ere servi&e is to *e

e//e&te$6G 7 B

Cheshire is not a sa/e i$e on t'is point *e&ase in or la5, $i//erin /ro t'e "nlis' &oon

la5, t'e exer&ise o/ ris$i&tion $oes not $epen$ on servi&e6 In an event, 5'ere t'e estion is

5'et'er a $e/en$ant resi$es 5it'in t'e #ort7s ris$i&tion, t'is is not s'o5n * t'e /a&t t'at 'e

&an *e serve$ t'ere6

!or $oes 'ower provi$e$ t'e learne$ J$e 5it' spport6 T'e senten&e # ote$ * "lo// J is

in t'e se&tion o/ t'e *oo+ 'ea$e$ 7Matters reirin reistration at t'e #opanies7 >eistr76

T'e $e/inition ote$ re/le&ts 5'at 75e7 (ie t'e at'ors) ean * 7'oe7 - an expression 5'i&'

is not se$ in t'e #opanies A&t6 An$ t'e senten&e is /ollo5e$ ie$iatel * t'e stateent?

7It is not ne&essaril its D Gresi$en&eG in t'e te&'ni&al sense66667

"lo// J sai$ at ::1B - D t'at t'e /a&tors o/ t'e pla&es at 5'i&' a &opan &an *e serve$ 5it'

pro&ess

7666 asses iportan&e i/ it *e *orne in in$ t'at s 1:(1) o/ t'e #opanies A&t ;1 o/ 19:<, as also its

pre$e&essor in t'e 192; #opanies " A&t, entions t'e reistere$ o//i&e as t'e one Gat 5'i&' all pro&ess a

*e serve$G6 An$ not onl $oes t'e #opanies A&t ren$er t'e reistere$ o//i&e t'e pla&e at 5'i&' servi&e &an *ee//e&te$@ it is also t'e pla&e 5'ere a inte *oo+ o/ t'e eneral eetins o/ t'e &opan is to *e +ept (s 24)@

as also t'e reister o/ allotent o/ s'ares (s 9<)@ t'e reister o/ e*ers (s 1.)@ a reister o/ ple$es an$

*on$s (s 12:)@ a reister o/ $e*entre 'ol$ers (s 128)@ a reister o/ $ire&tors an$ o//i&ers (s 21;)@ a reister

o/ aterial interests o/ $ire&tors an$ ot'er insi$ers in t'e s'ares an$ $e*entres o/ t'e &opan (s 2< an$ s

2<1)@ a reister o/ $e&laration o/ interest in &ontra&ts * $ire&tors an$ o//i&ers (s 24)@ a reister o/ atten$an&e

o/ $ire&tors7 an$ anaers7 eetins (s 24.)@ an$ a reister o/ /ixe$ assets (s 284)6

T'e totalit o/ t'ese provisions see to e to attra&t t'e in/eren&e t'at t'e eislatre inten$e$ to en$o5 t'e

reistere$ o//i&e 5it' t'e % alit o/ *ein t'e pla&e to 5'i&' t'e 5orl$ &an loo+ as t'e leal 'oe an$

a$inistrative &entre o/ t'e &opan67

I respe&t/ll $isaree 5it' t'is &on&lsion6 T'e re&or$s re/erre$ to are not t'e lares et penates

o/ a &opan7s 'oe6 T'e are +ept at t'e &opan7s reistere$ o//i&e onl *e&ase t'e

#opanies A&t reires it,H

presa*l in or$er t'at t'e s'ol$ *e a&&essi*le at a /ixe$ an$as&ertaina*le pla&e /or inspe&tion * t'ose entitle$ to inspe&t t'e6 A &opan7s reistere$

o//i&e is /reentl sitate$ at t'e o//i&es o/ an attorne or a$itor, 5'ose &onne&tion 5it' t'e

&opan a *e no ore t'an pro/essional, an$ 5'o a not ot'er5ise exer&ise 'is in$ in

t'e a$inistration o/ t'e &opan7s a//airs6 T'e presen&e o/ t'e reistere$ I o//i&e is sall


f 21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



in$i&ate$ * a *oar$ a//ixe$ to t'e 5all otsi$e t'e re&eption o//i&e, /reentl aon a n*er

o/ siilar *oar$s /or ot'er &opanies6 An$ no ore is reire$ o/ t'e atten$ant eploee

&on&erne$, t'an t'at s'e s'ol$ a&&ept servi&e o/ pro&ess, an$ re&eive &oni&ations, an$

pro$&e /or inspe&tion t'e re&or$s a*ove re/erre$ to6 In 'rishaw v #i$a #ines Ltd 1912 T0D

4. Bristo5e J re/erre$ at J 4.; - : to t'e /a&t t'at t'e reistere$

1991 (1) SA p365

!I#HOAS AJA

A o//i&e is sall t'e pla&e 5'ere t'e &opan is &ontrolle$ an$ 5'ere t'e eneral

sperinten$en&e o/ its a//airs ta+es pla&e, *t a$$e$?

7666 Bt it is not ne&essaril so6 T'e reistere$ o//i&e a *e erel a pla&e 5'ere noti&es an$ sonses &an *e

serve$ on t'e &opan, a ere a$$ress /or servi&e, at 5'i&' no *siness at all is &arrie$ on6 It &annot *e sai$

t'at, *e&ase t'e &opan 'as a reistere$ o//i&e B 5'ere not'in ore t'an t'at is $one, it &arries on *siness

t'ere67

An$ see t'e spee&' o/ Cis&ont Sner in -"yptian Delta Land and Investent Copany v

Todd 1929 A# at 14 - 1.6

I state$ at t'e otset t'at I aree$ 5it' Hoexter JA t'at t'e 3it5atersran$ o&al Division is

t'e $e/en$ant &opan7s +oru doi$ilii 6 # or t'e reasons iven * learne$ #olleae it is

ani/est t'at it 'as a Sot' A/ri&an $oi&ile6 3'ere t'e estion relates to t'e ris$i&tion o/ aDivision o/ t'e Spree #ort, 'o5ever, it is ins//i&ient t'at a &opan is $oi&ile$ in t'e

>ep*li&@ it is ne&essar t'at it s'ol$ 'ave a lo&al $oi&ile 5it'in t'e area o/ ris$i&tion o/

t'at Division6 3'ere it 'as its prin&ipal pla&e o/ *siness 5it'in s&' area, it a D properl *e

sai$ to *e $oi&ile$ t'ere@ *t 5'ere it $oes not 'ave its prin&ipal pla&e o/ *siness in t'e

>ep*li&, t'en, /or 5ant o/ ant'in *etter, it st *e sai$ to *e $oi&ile$ in t'e area in 5'i&'

it is rear$e$ as *ein present6

Soloon A#J pointe$ ot in #adrassa 8nuan Islaia v Johannesbur" #uni$ipal Coun$il

1919 AD 4<9 at 449 t'at? "

7666 (I)t is &lear t'at a &opan &an no ore Go&&pG t'an it &an resi$e on a stan$6 or a &opan is a prel

leal &on&eption? it 'as no p'si&al existen&e, *t exists onl in &onteplation o/ la5, so t'at it is in&apa*le o/

*ein p'si&all present at an pla&e67

Bt st as a resi$en&e &an /or &ertain prposes *e attri*te$ to a &opan, so &an a presen&e6

An$ in opinion t'e eislatre, in reirin in s 1:(1) o/ t'e #opanies A&t t'at ever

&opan s'all 'ave a reistere$ o//i&e in t'e >ep*li&, 'as attri*te$ to t'e &opan a

stattor presen&e t'ere6 It is t'e pla&e at 5'i&' t'e &opan a al5as *e /on$6 T'e

provision in s 1:(1)(d) t'at a &'ane in t'e sitation o/ t'e reistere$ o//i&e o/ a &opan

s'all not ta+e e//e&t nless t'e >eistrar 'as re&or$e$ t'e parti&lars t'ereo/ is $esine$ % to

ensre t'at, /or an prpose o/ t'e A&t, t'ere is al5as a pla&e 5'i&' is t'e reistere$ o//i&e6 All

&oni&ations an$ noti&es a *e a$$resse$, an$ all pro&ess a *e serve$ t'ere, an$ t'e

&opan7s re&or$s re/erre$ to * "lo// J in t'e Dairy Board &ase a *e inspe&te$ t'ere6

Moreover s 12(1) provi$es t'at t'e #ort 5'i&' 'as ris$i&tion n$er t'e A&t in respe&t o/ an

&opan s'all *e an 0rovin&ial or o&alH

Division o/ t'e Spree #ort 5it'in t'e area o/ ris$i&tion 5'ereo/ t'e reistere$ o//i&e o/ t'e &opan or t'e ain pla&e o/ *siness o/ t'e

&opan is sitate$6

T'e &onsi$erations o/ &onvenien&e re/erre$ to in t'e Dairy Board &ase supra at ::1% - H,

&itin 8ppleby (Pty) Ltd v Dundas Ltd 1948 (2) SA 9. (") I at 911, &all iperativel /or soe

pla&e, t'e lo&ation o/ 5'i&' is as&ertaina*le at t'e #opanies >eistr, at 5'i&' t'e &opan

a 5it' &ertaint *e /on$ to *e 7present76 T'at pla&e is t'e reistere$ o//i&e6

In t'e present &ase t'e prin&ipal pla&e o/ *siness o/ t'e $e/en$ant is in Trans+ei6 It $oes not

&arr on *siness in Sot' A/ri&a6 Apart /ro t'e /a&t t'at it 5as in&orporate$ in Sot' A/ri&a,

its onl J &onne&tion 5it' t'e

1991 (1) SA p368

!I#HOAS AJA

A >ep*li& is t'at its reistere$ o//i&e is in Jo'annes*r6 It is t'ere/ore 5it'in t'e ris$i&tion

o/ t'e 3D t'at t'e $e/en$ant st *e ta+en to *e $oi&ile$6


f 21 2013/01/22 12:41 PM



Milne JA &on&rre$ in t'e $ent o/ !i&'olas AJA6

Appellant7s Attornes? Deneys Reit> , Jo'annes*r@ ebbers, B Bloe/ontein6 >espon$ent7s

Attornes? RaphaelyEeiner , Jo'annes*r@ Israel & %a$!stein, Bloe/ontein6 #

© 2005 Juta and Company, Ltd.


Documents

Bisonboard Ltd v k Braun Woodworking Machinery (Pty) Ltd 1991 (1) Sa 482 (a)