Legal news and commentary from the offices of Simon Dippenaar
Lessons from the Beadica case Contracts are the building blocks of business deals. In legal terminology, “pacta sunt servanda”, or “agreements must be kept”. But what happens when sticking to the contract feels unfair? Can the courts intervene? The Constitutional Court recently had to answer a question of contracts and fairness in the case of […]
Key considerations for employers Are you an employer? Perhaps you are a small business on the verge of expansion, taking on staff for the first time. What do you need to know about employment contracts to ensure you stay on the right side of employment law and, more importantly, your employees? There is a complex […]
What happens when you have a problem with an online transaction? E-commerce has been on the rise for a number of years. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the rate of take-up among consumers, as lockdowns made it difficult or impossible to visit physical shops. But e-commerce has been around since 1994 (the first recorded transaction was […]
When promises in contracts fall short: a legal perspective A contract dispute is a conflict or disagreement between parties. Disputes occur when there are differing views or claims regarding the terms, obligations, or rights outlined in the contract. Some of the most common causes of disputes include ambiguity in the terms used – vague or […]
Artificial intelligence complements but does not replace the lawyer’s job We’ve written a lot about artificial intelligence (AI) in recent months. We’re not alone. The internet is awash with articles and blog posts about AI. Some are informed and technically sound; others are purely opinions. Many are both! AI is new, though not as new […]
What are the key considerations when setting up a joint venture? You own a business. You have a great idea for a new product or service but you don’t have all the skills, resources, or expertise needed to bring your idea to market. Rather than going on a lengthy (and potentially expensive) recruitment drive, you […]
What remedies are available if you suffer a breach of contract? If you run a business, you may contract suppliers to deliver goods or services to you. Or you may be contracted to provide a service to your customers. In all likelihood, you do both. But you don’t have to be a business owner to […]
Are DAOs a flash in the pan or a serious alternative corporate structure? “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” “Nothing new under the sun” has become a cliché, but did you know it comes from the Book of Ecclesiastes in […]
Everything you need to know about NDAs Have you ever been asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA)? Do you know what an NDA is, in case you are asked to sign one in future? NDAs are often found between self-employed contractors and their clients, and between businesses who come together in partnership for a […]
