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
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 ... 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, ... Read more
The case for airtight contracts in property deals
How overlooked clauses can cost millions - or save them In the world of commercial ... Read more
Gillan & Veldhuizen Inc. announces association with PHG, South Africa’s largest legal network
As part of its corporate strategy going into 2023 Gillan & Veldhuizen Inc. has announced an association with Phatshoeane Henny Group (PHG), the largest association ... Read more
Business rescue vs liquidation: What is the best option for my company?
If your company is in financial difficulty, whether due to load-shedding woes, mis-managed funds, outstanding debts or otherwise, there are really only two choices you ... Read more
Making hay while the sun shines – establishing rules of engagement with your solar installer
As many South Africans surrender to the country’s energy crisis and turn to alternative solutions to counteract power outages, certain go-getters are seizing the moment ... Read more
Resolving shareholder disputes in a fifty-fifty relationship
According to commercial law attorney, PJ Veldhuizen there is a marked increase in the number of shareholder disputes within the SMME sector in South Africa. ... Read more
Flying solo – how to sell your property without an agent
Finding an estate agent to sell your property ranks in the top tier for many property owners on the ‘tiresome-task’ list as listing and negotiating ... Read more
New appointment
PJ Veldhuizen, Managing Director of commercial law firm Gillan & Veldhuizen Inc., has been appointed to serve on the Investigating, Disciplinary and Mediation Committees of the Legal ... Read more
What constitutes a contract?
When a handshake just won't cut it. Knowing whether you have a valid contract is not always as simple as it seems. We all know ... Read more
Trusts and estate planning
Any conversation about wills and estate planning would be incomplete without considering the suitability of a trust to protect and manage assets. There are two ... Read more
Considerations for managing someone’s affairs when they are unable to do so
As people get older, more forgetful and frail a practical solution is for a family member, lawyer, accountant or financial advisor (agent) to obtain a ... Read more
Time to spring clean your personal estate document file
With September almost a memory, many of us will be reaching to the top of our cupboards, bringing down the summer gear, packing away the ... Read more
There’s no such thing as a free will
National Wills Week takes place in September and no doubt many an inbox will be filled with “Free Will” offerings. This progressive initiative introduced by ... Read more
Buying or selling an ailing business? Be sure to publish your intended sale lest creditors come knocking
Section 34 of the Insolvency Act 24 of 1936 provides that if a business owner transfers their business to someone else - the goodwill of ... Read more
The robot made me do it; exploring the risks of AI in legal contract drafting
In a recent interview, PJ Veldhuizen, a commercial attorney, litigator, and mediator at Gillan & Veldhuizen Inc., delved into the potential pitfalls of utilizing AI in legal contract drafting, shedding light on the complexities of the South African judicial system and the indispensable role of ... Read more
The Texas Auction clause provides an effective tool for resolving shareholder disputes in 50:50 joint ventures
Investors in joint ventures, start-ups and other new business enterprises are increasingly turning to professional, legal counsel to ensure their interests are protected. A professionally drafted shareholder agreement is a key component of this strategy providing investors with comprehensive protection against potential disputes and losses. ... Read more
How to brief your attorney and manage the relationship beneficially
An attorney and a client's relationship should be one of mutual respect and trust; one that requires transparency, honesty, integrity, availability, respect for the financial aspect and timeous responses to missed calls and emails. To assist in formulating a plan for the relationship, PJ Veldhuizen, ... Read more
Drafting a will in a blended family – ‘it’s complicated’
“Succession planning can be a complicated matter even in a simple family structure and not having a concrete plan can lead you to debilitating legal issues down the line.” That’s according to PJ Veldhuizen from law firm Gillan and Veldhuizen Inc. Veldhuizen stressed that scenario ... Read more
Gillan & Veldhuizen Inc. announces association with PHG, South Africa’s largest legal network
As part of its corporate strategy going into 2023 Gillan & Veldhuizen Inc. has announced an association with Phatshoeane Henny Group (PHG), the largest association of independent law firms in South Africa. PHG’s national network spans 9 provinces and represents the largest network in South ... Read more
Business rescue vs liquidation: What is the best option for my company?
If your company is in financial difficulty, whether due to load-shedding woes, mis-managed funds, outstanding debts or otherwise, there are really only two choices you have when it comes to legal options; that being business rescue or liquidation. To put it plainly, a successful business ... Read more
Making hay while the sun shines – establishing rules of engagement with your solar installer
As many South Africans surrender to the country’s energy crisis and turn to alternative solutions to counteract power outages, certain go-getters are seizing the moment and making the most out of the demand. Solar energy system providers and installers are popping up left, right and ... Read more
Resolving shareholder disputes in a fifty-fifty relationship
According to commercial law attorney, PJ Veldhuizen there is a marked increase in the number of shareholder disputes within the SMME sector in South Africa. Veldhuizen who is a litigator, specialist commercial mediator and arbitrator at Cape-based Gillan and Veldhuizen Incorporated said that it is ... Read more
Flying solo – how to sell your property without an agent
Finding an estate agent to sell your property ranks in the top tier for many property owners on the ‘tiresome-task’ list as listing and negotiating a property transaction can often mean you’re on the radar of many an eager salesperson. Using an agent to assist ... Read more
New appointment
PJ Veldhuizen, Managing Director of commercial law firm Gillan & Veldhuizen Inc., has been appointed to serve on the Investigating, Disciplinary and Mediation Committees of the Legal Practice Council for the Western Cape, provincial office. The Legal Practice Council is a national, statutory body established in terms of ... Read more
What constitutes a contract?
When a handshake just won't cut it. Knowing whether you have a valid contract is not always as simple as it seems. We all know that a legal agreement signed by both parties is binding, but what about an agreement you made by email, phone, ... Read more
Trusts and estate planning
Any conversation about wills and estate planning would be incomplete without considering the suitability of a trust to protect and manage assets. There are two types of trusts; namely testamentary trusts and inter vivos trusts. A testamentary trust, as it states, is created in the ... Read more