A power of attorney can make a difficult transaction manageable, but it does not give unlimited authority and it does not survive the principal’s loss of capacity under current South African law. The wording, intended use and timing matter.
Ethical AI use in law is not about accuracy, safety or bias. It is about judgment. Does AI sharpen a lawyer’s reasoning or replaces it? Used properly, AI rarely makes legal advice faster or cheaper. It makes the advice more considered, as long as every claim is verified and owned by the lawyer. Most discussion […]
Agreement can end a divorce dispute, but a signature does not turn every clause into a court order. Recent judgments show why courts scrutinise consent, legality, children and whether the settlement can actually be enforced.
AI can reproduce a trusted voice, face or writing style. A recent R21.55 million banking-fraud case shows why South African businesses must separate identity from authority—and how fast action can preserve recovery options.
A recent Supreme Court of Appeal decision confirms that an owner cannot safely rely on informal discussions or historic consent when extending a sectional-title unit. We explain the required resolution, registration process and practical steps.
Simon Dippenaar & Associates is delighted to announce that Simon Dippenaar has been recognised in the Leaders in Law – Global Awards 2026 as the Real Estate Expert of the Year in South Africa.
What to do if your bank transfer payment is intercepted by a hacker A few years ago a foreign woman in Johannesburg who was moving back to her home country disposed of large household items via Gumtree. She was slightly concerned when the buyer of her double bed asked to meet her on a street […]
We’ve all been there…that moment at the till in the supermarket when your bank card doesn’t work. It’s embarrassing, and it’s worrying. The problem is usually the retailer’s device and a second attempt brings success. Sometimes we may be short of funds and have to abandon our purchases for the day. But what happens when […]
Another look at coercive control and how to recognise it Recently, in Scotland a man was convicted of killing his wife, in a case seen as a significant legal milestone (HMA v. Lee Milne). As femicide is an all-too-common crime, why is this a landmark case? Because the woman in question took her own life, […]
You cannot fight what you cannot see When someone is arrested on a serious charge, the race to prepare a bail application begins immediately. The defence team must construct its case with evidence: a founding affidavit, witness preparation, corroborating documents. This needs to happen very quickly. Yet one of the most important sources of information […]
Where trust assets, trustees, beneficiaries or a spouse are outside South Africa, the trust dispute should be assessed within the broader international divorce strategy. Our specialist cross-border asset division guide explains the additional forum, disclosure and enforcement questions. When family, business and divorce collide In South Africa, trust assets are not automatically included in a […]
Understanding the Businesses Act, 1991 and the proposed Business Licensing Bill, 2025 If you run a business or are considering starting one, you need to know that the regulatory framework for business licensing in South Africa is on the brink of significant transformation. For more than three decades, the Businesses Act 71 of 1991 has […]
