What is the purpose of the courtyard?

Do you want to use it for anything? Do you want it to look attractive from any windows? Is it an outdoor area for a pet? Or do you just want to do something with it so it is not unfinished?

Do you require a walkable surface? Is there any route through the courtyard which will involve heavy foot traffic which could potentially turn part of the grass to mud?

How would you mow it if you choose grass? Is there a tap?

I installed ST91 Buffalo turf in a very shady area. Supposedly it's the most shade tolerant turf.

Overall it did ok. Some parts got sun for as little as an hour a day and although it survived there, any additional stress and it was very quick to get patchy.

It couldn't handle any foot traffic without dying, The path we walked to get to the bins a couple of times a week wore down to dirt. The watering needed to be spot on; if it got too dry it died.

In the end we paved the area.

If you just want a lawn to look at, and are prepared to put time into lawn maintenance, it is possible.

I'd go gale grass in an area like that. It's not worth trying to get grass to grow in there.
I'd grow shade tolerant plants in large pots for some real greenery

The best grass for a shaded area, facing South, is Sir Walter. It's a bit dearer than some types of grass but is the best. Also fairly maintenance free as weeds don't tend to grow in Sir Walter grass.

Where are you situated. Looks like a compound home in South Africa.
Names of the lawn that are being suggested may be known as different names where you are.

@dreamer Yes, you're right, we're in Durban, South Africa - very humid here, close to the coast.

Berea LM is the grass that was recommended by the lawn suppliers

@macyjean No pets. but we want to use the area as a private garden for relaxing, kids playing on the lawn, etc. No heavy traffic as such.

@macyjean and oh, yes, there is a tap in the courtyard. We have a private gardener that could mow the lawn weekly with an electrical mower.

@pascoeyvonne I'm in Durban, South Africa,( Kwa zulu natal )

Is there anything else organic I could grow that is shade tolerate and that would be able to tolerate some foot traffic at least?

You should follow your local supplier's advice and use Berea LM then. It could well be the same type of grass as Sir Walter. I live in Brisbane, Queensland and it gets very humid in Summer here too.

If there was going to be a track say to a clothesline I would have suggested paving a path and planting the rest for lushness, for which Julia Herbert's pics provided great inspiration, but if you want an overall play surface and the location is already a challenge for growing grass that's difficult. As suggested, get the hardiest grass recommended for your climate and growing situation. I'm not sure what you mean by organic? I don't know if you can buy organically grown turf or grass seed where you are. But it's up to you whether you maintain it organically. My question about mowing was about the practicalities, which having someone else do only makes it worse in my opinion. I don't see any access? Does that mean someone needs to carry the mower through the house and carry the lawn clippings out through the house? I'm not a fan of artificial turf but in some circumstances, such as yours, it makes sense. The only thing is I have read complaints about it being hot underfoot, though with so much shade it sounds like that wouldn't be a problem.

@macyjean There are 3 access points to the courtyard in the form of 3 x triple sliding doors and the backdoor is no more than 10 meters away from the courtyard.

@pascoeyvonne Thank you - I think I'll give it a shot and let you guys know how it goes a few months down the line.

Rye grass which is a winter grass will grow there. Its not self repairing, but its hardy and shade/moisture tolerant. Looks sweet when cut low.