“Wouldn’t it be nice to get on with me neighbours?” (from “Lazy Sunday” by Small Faces) Maintaining friendly relations with the neighbours, or at least an “I’ll ignore you if you ignore me” sort of neutrality, has probably been a primary aim of homeowners since the dawn of history. No doubt even our cave dwelling […]
Parking Disputes and the “Reasonable Neighbour” Test Read More »
“Sexual harassment is the most heinous conduct that plagues the workplace.” (Extract from the judgment below) Our courts have no tolerance for sexual harassment in the workplace, stressing that, at its core, it is concerned with power dynamics at work. A recent Labour Court decision has confirmed that in assessing whether or not an employee
Workplace Sexual Harassment: It’s the Victim’s Perspective That Counts Read More »
“My New Year’s resolution is to stop procrastinating. I’ll start tomorrow.” (Anonymous) Most New Year’s resolutions are vague, unwritten, and destined to be forgotten in the first week of January’s hustle and bustle. But please don’t neglect this Top Ten list of legal issues that we’ve put together for you. Focus on those that are
Your Top 10 (Legal) New Year’s Resolutions for 2026 Read More »
“With a verbal agreement you have nothing but air.” (Author and entrepreneur Robert Ringer) 2026 opens with positive signals for our property market after last year’s encouraging GDP forecasts, a credit-rating upgrade, and a series of interest rate cuts boosting access to bond finance. All the signs point to a promising year for buyers, sellers,
Property Sales and Side Deals: Verbal Agreements Don’t Cut it! Read More »
“Let’s choose executors and talk of wills.” (William Shakespeare in Richard II) You may have read one of the many online articles about an electronic will being validated recently by the High Court. Don’t be misled into thinking that electronic wills are now valid as a matter of course – they most certainly are not.
Electronic Wills Aren’t Valid: Stick to Pen and Paper Read More »
“For what is wedlock forced but a hell, An age of discord and continual strife?” (William Shakespeare in Henry VI Part I) This article is a balm for anyone unfortunate enough to be stuck in an unhappy marriage full of Shakespeare’s “discord and continual strife”, yet too scared to consider divorce because of the costs.
How to Fund Your Divorce if Your Spouse Can Outlitigate You Read More »
“Landlords grow rich in their sleep.”— John Stuart Mill Short-term letting platforms like Airbnb have made it easier than ever for property owners to generate additional income. But if you own — or are considering buying — a house or apartment in a residential complex, assuming you can freely Airbnb it can be an expensive
Can You Airbnb Your House or Apartment in a Residential Complex? Read More »
“I have heard that in war, haste can be folly, but have never seen delay that was wise.”— Sun Tzu, The Art of War Debt recovery can feel very much like a battle. Creditors often face evasive debtors, mounting legal costs, and drawn-out proceedings that sap both time and resources. Yet South African law delivers
Prescription, Procrastination, and Personal Liability for Corporate Debts Read More »
“The employer shall ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that all persons who may be directly affected by his activities are not thereby exposed to hazards to their health or safety.”— Occupational Health and Safety Act The festive season, year-end functions, and holiday celebrations bring predictable risks into the workplace. For employers, this is
Alcohol at Work: The Cough Mixture Defence in South Africa Read More »
“South African drivers, beware! Scammers are issuing fake traffic fines to catch you off guard! Always use AARTO approved collecting agents for your payments.”— Road Traffic Infringement Agency The national rollout of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system has once again been postponed. The latest indication is that implementation has shifted to
The AARTO National Rollout has Been Delayed – But Beware of Scams! Read More »
