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Imminent Changes to US Immigration Program
There has been a lot of recent media attention surrounding the EB-5 Investment Visa Program, and for good reason. South African residents are not able to [...]
IFLR1000 Financial and Corporate Rankings 2020 Edition
IFLR1000 has released its latest rankings which reflects our market standing within the financial and corporate practice areas. This is a sector-specific guide which covers the [...]
The major cyber security risks to your business
by Ahmore Burger-Smidt, Head of Data Privacy Practice Online security is one of the most important things to consider in today’s business world. Much is made [...]
Average data breach costs SA companies R50m
With data breaches becoming commonplace it seems as if businesses need to now consider not whether they will be victims of a data breach but rather [...]
I PAID HIM MORE BECAUSE HE ASKED FOR MORE
By Bradley Workman-Davies, Director Case law is beginning to develop the South African labour law around unfair discrimination which has arisen since the introduction of the [...]
New EEA Form Issued In Terms Of The Employment Equity Act
By Andre van Heerden, Senior Associate and Chelsea Roux, Candidate Attorney Reviewed by Jacques van Wyk, Director Section 27(1) of the Employment Equity Act 55 of [...]
The Failure To Communicate An Extension Of Probation Does Not Always Amount To A Confirmation Of Permanent Employment
By Andre van Heerden, Senior Associate and Chelsea Roux, Candidate Attorney Reviewed by Jacques van Wyk, Director ISSUE Whether an employee is a permanent employee at [...]
SUPERMAC VS MCDONALDS – THE TRADE MARK BATTLE CONTINUES
By Donvay Wegierski, Director The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has partially cancelled McDonald's EU trade mark registration for MC. Favouring the non-use application brought [...]
NO MANDATORY REQUIREMENT FOR SOUTH AFRICANS TO JOIN FUND UNDER NHI BILL AS CURRENTLY PROPOSED
By Neil Kirby, Director The publication of the National Health Insurance Bill [B11-2009] has resulted in much public comment as to the future of healthcare in [...]
THE LAW ON LAND INVASION
By Anele Ngidi, Director Land invasions have become an all too familiar fixture of our daily headlines. Images of occupiers against law enforcement and sometimes also [...]
HAUNTED BY THE PAST … UNTIL WHEN SHOULD HISTORIC CARTEL CONDUCT SPOOK YOU?
By Rudolph Raath, Director and Megan Livingstone COMPETITION COMMISSION V PICKFORDS REMOVAL (167/CAC/Jul18) How long does a firm remain at risk after having ceased contravening the [...]
ARE YOUR CONTRACTS WITH SUPPLIERS / CONTRACTORS SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH POPIA?
By Tebogo Sibidla, Director and Kirsten Whitworth, Senior Associate In anticipation of the coming into operation of the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 ("POPIA"), many [...]
PROPOSED TIGHTENING OF THE ANTI-DIVIDEND STRIPPING PROVISIONS
By Erich Bell, Director and Ryan Damon, Candidate Attorney During 2017 and 2018, several changes pertaining to the tax treatment of share buy-backs and so-called "dividend [...]
Red Carded For Playing The Race Card
By Bradley Workman-Davies, Director The issue of race and racial discrimination is well-recognised in South Africa as a problem area for the various interactions, which take [...]
Reinstatement Not Always An Appropriate Remedy
By Jacques van Wyk, Director; Andre van Heerden, Senior Associate and Chelsea Roux, Candidate Attorney ISSUE Whether reinstatement must always be awarded where a dismissal is [...]
The Risk Of Departing From Disciplinary Guidelines
By Jacques van Wyk, Director; Andre van Heerden, Senior Associate and Chelsea Roux, Candidate Attorney ISSUE The risk of departing from a disciplinary guideline when imposing [...]
Where The Courts Draw The Line On Making Settlement Agreements Orders Of Court
By Jennifer Smit, Director In the recent Constitutional Court judgment between Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality ("BCM") and Asla Construction (Pty) Ltd ("Asla"), both in the main [...]
BBBEE Commission Makes Finding Against The MTN Zakhele Futhi Scheme
By Pieter Steyn, Director The Broad‑Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Commission has published its findings and recommendations following its investigation of the MTN Zakhele Futhi Scheme. [...]
The Case Of Non-traditional Trade Marks – Can The Soles Of Shoes Be Protected As Trade Marks?
By Janine Hollesen, Head of Intellectual Property Practice The answer to this question is yes according to the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in a recent case, where [...]
Werksmans Women Winners
The WOZA awards are presented annually to women lawyers in recognition of their outstanding dedication, achievements and contribution to the profession, whether it be services, legal education, [...]
When Kimono Became Kimohno! – Don’t Be Caught Off Guard When Choosing Your Trade Mark
By Janine Hollesen, Director Recently the reality star, Kim Kardashian, was caught in the cross-hairs of a trade mark storm after choosing the trade mark KIMONO [...]
Amendments To China’s Trade Mark Laws
By Donvay Wegierski, Director In April 2019 it was announced that certain Amendments to China's Trade Mark law will come into effect on 1 November 2019 [...]
European Union: Adidas Ruling
By Donvay Wegierski, Director The General court of the European Union recently upheld a 2016 ruling by the EU regulator thereby cancelling Adidas EU trade mark [...]
Fortnite, Wimbeldon And Tour De France
By Donvay Wegierski, Director Fanatic or not we will all be familiar with the above, each comprising sport in its own shape and form. Interestingly though [...]
Workplace Bullying: Remedies And Recourse In South African Law
By Bradley Workman-Davies, Director South African labour law has developed a rich body of case law since the Labour Relations Act was first introduced in 1995, [...]