17/03/2024 Bertus Preller Best Interests of the Child, Children, Guardianship, Hostile Family Lawyers, Parental Rights, Views of the Child bias in evaluations, care and contact disputes, child best interests, child welfare, court reliance on experts, cultural influence, Custody Battles, ethical dilemmas, expert testimony ethics, expert witness objectivity, family dynamics, forensic assessments, forensic social workers, hired gun phenomenon, impartiality in assessments, judicial decisions, Legal Framework, legal outcomes, Legal Standards, mental health impact, peer review panels, professional development, professional integrity, psychological evaluations, Schneider case analysis, subjective interpretation Navigating the Battlefield: Overcoming the ‘Hired Gun’ Phenomenon in Forensic Child Care Assessments. Introduction In a typical case, let us consider a fictional scenario involving a forensic psychologist, Dr. Smith, who is hired to conduct a care and contact assessment for a care… 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
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
16/02/2024 Bertus Preller Divorce, Procedural Law, Subpoenas abuse of process, administration of justice, attorney-client privilege, Burden of Proof, Case Law, challenge subpoena, compliance, contempt of court, court rules, dispute resolution, divorce subpoena, document production, evidence gathering, fair trial, judicial interpretation, Legal Disputes, Legal Framework, Legal Practitioners, legal privilege, Legal proceedings, privacy laws, relevance test, rights protection, Rule of Law, setting aside subpoena, South African Law, subpoena ad testificandum, subpoena duces tecum, subpoenas, Uniform Rules of Court, witness testimony Setting Aside a Subpoena in Divorce Proceedings: A Legal Analysis. In the realm of divorce litigation, the issuance and subsequent challenge to a subpoena duces tecum is a critical aspect that can significantly influence the course of proceedings. The purpose… READ MORE
02/02/2024 Bertus Preller Anti-Dissipation Interdicts, Divorce, Hiding Assets AB v JB [2016] ZASCA 93; 2016 (5) SA 211 (SCA), alternative remedies, anti-dissipation interdict, anti-dissipation interdicts, anti-dissipation interdicts in divorce cases, asset dissipation, asset management, asset protection, balance of convenience, Carmel Trading case, Carmel Trading Company Ltd v Commissioner for the South African Revenue Services and Others (447/07) [2007] ZASCA 160; [2008] 2 All SA 125 (SCA); 2008 (2) SA 433 (SCA), Cases on dissipation of assets, concealing assets, Dissipation Interdict, divorce law evolution, divorce proceedings, equitable asset distribution, fair settlements, financial practices, Financial Settlements, financial transparency, interim relief, irreparable harm, judicial process, Knox D’Arcy case, Knox D’Arcy Limited v Jamieson [1996] ZASCA 58; 1996 (4) SA 348 (A), Langebrink v Langebrink 2017 JDR 1059 (GJ) and Gernetzky v Gernetzky [2007] JDR 0247 (E), Legal Framework, legal implications, Legal precedents, Legal Requirements, Mareva injunctions, Marital Assets, matrimonial law, Msunduzi Municipality case, Msunduzi Municipality v Natal Joint Municipal Pension Fund 2007 (1) SA 142 (N), negotiation dynamics, prima facie right, RS v MS 2014(2) SA 511 GSJ, safeguarding assets, SR v DR and Another (2980/2007) [2022] ZAGPJHC 172 Safeguarding Marital Assets: The Crucial Role of Anti-Dissipation Interdicts in Divorce Proceedings. Understanding Anti-Dissipation Interdicts An anti-dissipation interdict is an order that prevents a person from disposing of or concealing assets during divorce proceedings. Unlike Mareva injunctions, which prevent a defendant from… READ MORE
02/02/2024 Bertus Preller Appeal, Mootness, Procedure admissibility, appeals, appellate proceedings, civil union, Court Rulings, customary marriage, division of estate, finality in trials, hearsay evidence, Herbstein and Van Winsen, jurisprudence, Legal Framework, Legal precedents, legal principles, lobola, Marital Disputes, matrimonial benefits, matrimonial property, mootness doctrine, N B v T B, Narius Moloto v The Pan Africanist Congress Of Azania, new evidence, practical effect, South African Law, Superior Courts Act, ZAECMHC Navigating Marital Disputes and New Evidence in Appeals: Insights from N B v T B and Another. – N B v T B and Another (2669/2021; CA 81/2022) [2024] ZAECMHC 8 (30 January 2024), also cited as N.P.B v T.I.B and Another – Appeal (CA 81/2022) [2024] ZAECMHC 4 (30 January 2024). Introduction In the case of N B v T B and Another (2669/2021; CA 81/2022) ZAECMHC 8 (30 January 2024), the court was presented with an appeal against the decision… 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
01/02/2024 Bertus Preller Customary Marriages constitutional values, cultural diversity, cultural practices, customary law, customary marriages, dignity, equality, estate administration, estate executrix, Family Law, inheritance, judicial decisions, Khashane v Minister of Home Affairs, legal challenges, Legal Framework, legal interpretation, legal precedent, Legal Procedures, Legal Protection, legal recognition, lobola negotiations, marital rights, marriage registration, posthumous registration, Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, South African Law, spousal rights, surviving spouse rights, traditional marriages Securing Rights Beyond Life: The Landmark Case for Posthumous Registration of Customary Marriages in South Africa. – Khashane v Minister of Home Affairs and Others (052246/2023) [2024] ZAGPPHC 3 (12 January 2024). Introduction to the Application for Posthumous Registration of a Customary Marriage In the case of Khashane v Minister of Home Affairs and Others (052246/2023) ZAGPPHC 3 (12 January 2024), the… READ MORE
24/01/2024 Bertus Preller Child Maintenance, Children, Maintenance Case Law Analysis, Cause of Action, Court Procedures, Court Rulings, Courtroom Tactics, Defense Strategy, Exception Handling, Exception Success, Judicial Reasoning, Legal Claims, Legal Clarification, Legal Disputes, Legal Doctrine, Legal Exceptions, Legal Framework, legal interpretation, Legal Obstructions, Legal precedents, legal principles, Legal Technicalities, Litigation Process, Litigation Strategy, Over-Technical Approach, Pleading Challenges, Pleading Sufficiency, Pleadings Assessment, Procedural Tactics, Substantive Law, Substantive Questions Navigating Parental Maintenance Obligations and Mastering Legal Exceptions: The KGANYAGO J Judgment in Context. – U.DJ v J.H.O (9169/2022) [2024] ZALMPPHC 2 (15 January 2024). Background and Plaintiff’s Claims The case involves the plaintiff and defendant, who are the parents of a child now of majority age. Following the breakdown of their relationship, the child… 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