Occasional disagreements are inevitable in all relationships, but when they spiral out of control to the extent that the directors of a company go to war with each other, the resulting deadlock can make it impossible for the company to continue operating. How can you avoid that happening to your company, and what should you...Read More

Divorce is one of life’s most stressful events, and the process can seem overwhelming. But it needn’t be a legal nightmare. Read on for a simple infographic showing how it all works – all the way from coming to us for advice through to leaving court with your divorce granted. We’ll also address nine of...Read More

Time and again our courts are faced with property sellers who, when sued by buyers for hidden defects, try to hide behind a voetstoots clause in the sale agreement. They say, “The buyer bought the house ‘as is’ and can’t complain now”. But that can never protect a seller who has fraudulently concealed a defect....Read More

How to Avoid Fighting Over the House – A Guide for Life Partners “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of bandages and adhesive tape.” (Groucho Marx) It’s a perennial topic of dispute in our courts. A couple lives together, sharing the same roof and everything else in perfect happiness and harmony. Until it...Read More

How to Avoid Fighting Over the House – A Guide for Life Partners “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of bandages and adhesive tape.” (Groucho Marx) It’s a perennial topic of dispute in our courts. A couple lives together, sharing the same roof and everything else in perfect happiness and harmony. Until it...Read More

Good News for Grandma: The Law Wants You to Have Access to Your Grandchildren “Grandparents, like heroes, are as necessary to a child’s growth as vitamins.” (Quoted in the judgment below) One of the greatest tragedies of family fall-outs will always be the effect they have on the children involved. A recent High Court fight...Read More

Restraint of Trade: Fatal Vagueness Means no Father Christmas to the Rescue “The legal principles, as I understand them, do not confer on me the powers of Father Christmas. I cannot rescue the un-rescuable.” (Quoted in the judgment below) We all want loyal, competent staff who remain motivated to stay with us in the long...Read More

A R4.25m Warning to Choose Your Conveyancer With Care “Trust me, I’m a lawyer.” (Popular T-shirt slogan) South African property buyers and sellers will have been cheered by news that we are now officially the most affordable country in the world in which to buy a home. We’re only a nose ahead of the USA...Read More

Can a Body Corporate Cut the Power? It’s Complicated “A body corporate’s lot is not an easy one.” (With apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan) One of a body corporate’s core functions is to collect current and outstanding levies. When a section owner becomes uncooperative, recovery can turn into a difficult, costly and lengthy process. Good...Read More

Fixed Term Contracts: A Guide for Employers and Employees It’s vital for both employers and employees to understand the practical and legal differences between permanent and fixed term employment arrangements. What is a fixed term contract? A fixed term contract is a temporary employment arrangement with a specified start date and an agreed end date....Read More