After years of reliance on the 2015 edition of the General Conditions of Contract for Construction Works (“GCC 2015”), the South African Institution of Civil Engineering introduced a new edition in September 2025 (“GCC 2025”). This updated framework aims to improve...

Estate planning is often viewed primarily as a means of ensuring that family members are provided for after one’s death. However, a carefully structured will can accomplish far more than merely distributing assets. For individuals who wish to support charitable...

The question of whether a person’s home may be sold in execution to satisfy a relatively small debt raises profound constitutional concerns in South Africa, where the right of access to adequate housing is firmly entrenched. While creditors are entitled to enforce...

The recent judgment in Parch Properties 72 (Pty) Ltd v Summervale Lifestyle Estate Owner’s Association and Others 2026 (1) SA 449 (SCA) (17 October 2025) has brought welcome clarity to the long‑standing question of whether the Community Schemes Ombud Service Act 9 of...

The Constitutional Court has recently delivered a significant judgment reaffirming that customary marriages and civil marriages hold equal legal status. Importantly, the Court clarified the implications and validity of antenuptial contracts within the context of...

Purchasing a property at an auction often feels like a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity, with the thrill of competitive bidding, the possibility of securing a bargain, and the pressure of acting quickly. However, beneath this excitement lies a complex legal and...

The world is smaller than ever - South African families increasingly own property in Portugal, hold shares in the US, or have children studying in London. Yet while your life may be global, the law remains stubbornly local. This article explains why a single South...

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...