Home /Our Insights /Home /Home
BOOK CONSULTATION SUBSCRIBE

LATEST LEGAL INSIGHTS

articles. blogs. multimedia videos

search our database for interesting legal articles

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
580
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
40
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
692
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
20
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
43
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
43
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
541
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
878
Article
SA’s New Land Court Act – paving the way for settling land disputes
22 February 2024

In a quest to remedy historical land injustices and streamline the resolution of land and land rights issues in our... country, South Africa has introduced a pioneering piece of legislation — the new Land Court Act. This Act represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to foster equitable land distribution and provide an effective mechanism for resolving land disputes. The Land Court established by virtue of this transformative legislation will play a central role, as will be outlined in this article.

READ MORE
448
Article
South Africa’s four-day workweek trial: the good and the bad
21 February 2024

From March to August 2023, South Africa conducted the first African four-day workweek experiment involving several pilot companies trialling to... assess the pros and cons of such a move in a South African context. Although it’s far too early to make any conclusive findings, we share a few thoughts about the trial and its implications for South Africa.

READ MORE
493
Article
Why a clean donation can have sticky consequences
21 February 2024

A donation, made with the best of intent, may still land you in ‘hot’ water with SARS. In this article,... we explain why a donation could result in donations tax being payable to SARS and when and how this could happen.

READ MORE
465
Article
An introduction to mergers and acquisitions in South Africa
24 January 2024

Mergers and Acquisitions or ‘M&As’ have become integral components of South Africa’s corporate landscape and play a crucial role in... economic growth and development. In this article, we explore the legal framework and key considerations surrounding M&A transactions in South Africa by looking at the regulatory environment, competition law, due diligence, tax, and transaction structuring that accompanies M&A transactions.

READ MORE
161
Article
Can you use your culture to justify being absent from work?
15 January 2024

Employers are required to respect and honour the rights of their employees. However, in return, employees are required in terms... of their employment relationship to offer their services and not be absent from work without leave. But how do these rights stack up when an employee claims their right to culture as justification for being absent from work? In this article, we take a look at a recent CCMA case that had to dissect this rather complex question.

READ MORE
69
Article
When can you be barred from registering a trade mark?
15 January 2024

A question often asked when consulting with clients about trade marks is when and how can you be barred from... registering a trade mark? 

READ MORE
50
Article
Buyer’s remorse? Can it save you from paying estate agent commissions?
15 January 2024

For buyers, the prospect of a new home can be exciting and daunting. You saw a house that you are... interested in buying, and you want to seal the deal before somebody else does. You sign the Offer to Purchase, then only crunch the numbers and realise you can’t afford the house. Surely you can just withdraw and the seller can continue to sell the property to someone else? No harm, no foul!

READ MORE
45
Article
Owners beware – you have limited time to claim for defects to your house
15 January 2024

You have been living in your new house for a year or two when the issues start – cracks, and... more cracks – all serious and structural. So, can you hold the previous owner liable for this, or have you waited too long?

READ MORE
98
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
580
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
40
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
692
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
20
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
43
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
43
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
541
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
878
Article

SA’s New Land Court Act – paving the way for settling land disputes

22 February 2024

In a quest to remedy historical land injustices and streamline the resolution of land and land rights issues in our... country, South Africa has introduced a pioneering piece of legislation — the new Land Court Act. This Act represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to foster equitable land distribution and provide an effective mechanism for resolving land disputes. The Land Court established by virtue of this transformative legislation will play a central role, as will be outlined in this article.

READ MORE
448
Article

South Africa’s four-day workweek trial: the good and the bad

21 February 2024

From March to August 2023, South Africa conducted the first African four-day workweek experiment involving several pilot companies trialling to... assess the pros and cons of such a move in a South African context. Although it’s far too early to make any conclusive findings, we share a few thoughts about the trial and its implications for South Africa.

READ MORE
493
Article

Why a clean donation can have sticky consequences

21 February 2024

A donation, made with the best of intent, may still land you in ‘hot’ water with SARS. In this article,... we explain why a donation could result in donations tax being payable to SARS and when and how this could happen.

READ MORE
465
Article

An introduction to mergers and acquisitions in South Africa

24 January 2024

Mergers and Acquisitions or ‘M&As’ have become integral components of South Africa’s corporate landscape and play a crucial role in... economic growth and development. In this article, we explore the legal framework and key considerations surrounding M&A transactions in South Africa by looking at the regulatory environment, competition law, due diligence, tax, and transaction structuring that accompanies M&A transactions.

READ MORE
161
Article

Can you use your culture to justify being absent from work?

15 January 2024

Employers are required to respect and honour the rights of their employees. However, in return, employees are required in terms... of their employment relationship to offer their services and not be absent from work without leave. But how do these rights stack up when an employee claims their right to culture as justification for being absent from work? In this article, we take a look at a recent CCMA case that had to dissect this rather complex question.

READ MORE
69
Article

When can you be barred from registering a trade mark?

15 January 2024

A question often asked when consulting with clients about trade marks is when and how can you be barred from... registering a trade mark? 

READ MORE
50
Article

Buyer’s remorse? Can it save you from paying estate agent commissions?

15 January 2024

For buyers, the prospect of a new home can be exciting and daunting. You saw a house that you are... interested in buying, and you want to seal the deal before somebody else does. You sign the Offer to Purchase, then only crunch the numbers and realise you can’t afford the house. Surely you can just withdraw and the seller can continue to sell the property to someone else? No harm, no foul!

READ MORE
45
Article

Owners beware – you have limited time to claim for defects to your house

15 January 2024

You have been living in your new house for a year or two when the issues start – cracks, and... more cracks – all serious and structural. So, can you hold the previous owner liable for this, or have you waited too long?

READ MORE
98
Article
GO
GO
Filter: Sectional Title
Are you allowed to install solar panels in your sectional title unit?

29 March 2023

As a result of the continuing woes of load shedding , many sectional owners are considering alternative and renewable energy... solutions like solar panels to minimize the effect that load shedding has on their households. A common question, therefore, being raised by sectional owners is whether they are allowed to install solar panels at their sectional unit.

READ MORE
181
Article
How enforceable are penalties levied for failing to build your house in an estate?

28 February 2023

Every now and then we get a call from a perturbed client who has just received a sizable penalty on... his monthly levy account from his body corporate or homeowner’s association for failing to have started/completed (this can vary) the building of a house on their estate erf. The demand is to know whether this penalty is enforceable and fair.

READ MORE
292
Article
Your responsibilities as a new home owner

15 September 2022

So many new property owners believe that once the property is in their name all that is left is to... enjoy their new home. Unfortunately, there are still a few other important responsibilities that should not be forgotten.

READ MORE
360
Article
Can I install a generator at my sectional unit?

14 June 2022

With the troubles of load shedding exacerbating the difficulty for many to work from home, many sectional owners are considering... the option of a generator to keep things going through load shedding. But can you just install a generator in your unit, or do you need permission to do so?

READ MORE
344
Article
Are sacrificial rituals allowed in sectional titles?

14 July 2021

A neighbour in my sectional title unit is very traditional, and has been hinting that he wants to hold a... sacrificial slaughter at his home as an offering to his ancestral spirits. Although I have no objection to this, I am concerned as to whether this is allowed in a sectional title scheme as I think that there may be objections from other owners in the complex if he continues. Can he do this on his property in the complex?

READ MORE
726
Article
The basics of starting a sectional title development

14 June 2021

I’ve inherited a piece of property that a few people have told me is ideal for a small sectional title... development. I know it will be costly and take time, but was wondering if you could briefly explain to me what will need to happen for me to make this a reality?

READ MORE
451
Article

Get in touch with us today

CONTACT US

Featured Multimedia

The video could not be played.
You do not have permission to watch this video
The video could not be played.
You do not have permission to watch this video
The video could not be played.
You do not have permission to watch this video

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Let us help keep you in the know

SUBSCRIBE NOW