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Latest Insights

Will AI be steering the future of M&A?

31 March 2025

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) will inevitably in some way become part of the day-to-day operations of most businesses.... In the fast-paced and competitive world of business, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have long been a vital strategy for companies looking to expand their reach, increase market share, or diversify their portfolios. 

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42
Article

Car balloon payments: Pop goes your budget!

31 March 2025

A car balloon payment may not be quite as festive as it sounds. Consumers often don’t consider the down-the-road impact... of a balloon payment. In this article, we look at the balloon payment structure and what consumers can do to manage this or alternatives that can be considered when procuring a vehicle.

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46
Article

When does the Property Transfer clock start in a divorce?

31 March 2025

A recent Chief Registrar’s Circular has shed light on the challenges of determining the correct transaction date for divorce-related property... transfers—especially when settlement agreements are amended after the divorce. 

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45
Article

To vote or not to vote: Post-Commencement business rescue creditors

31 March 2025

The Supreme Court of Appeal has ruled on a critical issue in business rescue proceedings—can post-commencement creditors vote on rescue... plans? The Mashwayi Projects v Wescoal case brings much-needed clarity, shaping the future of business rescue in South Africa. Find out what this means for creditors, financially distressed companies, and the business rescue process.

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55
Article

Can your cell phone get you fired?

31 March 2025

Using a cell phone has become so accepted that employees easily forget or ignore the fact that their use at... work may not be approved or allowed by the employer. However, failing to adhere to employer policies on cell phone use could potentially have serious consequences for an employee.

READ MORE
38
Article

New SARS reporting puts trusts under the microscope

31 March 2025

SARS has issued stern warnings to trustees to ensure the accurate and honest submission of trust tax returns and made... it abundantly clear that trustees can no longer shift the responsibility of managing a trust’s tax affairs entirely to tax practitioners. This article aims to guide trustees on SARS’ latest tax reporting requirements. 

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54
Article

Merger retrenchments or operational cuts – Where’s the line?

27 February 2025

When is a retrenchment truly merger-related? The Constitutional Court’s ruling in the Coca-Cola case reshapes the debate on job cuts... and business survival.

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94
Article

New rules: will we say goodbye to unwanted direct marketing?

27 February 2025

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition published draft amendments to Regulation 4 of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of... 2008 (“CPA”) for comment late in 2024. The amendments relate to direct marketing communications in South Africa providing for an opt-out registry as well as a pre-emptive block on direct marketing. In this article, we highlight some of the proposed amendments and how this may be a game changer for consumers and direct marketers.

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102
Article

Will AI be steering the future of M&A?

31 March 2025

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) will inevitably in some way become part of the day-to-day operations of most businesses.... In the fast-paced and competitive world of business, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have long been a vital strategy for companies looking to expand their reach, increase market share, or diversify their portfolios. 

READ MORE
42
Article

Car balloon payments: Pop goes your budget!

31 March 2025

A car balloon payment may not be quite as festive as it sounds. Consumers often don’t consider the down-the-road impact... of a balloon payment. In this article, we look at the balloon payment structure and what consumers can do to manage this or alternatives that can be considered when procuring a vehicle.

READ MORE
46
Article

When does the Property Transfer clock start in a divorce?

31 March 2025

A recent Chief Registrar’s Circular has shed light on the challenges of determining the correct transaction date for divorce-related property... transfers—especially when settlement agreements are amended after the divorce. 

READ MORE
45
Article

To vote or not to vote: Post-Commencement business rescue creditors

31 March 2025

The Supreme Court of Appeal has ruled on a critical issue in business rescue proceedings—can post-commencement creditors vote on rescue... plans? The Mashwayi Projects v Wescoal case brings much-needed clarity, shaping the future of business rescue in South Africa. Find out what this means for creditors, financially distressed companies, and the business rescue process.

READ MORE
55
Article

Can your cell phone get you fired?

31 March 2025

Using a cell phone has become so accepted that employees easily forget or ignore the fact that their use at... work may not be approved or allowed by the employer. However, failing to adhere to employer policies on cell phone use could potentially have serious consequences for an employee.

READ MORE
38
Article

New SARS reporting puts trusts under the microscope

31 March 2025

SARS has issued stern warnings to trustees to ensure the accurate and honest submission of trust tax returns and made... it abundantly clear that trustees can no longer shift the responsibility of managing a trust’s tax affairs entirely to tax practitioners. This article aims to guide trustees on SARS’ latest tax reporting requirements. 

READ MORE
54
Article

Merger retrenchments or operational cuts – Where’s the line?

27 February 2025

When is a retrenchment truly merger-related? The Constitutional Court’s ruling in the Coca-Cola case reshapes the debate on job cuts... and business survival.

READ MORE
94
Article

New rules: will we say goodbye to unwanted direct marketing?

27 February 2025

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition published draft amendments to Regulation 4 of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of... 2008 (“CPA”) for comment late in 2024. The amendments relate to direct marketing communications in South Africa providing for an opt-out registry as well as a pre-emptive block on direct marketing. In this article, we highlight some of the proposed amendments and how this may be a game changer for consumers and direct marketers.

READ MORE
102
Article
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GO
Filter: Estate Planning
Safeguarding your legacy for your children

26 March 2024

For any parent, the question of how to protect and provide for their children after their passing is a burning... concern that arises long before the first child is born. In this article, we explore how parents can safeguard their legacy for their children.

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1197
Article
You must take capital gains tax into account in your estate planning

04 October 2023

When assisting clients with estate planning and discussing the tax considerations applicable to their estate upon their death, an often... misunderstood and unplanned for consequence following a death is capital gains tax (“CGT”). In this article, we take a closer look at some of the considerations that come into play with respect to CGT and how regular review of your estate plan is important to ensure that the latest tax considerations have been incorporated into your estate plan.

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465
Article
Why can deceased estates take so long to be finalised?

29 May 2023

The family of a deceased are often confronted with the harsh reality of having to wind up a deceased’s estate... after his or her passing. Usually, there is the expectation that this should go quickly, but unfortunately, the reality is that the process is hardly ever a quick one. So how long then does it take to wind up a deceased estate? 

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7553
Article
Don’t forget about your will when getting married or divorced!

28 March 2023

In the highs of getting married or the lows of divorce, parties generally forget to think about their estate planning.... This is understandable as no one wants to entertain thoughts of death and division of assets during those times! Unfortunately, such an oversight can create a mess in the event of your untimely death. The golden rule is to always, when there are material changes in your life like marriage, children, divorce and even death, revisit your estate planning and bring it up to date with the necessary changes. 

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551
Article
Why you must have an independent trustee on your family trust

22 November 2022

A question often asked by clients is “why must I have an independent trustee on my family trust?” In this... article we unpack the reasons for this and how this works.

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1167
Article
How should co-executors of a deceased estate act?

14 December 2021

My mother and I have been appointed as co-executors of my late father’s estate. My mother wants to sell our... family home, but I don’t want to. She has however gone ahead and signed a sale agreement without my consent. Can she do this and sell the house without my approval?

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719
Article
Can an email qualify as a last will?

14 June 2021

My aunt recently passed away suddenly due to Covid-19. In the hunt for her will, it transpired that she had... sent an email to her attorney in which she had asked for amendments to be made to her will and for some of the beneficiaries to be removed. The attorney confirmed that he had not had opportunity to draft a new will before my aunt passed. Can her email be seen as her valid last wishes?

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666
Article
Can a testator rule from the grave?

16 March 2021

I was recently appointed as the executor of a deceased estate of a family member. The provisions of the deceased’s... last will and testament are very strict and every bequest is subject to some form of condition. Do I have to adhere to the provisions of the last will and testament or did the deceased exceed his right to rule from the grave? 

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749
Article
Who can inherit from a child’s estate?

10 February 2021

I have a friend who has been looking after her grandson since birth when her daughter just walked out on... the child after he was born with deformities. My friend managed to obtain a settlement with the hospital for negligence during the birth and now takes care of the child using the money from the settlement. The child is very sick and may not have much time left with the biological mother suddenly making an appearance to try and claim the remainder of the settlement money. Surely my friend is entitled to the money having taken care of the child all her life? What is the position in law?

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939
Article
Are shares excluded from my estate’s accrual?

16 October 2019

I’m married out of community with the accrual system. I specifically excluded my share portfolio from my accrual in the... antenuptial contract when we got married. Recently when reviewing my estate planning the question came up whether new shares that I acquired after we got married was also excluded for purposes of an accrual calculation. What is the position here?

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864
Article
Do trusts still have a role to play in estate planning?

16 October 2019

My wife is pregnant with our first child and I am considering whether to set up a family trust for... estate planning purposes. Lately however I have read negative commentary about using trusts, particularly anti-avoidance tax legislation aimed at trusts. I don’t want to start a family trust if it’s not going to be beneficial. What advice do you have in this regard?

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665
Article
Who inherits the estate - the new wife or the ex?

16 October 2019

My husband has just passed away. We were married in community of property. It has however now transpired that his... will still determines that his ex-wife is the sole heir of his estate. Where does this leave me, and does she have a right to his whole estate?

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841
Article

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