Home /Our Insights /Home /Home
BOOK CONSULTATION SUBSCRIBE

Media

Latest Insights

Can a Homeowners Association take over refuse removal from a local authority?

27 March 2024

With many local authorities struggling to provide municipal services to residents, a key question that arose in a recent case... was whether a Homeowners Association was entitled to take over the function of refuse removal from the local authority and whether the local authority was still entitled to charge for refuse removal.

READ MORE
45
Article

What to expect from the new draft Employment Equity Act Regulations

27 March 2024

The Employment Equity Amendment Act 4 of 2022 (“Amendment Act”) was introduced in April 2023 but the commencement date has... yet to be promulgated. To address the sectoral numerical targets provided for in the Amendment Act, new draft regulations were issued for comment on 1 February 2024 (“Draft Regulations”). In this article we take a look at the draft regulations and what they mean for employers.

READ MORE
72
Article

How liable is an owner for damage caused by animals?

26 March 2024

One has often read about owners being held liable for a dog attack on a person, but what about an... animal on the road which ends up causing an accident? Can the owner be held liable for the resulting damage?

READ MORE
641
Article

To click or to ink? Are electronically signed sale of property agreements valid in SA?

26 March 2024

In the current digital era, the use of electronic signatures has substantially increased, reshaping traditional practices with their convenience and... efficiency. From large corporations to small businesses, organisations are embracing electronic signatures to streamline processes and adapt to a digital business landscape. This article explores the validity of electronic signatures and specifically how it affects the validity of a sale of property agreement. 

READ MORE
660
Article

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.

READ MORE
705
Article

AI Rights vs Human Rights

20 March 2024

The age of artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the world’s ground-breaking developments, and powerful enough to transform and advance... the entire world. However, the excitement of AI being an incredible tool must not overshadow the actual humans and their rights that must still be protected in the era of AI.  

READ MORE
42
Article

How far does employer liability for the actions of its employee extend?

22 February 2024

It is relatively well-known that employers can be held liable for the conduct of their employees. What is generally less... well-understood is the scope of this liability. For example, can an employer be liable for the conduct of an employee even while on sick leave? In this article, we take a look at an employer’s vicarious liability and how far this liability may extend.

READ MORE
71
Article

Construction Contracts: Is it a “one-size-fits-all” decision?

22 February 2024

Clients often have very different perceptions about the necessity and type of contract they may need for their construction contract.... Surprisingly, even with large development projects, there is often the view that if you have the quote and designs, why then bother with a contract? In this article, we provide some guidance on the various types of construction contracts that can be considered for a building project, large or small.

READ MORE
71
Article

Can a Homeowners Association take over refuse removal from a local authority?

27 March 2024

With many local authorities struggling to provide municipal services to residents, a key question that arose in a recent case... was whether a Homeowners Association was entitled to take over the function of refuse removal from the local authority and whether the local authority was still entitled to charge for refuse removal.

READ MORE
45
Article

What to expect from the new draft Employment Equity Act Regulations

27 March 2024

The Employment Equity Amendment Act 4 of 2022 (“Amendment Act”) was introduced in April 2023 but the commencement date has... yet to be promulgated. To address the sectoral numerical targets provided for in the Amendment Act, new draft regulations were issued for comment on 1 February 2024 (“Draft Regulations”). In this article we take a look at the draft regulations and what they mean for employers.

READ MORE
72
Article

How liable is an owner for damage caused by animals?

26 March 2024

One has often read about owners being held liable for a dog attack on a person, but what about an... animal on the road which ends up causing an accident? Can the owner be held liable for the resulting damage?

READ MORE
641
Article

To click or to ink? Are electronically signed sale of property agreements valid in SA?

26 March 2024

In the current digital era, the use of electronic signatures has substantially increased, reshaping traditional practices with their convenience and... efficiency. From large corporations to small businesses, organisations are embracing electronic signatures to streamline processes and adapt to a digital business landscape. This article explores the validity of electronic signatures and specifically how it affects the validity of a sale of property agreement. 

READ MORE
660
Article

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.

READ MORE
705
Article

AI Rights vs Human Rights

20 March 2024

The age of artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the world’s ground-breaking developments, and powerful enough to transform and advance... the entire world. However, the excitement of AI being an incredible tool must not overshadow the actual humans and their rights that must still be protected in the era of AI.  

READ MORE
42
Article

How far does employer liability for the actions of its employee extend?

22 February 2024

It is relatively well-known that employers can be held liable for the conduct of their employees. What is generally less... well-understood is the scope of this liability. For example, can an employer be liable for the conduct of an employee even while on sick leave? In this article, we take a look at an employer’s vicarious liability and how far this liability may extend.

READ MORE
71
Article

Construction Contracts: Is it a “one-size-fits-all” decision?

22 February 2024

Clients often have very different perceptions about the necessity and type of contract they may need for their construction contract.... Surprisingly, even with large development projects, there is often the view that if you have the quote and designs, why then bother with a contract? In this article, we provide some guidance on the various types of construction contracts that can be considered for a building project, large or small.

READ MORE
71
Article
GO
GO
Filter: Litigation
Disclosure of medical records vs the right to privacy

14 June 2021

A client recently fell over boxes standing in the aisle in my store. He is suing me for damages claiming... that the head injuries he sustained from the fall resulted in him being fired from work. I’ve heard from another source that he was dismissed because of a history of alcohol and drug abuse and that he has been in and out of rehabilitation. We’ve requested access to his medical and psychological reports, but his attorney refuses claiming medical privilege. Surely, this cannot be right, particularly if these can prove that there were other factors leading to his dismissal?

READ MORE
379
Article
The final say on business interruption insurance and Covid-19

16 March 2021

I’ve been following the media reports relating to the Café Chameleon case and their claim that their business interruption insurance... covers losses suffered due to Covid-19. The last I heard was that this case was being appealed by the insurer. I have a similar argument going with my insurers, and would like to know whether there is any finality yet on the matter.

READ MORE
667
Article
Can a settlement agreement override fair tender procedures?

10 February 2021

After losing a tender, we lodged a complaint with the department against their awarding of the tender to a bidder... who we are aware operates in a less than reputable fashion. The department informed us they would cancel the tender. Subsequently we have heard that although the tender was cancelled, the department wants to enter into a settlement agreement with the bidder to avoid litigation. Surely such a settlement agreement cannot override fair tender procedures?

READ MORE
337
Article
Prescription and surety don’t always play well together

06 January 2021

Our company is owed money by one of our contractor companies who we helped with finance and provided us with... personal sureties by the shareholders as security for the transaction. They have been making promises that they will pay for some time and we left it, but now we are getting worried about prescription. We are also unsure whether if we act against the sureties, prescription will be halted for the contractor or may continue and we lose our claim against the company itself. Can you advise?

READ MORE
414
Article
Is government liable for an accident at a private nursery school?

10 November 2020

I recently saw an article in the news saying that the Western Cape Department of Social Development was not responsible... for injuries caused to a child in a day care funded by the Department. Surely this cannot be right and the Department should be responsible? 

READ MORE
289
Article
Is the Small Claims Court a solution to get my money?

10 September 2018

I’m currently self-employed and do handyman jobs to put bread on the table. I recently did some repair work for... a client for just over R10,000, but the client has still not paid me and refuses to answers my calls. I can’t afford an attorney but have heard that I can go to the Small Claims Court myself. How does the Small Claims Court work?

READ MORE
359
Article
What can estate agents expect with the new Property Practitioners Bill

10 September 2018

I run a small estate agency in town. I’ve been hearing about the new Property Practitioners Act that’s on its... way and that will hold important changes for us as estate agents. What will be the main changes that we should expect from this new law?

READ MORE
341
Article
Can you remove the executor of a deceased estate?

08 August 2018

My father recently passed away and in his will nominated a financial institution as the executor of his estate. It’s... now been months and the financial institution has made no progress with the administration of the estate. I know an attorney that is willing to administer the estate for me, but the financial institution refuses to allow him to take over the executorship of the estate. Can I have the institution removed as the executor of the estate?

READ MORE
520
Article
Grandparents have rights too!

12 July 2018

I practically raised my grandchildren for the first few years of their lives and am very close to them. Unfortunately,... my son recently passed away and now their mother refuses that I see them. Is there anything I can do?

READ MORE
376
Article
Does prescription apply to crimes?

12 July 2018

Of late there has been quite a number of media reports locally and internationally of victims of rape or sexual... assault coming forward with claims of abuse often having occurred many years ago. I know that debts can prescribe, but was wondering if criminal charges can also prescribe?

READ MORE
350
Article
Why the decisions of our courts establish our law

07 June 2018

A friend of mine is studying law and he once mentioned that our courts must always look at previous court... decisions when considering a matter and in this way our courts also create law. I find that quite strange as I always thought we had existing laws that our courts must only apply. Can our courts really also create law?

READ MORE
270
Article
How to interpret time periods in a contract

15 May 2018

I was recently reading my standard cellphone contract and was amazed to notice how many items were linked to days.... It wasn’t immediately clear to me if it was calendar days or business days or even when these days start running. Is there a standard rule for how this works?

READ MORE
288
Article

Newsletter Sign Up

Sign Up