In South Africa, levies in sectional title and similar community schemes are the cornerstone of funding for maintenance, operations, insurance, and future repairs. However, when levies are increased, particularly when the increases appear excessive, owners often...

Civil litigation costs refer to the legal expenses involved in initiating and pursuing a lawsuit or application. These costs include, for example, the issuing of summons, the drafting of affidavits, pleadings, and notices exchanged between the parties until the court...

You've moved into your new home, and suddenly things start going wrong. A damp patch appears out of nowhere, the lights trip when you turn on a switch, or a small crack starts spreading. It's unsettling, especially when you're unsure what the law allows once you've...

Most families only think about executor fees when someone passes away, and the uncertainty often adds strain during an already difficult time. People worry about estate administration costs, delays at the Master’s Office, and whether the executor’s fee will reduce...

The rise of digital transformation has brought electronic document signing platforms to the forefront, making it easier to sign contracts and important documents remotely. But are these digital signatures legally binding? Let's break it down.   Understanding...

WhatsApp and similar messaging platforms have become a staple of modern communication and, increasingly, also business communication. But, viewing these platforms as informal and not binding could be dangerous, as the recent case of Gerritsen Trading CC t/a Gerritsen...

If you own property in a sectional title, there are new rules governing how your community can issue fines. The Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) has introduced a new Consolidated Practice Directive 1 of 2025, which provides clearer standards for handling fines...

When a dog on private property behaves aggressively toward people lawfully on the premises, questions arise about whether the dog can be leashed or even impounded to protect public safety, even within the bounds of private property.   This issue was central to...

Estate planning is often viewed through a purely legal or financial lens. However, at its core, it is a profoundly human process, one that intimately involves family relationships, dynamics, and communication. In South Africa, where cultural diversity and complex...

A topical discussion in society is the growing use of AI, with some celebrating its advent and others fearing its power. Irrespective of your views, there are challenges to AI, leading to a growing call also in the legal profession for greater regulation of AI use. In...