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Capital gains distributions between trusts – who gets taxed?

03 December 2024

Can the conduit principle be used in structures where there are multiple trusts? This issue has recently been heard by... the Constitutional Court in the case of Thistle Trust v Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service (CCT 337/22) [2024] ZACC 19 which has guided how to tax capital gains in multi-tiered trust structures.

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18
Article

When and how can a trustee resign from a trust?

03 December 2024

There is often great uncertainty and misconceptions when it comes to the resignation of trustees of a trust. In this... article, we look at the requirements for the resignation of a trustee from an inter vivos trust and a testamentary trust. 

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30
Article

Can you challenge maintenance when you’re in arrears?

03 December 2024

The duty to maintain a child is of utmost importance. But what happens when your financial circumstances change, causing you... to fall behind on maintenance payments? Can you challenge the maintenance order in such a situation?

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14
Article

Can a sale in execution proceed while an appeal hangs in the balance?

03 December 2024

In this article, we explore some of the complexities relating to the general rule of suspension during an appeal.

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20
Article

Slip and trip: who is liable?

27 November 2024

With a growing number of ‘slip and trip’ cases being referred to our courts, property owners must understand what they... need to do to avoid liability for injuries sustained on their property. In this article, we examine the recent case of Ngwenya vs Accelerate Property Fund (2022/13159) [2024] ZAGPJHC 880 to explore the latest rulings regarding property owner liability.

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25
Article

Developers caught off guard with sectional title costs

31 October 2024

In a recent ruling, the KZN High Court clarified that developers holding a real right of extension are   responsible for... contributing to the maintenance costs of sectional title schemes.

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115
Article

See no evil, speak no evil: reporting misconduct

30 October 2024

What are the consequences of an employee turning a blind eye to the misconduct of their fellow employees? The CCMA... recently confirmed that dismissal may be an acceptable consequence for failing to report wrongdoing.

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61
Article

Cast your nets and navigate the waters of phishing and whaling

30 October 2024

With the digital world evolving at unimaginable speeds, cybercriminals are cashing in as they attack individuals and businesses without constraint... from virtually anywhere. South Africa and the African continent are coming under heavy fire from cyber criminals as growing economies expand their internet accessibility and so open new and vulnerable targets for cyber-attacks. In this article, we look at a form of cyber-attack called “phishing” with its variants and what you should look out for.

READ MORE
66
Article

Capital gains distributions between trusts – who gets taxed?

03 December 2024

Can the conduit principle be used in structures where there are multiple trusts? This issue has recently been heard by... the Constitutional Court in the case of Thistle Trust v Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service (CCT 337/22) [2024] ZACC 19 which has guided how to tax capital gains in multi-tiered trust structures.

READ MORE
18
Article

When and how can a trustee resign from a trust?

03 December 2024

There is often great uncertainty and misconceptions when it comes to the resignation of trustees of a trust. In this... article, we look at the requirements for the resignation of a trustee from an inter vivos trust and a testamentary trust. 

READ MORE
30
Article

Can you challenge maintenance when you’re in arrears?

03 December 2024

The duty to maintain a child is of utmost importance. But what happens when your financial circumstances change, causing you... to fall behind on maintenance payments? Can you challenge the maintenance order in such a situation?

READ MORE
14
Article

Can a sale in execution proceed while an appeal hangs in the balance?

03 December 2024

In this article, we explore some of the complexities relating to the general rule of suspension during an appeal.

READ MORE
20
Article

Slip and trip: who is liable?

27 November 2024

With a growing number of ‘slip and trip’ cases being referred to our courts, property owners must understand what they... need to do to avoid liability for injuries sustained on their property. In this article, we examine the recent case of Ngwenya vs Accelerate Property Fund (2022/13159) [2024] ZAGPJHC 880 to explore the latest rulings regarding property owner liability.

READ MORE
25
Article

Developers caught off guard with sectional title costs

31 October 2024

In a recent ruling, the KZN High Court clarified that developers holding a real right of extension are   responsible for... contributing to the maintenance costs of sectional title schemes.

READ MORE
115
Article

See no evil, speak no evil: reporting misconduct

30 October 2024

What are the consequences of an employee turning a blind eye to the misconduct of their fellow employees? The CCMA... recently confirmed that dismissal may be an acceptable consequence for failing to report wrongdoing.

READ MORE
61
Article

Cast your nets and navigate the waters of phishing and whaling

30 October 2024

With the digital world evolving at unimaginable speeds, cybercriminals are cashing in as they attack individuals and businesses without constraint... from virtually anywhere. South Africa and the African continent are coming under heavy fire from cyber criminals as growing economies expand their internet accessibility and so open new and vulnerable targets for cyber-attacks. In this article, we look at a form of cyber-attack called “phishing” with its variants and what you should look out for.

READ MORE
66
Article
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Who pays for construction delays?

29 October 2024

There is an old joke in the construction sector that says, “All construction projects follow the 3, 2, 1 rule... - It takes three times longer than planned, costs twice as much as planned, and you only ever develop property once.” This is obviously an exaggeration, but as is often the case, there is some truth in the joke. In this article, we explore construction projects that are not completed by their deadlines, examining who should be held accountable for this and the additional costs that usually follow.

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55
Article
Why the right executor is vital for your family

29 October 2024

Dealing with the passing of a loved one can be extremely difficult for family members, especially when it comes to... handling all the administrative tasks accompanying the winding up of the deceased’s estate. This makes choosing the correct executor in your will a crucial step in ensuring that you leave your loved ones with a reliable and capable person who can make good decisions and administer your estate following your wishes.

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52
Article
Landowners, be fire-wise!

28 October 2024

The beginning of spring can be a time of rejuvenation as colours return and the days become longer and warmer.... However, in South Africa, September and October are well-known for their unfavourable winds and dry conditions, and with our climate becoming ever hotter and drier, weather conditions become highly susceptible to veldfires. Landowners should take heed and prepare for veldfires and potential claims for damages associated with veldfires. 

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91
Article
The Companies Amendment Act puts directors in the hot seat

03 October 2024

Recent amendments to the Companies Act—through the Companies Amendment Act 16 of 2024 and Companies Amendment Act 17 of 2024... (collectively referred to as the “Amendment Acts”)—introduce a host of changes that all directors need to be aware of. This article offers an overview of the significant updates to the Act.  

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106
Article
Merging the pieces when transactions become indivisible

03 October 2024

On 28 June 2024, the Competition Commission published Draft Guidelines under section 79(1) of the Competition Act to address its... approach towards 'indivisible transactions.' These guidelines are aimed at providing clarity on how multiple transactions can be evaluated as a single merger filing. In this article, we explore the key elements of the Draft Guidelines and the rationale behind their publication, offering insight into their potential impact on merger control in South Africa. 

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125
Article
Piecing together the puzzle of cross-border cases

03 October 2024

In July 2024 the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) handed down a judgment that confirmed the requirements for when and... where South African Courts can hear cases involving foreign companies and what the requirements are for our courts to have jurisdiction in cases involving online publications by such foreign companies. 

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88
Article
Navigating the legal blueprint for property expansions

03 October 2024

Building a second dwelling on your property offers an excellent opportunity to generate extra income, whether by creating a bed... and breakfast, guest house, holiday rental, or long-term rental property. However, it's not as simple as 'build it and they will come.' There are important legal and compliance requirements that must be considered before you venture into such a development. 

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216
Article
The Two-Pot Pension System and divorce

03 October 2024

The new Pension Funds Amendment Act 31 of 2024 (“PFAA”) that was recently signed into law not only introduces far-reaching... consequences in respect of pension funds but also impacts the position of pension interest and divorce. In this article, we look at some of the key impact areas of the PFAA in respect of divorce. 

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78
Article
Trustee administrative duties under the spotlight

03 September 2024

With new reporting obligations on trustees and SARS intensifying its submission requirements in respect of trust tax returns, no trustee... can afford to ignore the administrative duties imposed upon them in terms of common law and statutory law. In this article we briefly list some of the main administrative duties falling to any trustee.

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112
Article
Don’t gamble with banking details via email

03 September 2024

Electronic invoices and banking details received via email are commonplace. Do you confirm banking details by telephone? Do you double-check... for changed account details? Are you wary of suspicious activity? For many, ignorance is bliss, with invoice and banking details taken at face value and payment made without thought to the potential cybercriminal lurking in the shadows. If this is you, read on about the dire consequences that could follow from such ignorance. 

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370
Article
The implications of a waiver of rights by directors

02 September 2024

The Supreme Court of Appeal (“SCA”) recently handed down a judgement in what has been cited as a ‘landmark case’... in respect of the waiver of directors’ rights and the impact of such waiver on a company. In this article, we look at what a ‘waiver’ of rights in terms of a contract entails and what the effect of such a waiver by directors may have on a company, specifically concerning debts owed to the company.

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116
Article
Consistency is key for Homeowners Associations

02 September 2024

With communal living being the preference for many, issues arising from these regulated environments are to be expected. This demands... that the regulatory bodies entrusted with running the communal living environments demonstrate consistency in the application of their rules and standards concerning their constituents. In this article, we look at the conduct of a Homeowners Association that failed to act consistently in the application of its rules.

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250
Article

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