IN THE NEWS
You inherited it. But do you have to keep it? What happens when property, siblings and co-ownership collide
There is something wonderfully optimistic about the word inheritance. The sense of something gained without effort, simply handed down. A holiday home by the sea. A share in a property. Perhaps an investment that has been in the family for years. Then comes the small print. The holiday house is shared with your siblings. One ... Read more
Executor: An honour, a burden, a responsibility
Death has no diary. It does not check whether the paperwork is in order, whether ... 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
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
Crossing the line: Legal risks of using company funds for personal expenses
As the end of the financial year approaches for companies with a February 2025 year-end, business owners and directors are under considerable pressure to ensure ... Read more
Beneficial Ownership disclosure deadline looms for businesses
The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) has set new obligations for reporting beneficial ownership information, with the next deadlines linked to each company’s date ... Read more
My company has been liquidated – now what?
In an environment marked by economic strain and financial volatility, businesses face immense pressures that, in many cases, lead to insolvency. The high cost of ... Read more
I cannot find my spouse’s original will – what do I need to do to get a copy made valid?
Losing a loved one is one of life’s most challenging experiences. On top of the emotional turmoil, discovering that you cannot locate the original will ... Read more
Forgot to update your will after your divorce? Your ex could still inherit.
Divorce, while undoubtedly difficult, is a common experience that many of us go through. Amid the emotional turmoil and the seemingly endless checklist of tasks, ... Read more
Corporate divorce: pre-nups for partnerships
In the same way that prenuptial agreements are considered crucial for many marriages, business partnerships require meticulous planning to safeguard against the consequences of potential ... Read more
Financial spring cleaning tips you can’t ignore
It’s that time of year again when you’re swapping out your winter wardrobes for summer, having a long-overdue de-clutter and booking annual check-ups for the ... Read more
I have been served with a summons, now what?
Life can be unpredictable and challenging, and there may come a time when you end up unable to repay money you owe someone. Ignoring 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 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
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 of a contract remain enforceable even after termination - and can be the deciding factor between a drawn-out court battle ... 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 makes it seem like the realm of billion-dollar corporates and global conglomerates, M&As are quietly playing out every day - ... 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 with legal risks that can’t be ignored. Cape Town-based commercial law firm Gillan & Veldhuizen Inc. is urging companies to ... 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 their net worth. However, when it comes to estate planning, one critical factor is often overlooked: liquidity. Without adequate liquid ... Read more
Crossing the line: Legal risks of using company funds for personal expenses
As the end of the financial year approaches for companies with a February 2025 year-end, business owners and directors are under considerable pressure to ensure their financial records are accurate and compliant. A common pitfall for many business owners is running personal expenses through the ... Read more
Beneficial Ownership disclosure deadline looms for businesses
The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) has set new obligations for reporting beneficial ownership information, with the next deadlines linked to each company’s date of inception. This requirement means that businesses have only 30 days from this anniversary date to declare their beneficial owners, ... Read more
My company has been liquidated – now what?
In an environment marked by economic strain and financial volatility, businesses face immense pressures that, in many cases, lead to insolvency. The high cost of doing business, skyrocketing utility prices along with currency fluctuations have compounded the struggles for many companies, pushing liquidations to significant ... Read more
I cannot find my spouse’s original will – what do I need to do to get a copy made valid?
Losing a loved one is one of life’s most challenging experiences. On top of the emotional turmoil, discovering that you cannot locate the original will can add an extra layer of stress and confusion. However, there are steps you can take to ensure your loved ... Read more