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Suretyship vs Guarantee. What’s the difference?

02 May 2024

In this article, we look at two primary forms of security commonly found in financial transactions, namely suretyship agreements and... guarantees, and explain the difference between these two forms of security.

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1
Article

Leave to Appeal vs Special Leave to Appeal

02 May 2024

On 4 April 2024 in the matter of Savannah Country Estate Homeowners Association v Zero Plus Trading 194 (Pty) Ltd... and Others (773/2022) [2024] ZASCA 40, our Supreme Court of Appeal (“SCA”) had to address the important difference between an application for leave to appeal and an application for special leave to appeal. In this article, we analyse the SCA’s views in this regard.

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3
Article

Can Landlords unilaterally charge for additional services?

02 May 2024

The relationship between landlord and tenant can be a complex one fraught with dangers for a careless landlord. In this... article, we explore whether a landlord can provide additional value-added services to its tenants beyond the scope of what is outlined in the lease agreement and then unilaterally charge extra for such services or remove existing services without consequence.

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1
Article

Blazing changes in the National Veld and Forest Fire Amendment Bill

24 April 2024

In early April 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the National Veld and Forest Fire Amendment Bill.  

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2
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.

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48
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.

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80
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?

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650
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
666
Article

Suretyship vs Guarantee. What’s the difference?

02 May 2024

In this article, we look at two primary forms of security commonly found in financial transactions, namely suretyship agreements and... guarantees, and explain the difference between these two forms of security.

READ MORE
1
Article

Leave to Appeal vs Special Leave to Appeal

02 May 2024

On 4 April 2024 in the matter of Savannah Country Estate Homeowners Association v Zero Plus Trading 194 (Pty) Ltd... and Others (773/2022) [2024] ZASCA 40, our Supreme Court of Appeal (“SCA”) had to address the important difference between an application for leave to appeal and an application for special leave to appeal. In this article, we analyse the SCA’s views in this regard.

READ MORE
3
Article

Can Landlords unilaterally charge for additional services?

02 May 2024

The relationship between landlord and tenant can be a complex one fraught with dangers for a careless landlord. In this... article, we explore whether a landlord can provide additional value-added services to its tenants beyond the scope of what is outlined in the lease agreement and then unilaterally charge extra for such services or remove existing services without consequence.

READ MORE
1
Article

Blazing changes in the National Veld and Forest Fire Amendment Bill

24 April 2024

In early April 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the National Veld and Forest Fire Amendment Bill.  

READ MORE
2
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
48
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
80
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
650
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
666
Article
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Filter: Corporate
Could a sale of shares be subject to the National Credit Act?

14 December 2016

My company holds shares in a larger construction company worth about R5 million. I’m looking at selling my shares to... an interested party that the construction company is also happy with. However, the party can only pay a deposit of R1,5 million and thereafter the remainder in monthly installments over a period of 18 months with an interest of prime plus 1%. My bookkeeper says I must be wary of falling under the National Credit Act. Could this be a possibility?

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301
Article
The ‘when’, ‘who’ and ‘how’ of taking valid company resolutions

14 December 2016

I’ve purchased a shareholding stake in my dad’s family business. I’ve been part of the family business for some time... but now I’m a shareholder and clueless as to the basics of how the company’s shareholders are supposed to take decisions. What should I know about company resolutions?

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306
Article
How to register a private company

08 September 2015

I have been approved to open up a small franchise business. The franchisor however requires that I run the franchise... business in a private company and not in my personal name. Where must I start with setting up a company?

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415
Article
Commercial Mediation: The long-awaited arrival of mainstream mediation

11 June 2015

This article provides a general overview of the process of mediation, specifically in the commercial context. In the international arena,... mediation has become a primary option for parties wishing to resolve their disputes as its potential benefits outweigh lengthy litigation. In South Africa, commercial mediation is a recent development, but is well on its way to becoming an efficient and cost-effective alternative to litigation. The introduction of court-aligned mediation in the Magistrate’s Courts of South Africa adds impetus to the notion that mediation is here to stay.

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352
Article
Has the bell tolled for broad-based ownership and employee trusts?

11 June 2015

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) published a notice on 5 May 2015 where, in a move that raised... concerns across the entire business sector, it was announced that Broad-Based Ownership Schemes (BBOS) and Employee Share Ownership Programs (ESOPs) will only contribute a maximum of three points to the total BEE scores of companies which implement such solutions after the date of the announcement. In light of the flood of criticism that followed this announcement, the DTI published a retraction on 15 May 2015 - and although wholly retracted, it came with a warning.

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361
Article
The company you (don’t want to) keep: When shareholders won`t share anymore

13 February 2015

Entering into any business venture is fraught with challenges, risks and, hopefully, also rewards; but what happens if somewhere along... the line the shareholders of a company no longer get along and want to call it quits? Can a solvent company be wound up if the shareholders don’t get along? 

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369
Article
Be careful what you do with that overheard telephone conversation

21 November 2014

Insider trading has always been surrounded by controversy, frequently making headlines and ruining reputations. Insider trading is a prime example... of discrimination, as it gives a small, privileged minority, an unfair advantage over the majority who do not have access to the same information or opportunity. So what can happen when the CEO next to you in the business lounge starts talking about that big new deal?

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208
Article
Setting up your non-profit company

19 October 2014

You’ve been doing charity work for a number of years, and have finally come to the conclusion that you would... like to do this full-time and set up a non-profit entity from which to run your new charity. First things first, you want to set up a non-profit company. But what are the requirements for setting this up?

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338
Article
Financial distress: your obligation to inform the public

22 November 2013

In the last few years, many business owners have had to make difficult decisions to restructure their business in order... to survive the economic recession. Family businesses were sold, assets made to money and unfortunate events even led to liquidation of businesses. Owners, understandably, often don’t keep perspective of their financial struggles and will do anything to salvage the business without taking formal steps or letting anyone know of its dire financial position. The following questions thus arise: At what point must you take formal steps to notify persons about your financial situation? Who needs to know? How much do they need to know?

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326
Article
Is your company still “alive”? The consequences of failing to submit your annual returns

30 September 2013

Pam is the sole member of a close corporation (PK Investments CC). Three years ago Pam decided to buy property... as an investment. Wanting to protect the property from creditors and ring fence the rental income, Pam decided to buy the property in the name of PK Investments CC. Pam invested substantially in the upkeep of the property and recently received a very lucrative offer for the sale of the property which she, as sole member of PK Investments CC, decided to accept. However, before transfer of the house takes place, the buyer’s attorney informs Pam, that PK Investments CC has been deregistered and that the transfer of property cannot take place. Pam, unaware of such deregistration, is shocked and unsure of what she can do to remedy the situation.

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194
Article

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