“The buyer needs a hundred eyes, the seller but one” (Old proverb) You buy a “pre-loved” vehicle which turns out to be a complete dud. You go back to the dealership which says “sorry, you bought it as is, not our problem”. What are your rights? Buying from a private seller When we discuss the […]
“Oh, Im an alien, Im a legal alien” (Sting’s ‘Englishman in New York’) South Africa is attractive to overseas property buyers with our world-class lifestyle, depreciated Rand, strong property registration and legal systems, and minimal restrictions against non-resident property ownership. Which is of course great news for property sellers in any area popular with foreign
Media reports of the recent Constitutional Court decision holding a section of the Divorce Act unconstitutional and giving Parliament 24 months to remedy that haven’t always been clear about who needs to be aware of this, and who doesn’t. Firstly, understand the three “marital regimes” available to you Legally, marriage amounts to a binding contract,
“The infectiousness of crime is like that of the plague” (Napoleon Bonaparte) This October marks the 20th anniversary of the globally observed “Cyber Security Awareness Month”, and with cybercrime continuing to surge, here’s a cautionary tale to bear in mind. You buy your dream house and pay the purchase price to the transferring attorneys (the conveyancers).
Security Warning: Property Sale Cybercrime Surges, and a New AI Danger Read More »
“Dementia is the plague of our time, the disease of the century” (Unattributed) Dementia is a widespread medical condition that affects people of all ages but particularly the elderly, and includes conditions like Alzheimers. One of the most significant challenges of dementia is the loss of mental capacity, making it difficult for individuals to make
“The path is smooth that leadeth on to danger” (William Shakespeare) Tripping over aisle blockages or slipping on floors made slick by spillages can happen in even the best-managed supermarkets, and injured shoppers regularly turn to our courts to claim damages from shopkeepers and building owners. It’s no surprise therefore that this sort of claim
Suing for a Supermarket “Slip ‘n Trip” – What Must You Prove? Read More »
“Death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate.” (Ambrose Bierce) It may well be that in the future, we will be able to make a perfectly valid will (“Last Will and Testament”) by way of a video recording or other electronic means, but that day has not yet arrived. For now,
“Live each day as if it were your last… because one day, you’ll be right.” (Benny Hill) It’s always tempting to procrastinate about decisions that force us to address the inevitability of our own mortality. But we have no choice when it comes to protecting our loved ones after we are gone, because to protect
How to Protect Your Children’s Inheritances from Ending Up in the Guardian’s Fund Read More »
“A fundamental principle in issue here is that nobody may take the law into their own hands. In order to preserve order and peace in society the court will summarily grant an order for restoration of the status quo where such deprivation has occurred, and it will do so without going into the merits of
Landlords: You Cannot Cut a Defaulting Tenant’s Water and Electricity Read More »
“…an employment relationship is predicated on trust” (Extract from judgment below) Our courts have once again confirmed that dismissal is justified when employees lie about their state of health in order to get sick leave. A recent Labour Court case provides a perfect example. Too sick to work, but caught on TV at a protest
A Dishonest “I’m Too Sick to Come to Work” Excuse is a Firing Offence Read More »
