These days disclaimers are everywhere, we find them in shopping centres, garages, schools, restaurants, etc. All of them have one thing in common and that is to deny responsibility intending to prevent civil liability arising for particular acts or omissions.
Disclaimers are frequently made to escape the effects of the torts of negligence and of occupiers’ liability towards visitors.
A typical disclaimer will read as follows: “We do not accept responsibility for any injuries, loss or damage to any person whatsoever when entering this area”.
There are also disclaimers for websites, emails, products, etc and all of them are to deny responsibility to prevent civil liability.
The importance of disclaimers at shopping centres came under the spotlight in a recent personal injury case of Hanson v Liberty Group Limited and two others 20212 JOL 28202 (GSJ) as well as an unreported matter of Niemand vs Old Mutual Investment Group Property Investments (Pty) Ltd.
In both matters, the Courts had to decide whether the positioning and wording of the disclaimer notices were adequate to relieve the Defendants of liability for damages sustained by the Plaintiffs.
In both cases, it was held that the positioning of the disclaimer notices was found to be inadequate. The Courts held however and confirmed that the legal principals to disclaimers notices remain unchanged.
The enforceability of a disclaimer notice came into question in the matter of Hanson v Liberty Group after the Plaintiff, who was a passenger in a vehicle that entered the Sandton City shopping complex parking area, fell in the parking area of the mall by tripping over an elevated expansion joined cover. The Defendant (being the owners of the shopping complex) pleaded that the disclaimer notice had been displayed at the entrances to the mall and that the Defendant should therefore be exempted from liability for the injuries sustained by the Plaintiff.
In this matter the notice containing the disclaimer, was positioned in such a way that only the driver of the vehicle entering the parking lot was able to read it, but not the passenger. The Court held therefore that any person other than the driver would not have realised that the notice refers to him or her and would have been entitled to ignore it. As such, the Court held that the Defendant did not do what was reasonably sufficient to give the Plaintiff notice of the terms of the disclaimer.
The Consumer Protection Act of 2008 (“the CPA”) has brought in stringent requirements which control the use of exemption provisions in consumer agreements. The introduction of the CPA has led to any such signs or provisions being interpreted strictly and most likely in favour of the consumer.
The CPA has therefore placed a significant burden on the supplier to ensure that the nature and effect of the provision/notice is drawn to the attention of the consumer in conspicuous manner and form that is likely to draw the attention of an ordinarily alert consumer, considering the specific circumstances.
It is therefore very important that when a company erects a disclaimer that the type of the premises and the layout will play a role in determining whether the disclaimer was displayed in a conspicuous manner.
A company should therefore take into account that any disclaimer notice must be visible and large enough to be seen and read.
The notice must also appear at various locations in sufficient numbers and more specific where the risk might occur.
Since 1950 various cases have been heard in our Courts re disclaimers and a list of most relevant cases appear hereunder:
YEAR |
CASE NAME |
SUMMARY |
|
1 |
1950 |
Frocks Ltd v Dent and Goodwin (Pty) Ltd 1950 (2) SA 717 (C) |
Disclaimer notice – included at the bottom of a warehouse invoice exempting the shippers from liability in respect of goods received and stored. |
2 |
1958 |
George v Fairmead (Pty) Ltd 1958 (2) SA 465 (A) |
Contractual disclaimer – signing of hotel register exempts hotelier from liabilities |
3 |
1958 |
SAR & H v Lyle Shipping Company Limited 1958 (3) SA 416 (A) |
Contractual disclaimer – exemption of liability for negligence |
4 |
1963 |
Van Wyk v Otten 1963 (1) SA 415 (O) |
Contractual disclaimer – seller of vehicle exempt from liability for latent defects |
5 |
1973 |
Boshoff v Prinsloo 1973 (1) PH J 16 |
Oral disclaimer relying on words said to the plaintiff – “as daar ‘n balls-up is, is dit jou worries” – defence not upheld |
6 |
1973 |
Galloon v Modern Burglar Alarms (Pty) Ltd 1973 (3) SA 647 (C) |
Contractual disclaimer – burglar alarm company exempt from liability for damage resulting from non-operation of the alarm |
7 |
1973 |
Santam Insurance Co Ltd v Vorster [1973] 4 All SA 558 (A) |
Verbal disclaimer – passenger’s knowledge and appreciation of the danger will ordinarily suffice to establish the “consent” exempting driver from liability for damages resulting from an accident |
8 |
1978 |
Government of the RSA v Fibre Spinners & Weavers (Pty) Ltd 1978 (2) SA 794 |
Contractual disclaimer – storage company absolved from all responsibility for loss of or damage incurred while the goods are in their care or on their premises. |
9 |
1985 |
Lillicrap, Wassenaar and Partners v Pilkington Brothers (SA) (Pty) Ltd 1985 (1) SA 475 (A) |
Contractual disclaimer – engineers exempt from liability for damage resulting from their professional work |
10 |
1986 |
Berman Brothers (Pty) Ltd v Sodastream Ltd and Another [1986] 2 All SA 252 (A) |
Disclaimer by conduct – where someone has used in relation to his goods the trade mark of another, they can avoid liability for infringement on the ground that the public ,at the time of purchase, became aware of the fact that the goods were those of the alleged infringer and not those of the proprietor or registered user of the trade mark |
11 |
1986 |
South Eastern Auto Rental Services (Pty) Ltd t/a Swans Rent a Car v Sank Bros Holdings (Pty) Ltd t/a Market Toyota [1986] 4 All SA 88 (C) |
Disclaimer notice – notice on invoice exempting repair garage from liability for damage to client’s car |
12 |
1989 |
Lawrence v Kondotel Inns (Pty) Ltd 1989 (1) SA 44 (D) |
Disclaimer notice – sign board at hotel stating that management exempt from liability for accidents resulting from horse riding |
13 |
1989 |
Zietsman v Van Tonder en ‘n Ander [1989] 3 All SA 124 (T) |
Contractual disclaimer – entry permit exempting game reserve from liability for injury |
14 |
1993 |
Elgin Brown and Hamer v Industrial Machinery Suppliers (Pty) Ltd 1993 (3) SA 424 (A) |
Contractual disclaimer – exemption of liability for workmanship and materials |
15 |
1994 |
Dlovo v Brian Porter Motors Ltd t/a Port Motors Newlands 1994 (2) SA 518 (C) |
Contractual disclaimer – Mechanic exempt from liability for damages |
16 |
1995 |
Minister of Education and Culture (House of Delegates) v Azel and Another 1995 (1) SA 30 (A) |
Indemnity – guardian of minor signing indemnity for minor on school tour |
17 |
1995 |
Payne v Minister of Transport 1995 (4) SA 153 (C) |
Contractual disclaimer – visitor upon entering premises signs document exempting owner of premises from liability for injuries sustained on premises |
18 |
1996 |
Booysen v Sun International Bophuthatswana Ltd Case number 96/3261, unreported |
Disclaimer notice – sign board at hotel stating that you enter, ride or use the facilities at your own risk |
19 |
1996 |
Visagie v Transsun (Pty) Ltd [1996] 4 All SA 702 (Tk) |
Contractual disclaimer – exemption clause stating that management exempt from liability for accidents resulting from horse riding |
20 |
1997 |
Goodman Brothers (Pty) Ltd v Rennies Group Limited 1997 (4) SA 91 |
Contractual disclaimer – clause exempting the employer from liability employee’s theft from which the employer would not benefit |
21 |
1999 |
Durban’s Water Wonderland v Botha 1999 (1) SA 982 (AD) |
Disclaimer notice – sign board at ride at fun fair stating that management not liable for injuries |
22 |
2000 |
Fourie v Hansen and another [2000] 1 All SA 510 |
Contractual disclaimer – clause in rental agreement excluding liability for damages for breach of agreement |
23 |
2000 |
Stewart and another v Appleton Fund Managers [2000] 3 All SA 545 (N) |
Contractual disclaimer – Fund- and portfolio manager exempt from liability for any damage suffered by client arising from mandate to manage investment portfolio |
24 |
2001 |
Zeda Car Rental (Pty) Ltd t/a Avis Rent-A-Car v Fourie (Curatrix ad Litem to De Waal) and Another 2001 JDR 0684 (SCA) |
Contractual disclaimer – clause exempting car rental company from liability to the injured occupants of the vehicle for damages |
25 |
2001 |
Sun Couriers (Pty) Ltd v Kimberley Diamond Wholesalers [2001] 2 All SA 646 (NC) |
Contractual disclaimer – Dispatch note of courier company containing disclaimer limiting courier’s liability in case of loss of parcel |
26 |
2001 |
First National Bank of SA Ltd v Rosenblum 2001 (4) SA 189 (SCA) |
Contractual disclaimer – bank exempt from liability for theft by employees |
27 |
2002 |
Van der Westhuizen v Arnold [2002] 4 All SA 331 (SCA) |
Contractual disclaimer – seller of vehicle excluding implied warranties |
28 |
2002 |
Afrox Healthcare (Pty) Ltd v Strydom 2002 (6) SA 21 (SCA) |
Contractual disclaimer – indemnity clause stating that private hospital not liable for negligence of nursing staff |
29 |
2003 |
ABSA Bank Ltd v Fouche 2003 (1) SA 176 (SCA) |
Contractual disclaimer – exempting bank from liability for loss or damage to contents of a safety deposit box |
30 |
2003 |
Cape Group Construction (Pty) Ltd t/a Forbes Waterproofing v Government of the United Kingdom [2003] 3 All SA 496 (SCA) |
Contractual disclaimer – exemption clause on faxed quotation exempts contractor form any loss or damage suffered by employer |
31 |
2004 |
Johannesburg Country Club v Stott 2004 (5) SA 511 (SCA) |
Contractual disclaimer – rules of golf club exempts club from liability for member’s personal injury or harm – not exempt of liability for widow’s loss of support |
32 |
2005 |
Consol Ltd t/a Consol Gass v Twee Jonge Gezellen (Pty) Ltd and Another 2005 (6) SA 1 (SCA) |
Contractual disclaimer – clause in supply agreement limiting manufacturer’s liability for defective goods |
33 |
2005 |
Katzeff v Canal Walk Limited t/a Canal Walk and Others (10293/03) [2005] ZAWCHC 58 |
Indemnity – third party signing indemnity on behalf of a minor |
34 |
2006 |
Tsogo Sun Holdings (Pty) Ltd v Qing-He Shan and Another 2006 (6) SA 537 (SCA) |
Disclaimer notice – exempting Casino from damages (duty of care to protect patrons against each other) |
35 |
2007 |
Drifters Adventure Tours CC v Hircock 2007 (2) SA 83 (SCA) |
Contractual disclaimer – passenger on tour bus signed indemnity form exempting operator’s liability for driving |
36 |
2007 |
Walker v Redhouse 2007 (3) SA 514 (SCA) |
Contractual disclaimer – indemnity signed by horse rider exempting owner of horse from liability for injuries sustained by horse rider while riding |
37 |
2007 |
ER24 Holdings v Smith NO and another [2007] 4 All SA 679 (SCA) |
Contractual disclaimer – exemption clause exempting emergency service operator from liability for loss, damage or injury of volunteer worker |
38 |
2008 |
Mercurius Motors v Lopez 2008 (3) SA 572 (SCA) |
Contractual disclaimer – Clause in contract of deposit exempting depositary from liability for loss by theft
|
39 |
2008 |
Masstores (Pty) Ltd v Murray & Roberts Construction (Pty) Ltd and Another 2008 (6) SA 654 (SCA) |
Contractual disclaimer – exemption clause indemnifying contractor against claims by third parties |
40 |
2010 |
Jacobs v Imperial Group (Pty) Ltd [2010] 2 All SA 540 (SCA) |
Disclaimer notice – sign board at vehicle repair centre stating that vehicle left at owner’s risk |
41 |
2010 |
Viv’s Tippers (Edms) Bpk v PHA Phama Staff Services (Edms) Bpk h/a PHA Phama Security 2010 (4) SA 455 (SCA) |
Contractual disclaimer – security company exempt from liability for loss of owner of property |
42 |
2010 |
Swinburne v Newbee Investments (Pty) Ltd 2010 (5) SA 296 (KZD) |
Contractual disclaimer – clause in lease agreement exempting landlord from liability for any damage suffered by tenant |
43 |
2011 |
Freddy Hirsch Group (Pty) Ltd v Chickenland (Pty) Ltd 2011 (4) SA 276 (SCA) |
Contractual disclaimer – exemption clause exempting supplier of product from liability for defect in goods supplied |
44 |
2011 |
Hanson v Liberty Group Ltd (4633/2009) [2011] ZAGPJHC 195 |
Disclaimer notice – sign board at entrance of shopping mall stating that owner and operator of mall exempt from liability for injuries of visitors |
45 |
2012 |
Niemand v Old Mutual Investment Group Property Investment (Pty) Ltd (35421/2009) [2012] ZAGPPHC 87 |
Disclaimer notice – sign board at entrance of shopping mall stating that owner of mall exempt from liability for injuries of visitors |
46 |
2012 |
Mercedes-Benz South Africa (Pty) Limited v Buffalo City Municipality 2012 JDR 1770 (ECG) |
Contractual disclaimer – indemnity clause sating that supplier of electricity not liable to manufacturer for fluctuations in voltage |
47 |
2012 |
Naidoo v Birchwood Hotel 2012 (6) SA 170 (GSJ) |
Contractual disclaimer – Hotel registration card disclaiming liability for injury caused by negligence of staff |
48 |
2013 |
M J Reinecke v Intercape Ferreira Mainliner (Pty) Limited 2013 JDR 1045 (ECG) |
Contractual disclaimer – passenger on bus signed disclaimer that bus company not liable for injuries of passenger |
49 |
2015 |
Tallman v MV “Shark Team” 2015 JDR 0006 (WCC) |
Contractual disclaimer – Indemnity form signed by tourist on shark-diving boat – Exclude liability to dependant for death of breadwinner |
50 |
2015 |
Klassen v Blue Lagoon Hotel and Conference Centre [2015] 2 All SA 482 (ECG)
|
Disclaimer notice – sign board at hotel stating that hotel would not be responsible for any personal injury to guests |