Legal Articles

A judgment in South Africa confirms the debt and carries significant consequences for the debtor’s credit record, but without enforcement it remains little more than paper. The law provides a suite of mechanisms — from writs of execution to garnishee orders and sequestration — to turn a judgment into real recovery.

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Once a debt prescribes, the creditor loses the right to sue for it. But prescription is not automatic: if the debtor does not raise it as a defence, the court may still grant judgment. That is why both creditors and debtors need to understand exactly how long it takes for debt to prescribe, what interrupts the clock, and what rights remain once time has run out.

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In South Africa, once goods or services have been delivered, the invoice becomes a legally enforceable debt. If a client refuses to pay, the question is no longer whether you are owed the money, but how to recover it lawfully and effectively.

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When you instruct a lawyer, you’re placing trust in someone who holds your rights, your business, or your future in their hands. That trust collapses the moment an invoice arrives filled with unexplained charges, or when the price of resolving a dispute doubles without warning. The real issue isn’t that legal work is expensive — it’s that too often, clients are kept in the dark about why it costs what it does.

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Civil rights organisation AfriForum has publicly criticised the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) for withholding critical details about pricing and implementation. With millions of vehicles registered in Gauteng, the unanswered questions are pressing: How much will it cost? Who will pay? And will it make the roads safer?

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Since the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) came into effect, businesses across South Africa have been scrambling to update contracts, change systems, and create new policies. While compliance is essential, we’ve seen many organisations go overboard — quoting legislation at clients, adding unnecessary red tape, and making business harder than it needs to be. At VDM Attorneys, we believe that POPIA compliance should be practical, proportionate, and effective. Let’s unpack what you really need to know.

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In today’s financial and property markets, compliance is not just a legal requirement - it’s a safeguard for both businesses and clients. At VDM Attorneys, we take FICA (Financial Intelligence Centre Act) and KYC (Know Your Customer) obligations seriously, ensuring that every transaction is both secure and transparent. But what exactly is FICA/KYC, why is it important, and what documents do clients need to provide?

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In Johannesburg, residents can apply to close off public roads with security booms, gates, or guardhouses. This is regulated by the JRA’s Road Closure Policy and requires formal approval before implementation.

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South Africa is embarking on one of its most ambitious infrastructure undertakings: a $25 billion grid expansion project that will add more than 14,000 km of transmission lines to the national network.

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An urgent court application is a procedure that asks the court to hear a matter sooner than the ordinary timetable allows. It exists to prevent harm that would occur if the case followed standard timeframes. Instead of weeks for notice and exchange of papers, the matter can be placed before a judge within days — or even hours — if the circumstances demand it.

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