IN THE NEWS
Executor: An honour, a burden, a responsibility
Death has no diary. It does not check whether the paperwork is in order, whether passwords have been shared, or whether the family is getting along. And yet, when someone passes, the person appointed as executor is expected to step into a role that is part administrator, part investigator, part diplomat - and occasionally, part ... Read more
Check-in or checkmate? Getting a handle on Airbnb in South Africa’s sectional title schemes
Airbnb is once again in the spotlight. From record tourism numbers to renewed debate around ... Read more
When the game isn’t worth the candle
Smarter ways to resolve business disputes There is a moment in most disputes where emotion ... Read more
Gillan & Veldhuizen Inc. recognised as PH Group Platinum Achiever for 2025
Gillan & Veldhuizen Inc. is proud to share that the firm has been awarded the ... Read more
Risk, Reward and Reinvention: Why 2026 belongs to the bold
In a market shaped by economic uncertainty, technology shifts and tightening margins, risk has become a dirty word in boardrooms across South Africa. But in ... Read more
Modern trusts: smarter structures for complex families and business owners
We all know the importance of a will - it’s the cornerstone of responsible estate planning. But for families with complex assets, business interests or ... Read more
Corporate Legacy Planning: Safeguarding the future of your business
According to the Master of the High Court, more than 70% of South Africans die without a valid will. For business owners, the consequences go ... Read more
Unpacking the legal standing of beneficiaries in trust and estate disputes
When a trust suffers a loss - through negligence, misconduct or mismanagement - can the beneficiaries take legal action directly against a third party? The ... Read more
Executors, Trustees and Business Continuity: Getting it right
Appointing an executor or trustee is one of the most critical estate planning decisions you’ll make. Yet, it’s often treated as an afterthought - a ... Read more
Estate planning: Blended families, business assets and the myth of fairness
Estate planning is rarely straightforward. Add in second marriages, stepchildren, business interests or complex property portfolios, and the picture becomes even more delicate. In blended ... Read more
Assets that demand a closer look when structuring or reviewing your estate plan
When most people think about drafting a will, they picture the usual suspects: the house, the cars, maybe an investment portfolio. But for many people ... Read more
The case for airtight contracts in property deals
How overlooked clauses can cost millions - or save them In the world of commercial property, a poorly drafted contract can turn a lucrative deal ... Read more
The clause effect: What your agreement might be missing (and why it matters)
An often-overlooked clause is the Survival Clause, says PJ Veldhuizen, MD of specialist commercial law firm Gillan & Veldhuizen Inc.. This clause specifies which provisions ... Read more
From boardrooms to braais: Why M&A thinking belongs in your business toolkit
To most, the phrase ‘Mergers & Acquisitions’ conjures up high-stakes deals, sharp suits and the fast-talking charisma of Danny Crane from Boston Legal. But while Hollywood ... Read more
AI in business: A game-changer, but not a legal replacement
Businesses across South Africa are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline operations, boost efficiency and enhance decision-making. But while AI offers incredible tools, it comes ... Read more
The hidden risks in farm inheritance: estate liquidity matters
For many South African farmers, a farm is more than an asset – it is a family legacy, a business and often the entirety of ... Read more
Executor: An honour, a burden, a responsibility
Death has no diary. It does not check whether the paperwork is in order, whether passwords have been shared, or whether the family is getting along. And yet, when someone passes, the person appointed as executor is expected to step into a role that is ... Read more
Check-in or checkmate? Getting a handle on Airbnb in South Africa’s sectional title schemes
Airbnb is once again in the spotlight. From record tourism numbers to renewed debate around housing shortages in cities like Cape Town, short-term letting has shifted from side hustle to serious business. But as more owners tap into demand from swallows, digital nomads and long-stay ... Read more
When the game isn’t worth the candle
Smarter ways to resolve business disputes There is a moment in most disputes where emotion overtakes economics. Pride digs in. Letters get sharper. Threats of court are made. And yet, by the time a matter reaches trial, the real question often lingers in the background: ... Read more
Gillan & Veldhuizen Inc. recognised as PH Group Platinum Achiever for 2025
Gillan & Veldhuizen Inc. is proud to share that the firm has been awarded the Phatshoane Henney Group’s Platinum Achiever Award for 2025, the highest distinction conferred by the Group. The PH Group - South Africa’s largest network of independent law firms - recognises member ... Read more
Risk, Reward and Reinvention: Why 2026 belongs to the bold
In a market shaped by economic uncertainty, technology shifts and tightening margins, risk has become a dirty word in boardrooms across South Africa. But in 2026, businesses that want to grow - and survive - can no longer afford to play it safe. The name ... Read more
Modern trusts: smarter structures for complex families and business owners
We all know the importance of a will - it’s the cornerstone of responsible estate planning. But for families with complex assets, business interests or blended family dynamics, a will on its own may not be enough. That’s where trusts come in providing the structure, ... Read more
Corporate Legacy Planning: Safeguarding the future of your business
According to the Master of the High Court, more than 70% of South Africans die without a valid will. For business owners, the consequences go far beyond family conflict - they can cripple an otherwise healthy company. Without clear succession or liquidity planning, operations can ... Read more
Unpacking the legal standing of beneficiaries in trust and estate disputes
When a trust suffers a loss - through negligence, misconduct or mismanagement - can the beneficiaries take legal action directly against a third party? The answer is nuanced, and recent legal developments, such as the McCann v McCann case in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court, is ... Read more
Executors, Trustees and Business Continuity: Getting it right
Appointing an executor or trustee is one of the most critical estate planning decisions you’ll make. Yet, it’s often treated as an afterthought - a box to be ticked. For high-value estates, especially those with operating businesses, property portfolios or cross-border assets, the wrong choice ... Read more
Estate planning: Blended families, business assets and the myth of fairness
Estate planning is rarely straightforward. Add in second marriages, stepchildren, business interests or complex property portfolios, and the picture becomes even more delicate. In blended families especially, the greatest danger is assuming that “fair” simply means “equal.” “Fairness isn’t always about dividing things in equal ... Read more
Assets that demand a closer look when structuring or reviewing your estate plan
When most people think about drafting a will, they picture the usual suspects: the house, the cars, maybe an investment portfolio. But for many people (and businesses), the real complexity - and the biggest risks - lie in the assets that don’t neatly fit into ... Read more
The case for airtight contracts in property deals
How overlooked clauses can cost millions - or save them In the world of commercial property, a poorly drafted contract can turn a lucrative deal into a legal and financial headache. Consider the case of a shopping centre seller who, after a buyer defaulted mid-payment, ... Read more