News
Deciding to end a marriage is rarely a sudden choice. For most people, it is the result of months, sometimes years, of deliberation, emotional struggle, and trying to find a way forward. Most people only seek legal counsel when emotions have boiled over, communication has completely collapsed, or impulsive, life-altering
Most commercial disputes do not arise because parties act in bad faith. They arise because the contract they signed was poorly drafted. Ambiguous payment terms, vague termination provisions, and misunderstood penalty clauses routinely turn straightforward business relationships into costly litigation. In South Africa, contract law is grounded in the principles
Cohabitation Doesn’t Mean You Share Legal Rights Many couples move in together, split the rent, raise children, and quietly assume that the law sees them as something close to being married. The reality is that South African law does not recognise a general common-law marriage, and cohabiting partners do not
Transfer duty is the tax you pay when buying property in South Africa, governed by Section 2 of the Transfer Duty Act 40 of 1949 (TDA). It applies to immovable property and certain real rights, like long-term leases. As the buyer (transferee), you’re responsible for paying it within six months
When you walk into a modern development, the smell of fresh paint and polished finishes welcomes you into a space that feels ready to be lived in. But before the move-in day, there are tax and legal steps that need to be completed to finalise the deal. What makes it
Navigating the tug-of-war over rental security The moment a tenant hands over a security deposit for a lease, the silent countdown begins. For the tenant, that money represents a future moving truck or a down payment on their next chapter. For the landlord, it is a vital safety net against
For many South Africans living in estates or sectional title schemes (community schemes), fines have become part of everyday life. A penalty for speeding, a charge for parking, a debit on your levy statement for conduct you may not even have known was an issue. Most people pay these fines
Buying property off plan remains a popular entry point into the South African property market in 2026, driven by the exemption from transfer duty and the potential for capital appreciation during the build phase. However, as recent market shifts have shown, the risk of developer insolvency is an ever-present variable
South African landlords often make one critical mistake: treating every occupier who refuses to leave a property the same. The law clearly distinguishes between a tenant and an unlawful occupier, and confusing the two can derail the entire eviction process. The starting point is simple: does the person have lawful
For many property owners in South African sectional title schemes, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) is a routine formality. But when the call for nominations goes out, you might find yourself wondering: Should I become a trustee? It is an act of service that keeps a co-existing community functioning, yet
South African fixed-income investors have enjoyed another exceptional year, with the local bond market extending the strong performance seen in 2024. For years, domestic bond returns came largely from income, but since last year, investors have also benefited from significant capital gains. Long-dated nominal bonds have led 2025’s rally, with
We live in an age where agreements are concluded by email, documents are signed electronically, and important records are stored in the cloud. It is therefore not surprising that clients often ask: “Can I sign my will electronically?” or “Is the will saved on my laptop valid?” The short answer