Latest Legal Briefs
Friends And Family May Turn To Foes – Be Careful Who You Appoint As An Executor
There are only two things in life that are inevitable, death and taxes. Taxes are debatable however death will come knocking on each and every one of our doors at some point in our life. This article is about making wise and responsible decisions prior to your death to ensure that you appoint an...
Bowmans wins IFLR African Firm of the Year Award, cementing its position as the preeminent African law firm
Pre-eminent African law firm, Bowmans, was named African Firm of the Year for the second consecutive year at the prestigious IFLR Africa Awards ceremony held in Cape Town, South Africa, last night (27 March). The firm also walked away with two other awards, including Impact Deal of the Year: M&A...
Missed opportunities: The implications of squandering a disciplinary hearing
In employer-employee workplace tales, a person decrying unfair termination is a common scenario. But what about the instances where the employee had a chance to tell their side of the story in a disciplinary hearing, but they let it slip away? This is the story in the case of Okun v Kenyatta...
Key considerations and compliance challenges as South Africa nears implementation of groundbreaking "Failure to Prevent Corrupt Activities Offence"
Arguably one of the most far-reaching recommendations of the State Capture Commission, the introduction of a failure to prevent corruption offence, is on the cusp of being introduced in South Africa. The Judicial Matters Amendment Bill (the “Bill”) which is due to be considered by the National...
Residential Tenant, Landlord Rights Under Lockdown
In the economic turmoil caused by Covid-19 lockdown, many people have not been able to pay their residential rent. Under government lockdown regulations – which try to ameliorate this problem – where do tenants and landlords stand legally? Two main scenarios emerge in the regulations passed by...
Eric Bonnet-Maes appointed Chief Executive Officer of LexisNexis (RELX Group) for Continental Europe, Middle East and Africa
Eric Bonnet-Maes joined LexisNexis France in 2007 as Sales and Operational Marketing Director before becoming Chief Operating Officer from 2014. Since 2018, he led LexisNexis' Asia region, steering the development of Greater China, Japan, South Korea, India and Southeast Asia from Hong Kong. "I...
Don’t rely on prescription of backpay orders
I recently warned employers not to rely on technicalities in trying to win labour law cases. At the core of the purpose of labour legislation is the need to ensure that unfairly treated employees receive redress with a minimum of time wasting and technicalities. Unfair dismissal refers to a...
South Africa’s evolving mineral and petroleum industries
South Africa’s mineral and petroleum industries faced significant changes in 2024 in view of the establishment of the Government of National Unity and legislative developments in these industries. In May 2024, South Africa had its seventh general election the results of which paved the way for...
Another welcome reprieve for Applicants awaiting Home Affairs visa outcomes
The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber announced a welcome and timeous reprieve to foreign nationals with pending waivers, long-term visas and appeal applications, submitted in South Africa to travel and remain in the country with specific conditions, just days before the current...
Stay Compliant and Informed with Sabinet Legal Registers
In today’s dynamic legal environment, staying compliant is crucial for the smooth operation of businesses, organisations, and government bodies. Sabinet Legal Registers serve as a crucial compliance tool, ensuring you remain informed and prepared. Navigating the Regulatory Maze
Consistency in Workplace Discipline: Balancing Fairness and Discretion
Consistency in workplace discipline is a fundamental element of substantive fairness. Employers must enforce rules and impose disciplinary actions without bias or arbitrariness. The principle of consistency ensures that disciplinary decisions are justifiable on objective, operational grounds,...
Counterfeit Crackdown: Fake Pots Boiled Over in R1-million Bust
In a significant victory for brand protection and consumer safety, Spoor & Fisher’s anti-counterfeiting department supported a police bust in March 2025, to dismantle a major counterfeit distribution network in Johannesburg, resulting in the seizure of more than R1-million worth of Hart pots....
The MTBPS needs to focus on easing the cost of doing business
The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, has committed himself to the task of pursuing his predecessors’ structural reform agenda and reducing red tape, the progress of which will be keenly noted in the Medium Term Budget Policy (MTBPS) on the 11th of November. Angelika Goliger, EY Africa’s...
Gautrain expansion set to boost Gauteng’s economy and transport network
On 26 February 2025, the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Roads and Transport in Gauteng issued a Notice of Route Determination of a Railway Line (the Notice) for the Soweto Extension and Cosmo City Junction of the Gauteng Rapid Rail Integrated Network Extension Project (the Project)....
Navigating Section 197 in Public Service contracts: Lessons from the King Cetshwayo District Municipality case
ISSUE: In the case of King Cetshwayo District Municipality v Water and Sanitation Services South Africa (Pt) Ltd and others the Labour Appeal Court (“LAC”) had to determine whether there had been a transfer of a business in terms of section 197 of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, as amended...
