Legal updates and opinions
News / News
King V: South Africa’s Governance Evolution
by Eric Levenstein, Director and Head of Insolvency & Business Rescue and Helena Stoop, Senior Knowledge Lawyer
The official King V was launched on 31 October 2025. The project was spearheaded by the Institute of Directors in Southern Africa NPC (IoDSA) in its capacity as Secretariat for the King Committee and custodian of the King Reports on corporate governance in South Africa. It replaces the previous edition (‘King IV’) and will be effective for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2026.
The fifth edition of the Code (‘King V’) follows the trend of previous editions and sets out the philosophy, principles, practices and outcomes which serve as the benchmark for corporate governance in South Africa. It was drafted to address both national and global developments, improve accessibility for all types of organisations, and promote the ongoing evolution of governance outcomes. Werksmans provides a bespoke and summarised overview of key components relevant to King V.
Download the King V Overview here.
Latest News
Corporate Social Responsibility embraces Humanity as SA works to flatten the curve – but beware scammers
By Donvay Wegierski, Director Many companies have long engaged in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes involving sustainability, ethics and social [...]
Tax Treatment of Prepaid Expenditure in the Limelight
By Erich Bell, Director, Werksmans Tax Proprietary Limited The application of section 23H was one of the issues recently considered [...]
SPLUMA Certificate Confusion
By Fátima Rodrigues, Director and Head of the Property Law & Real Estate practice (Johannesburg) and Khathu Neluheni, Senior Associate [...]
Letter issued by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (“JSE”) on 24 April 2020 on Financial Reporting during COVID‑19 (“JSE Letter”)
by Kyra South, AssociateReviewed by Natalie Scott, Director Background Since the outbreak of COVID‑19, and the subsequent national lockdown declared [...]
Deadline for submission of COVID-19 Temporary Employer / Employee Relief Scheme (“TERS”) applications
By Jacques van Wyk, Director and Thabisa Yantolo, Candidate Attorney On 30 April 2020 the Department of Employment and Labour [...]
An extension of the validity of prescriptions in terms of an amendment to the Medicines and Related Substances Act No. 101 of 1965
by Neil Kirby, Director and Head of the Healthcare & Life Sciences practice and Zamathiyane Mthiyane, Senior Associate On 30 [...]
