Divorce and Custody: How South African Law Protects Mothers and Children
For many women considering divorce, one of the biggest fears is:
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Co-Parenting Agreements: How the Law Puts Children First
Divorce or separation is never easy - but when children are involved, the stakes are even higher. South African family law is clear: the best interests of the child are the overriding principle in every decision, whether it relates to custody, care, or contact.
Community Scheme Living: What Every Buyer Should Know Before Moving In
Buying into a sectional title complex, gated estate, or homeowners' association (HOA) is very different from purchasing a freestanding home. When you buy in a community scheme, you don't just buy a property -you buy into a shared way of life. That means collective decision-making, financial contributions, and rules des
How to Enforce a Judgment Against a Debtor Who Won’t Pay
Securing a court judgment is often seen as the final victory in a debt dispute. In reality, it is only the beginning. Many creditors are surprised to discover that even after a judge orders repayment, some debtors still refuse to comply. This leaves businesses and individuals facing the same cash flow pressure as befor
Your Questions About Prescribed Debt Answered
In South Africa, debt does not hang over someone forever — the law sets strict time limits on when creditors can enforce payment. This is known as prescription of debt. For most everyday debts, such as credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans, the period is three years from the date payment was due. Other debts,
Unpaid Invoices? What to Do When a Client Refuses to Pay
Every unpaid invoice is a direct threat to cash flow and business stability. A polite reminder may work once, but persistent non-payment inevitably becomes a legal problem. In South Africa, once goods or services have been delivered, the invoice becomes a legally enforceable debt.
Lawyers’ Fees in South Africa – Why Transparency Matters
Legal costs should never feel like a guessing game. When you instruct a lawyer, you're placing trust in someone who holds your rights, your business, or your future in their hands. That trust collapses the moment an invoice arrives filled with unexplained charges, or when the price of resolving a dispute doubles withou
What Do Gauteng’s New Smart Licence Plates Mean for You?
For nearly three months, motorists in Gauteng have been hearing about the province's trial of new "smart" licence plates. Marketed as a breakthrough in the fight against crime, the plates are meant to make vehicle cloning and plate tampering significantly more difficult. Yet, despite the bold promises, clarity on their
POPIA Compliance in Practice: Consent, Contact, and Keeping it Simple
Since the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) came into effect, businesses across South Africa have been scrambling to update contracts, change systems, and create new policies. While compliance is essential, we've seen many organisations go overboard — quoting legislation at clients, adding unnecessary red
FICA and KYC: Documents and Compliance
In today's financial and property markets, compliance is not just a legal requirement — it's a safeguard for both businesses and clients. At Van Deventer Dowlath & Marx Incorporated (VDM), we take FICA (Financial Intelligence Centre Act) and KYC (Know Your Customer) obligations seriously, ensuring that every transactio
Step-by-Step Guide: Getting Approval for Community Road Closures
In Johannesburg, residents can apply to close off public roads with security booms, gates, or guardhouses. This is regulated by the JRA's Road Closure Policy and requires formal approval before implementation.
Legal Insights on South Africa’s $25bn Grid Expansion
South Africa is embarking on one of its most ambitious infrastructure undertakings: a $25 billion grid expansion project that will add more than 14,000 km of transmission lines to the national network. The initiative is a cornerstone in unlocking renewable energy generation, stabilising the grid, and enabling the count
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