AI-drafted contracts in South Africa: check before you sign
An AI-written agreement can look convincing while leaving important risks unresolved. Six practical checks for South African businesses before signing.
Smart contracts
Can AI in contracts replace lawyers? AI is on the march. The number of tasks various AI-powered tools can complete in a fraction of human time is growing every day. In many cases, AI-enabled functions improve safety, increase efficiency, and reduce errors. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that AI is not infallible. ChatGPT, though […]
Cancellation of an OTP – when do property defects justify it?
Is buyer’s remorse adequate justification to cancel? We’ve all bought something we later regretted, from an unsuitable garment that looked great in the shop to an appliance that seemed life-changing, only to sit and gather dust. Most of the time, buyer’s remorse stings our pocket temporarily and is soon forgotten. But what happens if you […]
Contracts and fairness and real life
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 […]
Employment contracts and labour disputes
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 […]
Online dispute resolution
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 […]
Contract disputes
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 […]
How AI is changing contract review and due diligence
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 […]
Joint venture agreements
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 […]
Breach of contract – legal implications
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 […]
DAOs – decentralised autonomous organisations
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 […]
Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
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 […]