Family Law
A Costly Case of Buyer’s Remorse
A recent High Court decision once again highlights the dangers of signing anything without reading, understanding and fully considering it. A “Renovator’s Dream” and a case of buyer’s remorse A couple viewed a house advertised as “a renovator’s dream” and they immediately decided to sign an offer to purchase for R550,000 (R20,000 under asking price).…
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How to Stop Someone Damaging Your Good Name on Social Media
As our lives move increasingly online, more and more of us will be subjected to the distress and damage of online attacks. Whether they are aimed at hurting us personally or at harming our businesses, they can take a substantial toll both materially and psychologically. What can you do if you (or your business) falls…
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Divorce: What is Forfeiture of Benefits and When is it Ordered?
Divorce all too often involves high levels of stress, antagonism, dispute and desire for revenge. So, when it comes to splitting up the marital assets, the thoughts of one (or both) of them may well turn to something like “It’s their fault, I want more than just my share, in fact I want everything”. Which…
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Can Your Thumbs-Up Emoji or E-Signature Seal a Deal?
ECTA (the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act) means that you can in many cases create legally binding agreements purely electronically – via email, WhatsApp, social media and the like. There is of course both risk and opportunity here. On the one hand, the old hassles of printing everything out and signing reams and reams of…
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Your New House Leaks Like a Sieve – Can You Sue the Seller?
You move into your new dream home, excited and happy. Until it rains, and the roof leaks. As the repair teams tramp around on your roof and the bills start piling up whilst you weave around buckets and tarpaulins and sodden carpets, you go back to the seller and demand recompense. “Sorry”, says the seller,…
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Dual Citizens: Good News if You Lost Your South African Citizenship, But…
Note: Many South Africans who should be aware of this new development will be overseas and/or may not have heard of the Supreme Court of Appeal decision we discuss below. If you know of any such person, please consider forwarding this to them as soon as possible. Reportedly, thousands of South Africans have lost their…
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Don’t Give a Loan or Credit to Anyone (Not Even a Friend) Without Legal Advice!
A recent High Court case highlights once again the dangers of lending money, or granting credit, in contravention of our credit laws. By understanding the pitfalls associated with being an unregistered credit provider and of not complying with the National Credit Act (NCA), you can protect yourself from the potential legal and financial risks. Close…
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Trustees: Your New Duty to Report Beneficial Owners
South Africa’s grey listing by the Financial Action Task Force, the global financial watchdog, has led government to hurriedly introduce new “Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing” measures to combat financial crimes. One of those measure is a new requirement for trustees to disclose all “beneficial owners” of trusts. In what was unfortunately no April…
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Can You Claim Damages After Hitting a Pothole?
Pothole problems are by no means exclusive to South Africa, but we certainly do seem to have more than our fair share of them. As a recent High Court decision illustrates, if you suffer any form of loss as a result of a pothole, hold whoever is responsible to account. Sue for your damages! Injured…
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Installing Home Solar – How to Comply with the Regulatory Requirements
Eskom’s no-end-in-sight loadshedding, rising electricity costs, South Africa’s abundance of sunshine, and the global move to sustainable energy solutions have all contributed to the current boom in home solar photovoltaic (PV) roof installations. They don’t come cheap, but quite apart from the direct practical and financial benefits of going as much off-grid as possible, you…
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