22/11/2025 Bertus Preller Animus manendi, Clearly foreseen contingency, Contingencies domicile, Divorce, Divorce jurisdiction, Divorce proceedings jurisdiction, Domicile, Domicile Act 3 of 1992, Domicile of choice, Domicile of origin, Foreseeable contingency, Indefinite period, Intention to settle indefinitely, International relocation, Pollak test, Procedure, Reasonably anticipated contingency, Section 1(2) Domicile Act, Section 2(1)(a) Divorce Act 70 of 1979, Special plea in abatement, Vague possibility animus manendi, Chinatex v Erskine, clearly foreseen contingency, contingencies domicile, divorce jurisdiction, Domicile Act 3 of 1992, domicile of choice, domicile of origin, Eilon v Eilon, Family Law, foreseeable contingency, indefinite period, intention to settle indefinitely, International Relocation, IRC v Bullock, marital breakdown, matrimonial jurisdiction, OB v LBDS, onus of proof domicile, Pollak test, Re Fuld, reasonably anticipated contingency, section 1(2) Domicile Act, section 2(1)(a) Divorce Act 70 of 1979, special plea in abatement, trial period, vague possibility, Western Cape High Court When a “Trial Period” Defeats Domicile: Animus Manendi and Foreseeable Contingencies in M.S.S v R.A (2025/0539959) [2025] ZAWCHC 517 (10 November 2025). The Facts: From Cape Town to the Netherlands and Back Again The plaintiff and defendant met in the Western Cape in 2016. Their relationship progressed quickly, with the couple moving… READ MORE
06/05/2025 Bertus Preller Best Interests of the Child, Children, Guardianship, Immigration, International Family Law, International Travel, Relocation, Shared Residency, Views of the Child armed conflict, best interests of child, children's act, constitutional principle, cross-border custody, deportation, expert evidence, family support, gender considerations, geopolitical factors, High Court Johannesburg, immigration status, International Relocation, Israel conflict, Jackson v Jackson, joint parenting, Judicial Discretion, military conscription, neutral approach, Parental Responsibilities, relocation criteria, safety concerns, Section 28 Constitution, Senyatsi J, South African Family Law, T.R.S.T v U.A.R, value-judgment “Best Interests Prevail: Court Rejects Child Relocation to War-Torn Israel in T.R.S.T v U.A.R and Others (019086/2023) [2025] ZAGPJHC 399 (14 April 2025)”. Introduction to T.R.S.T v U.A.R: A Relocation Application to Israel The recent case of T.R.S.T v U.A.R and Others (019086/2023) ZAGPJHC 399 (14 April 2025) presented the Gauteng Division of… 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
15/03/2024 Bertus Preller Best Interests of the Child, Parental Rights, Relocation Australia, Child Custody, child welfare, child's preference, Child's Best Interests, court decision, cross-border custody, cultural integration, Custodian Parent, custody agreement, educational impact, expert evidence, Family Advocate, Family Court, France, Hague Convention, International Relocation, judicial analysis, legal dispute, legal precedent, legal principles, non-custodial parent, parental consent, parental plans, Parental Rights, psychological evaluation, relocation guidelines, RH v NM, South African Family Law Navigating the Waters of International Child Relocation: A Legal Deep Dive into R.H v N.M (12871/2021) [2024] ZAWCHC 77 (11 March 2024). Navigating International Custody Disputes: Insights from RH v NM In the matter of RH v NM, the Western Cape High Court delved into a complex international custody dispute, providing significant… READ MORE
20/01/2024 Bertus Preller Children, Divorce, Parental Rights, Relocation A.D.B v B.A.K, best interests of the child, Child Relocation, child welfare, court decision, custodial parent, custody disputes, custody rights, emotional impact, emotional wellbeing, family courts, family dynamics, Family Law, family law principles, International Relocation, Judge Mossop J, judicial decision-making, legal challenges, legal considerations, Legal precedents, non-custodial parent, parent-child relationship, parental consent, Parental Responsibilities, Parental Rights, parenting plan, relocation disputes, South Africa, welfare of the child Navigating the Complexities of Child Relocation Cases in South African Family Law. – A.D.B v B.A.K (15944/22P) [2023] ZAKZPHC 1. – (9 January 2023). The case of A.D.B v B.A.K, presided over by Judge Mossop J, involved intricate family law matters pertaining to the relocation of a minor child. The core issue was the… 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
21/11/2023 Bertus Preller Children, Parental Rights, Relocation, Views of the Child child maintenance, Child Relocation, child welfare, Children's Best Interests, Court Orders, Cross-Continental Relocation, Custodian Parent, Divorce, Dubai, Family Law, International Relocation, Legal Custody, Legal Jurisdiction, Legal precedents, Legal Representation, Parental Responsibilities, Parental Rights, parenting plan, South Africa Navigating International Waters: A South African Family Law Case on Child Relocation to Dubai. – TS v S D D – Case Number: 7389/2023 – 20 November 2023. Holderness AJ INTRODUCTION Application by the Mother: The applicant, the mother of two children, S (15 years old) and K (11 years old), sought several legal reliefs. These included: Permission… READ MORE