14/02/2025 Bertus Preller Abduction, Children, Habitual Residence, Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, Holiday Travel, International Travel, Views of the Child Article 12 Hague Convention, Article 13(b), best interests of the child, Central Authority of South Africa, child abduction defences, child abduction South Africa, child custody disputes, child protection laws, child return order, curator ad litem, family court judgments, habitual residence, Hague Convention, Hague Convention case law, Hague Convention rulings, Hague Convention South Africa, High Court Johannesburg, international child custody, international custody battles, international family law, international parental disputes, Legal Analysis, legal precedent South Africa, Parental Abduction, parental consent disputes, psychological harm defence, South African child law, South African High Court, wrongful removal Hague Convention Defences Prevail: Court Refuses Child’s Return in Central Authority of South Africa and Another v C.M (2023/077002) [2025] ZAGPJHC 99 (10 February 2025). The Hague Convention and International Child Abduction: A Legal Framework International child abduction cases are among the most complex disputes that courts must resolve, requiring a delicate balance between protecting… READ MORE
06/06/2024 Bertus Preller Divorce, Forfeiture of Benefits, In Community of Property 2024 ZAECMHC 37, Botha v Botha, Case Law, community of property, court judgment, division of property, Divorce Act, divorce judgment, Divorce Law, Eastern Cape Division, Engelbrecht v Engelbrecht, Family Law, Forfeiture of benefits, High Court, joint estate, Legal Analysis, legal appeal, legal precedent, marital benefits, marital home, matrimonial dispute, matrimonial property, pension interest, regional court, Section 9, South Africa, undue benefit, V G v T M, Wijker v Wijker, Z v Z Forfeiture of Benefits in Divorce: Analysis of V G v T M [2024] ZAECMHC 37. Introduction and Background of the Case The case of V G v T M ZAECMHC 37 revolves around an appeal by the appellant, V G, against the judgment rendered by… READ MORE
22/03/2024 Bertus Preller Accrual Calculation, Antenuptial Contracts, Divorce accrual system, Antenuptial Contract, asset calculation, Asset Division, commencement assets, commencement value, contractual terms, court judgment, Divorce, divorce litigation, estate accrual, Estate Valuation, Family Law, Financial Disputes, Legal Analysis, legal interpretation, legal precedent, marital agreements, Marriage Dissolution, matrimonial property, property exclusion, South African Law, spousal rights, T.N v N.G Commencement Values in Divorce: Analysing T.N v N.G (formerly N) and Others (18159/2013) [2018] ZAWCHC 29; 2018 (4) SA 316 (WCC) (12 March 2018) and the Impact on Antenuptial Contract Interpretation in South Africa. Introduction and Facts In the case of T.N v N.G (formerly N) and Others, the Western Cape Division of the High Court in Cape Town presided over a divorce action… 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
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
01/03/2024 Bertus Preller Abduction, Children, Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, Parental Rights, Relocation, Views of the Child child custody law, child protection law, child welfare, Children's Best Interests, consent and acquiescence, cross-border family law, custody rights, Family Law, Hague Convention, International Child Abduction, international custody battle, Judicial Discretion, Justice Cloete, Legal Analysis, legal decision-making, legal fairness, Legal Jurisdiction, legal precedent, legal proceedings costs, MB v LC and Another, parental disputes, Plascon-Evans rule, South Africa legal system, wrongful retention Justice Prevails: Navigating International Child Abduction Law with Precision and Compassion. – MB v LC and Another (21586/2023) [2024] ZAWCHC 61 (29 February 2024). Introduction and Background The case adjudicated by Justice J Cloete, delves into a dispute under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. This matter revolves around… READ MORE
26/02/2024 Bertus Preller Divorce, Procedure, Recission of Divorce Orders Case Law, clean hands doctrine, Condonation, Constitutional Rights, Court Orders, Deeds Registries Act, Divorce Decree, divorce proceedings, due process, equitable relief, Family Court, Family Law, Legal Analysis, legal challenges, Legal precedents, Legal proceedings, legal remedies, Legal Representation, matrimonial disputes, matrimonial property, procedural fairness, property rights, rescission of judgment, Rule 31(2)(b), Rule 42(1)(a), service of summons, South African Law, Uniform Rules of Court Unraveling Legal Mysteries: The Rescission of Divorce Decrees in South African Law. – E S v J S (2011/19961) [2024] ZAGPJHC 164 (19 February 2024). Introduction to the Case of E S v J S In the intriguing case of E S v J S (2011/19961) ZAGPJHC 164, adjudicated on 19 February 2024, the court… READ MORE
10/02/2024 Bertus Preller Divorce, Procedural Law, Procedure, Universal Partnership amendment, amendment application, Asset Division, Court Directives, De Klerk v Du Plessis, defence preparation, divorce proceedings, excipiable issues, judicial decision, Judicial Service Commission v Cape Bar Council, legal amendments, Legal Analysis, legal objections, legal practice, Legal precedents, legal ruling, Legal Strategy, litigation, Manyatshe v South African Post Office, non-joinder, particulars of claim, PITMAN AJ, procedural fairness, profit motive, Smith v Conelect, South African Law, special plea, universal partnership Procedural Law – Amending a Particulars of Claim – M-B.F.M v H.P.N.P (5182/2022P) [2024] ZAKZPHC 8 (8 February 2024). Introduction to the Amendment Dispute In a noteworthy case, PITMAN AJ presided over a case that brought to the fore a contentious issue regarding the amendment of the particulars of… READ MORE
05/02/2024 Bertus Preller Alimony, Children, Costs, Divorce, Parental Rights, Rule 43 Cost Contributions, Spousal Maintenance bonding therapy, child best interests, child care, Child Custody, Children's Welfare, contact arrangements, contribution to costs, court order, court rulings Rule 43, divorce proceedings, Family Court, family dynamics, Family Law, family law analysis, family law disputes, financial responsibilities, forensic assessment, interim maintenance, judicial fairness, Legal Analysis, legal contributions, Legal Costs, Legal proceedings, legal strategies, maintenance contribution, Parental Responsibilities, Parental Rights, primary residence, South African Family Law, T E v V E, Von Ludwig AJ Navigating Family Dynamics: A Comprehensive Analysis of a Rule 43 Application. – T E v V E (2023/021747) [2024] ZAGPJHC 94 (2 February 2024). Introduction: The Complexity of Rule 43 Applications Rule 43 applications serve as a pivotal yet challenging facet of divorce proceedings, offering a singular affidavit to each litigant to encapsulate a… 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