Latest Legal Briefs
Friends And Family May Turn To Foes – Be Careful Who You Appoint As An Executor
There are only two things in life that are inevitable, death and taxes. Taxes are debatable however death will come knocking on each and every one of our doors at some point in our life. This article is about making wise and responsible decisions prior to your death to ensure that you appoint an...
South Africa: The Constitutional Court provides legal certainty on the reviewability of commercial decisions by private entities
In its recent judgment in Famous Idea Trading 4 (Pty) Ltd t/a Dely Road Courier Pharmacy v Government Employees Medical Scheme 2026 (4) BCLR 291 (CC), the Constitutional Court confirmed the stringent conditions that apply to review applications in respect of commercial decisions of private...
Powering Africa’s industrial future: Why electrification is a key enabler
As the Africa Energy Forum returns to Cape Town from 16 to 19 June 2026 under the theme Building Africa’s Industrialised Future, it comes at a moment when the energy conversation on the continent is starting to evolve. For years, much of the focus has been on expanding access to electricity. That...
Key considerations and compliance challenges as South Africa nears implementation of groundbreaking "Failure to Prevent Corrupt Activities Offence"
Arguably one of the most far-reaching recommendations of the State Capture Commission, the introduction of a failure to prevent corruption offence, is on the cusp of being introduced in South Africa. The Judicial Matters Amendment Bill (the “Bill”) which is due to be considered by the National...
Residential Tenant, Landlord Rights Under Lockdown
In the economic turmoil caused by Covid-19 lockdown, many people have not been able to pay their residential rent. Under government lockdown regulations – which try to ameliorate this problem – where do tenants and landlords stand legally? Two main scenarios emerge in the regulations passed by...
Eric Bonnet-Maes appointed Chief Executive Officer of LexisNexis (RELX Group) for Continental Europe, Middle East and Africa
Eric Bonnet-Maes joined LexisNexis France in 2007 as Sales and Operational Marketing Director before becoming Chief Operating Officer from 2014. Since 2018, he led LexisNexis' Asia region, steering the development of Greater China, Japan, South Korea, India and Southeast Asia from Hong Kong. "I...
It can be unlawful to fire illegal strikers
Chapter 4 of the LRA read together with item 6 of Schedule 8 of the LRA effectively allows employers to dismiss employees who have embarked on an unprotected strike. For example, where employees fail, prior to embarking on a strike to follow the LRA’s pre-strike procedures, the employer may be...
South Africa’s evolving mineral and petroleum industries
South Africa’s mineral and petroleum industries faced significant changes in 2024 in view of the establishment of the Government of National Unity and legislative developments in these industries. In May 2024, South Africa had its seventh general election the results of which paved the way for...
The invisible innovation in wills and estate administration supporting bereaved families in SA
For many South Africans, a will is still a once-off legal document, drafted, signed and stored away for “one day”, not to be thought of again, if at all. Estate administration, the process of carrying out wishes contained in the will, is often thought of even less.
Introducing Sabinet’s Legal Research Assistant
South African legal research is constantly evolving. Increasing volumes of information, frequent legislative amendments, and growing expectations around speed and efficiency are changing how legal professionals, researchers and librarians engage with information. At the same time, the emergence...
The importance of pre-emptive rights in private companies
The operation of a private company often involves a delicate balance between commercial objectives and interpersonal relationships among shareholders. While business ventures are commonly established with optimism and mutual trust, unforeseen circumstances such as financial hardship, illness,...
The hidden trade marks in business GUIs, and how to make them memorable
Digital business is the new frontier of modern entrepreneurship, and apps have become the gateway to almost every service imaginable. In a global economy driven by interconnectivity and advancing technology, start-up companies in all digital industries, particularly in FinTech, are quickly...
The MTBPS needs to focus on easing the cost of doing business
The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, has committed himself to the task of pursuing his predecessors’ structural reform agenda and reducing red tape, the progress of which will be keenly noted in the Medium Term Budget Policy (MTBPS) on the 11th of November. Angelika Goliger, EY Africa’s...
Register or face prosecution: The 90-day water deadline every business needs to know about
On 24 April 2026, the Minister of Water and Sanitation published Government Notice 7408, requiring all unregistered water users to register within 90 days of publication, placing the deadline at approximately 23 July 2026. The notice carries criminal sanctions for non-compliance and affects a...
Business rescue recapitalisations upheld: the legal and commercial significance of White Rivers Exploration v Polsun
The Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, has delivered an important judgment in White Rivers Exploration Proprietary Limited v Polsun Limited, reaffirming the power of an adopted business rescue plan to fundamentally reshape a company’s equity structure. The decision will be of interest not only to...
