“Truth will out” (Shakespeare) You are wondering whether you can win in court against an opponent where your two versions of what happened are totally at odds with each other. How will a judge decide where the truth lies? It’s an important question because even though you know you are telling the truth, the court must base […]
How Courts Sort Fact from Fiction – A Tale of Jags, Deception and Damages Read More »
“There’s no such thing as a free lunch” (Economist Milton Friedman) In these days of online banking and electronic payment, it’s not uncommon to find out to your horror that you have made a payment to someone in error, either to the wrong recipient or in an incorrect amount. If that happens to you and
Accidentally Paid the Wrong Person? Lessons From a R862k Banking App Error Read More »
“Ignorance is Bliss Dangerous” (Internet meme) Our law will generally hold you liable for damages only if someone else can prove that you caused them loss/damage/injury through your “fault” (intent or negligence). That seems fair and logical – if it’s your fault, you pay. If however the loss was caused by your animal/s, you are in a
Your Dog, Cat or Cow (Even Your Bees) Could Cost You Millions Read More »
The monetary jurisdiction of Small Claims Courts has been increased from R15,000 to R20,000 from 1 April 2019. Not all claims can be pursued in a Small Claims Court – Claims over R20,000 must be pursued in the ordinary courts (you can if you like reduce a larger claim to the R20k to avoid having
Small Claims Courts – From 1 April You Can Sue For Up To R20,000 Read More »
Believing someone to be guilty of a crime you call the police and have the suspect arrested, only to have the charges dropped. Can you be sued for defamation? A recent High Court case provides some answers. A fraudulent iPad order, an arrest and a R1.6m claim A government employee was, at the instigation
Reporting Crime and the Defamation Danger: Lessons from the Workplace Read More »
Here’s one more reason to never ever allow yourself or anyone else to drive when over the legal limit (for non-professional drivers, a breath alcohol content of 0.24mg per 1,000ml or a blood alcohol limit of 0.05g per 100ml). If you are caught by the police (statistically, a regular offender will be caught sooner or later –
Drunk Driving Arrest: Damages for Sexual Assault in Cell Read More »
“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” (Comedian George Carlin) We live in stressful times, and as our roads become busier and the pressures of modern life mount, expect more and more road rage incidents. YouTube clips of drivers brawling,
You are engaged in a bitter dispute – perhaps it’s a fight over money, a family feud or a messy divorce, a disaffected employee or a vengeful neighbour. You decide to resort to Social Media “to tell the truth” about your nemesis. You feel totally safe doing so – after all, our Constitution protects our
