Read the latest legal news, updates and commentary from the offices of Simon Dippenaar & Associates.
Know the signs of abuse and don’t be afraid to seek help Two years ago, in observance of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, we published a four-part series on leaving an abusive relationship. This year, 2025, in the wake of the recent national quiet protest by women marking the […]
16 Days of Activism – again As we begin another annual global 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, here in South Africa the outcry against gender-based violence and femicide has grown stronger, while our rates of GBV continue to rise inexorably. In advance of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, a […]
Introduction Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is one of the most pressing social and legal issues in South Africa. It affects people of all ages, genders, and communities. GBV is not only a violation of human rights but also a crime that undermines the principles of equality and dignity enshrined in the Constitution. At SD Law – […]
Navigating the turbulent waters of divorce can be a daunting and emotionally charged experience. Choosing the right divorce attorney in Cape Town is crucial to ensure a smooth transition and to protect your position and make clear decisions. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential factors to consider when selecting a divorce attorney […]
Relocating with children after divorce is one of the most sensitive and complex issues in family law. Whether you are moving within South Africa or abroad, the law requires that every decision be made in the best interests of the child. At SD Law, we’ve guided parents through this process for over a decade — […]
Protecting children through temporary care You may have read the brilliant retelling of David Copperfield by Barbara Kingsolver, called Demon Copperhead. It tells the story of Demon, who was passed from foster home to foster home, often living in appalling conditions, before winding up addicted to opioids. (The story has a happy ending; he goes […]
Understanding gamete ownership You may have seen the Netflix film “Joy: The Birth of IVF”. It tells the story of Louise Brown, the first “test-tube baby”, and the scientists as well as brave women who helped to bring about this breakthrough in reproductive science. We take fertility treatment for granted now, but procedures like IVF, […]
Reprinted from The Guardian, by Rachel Savage – 2025-06-13 Olorato Mongale, allegedly killed by man she went on date with, is latest victim of violence against women Yet again another South African woman has lost her life at the hands of a man, this time a date rather than a partner. Yet again we read […]
What you need to know if you are considering parenthood via surrogacy You probably know someone who has had a baby through fertility treatment, either via artificial insemination (AI) or in vitro fertilisation (IVF, or a “test-tube baby”). Fertility issues are far from rare: the WHO estimates that globally one in six adults experiences infertility. […]
Protecting children’s best interests Couples are encouraged to make a will when they marry, and to keep that will up to date. It is particularly important to amend the will on the birth of children, not only to specify the financial arrangements for their care should the worst happen, but also to appoint a legal […]
South Africa is not immune from human trafficking Human trafficking is an all-too-common occurrence in the modern world. Musician Sean “Diddy” Combs currently faces charges of sex trafficking and racketeering in New York, and two people in Glasgow have been arrested in connection with human trafficking offences just recently. Here in South Africa, kidnapping and […]
Domestic or intimate partner violence doesn’t always end on divorce We hear a lot about high-conflict divorce. We hear less about post-divorce violence, or post-separation abuse, to use the common nomenclature in the psychological literature. It does not differentiate between married and unmarried couples. Many family law experts believe describing a divorce as “high-conflict” often […]
