LexisNexis publication focuses on changes in labour law

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Labour Relations Law - A Comprehensive Guide 6th Edition covers the legislative and case law developments that have altered the landscape of labour law in South Africa in recent months.

"The legislative process took longer than anyone had expected, with the much-debated Labour Relations Amendment Act taking effect on 1 January 2015. The three Amendment Acts and the Employment Services Act have introduced the most extensive changes to our labour law dispensation since its original enactment," said Darcy du Toit, managing editor of the book.

Landmark decisions

"There has been a vast amount of new case law and landmark decisions, such as Sidumo, which have changed the course of labour law theory as well as practice. In addition, there has been a vigorous re-emergence of common law in the form of claims based on contract rather than statutory rights which, after some divergent judgments, was eventually harmonised with the legislative framework by the Supreme Court of Appeal," added Du Toit.

The book references several landmark decisions by the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Appeal and the Labour Appeal Court which have clarified the law in areas ranging from the review of arbitration awards to the status of affirmative action measures. It also treats issues in more depth, not only in terms of black-letter law, but with regard to the socio-legal context, which is important in the context of purposive interpretation.

The edition also provides a systematic treatment of the role of common law and the interface between the contract of employment and labour legislation, which has taken on importance since 2006.