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
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
17/02/2024 Bertus Preller Adversarial Legal System, Arrears, Contempt of Court, Divorce, Interim Maintenance, Maintenance, Rule 43 child maintenance, child welfare, contempt of court, court authority, court judgments, court orders compliance, divorce disputes, divorce proceedings, enforcement of court orders, Family Court, Family Law, financial capacity, interim relief, legal advice, Legal Ethics, legal obligations, Legal proceedings, Legal Representation, legal sanctions, Legal Strategy, maintenance orders, matrimonial disputes, matrimonial litigation, non-compliance consequences, parental obligations, paternal grandparents, personal responsibility, Rule 43 Application, South African Law Contempt and Conduct in Divorce Disputes: Navigating the Thin Line Between Legal Obligations and Personal Responsibility. – J.S.H v M.S.H and Others (1308/2024) [2024] ZAWCHC 42 (16 February 2024). Background and Proceedings Initiated The case of J.S.H v M.S.H and Others, heard in the Western Cape High Court on 26 January 2024, under the judgment of Adhikari AJ, arose… 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
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
09/02/2024 Bertus Preller Costs, Division of Estate, Divorce, In Community of Property, International Divorce, International Divorce, Liquidator, Marital Regimes, Procedural Law Antenuptial Contract, Bertus Preller, cross-border marriage, divorce proceedings, expert evidence, F. Bezuidenhout AJ, financial disclosure, foreign marriage, full disclosure, immediate division, international private law, landmark case, legal precedent, legal principles, Lex Domicilii Matrimonii, matrimonial consequences, matrimonial disputes, matrimonial domicile, matrimonial law, matrimonial property, Matrimonial Property Act, MPA, new case, new judgement, procedural law, Rule 36(9), Rule 43 applications, South African Law, Substantive Law Deciphering L.E v L.A (1884/2018) [2024] ZAGPJHC 104 (9 February 2024): A Landmark Case on Foreign Marriages and South African Property Law. – 9 February 2024. Introduction to the Case In a landmark decision that navigates the intersection of matrimonial law and international private law, the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Johannesburg, was presented… 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
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
31/01/2024 Bertus Preller Children, Guardianship, Parental Rights best interests of the child, Child Custody, child welfare, child-focused decisions, child's wellbeing, Court Decisions, custody assessments, Custody Battles, custody disputes, custody evaluation, custody hearings, family advocacy, Family Court, family dynamics, Family Law, family law case study, family law principles, guardianship, Legal Analysis, legal challenges, legal judgments, Legal precedents, legal responsibilities, parent-child relationship, parental disputes, parental obligations, Parental Rights, parental roles, South African Law Navigating Turbulent Waters: A Case Study on Parental Rights and the Complex Dynamics of Family Law. – G.D v M.M (4809/2022) [2024] ZAGPJHC 65 (29 January 2024) INTRODUCTION The Applicant's Request: The applicant sought an order to be declared the sole holder of parental responsibilities and rights concerning guardianship and care of the minor child. This included… READ MORE