NEWS
12 Questions to Ask Before You Sign That Deed of Sale
“Knowledge is power” (old proverb) Whether you are buying or selling property, remember that it is too late to ask questions after you sign the Deed of Sale (often called a “Sale Agreement” or “Offer to Purchase”). “Knowledge is power” rings particularly...
Directors – When Are They Personally Liable?
“… for the benefit of immunity from liability for its debts, those running the corporation may not use its formal identity to incur obligations recklessly, grossly negligently or fraudulently. If they do, they risk being made personally liable.” (Quoted in the...
The Trouble with Family Loans: A R540,000 Lesson
“How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!” (Shakespeare) “Family helps family in times of need” – that’s been part of human culture since long before the dawn of history but be sure to observe all legal formalities. A recent High...
Fired for Off-Duty CBD Oil Use and Cannabis Smoking
“… the [employer], in light of its dangerous environment, is entitled to discipline and dismiss any employee who uses cannabis or is under the influence whilst at work in contravention of its policy. Unfortunately, the Constitutional Court judgement does not offer any...
Website of the Month: Solar Power and the Insurance Risk
With our loadshedding woes unlikely to go anywhere soon, more and more property owners are looking to solar power as an alternative to relying on Eskom. Just be careful that you don’t fall foul of your insurers in the process. “Rules homeowners should know before...
Buying and Selling Property: Who Pays What Costs?
“Risk comes from not knowing what you’re doing” (Warren Buffett) Don’t risk not knowing what you’re doing when you either sell or buy property. Avoid nasty shocks by budgeting properly for the costs you will incur – some of them can be substantial, and some are less...
Trusts on Divorce: Are You Stuck with an Ex-Spouse as Trustee?
“Love is grand. Divorce is a hundred grand.” (Anon) That’s a great scenario whilst the marriage prospers, but what happens on divorce? A recent High Court decision addressed one such scenario – Trusts may be formed for a variety of reasons, and the purpose and...
Bodies Corporate: Forcing Access to Units, and Round Robin Resolutions
Owning your own property comes with a raft of benefits, including a general right to privacy and control over who can access your property and who can’t. But of course there are exceptions. And apart from the obvious ones, a recent High Court judgment highlights one...
Verbal Agreements – Not Much Good, But Lots of Bad and Ugly
“The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” (Spaghetti Western, 1966) A common myth – one that can get you into a whole lot of trouble if you aren’t alive to it – is that verbal contracts are not legally enforceable in South Africa. The opposite is true. With very few...
Website of the Month: Don’t Let Hybrid Work Break Your Company Culture!
As pandemic restrictions ease around the world, many businesses forced by lockdown to “go remote” are torn between returning to office and keeping everyone working remotely. An increasing number are opting for one or other hybrid model, which can come with major...