17/06/2024 Bertus Preller Appeal, Best Interests of the Child, Children, Parental Rights, Procedure appealable order, best interests of children, care assessment, Case No: 3358/2024, children's act, contact assessment, DR v NM and RL, Family Advocate, Girdwood v Girdwood, interlocutory order, Kotze v Kotze, leave to appeal, Minor Children, parenting plan, S v Notshokovu, Superior Courts Act, Supreme Court ActDR v NM and Another (3358/2024) [2024] ZAWCHC 69 - (7 June 2024), Tshwane City v Afriforum, upper guardian, Western Cape High Court DR v NM and RL: Western Cape High Court Upholds Best Interests of Children in Dismissing Leave to Appeal of DR v NM and Another (3358/2024) [2024] ZAWCHC 69 – (7 June 2024). Introduction In a recent judgment, the Western Cape High Court dismissed an application for leave to appeal brought by the first respondent against an order directing the Office of the… 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
21/05/2024 Bertus Preller Best Interests of the Child, Children, Parental Rights, Procedure, Relocation, Schooling, Urgency, Views of the Child best interests of the child, child contact, child welfare, children's act, court order, court procedure, Divorce, East Rock Trading, Family Advocate, Family Law, Grootboom case, High Court, Johannesburg, judicial oversight, Legal Framework, legal principles, Mediation, Parental Rights, Procedural Compliance, procedural rules, relocation disputes, settlement agreement, shared custody, Uniform Rule 6(12), urgency test, urgent child relocation, Western Cape, ZAWCHC E.L.B v A.V.M (7521/24) [2024] ZAWCHC 132: Implications for Urgent Child Relocation Applications. Background and Context of E.L.B v A.V.M (7521/24) ZAWCHC 132 The Western Cape Division of the High Court of South Africa was tasked with resolving a highly contentious and urgent… READ MORE
20/05/2024 Bertus Preller Best Interests of the Child, Children, Guardianship, Parental Rights, Procedural Law, Procedure, Schooling abuse of process, best interests of the child, biological parents, care and contact, child contact, Child Custody, children's act, consanguinity, costs order, court's discretion, Family Advocate, M M v N M and Others, minor child, Mukaddam v Pioneer Foods, Parental Responsibilities, Parental Rights, third-party rights, Uniform Rule 6(12)(b), urgent applications The Limits of Third-Party Rights in Child Contact: P.D and Another v A.R and Another (D779/2023) [2024] ZAKZDHC 27 (17 May 2024). Background of the case The case of P.D and Another v A.R and Another (D779/2023) ZAKZDHC 27 (17 May 2024) involved an unusual set of facts. The applicants, who were… READ MORE
06/03/2024 Bertus Preller Children, Divorce, Parental Rights, Same Sex Couples best interests of the child, Case Law, child care, Child Custody, child welfare, child-centric approach, children's act, constitutional principles, contact arrangements, court decision, expert assessment, Family Advocate, Family Court, family disputes, family dynamics, Family Law, judicial scrutiny, Legal Analysis, legal challenges, Legal Framework, Legal precedents, Legal proceedings, Mediation, mental health, Parental Rights, parenting plan, same-sex couples, South Africa, surrogate motherhood Navigating Complex Family Dynamics: Care and Contact and Expert Assessments in Same-Sex Families Section 23 of the Children’s Act. – DR v NM and Another (3358/2024) [2024] ZAWCHC 69 (5 March 2024). Lekhuleni J. Introduction Section 23 of the Children's Act 38 of 2005 emerged as a critical pillar in the court's analysis, offering a legal avenue for individuals seeking contact or care of… READ MORE
02/02/2024 Bertus Preller Children, Parental Rights, Relocation, Views of the Child child welfare, Children's Best Interests, Children's Welfare, children's act, Constitutional Rights, court decision, cross-border parenting, custody arrangements, emotional stability, family court decisions, family dynamics, Family Law, family relocation, international custody, international move, judicial considerations, Legal Analysis, Legal Framework, legal guidance, Legal precedents, Legal Strategy, minor children relocation, parental consent, Parental Responsibilities, Parental Rights, relocation cases, shared parenting, travel consent, visitation rights Navigating Family Dynamics: Granting Relocation Orders for Minor Children’s Best Interests. – H F v P F ; In Re: E F and Others (2022/028593) [2024] ZAGPJHC 88 (31 January 2024). Introduction to the Interim Removal Application for Minor Children On 21 June 2023, NDLOKOVANE AJ delivered a pivotal order addressing the contested interim removal of three minor children, aged 14,… READ MORE
27/01/2024 Bertus Preller Alimony, Children, Costs, Maintenance, Parental Rights, Rule 43, Rule 43 Cost Contributions, Spousal Maintenance acrimonious divorce, Asset Division, Child Custody, child maintenance, children's act, Constitutional Rights, court judgment, Divorce, divorce litigation, divorce settlement, Family Advocate, Family Court, Family Law, family trust, financial dependence, financial disclosure, interim maintenance, Legal Costs, Legal Fees, Legal Representation, marital property, marital regime, matrimonial disputes, Mediation, Rule 43, Separation, South Africa, spousal support, Uniform Rules of Court Unravelling the Tangles of Divorce: A South African Rule 43 – Case Study on Interim Maintenance and Legal Costs – T.C v B.C (21300/2022) [2024] ZAGPJHC 48 (25 January 2024). Background In this case, presided over by Mahomed AJ, an application was made for interim maintenance and a contribution toward legal costs, in line with Rule 43 of the Uniform… READ MORE
19/01/2024 Bertus Preller Adversarial Legal System, Children, Parental Rights, Relocation Child Custody, child maintenance, child welfare, Child's Best Interests, children's act, Constitutional Rights, court judgement, custodial parent rights, family advocate report, family court decision, Family Law, family law practice, international child relocation, international family law, International Relocation, Johannesburg High Court, landmark ruling, Legal Analysis, legal precedent, MAHOMED AJ, new case on child relocation, non-custodial parent, parent-child relationship, parental consent, Parental Responsibilities, relocation consent, relocation rights, South African legal system, T.R v S.M Shaping the Future of Family Law: A Pivotal South African Case on Child Relocation – T.R v S.M (035901/2023) [2024] ZAGPJHC 35 (17 January 2024). Facts of the Case Background Parties and Relationship: From 2009 to 2012, T.R (the applicant) and S.M (the respondent) were in a relationship but never married. They had a daughter… READ MORE
24/11/2023 Bertus Preller Children, Parental Rights best interests, biological father, bonding therapy, Child Custody, children's act, co-parenting communication, emotional well-being, Family Court, interim contact, Latest Family Law Cases, Legal proceedings, Legal Representation, minor care, primary residence, safe haven, secure attachment, sexual abuse, social worker reports, therapeutic consultation, Urgent Application Understanding the Nuances of Child Custody: A Detailed Analysis of a Recent Interim Contact Case – M.D.B and Another v C.N (2023-113226) [2023] ZAGPPHC 1913 (17 November 2023). Introduction The judgment by Van der Schyff J involved applicants seeking interim contact with a minor child, M, who was previously under their care. The case was presented in the… READ MORE
26/10/2023 Bertus Preller Children, Parental Rights, Views of the Child best interests of the child, children's act, contested guardianship, emotional needs, expert investigation, familial bonds, familial relationships, family dynamics, guardianship, independent expert, intellectual needs, interim contact, judicial investigation, legal precedent, psychological assessment, Section 23, Section 24, Section 7, South African High Court, upper guardian The Balancing Act: When Uncles Step In. A Child’s Best Interests, and How a South African Court Navigated Familial Bonds. D.T and Another v M.A.M.F (2023/032929) ZAGPJHC 1204 (24 October 2023) Background and Points in Limine The case revolved around the first and second applicants, who were the uncles of… READ MORE