20/01/2025 Bertus Preller Best Interests of the Child, Children, Curator Ad Litem, Grandparents Rights, Guardianship, International Travel, Relocation, Views of the Child best interests of the child, child welfare, Children’s Act 38 of 2005, children’s rights, co-guardianship, cultural identity, curator ad litem, expert evidence, Family Advocate, family dynamics, family law judgment, financial stability, guardianship, guardianship disputes, high-conflict disputes, JB J v EH B, Judicial Discretion, legal precedent, Legal Representation, LR J and Another case, Parental Responsibilities, Parental Rights, relocation, relocation applications, relocation to Scotland, South African Family Law, stability in family law, supervised contact, supervised reintegration, trust funds Guardianship and Relocation Disputes in Focus: LR J and Another; In Re: JB J v EH B and Others (2024-024281) [2025] ZAGPJHC 11 (14 January 2025. Introduction to the Case: Background and Legal Context The case LR J and Another; In Re: JB J v EH B and Others (2024-024281) ZAGPJHC 11 (14 January 2025) highlights… READ MORE
26/12/2024 Bertus Preller Alienation, Best Interests of the Child, Children, Conduct of Childcare Experts, Holiday Travel, International Travel, Parental Alienation, Parental Rights, Relocation, Views of the Child best interests of the child, child custody relocation South Africa, child psychological impacts relocation, child relocation South Africa, child welfare relocation, Children’s Act 38 of 2005, co-parenting and relocation, F v F, family advocate relocation disputes, family law relocation, Godbeer case, High Court relocation cases, international relocation cases, interprovincial relocation South Africa, Jackson v Jackson, legislative gaps in relocation law, mediation in relocation disputes, parenting plans South Africa, Payne v Payne, relocation disputes South Africa, relocation law reform, shared parental responsibility South Africa, socio-economic factors in relocation, structured relocation checklist, Van Rooyen case Relocation Disputes in South Africa: Balancing the Child’s Best Interests and Parental Rights. Understanding Relocation Disputes and the Best Interests of the Child Relocation disputes arise when a parent wishes to move with a minor child, either within South Africa or internationally, and… READ MORE
23/12/2024 Bertus Preller Abduction, Appeal, Best Interests of the Child, Children, Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, Holiday Travel, International Travel, Parental Alienation, Parental Rights, Procedure, Relocation Article 13(b), Australian courts, Central Authority, child abduction, child protection, child rights, child welfare, children's act, Constitutional Challenges, cross-border parenting, custody proceedings, domestic violence, Expeditious Proceedings, Family Advocate, grave risk defence, Hague Convention, international child return, international family law, international obligations, Judicial Discretion, judicial separation, legal precedent, Parental Rights, procedural delays, Protective Measures, South Africa, South African jurisdiction, Supreme Court of Appeal, time limits, undertakings, urgent applications When Time is Not on Your Side: Supreme Court Issues Urgent Warning on Hague Convention Delays in N M v Central Authority for Republic of South Africa and Another [2024] ZASCA 178 (19 December 2024). Introduction: A Child's Journey Between Two Continents The Supreme Court of Appeal recently delivered a landmark judgment in N M v Central Authority for Republic of South Africa and Another… READ MORE
19/11/2024 Bertus Preller Adversarial Legal System, Appeal, Best Interests of the Child, Children, Coercive Control, Conduct of Childcare Experts, Costs, Divorce, Family Law Court System South Africa, In Community of Property, Marital Regimes, Pacta sunt servanda, Parental Alienation, Parental Rights, Punitive Cost Orders, Relocation, Settlement agreements, Shared Residency best interests of child, breastfeeding rights, Child Custody, children's rights, children's act, Constitutional Rights, costs order, custody agreement, custody battle, divorce proceedings, divorce settlement, Family Advocate, family advocate recommendations, Family Court, Family Law, financial coercion, joint estate, Judicial Discretion, legal precedent, matrimonial property, Medupi Power Station, Parental Rights, parenting plan, Primary Caregiver, primary residence, settlement agreement, South African courts, Supreme Court of Appeal, unilateral relocation, upper guardian When Power Moves Meet Parental Rights: High Court Pulls the Plug on Dad’s Custody Settlement in ZDE v CE (1011/2022) [2024] ZASCA 159. (18 November 2024). Background to the Matter Picture this: the corridors of the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein, where legal dramas unfold with the regularity of load-shedding schedules. But this time, the… READ MORE
18/10/2024 Bertus Preller Adversarial Legal System, Best Interests of the Child, Child Maintenance, Children, Cohabitation, Costs, Divorce, International Divorce, Procedural Law, Relocation, Separation Applications child maintenance, cross-border family law, Dubai relocation, enforceability, High Court Judgment, international divorce, jurisdiction, minor children's interests, punitive costs, Rule 33(4), Rule 43, separation of issues, South Africa, Urgent Application Dubai Dreams vs. Divorce Duties: GK v KK (2015-96997) [2024] ZAGPPHC 1015 (16 October 2024) – Unravels International Family Law Challenges in Separation Applications. Background: The Complexities of an International Divorce The case of GK v KK (2015-96997) ZAGPPHC 1015 (16 October 2024) highlights the intricate challenges that arise when divorce proceedings intersect with… READ MORE
07/10/2024 Bertus Preller Best Interests of the Child, Children, International Travel, Relocation Australia, best interests, bona fide decision, Child Custody, children's act, Custodian Parent, Family Advocate, Family Law, International Relocation, Jackson v Jackson, Parental Rights, reasonable contact, relocation, South Africa Relocation Triumph: Mother’s Move to Australia Approved in A.J v F.J (2024/001162) [2024] ZAGPJHC 997. (4 October 2024). Background: The Divorced Couple's Relocation Dispute The case of A.J v F.J (2024/001162) ZAGPJHC 997 (4 October 2024) revolves around a divorced couple's dispute over the relocation of their two… READ MORE
08/08/2024 Bertus Preller Abuse, Adversarial Legal System, Best Interests of the Child, Children, Domestic Violence, Holiday Travel, International Travel, Relocation, Views of the Child best interests of child, child welfare, children's act, co-parenting, court order, custody rights, Divorce, Family Advocate, Family Court, Immigration Act, international travel, judicial interpretation, Legal Guardianship, minor's travel, parental consent, Parental Rights, parenting plan, South African Law, travel regulations Navigating Parental Consent for International Travel: Insights from J.S v R.S (4146/24) [2024] ZAWCHC 199 (2 August 2024) Background: A Battle Over Holiday Travel with a Minor Child In the recent Western Cape High Court case of J.S v R.S (4146/24) ZAWCHC 199 (2 August 2024), Acting Justice… READ MORE
22/06/2024 Bertus Preller Abduction, Best Interests of the Child, Children, Emotional Abuse, Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, Parental Rights, Procedural Law, Psychological Abuse, Relocation Article 13(b), best interests of child, Central Authority, child abduction, constitutional law, cross-border custody, developmental delays, evidentiary standards, grave risk exception, habitual residence, Hague Convention, international family law, international treaties, Judicial Discretion, post-partum depression, prompt return principle, Protective Measures, South Africa, Supreme Court of Appeal, undertakings Solomon’s Dilemma in the Digital Age: SCA Navigates International Child Abduction in C.A.R v Central Authority (737/2023) [2024] ZASCA 103 (21 June 2024). Background of the Case: What Led to the Supreme Court of Appeal? In the annals of legal history, cases involving child custody (care and contact) often evoke the wisdom of… READ MORE
02/06/2024 Bertus Preller Best Interests of the Child, Children, Curator Ad Litem, Divorce, Guardianship, Parental Rights, Relocation, Views of the Child AR v BMR, best interests of the child, best practices, care and contact disputes, challenges, Child Participation, child-centered approach, children's rights, children's act, civil matters, Constitution, Court Proceedings, curator ad litem, family justice system care and contact, Family Law, independence, Legal Ethics, Legal Representation, objectivity, South Africa The Crucial Role of Curators Ad Litem in Protecting Children’s Interests in South African Care and Contact Matters. Introduction The appointment of a curator ad litem in legal matters involving the care and well-being of children has become increasingly important in ensuring that the best interests of the… READ MORE
01/06/2024 Bertus Preller Best Interests of the Child, Children, Conduct of Childcare Experts, Guardianship, Parental Rights, Relocation, Views of the Child best interests of the child, child development, Child Relocation, child's views, Children’s Act 38 of 2005, clinical psychologist, co-parenting, competing interests, counselling psychologist, emotional well-being, expert evidence, Family Law, landmark decision, meaningful relationship, non-relocating parent, Parental Rights, parenting plan, reasonableness of relocation, relocating parent, relocation application, relocation assessment, relocation dispute, relocation factors, relocation hearing, relocation judgment, relocation order, section 28(2) Constitution, shared parenting, urgent relief V.L v F.N (4760/2024) [2024] ZAWCHC 146 (30 May 2024) – A Court Decision in Family Law on Child Relocation. Introduction In the recent case of V.L v F.N (4760/2024) ZAWCHC 146, delivered on 30 May 2024, the Western Cape High Court was faced with a complex and emotionally charged… READ MORE