News and Commentary
New requirements for travelling with children
Director-General Mkuseli Apleni called for a briefing to clarify a few issues ahead of the 1st of June 2015 implementation. There has been much hype leading up to the implementation of these...
Carbon tax for 2016?
During the annual budget speech, the Minister of Finance announced that draft carbon tax legislation will be published in 2015 for public consultation in the hope that it will become law in 2016....
FWB Attorney hits the red carpet!
Our very own Andrew Hewitt attended the Cannes Film festival last month. Andrew is our resident entertainment law specialist. His clients include inter alia artists, filmmakers, musicians,...
Draft gambling policy gazetted for public comment
The National Gambling Board has released a draft policy for public comment. Some of the contentious issues covered include the illegality of an act of online gambling as well as the winnings...
Time to save?
Tax-free saving accounts were introduced on 1 March 2015 in order to encourage more people to start saving. The annual contribution limit is R30 000 and the lifetime limit is R500 000 per person....
The concept of a binding offer by creditors in business rescue now clarified.
A landmark decision has been made by the Supreme Court of Appeal whereby the concept of a binding offer in the business rescue context has now been clarified. Previously in circumstances where a...
The NCA and prescription
The NCA requires, as a precursor to litigation on a credit agreement, that one sends a 's129' notice, advising the debtor of his rights in terms of the NCA, and a few other formalities. Where a...
Retirement of Fairbridges Chair
Messages of goodwill flowed in for long-serving Chair of Fairbridges, Louis Rood, who has retired after 42 years at the firm, 34 on the board, and 10 years as Chair. He was only the 15th Chair of...
New Chairperson Appointed
Deirdré Olivier has been appointed Chairperson of Fairbridges Wertheim Becker. A BA LLB graduate of the University of Cape Town. She served her articles at Fairbridges, was admitted as an attorney...
Leading South African Law Firms Merge
Two of South Africa’s longest established law firms have joined forces in a significant mid-market merger. Fairbridges is the oldest law firm in Africa and the Southern Hemisphere, having been...
The Alienation of Land Act
In the recent Constitutional Court case of Botha v Rich NO the court decided that a purchaser may force a transfer of land in terms of Section 27 of the Alienation of Land Act, provided that more...
Bangladesh extends territory
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has awarded Bangladesh more than 9 700 square miles in the Bay of Bengal, ending a three decade-long maritime dispute between Bangladesh and India....
Insight into POPI (Protection of Personal Information Act)
Did you know that in terms of Section 5(f) of the POPI, you have the right not to be solicited by direct marketing by means of unsolicited electronic communications (text, voice, sound or image...
Advertising Standards Authority Ruling
In a recent Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) matter involving a billboard on the Soweto Highway, Mini Cooper undertook not to use the phrase "DRIVE IT LIKE IT'S STOLEN" again to promote its...
Women´s day
“The fastest way to change society is to mobilize the women of the world.” – Charles Malik
Mergers and acquisitions picking up
According to UK research firm Mergermarket, mergers and acquisitions are starting to pick up after six years of stagnation. It is likely that companies in South Africa and other African countries...
Mediation FAQ 5
How is the mediator appointed? It is essential that the mediator is seen as independent and impartial. The mediator is appointed either by the parties themselves, after agreeing on a mediator from a...
New Practice Rule – Cape Town Regional Court
Last month the Cape Town Regional Court introduced a practice rule that all applications for default judgment take place in open court and that a representative of the applicant be present....
Prescribed Rate of Interest Increases
As of 1 August of this year, the prescribed (default) rate of interest on all claims has been reduced from 15% to 9%. This means that a litigant will not be able to claim more than 9% on any...
Miss Soweto
The Miss Soweto beauty pageant takes place today at the New Soweto Theatre in Jabulani. The pageant, which was first established in 1979, has produced two Miss South Africa's and one Miss Universe,...
Law Firm Leadership – Louis Rood
Congratulations to our Chairman, Louis Rood, whose article "Law Firm Leadership" appeared in the July 2014 issue of De Rebus...
Who´s who in the Fairbridges Zoo?
Wickaum Smith, a Director at Fairbridges, specialising in Medical Law, Administrative Law, Insurance Law and general litigation. https://www.fwbattorneys.co.za/attorney/wickaum-smith/
Whistle-blowers can face prison time
Whistle-blowers who deliberately disclose false information could face up to two years in prison, and fines. These penalties are contained in new amendments to the Protected Disclosures Act,...
Albie Sachs´ view of the Constitutional Court
In a recent interview, former Constitutional Court judge Albie Sachs, in explaining his role in setting up the Constitutitional Court, expressed his love for the court and his former colleagues. ‘We...