The long-running divorce dispute between international DJ Black Coffee and actress Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa is heading to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), following a ruling by the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg granting leave to appeal. At the centre of the dispute is whether the pair entered into a valid customary marriage in May 2011. In October last year, Acting Judge M Ntanga ruled that Black Coffee and Mlotshwa were indeed married under customary law, and that the mar

As the festive season approaches and roadblocks increase across South Africa, many motorists wonder whether they are legally obliged to pay outstanding traffic fines on the spot. According to a recent article in SowetanLIVE, the answer is clear: you don’t. Legal Experts Say Drivers Can Refuse On-the-Spot Payments Legal professionals remind drivers that a roadblock — even an official one — is not  license for officers to demand payment for outstanding fines. As noted in Soweta

Many South Africans turn to debt review as a lifeline when they can no longer keep up with their monthly credit repayments. The process is meant to protect consumers from losing their homes and other assets — but does it always succeed? And can a bank still take your house while you’re under debt review? Understanding Debt Review Debt review is a legal process introduced under the National Credit Act (NCA) to assist over-indebted consumers. Once a person applies through a reg

In a significant judgment reaffirming fairness and equality in matrimonial disputes, the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) ordered a wealthy husband to contribute R1.5 million towards his wife’s legal fees in their ongoing divorce proceedings. The matter highlights the principle that, in divorce actions, a financially disadvantaged spouse should not be left at a severe disadvantage when litigating against a partner with substantially greater means. The Background The wife approac

The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has once again confirmed that unmarried partners may share in assets accumulated during their relationship, provided that a universal partnership  can be proven. This significant ruling reinforces the principle that cohabiting relationships — even without the formalities of marriage — can give rise to enforceable financial rights between partners. According to The Star , the case concerned a woman (“S”) who lived with her partner (“P”) for 16

Divorce is never easy — emotionally, financially, or legally. But a recent ruling by the Mpumalanga High Court (Mbombela)  has given many South Africans hope that fairness still matters when a marriage ends. The court’s decision allows a woman, married out of community of property without accrual , to claim a share of her husband’s estate — a move that could reshape divorce law in South Africa. A Landmark Shift in the Law For decades, many spouses — mostly women — who support

The will of a man with severe brain cancer, made about a month before his death, was challenged by his two siblings, who said he lacked...

In a significant judgment delivered by Acting Judge Marumoagae AJ in the Johannesburg High Court, the case of C.N.N v N.N  highlights a...

In a significant ruling handed down by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), the Court has provided much-needed clarity on how commencement...

In a recent landmark judgment, the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in NN and Others v BN and Others (Case No: 3932/2024)...

A father who was errant in paying his court-ordered maintenance has been ordered to serve jail time if he did not pay his arrears owed to...

Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo has made it mandatory for civil cases to go through mediation before trial as a measure to curb an...

In a ruling heralded as a victory for parental rights, a father seeking access to his seven-year-old daughter and to have his name on her...

Living in a sectional title scheme offers the benefits of shared amenities and communal living, but it also comes with legal obligations...

In a recent case brought before the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane, a mother sought legal relief against her estranged husband for...

Child maintenance and relocation issues are crucial topics in South African family law. Family dynamics can shift significantly after...

Eastern Cape High Court (Makhanda) Judge Avinash Govindjee has asked Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi to consider adding a warning...

Navigating the financial aspects of a divorce can be complex, particularly when it comes to interim spousal maintenance (pendente lite)...

Navigating parental rights after a divorce is a challenging journey that many families face. The emotional strain of divorce is often...