<P> With the failure of the successive Dutch and British colonial governments to record the laws of pre-colonial southern Africa, there is a dearth of information about laws prior to the colonisation of South Africa . However, the current South African legal system has recognised the significance of these, and they have been incorporated into the overall legal system, functioning as district / local courts where appropriate . </P> <P> From the 6 April 1652 landing of the Dutch in the Cape of Good Hope, the Roman - Dutch legal system and its legislation and laws took increasing hold, holding sway until the Union of South Africa as a dominion of the British Empire was formed on 31 May 1910 . Even after this and to date, wherever British law does not stand, Roman - Dutch law forms the bedrock to which South Africa turns in its search for clarity in its law . </P> <P> From the union of the Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal and Orange Free State in 1910 as a dominion within the British Empire called the Union of South Africa, and prior to the formation of the Republic of South Africa in 1961, much of English law was incorporated into or formed the basis of South African law . The jury system was abolished in 1969, and cases are decided by a judge alone, sometimes assisted by two assessors . English law and the Roman - Dutch law which held sway prior to this period form the bedrock to which South Africa even now turns in its search for clarity in its law, and where there is a vacuum in its law . </P> <Ul> <Li> Constitutional law </Li> <Li> Common law </Li> <Li> Customary law </Li> <Li> Law of agency </Li> <Li> Criminal law </Li> <Li> Contract law </Li> <Li> Law of delict </Li> <Li> Property law </Li> <Li> Company law </Li> <Li> Law of partnerships and trusts </Li> <Li> Insolvency law </Li> <Li> Labour law </Li> <Li> Copyright law </Li> <Li> Patent law </Li> <Li> Law of persons </Li> <Li> Family law </Li> <Li> Law of succession </Li> <Li> Administrative law </Li> <Li> Civil procedure </Li> <Li> Criminal procedure </Li> <Li> Legal interpretation </Li> <Li> Environmental law </Li> <Li> Education law </Li> </Ul>

When did the stand your ground law originate