Legal Articles

Joint mandates, “effective cause,” and double commission - how landlords, agents and buyers can avoid costly disputes. Summary of Remax vs Kapstadt case.

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Worried about losing custody in divorce because you earn less than your husband? South African law protects mothers and puts children’s best interests first.

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Divorce doesn’t end parenting. Learn how South African co-parenting agreements work and how the law always puts the child’s best interests first.

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Thinking of buying into a sectional title or estate in South Africa? Here’s what every buyer should know about levies, rules, CSOS, and community living.

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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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