News and Commentary
Steinhoff Saga: A Legal Analysis of the Reserve Bank Notice and Order of Forfeiture
The recent developments in the Steinhoff scandal, particularly the forfeiture of assets belonging to Markus Jooste’s former ‘lover,’ Berdine Odendaal, have set a significant legal precedent in the...
Goal or no goal? Legal Explainer of the CAF protest by Tanzania Young Africans vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Analysing the protest sitting before the Confederation of African Football (“CAF”), which was launched by the Tanzanian Young Africans Sports Club against Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club and the...
A Guide for South African Businesses on Anti-Money Laundering Legislation
In response to its 2023 “grey listing” by the Financial Action Task Force (FATC), the enactment of The General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Act 22 of 2022...
A debt of the past against a foe for a lifetime
Introduction Prescription refers to the time period within which legal proceedings for a debt must be instituted. However, should prescription be applied when it will have the effect of bringing...
The Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001
The Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001 (‘FICA’) was instituted to combat and prevent the commission of financial crimes within South Africa. The purpose of this Act includes, but is not...
The implications of the new earnings threshold for South African businesses
Effective from 1 April 2024, the Earnings Threshold - which is determined by the Minster of Employment and Labour from time to time in terms of section 6(3) the Basic Conditions of Employment Act of...
A Mentor Beyond Measure: Celebrating Adela Petersen
As we celebrate Women's History Month, we also take a moment to honour the trailblazers who have paved the way and lit the path for future generations. This year, TerraLex, a leading global network...
News Flash: National Minimum Wage
The Minister of Employment and Labour has Gazetted an amendment to the National Minimum Wage Act 9 of 2018, section 6(5), Schedule 1, and Schedule 2 of the Act. These amendments shall become...
News Flash: The Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998
On the 1st of February 2024, the Minister of Labour published for comment proposed amendments to the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998. The proposed amendments relate to the planned introduction of...
Artificial Intelligence in Court Proceedings
In the United Kingdom the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary has published guidance for Judges on the use of Artificial Intelligence ("AI"). The guide briefly considers some of the challenges faced by...
Legal Talk – Maintenance for kids after 18 years – Interview with Sheri Breslaw
Sheri Breslaw from Fairbridges Wertheim Becker's Family Law department was recently interviewed on Cape Talk Radio's Legal Talk segment with Pippa Hudson. They chatted on the topic of Maintenance...
Johannesburg’s Development Contribution Policy: Implications and Guidance for Property Developers
In October 2021, the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) introduced a Development Contributions (DC) Policy, signalling a transformative approach to managing infrastructure demands of new developments. This...
How Does South African Law Define ‘Home’ in Eviction Cases?
According to South Africa’s Constitution, no one can be evicted or have their “home” demolished without a court order. This principle is reinforced by the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and...
Vacation Programme: Johannesburg 20 – 22 September 2023
We’re pleased to announce that our Vacation Programme at our Johannesburg office ran from 20 – 22 September 2023 and was a great success! We hosted four students selected from multiple applications...
Share Buy-Backs: A discussion on the current legal framework and the changes considered in the Companies Amendment Bills.
A share buy-back, or share repurchase, is a transaction in which a company buys back its issued shares from a shareholder. Section 48 of the Companies Act 71 of 2008 ("the Act") regulates how a...
Layers of Lessee Protection
With the lens on the developer of a sectional title scheme, a distinction needs to be made between Developer A, who owns undeveloped land on which they intend to develop buildings comprising a...
A cracker of a victory for Salticrax.
Whilst shopping in the supermarket, do you always take specific and particular notice of the branded items you place in your trolley? Have you ever picked up an item and, on closer inspection,...
Beneficial ownership: What is it, and how does one comply with the CIPC reporting requirements?
Beneficial ownership: What is it, and how does one comply with the CIPC reporting requirements? The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) recently launched the Beneficial Ownership...
No Man’s Land
Since the advent of the National Lockdown to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 Virus and now regular Loadshedding, many employers have resorted to placing their employees on a temporary layoff to...
Hopeless cases: Legal practitioner’s fiduciary duty towards the court and their clients.
In the recent UNISA case of the University of South Africa v Socikwa and Others (J 675/23; J 680/23) [2023] ZALCJHB 172, Acting Judge Sethene delivered a scathing judgment condemning legal...
Building Plan Conditions in Bond Grants.
In an attempt to protect their security, financial institutions are frequently requesting updated approved building plans as a pre-registration Bond condition. This can cause massive delays in the...
Gallery: FWB celebrates Mandela Day 2023
Legal Talk – Prevention of Illegal Eviction Act – Interview with Adela Petersen
Fairbridges Wertheim Becker's Managing Partner Adela Petersen was recently interviewed on Cape Talk Radio's Legal Talk segment with Pippa Hudson. They chatted about the Prevention of Illegal...
The Supreme Court of Appeal Rules That Student Accommodation Does Not Constitute a ‘Home’.
On 3 July 2023, the SCA delivered its judgment on whether the provisions of the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act 19 of 1998 ("PIE") apply to student residences...