Abstract

The amendment of the Uniform Rules of Court to include service by electronic mail  has raised the interesting question of service through electronic media other than  electronic mail. Recent developments have partially answered this question with regard  to substituted service via Facebook. However, it is still a relatively novel concept and  has not yet been extended to WhatsApp in South Africa. This note examines the  criteria employed in determining the likelihood of accomplishing substituted service  via WhatsApp. First, the principles underlying substituted service are examined,  followed by an assessment of the impact and reach of social media platforms,  a summary of the initial moves to incorporate them into South African procedural law,  and a description of the technical attributes of WhatsApp. Several judgments from  around the world, tentatively embracing service via WhatsApp, are then discussed,  followed by an assessment of the standards that need to be met in order to ensure  effective service, and the factors that a court needs to consider when faced with such a  request. The note concludes that a reasonable degree of certainty that service can be  achieved by WhatsApp exists, and that it could therefore be an effective medium for  substituted service.