Answer to Question #253705 in Law for meke

Question

Kendra is planning to move to Cape Town at the end of October to take up employment as a 

lecturer at UWC in the Criminal Justice and Procedure department. She meets with the Dean 

of the Law Faculty and discusses the terms of her employment at the institution. In addition to 

her teaching Advanced Civil Procedure and Introduction to Advocacy, she has other 

administrative duties incidental to her role at the University. According to the agreement she 

will teach 3 lectures a week and is responsible for compilation of tests and exams in relation to 

the modules she teaches. A ‘reasonable amount’ will be paid to Kendra as remuneration for 

services rendered. 

Kendra approaches you, an expert on contracts, for advice on the issue of ‘reasonable amount’ 

for services rendered and how it could potentially influence the validity of the agreement with 

the University. Refer to relevant case and applicable authority, where possible. 

Answer 1

Being paid a reasonable amount by the university should imply that she was being paid for her value; in her studies and experience. This payment should be reflected on her a billables drawn form her services, since she is teaching which could attract more students in the university. As such however, she should receive a salary increment if she is leaving another university. The university should however also consider compensating her for test and exam compilation an amount that should be put in writing same others compensations. The reasonable amount implies that she has to commit to fulfil her duties fully for the contract to be valid.