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For many people in South Africa, adopting a baby is the only viable way for them to expand their families. Whether it’s due to fertility issues or simply a moral decision, adopting a child in need can radically change people’s lives and make a dream come true for many. Not to mention, for the children themselves, considering the rising epidemic of child abandonment in South Africa, it gives them a chance at living a full and prosperous life. As the Centre of Child Law

Young professionals looking to purchase their first property often lean towards apartments or homes in a complex – also called sectional titles. Not only are these properties the more affordable option, but they usually come with other benefits, such as added security and amenities. Of course, there are some drawbacks, specifically for current or prospective pet owners. However, keeping pets in a sectional title scheme is possible, but, as with most things, some terms and conditions apply. What exactly is a

South Africans will have more control over their mobile data bundles at the end of February 2019. This is thanks to The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (Icasa) End-User and Subscriber Service Charter amendment regulations, taking effect. The amendment regulations were supposed to have come into effect in June 2018, but implementation was delayed after MTN and CellC took Icasa to court. The court sided with the two operators, and implementation was postponed until this year, giving networks more time

Getting married has different meanings to different people in South Africa. For some, a traditional wedding might mean a fancy white dress and a long walk down the aisle, while for others, it is more of a colourful celebration of heritage and age-old African customs. But, no matter how we celebrate love and commitment in all its diversity, getting married is always a legal affair. South African laws don’t just recognise and protect civil marriages, but also customary marriages as long as specific requirements are met as set out in what is known as the Customary Marriages Act 120

Over the last few years, Parliament’s police portfolio committee has frequently raised concerns over the growing number of civil claims against the South African Police Services. Just last year, the Minister of Police was ordered to pay almost R600 000 in damages to a teenager who was unlawfully arrested and detained. The teenager was arrested on suspicion of robbery and was subsequently thrown in a dirty jail cell and assaulted by inmates. Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated incident. It is reported

Justice isn’t always accessible for South Africans, and the reality is that it isn’t always viable for disputes to be settled in a court of law. Especially when one considers how long it takes to get an outcome and how prohibitively expensive the legal process can be. But there are various alternative avenues and options, like the Small Claims Court and Ombudsman Schemes, to assist citizens to resolve disputes. We’ve already taken a comprehensive look at how to approach the

While most people are familiar with a last will and testament, there is an important document that isn’t always top of mind: a living will. A living will could come in especially handy and gives your loved ones peace of mind should you be mentally incapacitated or in a coma, and unable to make medical decisions for yourself. What is a living will? Simply put, a “living will” is a written instruction that details a person’s wishes about future

Times are changing, and more and more people opt for less traditional forms of relationships. Many South Africans choose to walk down the aisle and get married, but others prefer to live together as “life partners” instead. While shacking up together has become more socially acceptable, it’s essential to understand the legal implications of choosing to cohabitate, especially where a couple co-owns property, shares debts and other financial obligations or have kids together. What is Cohabitation? Cohabitation

For many young professionals, renting a house or an apartment is one of the first big steps in their lives. Of course, it can be a lengthy and complicated process: from searching for and viewing properties, to signing lease agreements and other documents. It’s always best to conduct thorough research and ensure all the legal boxes are ticked. Good news for prospective tenants is that the law protects their rights in the form of The Rental Housing Act, which regulates the relationship between landlords (people who own property) and