Our practice is deliberately focused — six core disciplines handled by attorneys who know their craft cold, supported by a tightly knit team. Click any area for an in-depth guide.
Our practice is deliberately focused — six core disciplines handled by attorneys who know their craft cold, supported by a tightly knit team.
From roadblock arrests to serious charges, we defend your liberty with preparation, presence and poise — at every court in the Western Cape.
Resolving high-stakes commercial disputes with surgical strategy — from breach-of-contract claims to shareholder oppression and debt recovery.
Sensitive, strategic counsel through divorce, custody, maintenance and customary-marriage matters — favouring settlement, prepared for trial.
Landlord-tenant disputes, evictions, sectional-title matters and property transfers — handled with procedural rigour and speed.
Representing employers and employees at the CCMA, Labour Court and bargaining councils — from unfair dismissal to workplace investigations.
Pursuing fair compensation for road-accident and personal-injury claims — advanced on a no-win-no-fee basis where appropriate.
Each practice area below unpacks the statutes, procedure, timeframes and costs you actually need to understand — written by our attorneys for the clients we serve.
Divorce in South Africa is governed primarily by the Divorce Act 70 of 1979 and is procedurally initiated by a summons issued out of either the High Court or the Regional Court. Whether your matter is uncontested, mediated or contested, early legal advice is the single most effective way to shorten the timeline and protect your position.
The word "custody" is still used informally but it can obscure the real legal questions. Under the Children's Act 38 of 2005, the correct concepts are care, contact, guardianship and parental responsibilities and rights. In any dispute, section 28 of the Constitution makes the child's best interests paramount.
Eviction in South Africa is governed by the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act 19 of 1998 (the "PIE Act") and, in the landlord–tenant context, by the Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999 and the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008. Self-help measures — locking out tenants, disconnecting utilities, removing possessions — are unlawful and almost always backfire.
Bail in South Africa is governed by Chapter 9 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977. Upon arrest, an accused may apply for bail — a sum of money or surety undertaking paid to the court that allows release from custody until trial. Bail is not a fine and not a punishment; it secures the accused's attendance while preserving the constitutional presumption of innocence.
In addition to our six core practice areas, we advise on wills and estates, personal injury, commercial disputes, labour, immigration, insolvency, restraint of trade, trademarks and liquor licensing.
A will is the only reliable way to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes after death; without one, your estate is distributed under the Intestate Succession Act 81 of 1987, which may not reflect your intentions. We draft wills, administer deceased estates under the supervision of the Master of the High Court, and advise on living wills and powers of attorney.
Personal injury claims from motor vehicle accidents are typically pursued against the Road Accident Fund (RAF). Claims must be submitted on the prescribed RAF form within the statutory prescription period — generally three years from the accident. General damages are only recoverable for "serious injury" as certified under the RAF narrative test; past and future medical expenses and loss of income are recoverable on conventional delictual principles.
Commercial litigation covers the resolution of business disputes through the civil courts — breach of contract, debt recovery, shareholder and partnership disputes, franchise and distribution disputes, professional negligence, and reviews of administrative decisions under PAJA. Alternative dispute resolution (mediation and arbitration) is increasingly favoured as a faster, more cost-effective route.
South African labour law is governed primarily by the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997, and the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998. Disputes are referred to the CCMA or relevant bargaining council for conciliation and arbitration; reviews go to the Labour Court. We handle unfair dismissal and unfair labour practice disputes, employment contracts, restraint-of-trade enforceability, retrenchments, and disciplinary-code drafting.
South African immigration is governed by the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 and, for certain categories, the Citizenship Act 17 of 1995. Common visa categories include visitor's, work (critical skills, general work, intra-company transfer), business, study, relative's, and retirement. Spousal and life-partner visas are available subject to cohabitation periods. Each category has documentary, financial and biometric requirements that must be precisely met.
Insolvency is governed by the Insolvency Act 24 of 1936 and, for companies, by Chapter 6 of the Companies Act 71 of 2008 (business rescue). Natural persons may apply for voluntary surrender or be placed under compulsory sequestration. Companies may be placed in liquidation or business rescue proceedings, the latter designed to facilitate rehabilitation of a financially distressed company. Insolvency has significant consequences for existing contracts and dispositions.
A restraint-of-trade clause in an employment or sale-of-business agreement is prima facie valid and enforceable in South African law. The courts will, however, refuse to enforce a restraint that is unreasonable — broader than reasonably necessary to protect the employer's proprietary interest (trade secrets, customer connections, confidential information), or contrary to the public interest. Time, geographical and activity limits must be carefully drafted.
Trademarks in South Africa are registered under the Trademarks Act 194 of 1993 and administered by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). Registration gives the proprietor the exclusive right to use the mark and to prevent unauthorised use of a confusingly similar mark. A trademark is initially registered for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely for further 10-year periods. We handle trademark searches, applications, oppositions, infringement and passing-off litigation, and IP licensing.
Liquor licensing is governed at provincial level (each province has its own liquor Act and liquor board) for retail licences, and at national level by the National Liquor Act 27 of 2003 for manufacturing and distribution. Common categories include micro-manufacture, on-consumption (restaurants, bars, taverns), off-consumption (bottle stores, supermarkets), and special-event licences. Applications require compliance with zoning, town-planning and public-participation requirements; objections are common.
Whether it's an urgent bail matter, a contested divorce or a commercial dispute — the sooner you call, the more we can do. Initial consultations are confidential and without obligation.
