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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

Whether it’s through our own fault or as a result of someone else’s negligence, an encounter with the law is inevitable for most of us. And while every case is different, it usually causes a lot of stress and anxiety and can be quite the financial burden as well. The fact is, the law is notoriously inaccessible in our country and most South Africans cannot afford the services of a top lawyer. With the unemployment rate just under 28%, it is easy to see why the law is unaffordable for many. This is

Few things are as exciting as being handed the keys to your new home! It’s a space that you not only can transform to express who you are; it’s also a worthy investment that you can keep in the family for generations. Not to mention, if you are a home flipper in the making, you will be more than thrilled to have acquired a new asset to spruce up and sell for a profit. But, the hidden costs of buying a house in South Africa can take many potential homeowners by surprise, and often thwart the entire purchase. So, doing additional research and gaining knowledge is vital before putting

As we all know, life can be unpredictable, and at some point, you might find yourself in a position of not being able to pay back the money you owe someone. Of course, avoiding the issue and not coming up with a suitable arrangement could result in legal action against you. And this is where you are very likely to encounter a summons, which can be confusing. So, let’s take a closer look at what precisely a summons is and what you should look out for. In our legal system, a summons is the

With South Africa being one of the most beautiful countries in the world, it comes as no surprise that photographers and filmmakers want to capture its scenery from all angles. Drones, of course, have made aerial photography possible for both professionals and amateurs. While these devices have taken off in South Africa over the last few years, their usage remained unregulated for quite some time. But with drones having the potential to cause property damage and contravene private citizens’ right

Signing a cellphone contract and getting the latest device in your hands is a fairly straightforward process, but things get a little more complicated when you try to cancel it. Let’s take a look at what you need to know and, more importantly, what the law says about cancelling your cellphone contract in South Africa. What kind of contract is it? Cellphone contracts are usually fixed-term contracts, which means the agreement between you and the service provider