“Title Deed” A property’s “title deed” (more formally, “deed of transfer”) is the legal document that proves ownership of immovable property (land, house, sectional title unit etc). It’s issued by the local Deeds Office, and contains detailed information about the...

Please note that since the publication of this article, the national rollout of AARTO has again been postponed, this time to July 2026. “Forewarned is forearmed.” (Wise old proverb) Government keeps assuring us that the long-delayed AARTO (Administrative Adjudication...

“A family name holds the music of generations – it’s the first inheritance we receive.” (Attributed to Irish poet-philosopher John O’Donohue) The Constitutional Court has just confirmed (with some significant adjustments) last year’s High Court ruling that both...

“Raising kids is part joy and part guerilla warfare.” (Ed Asner, actor with a great sense of humour!) A game-changing judgment from our Constitutional Court sets out new rules for parental leave. The joy of becoming parents, and a father’s leave dilemma The birth of a...

“In the summertime, when the weather is high, you can stretch right up and touch the sky.” (Mungo Jerry) Summer’s here with its blue skies, happy holidaymakers from around the country and the world, and, as always, an upsurge in demand for houses. If you’re going to...

Legal Speak Made Easy “Objective” v “Subjective” You’ll come across these terms most often in civil claims, employment disputes, criminal cases, contracts (including property sale agreements) and constitutional matters. But what do they mean? When our law requires an...

Can a Body Corporate Cut the Power? It’s Complicated “A body corporate’s lot is not an easy one.” (With apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan) One of a body corporate’s core functions is to collect current and outstanding levies. When a section owner becomes...

Fixed Term Contracts: A Guide for Employers and Employees It’s vital for both employers and employees to understand the practical and legal differences between permanent and fixed term employment arrangements. What is a fixed term contract? A fixed term contract is a...

BFFs no More: The Verbal Agreement That Cost R1 Million “My word is my bond.” (Once the motto of 16th-century merchants, adopted by ’90s hip-hop artists, and now tossed around by duelling politicians) Many people are unaware that there are just a few types of...

“Look before you leap.” (Wise old proverb) Imagine sealing the deal on your dream property, only to wake up at 3 a.m. beset by sudden doubts. Thoughts like “Can we really afford it?” or “How on earth could we have fallen in love with that old dump?” haunt you. You may...