Spousal Maintenance After Divorce and the “Clean Break” Principle

“The clean break principle after divorce has found resonance with our courts for many years.  The aim of this principle is to ensure that the parties become financially independent of each other as soon as possible after divorce.” (Extract from judgment below) Our courts always prioritise the interests of children in any marital breakup, and […]

R4m Damages for a Workplace Sexual Assault

“The stance adopted by the Municipality at the trial demonstrated a disturbing lack of appreciation of its legal obligation to have provided E[….] with a safe working environment.” (Extract from judgment below) Our courts do not tolerate any form of sexual assault or harassment in the workplace and a recent High Court decision confirms the danger […]

Bodies Corporate: Before You Sequestrate to Recover Arrears…

“Bankruptcy – a fate worse than debt” (Anon) One of a Body Corporate’s fundamental duties is to collect monthly levies from the scheme’s members, and to take robust action to recover any arrears. As with any other creditor/debtor relationship however, trying to recover debt can be an exercise in frustration and delay, and the more […]

Your Website of the Month: How to Plan and Hold Virtual Board Meetings

Virtual meetings are here to stay. Make the most of them with “Optimising the virtual boardroom: A guide to planning and executing virtual board meetings” from Nasdaq Governance Solutions on Moneyweb. Learn how to – “Build a virtual board table” (“creating a virtual seating arrangement” and so on), “Mitigate meeting day glitches” (we’ve all wasted time […]

11 POPIA Questions to Ask Yourself Before 30 June 2021

Note: This is a complex topic and there is no substitute for tailored professional advice. What is set out below is of necessity no more than a simplified summary of some practical highlights. You and your business are at substantial risk if you aren’t fully compliant with POPIA (the Protection of Personal Information Act) on […]

When Bond Clauses Sink Sales

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success” (Alexander Graham Bell) You sell your house, give the signed sale agreement to your attorney, and wait to get paid out as soon as the property is transferred in the Deeds Office. What could possibly go wrong? Quite a bit as it turns out, but perhaps […]

Dismissed: The Butcher Who Went to Work With COVID-19

“The facts of this case are indeed extraordinary. They are indicative of the need for more to be done at both the workplace and in our communities, in ensuring that employers, employees, and the general populace are sensitised to the realities of this pandemic, and to further reinforce the obligations of employers and employees in […]

Can You Change Your Marital Regime After Marriage?

“A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it” (John Steinbeck) One of the most important decisions you must make before you marry is what “marital regime” (“matrimonial property system”) you want to apply to your marriage. To recap, you have three choices – Marry in community […]

Your Website of the Month: Teamwork Tips from My Octopus Teacher

“So, you thought that My Octopus Teacher was there to teach us about cephalopods; its real message is about the value of teamwork and what we can achieve if we work together.” Read “Teamwork Tips from My Octopus Teacher” on the Catalyst website, and watch an interview with the movie’s director, for some thoughts on “the […]