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
29/11/2024 Bertus Preller Alienation, Best Interests of the Child, Children, Costs, Curator Ad Litem, Divorce, Parental Alienation, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Shared Residency abuse investigation, best interests of child, case coordinator, child protection, child safety, child sexual abuse allegations, child testimony, child welfare, child's voice, children's act, court-ordered therapy, curator ad litem, custody disputes, custody evaluation, evidence assessment, expert evidence, family court experts, family court procedure, family dynamics, forensic interviewing, forensic social workers, parental contact, Parental Rights, professional expertise, psychological evaluation, sexual abuse assessment, sexual misconduct claims, social work credentials, social work evaluation, supervised access Sexual Abuse Allegations & Expert Social Workers: High Court Sets New Standards in Child Care and Contact – N.J.B.D. v C.D (8780/2021P) [2024] ZAKZPHC 112 (27 November 2024). Background: A Complex History of Custody Disputes and Sexual Misconduct Allegations In a compelling judgment delivered by Acting Justice Nicholson in the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court, Pietermaritzburg, the… READ MORE
15/06/2024 Bertus Preller Adoption, Best Interests of the Child, Child Maintenance, Children, Maintenance, Parental Rights 3 June 2024, A25/2024, adoption process, best interests of the child, child protection, child welfare, child-centric approach, Children’s Act 38 of 2005, Constitutional Rights, Contemporary Society, de facto adoptions, duty of support, emotional bond, familial arrangements, Family Law, High Court, informal adoptions, Legal Framework, legal obligations, legal recognition, Legal Technicalities, maintenance obligations, parental care, Parental Responsibilities, R S v J S and Others, South African Law, voluntary assumption, ZAWCHC 83 Embracing the Best Interests of the Child: A Legal Analysis of De Facto Adoptions and Maintenance Obligations in R S v J S and Others (A25/2024) [2024] ZAWCHC 83 (3 June 2024). Factual Matrix and Procedural History: A Comprehensive Overview of R S v J S and Others (A25/2024) ZAWCHC 83 (3 June 2024) The judgment of R S v J S… READ MORE
19/04/2024 Bertus Preller Best Interests of the Child, Children, Parental Rights 14667/2022, best interests of the child, Child Custody, child development, child protection, child well-being, co-parenting, Court Directives, court-appointed expert, Divorce, domestic violence, drug testing, emotional instability, Family Court, family dispute resolution, Family Law, high-conflict custody, individual therapy, parental accountability, parental alienation, parental progress, Parental Rights, parenting coordinator, parenting deficiencies, parenting plan, phased approach, shared care arrangement, substance abuse, TH v CH, ZAWCHC Balancing Parental Rights and the Best Interests of the Child in High-Conflict Care and Contact Cases. – TH v CH (14667/2022) [2024] ZAWCHC 100 (9 April 2024). Introduction In TH v CH (14667/2022) ZAWCHC 100 (9 April 2024), the Western Cape High Court heard a case between divorced parents, TH (the father and applicant) and CH (the… READ MORE
17/03/2024 Bertus Preller Best Interests of the Child, Children best interests, child advocacy, child development, child protection, child rights, child welfare, child-sensitive justice, children’s act, Constitutional Court, court judgments, cultural influences, custody disputes, educational well-being, Family Law, forensic social work, interdisciplinary approach, judicial decisions, Legal Analysis, legal guidelines, legal interpretation, legal principles, normative values, paramount consideration, Parental Rights, psychological assessment, socio-economic factors, South African Law Child-Centric Justice: Interpreting the Best Interests of the Child in South African Law. South African courts have long had experience in applying the “best interests” principle in matters such as custody or maintenance. In our new constitutional order, however, the scope of the… READ MORE
22/02/2024 Bertus Preller Children, Guardianship, Parental Rights, Same Sex Couples adoption, best interests of the child, child care, child development, child protection, child welfare, child-centric approach, Children’s Act 38 of 2005, Contact rights, Court Rulings, custody rights, emotional well-being, Family Court, family dynamics, Family Law, family structures, foster care, guardianship application, Guardianship Rights, Legal Framework, Legal precedents, legal standing, non-biological guardianship, Parental Responsibilities, psychological assessments, psychological bonds, R.C v H.S.C, stepparent rights, visitation rights Expanding Family Boundaries: Navigating Non-Biological Guardianship Rights – R.C v H.S.C (A5033/22) [2023] ZAGPJHC 219; 2023 (4) SA 231 (GJ). 1. Introduction In this case the High Court delved deeply into the intricacies of guardianship, contact, and care rights under the Children's Act, with a keen focus on the welfare… READ MORE
20/01/2024 Bertus Preller Abuse, Alienation, Children, Relocation Abduction Cases, Abductor Location, Central Authority, Child Participation, child protection, child welfare, Child’s Best Interests, cross-border custody, Custody Battles, custody disputes, domestic violence, Expeditious Proceedings, Family Law, Hague Application, Hague Convention, International Child Abduction, International Cooperation, Interpol Assistance, Judicial Proceedings, legal challenges, Legal Framework, Legal Reforms, Legal Representation, Mirror Orders, Parental Abduction, Parental Rights, Return Orders, South Africa, South African courts NAVIGATING THE COMPLEXITIES OF INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTION IN SOUTH AFRICA: LEGAL PERSPECTIVES, CHALLENGES, AND CASE LAW ANALYSIS. INTRODUCTION The escalating global issue of international child abduction has significant implications within the South African legal framework. This analysis delves into South Africa's approach to addressing and implementing key… READ MORE
29/11/2023 Bertus Preller Children, Guardianship, Parental Rights, Relocation Article 13(b), child best interests, Child Custody, child protection, child return, child welfare, Constitutional Court, cross-border custody, Family Court, Family Law, Hague Convention, international abduction, international law, legal interpretation, legal judgement, legal precedent, Parental Rights, psychological harm, South Africa, UK Constitutional Court’s Insightful Interpretation of the Hague Convention’s Article 13(b) in a Pivotal International Child Custody Case – Ad Hoc Central Authority for RSA and Another v Heidi Nicole Koch N.O. and Another [2023] ZACC 37. FACTS This case involves a complex international child custody dispute under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Here is a summary of the key facts:… READ MORE