metus

Literal translation

less than

Legal meaning

In Roman law, *metus* refers to the concept of fear or intimidation, which is a procedural and not a substantive right. The expression **is used with the kind permission** of the South African Law Society, Cape Town.

• 🇿🇼 Bellie Mabaisa v Dr Kudakwashe G. Mucharambeyi and The Director of Housing & Community Services, City of Bulawayo
  High Court (Bulawayo)
• 🇿🇦 Shuttleworth v South African Reserve Bank
  Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa· 2014-10-01· 864/2013

  that a payment is involuntary and, therefore, recoverable, even though it was not made metus causa in the Roman law sense, but was made under pressure at the demand

• 🇿🇦 Visser v Kotze
  Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa· 2012-05-25· 519/2011

  follows: '[I]t is clear that a contract may be vitiated by duress (metus), the raison d'etre of the rule apparently being that intimidation or improper pressure renders the

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