Blog

Divorce proceedings often involve far more than the dissolution of a marriage. In many instances, the most contentious and financially significant aspect of a divorce relates to the division of property, assets, liabilities, and proprietary interests accumulated...

Child maintenance is one of the most frequently litigated aspects of family law, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. A common misconception is that maintenance automatically ends when a child turns 18. In South African law, this is not correct. The duration...

Understanding Financial Liability During Marriage and Divorce Marriage is not merely an emotional and social union , it is also a legal and financial partnership. One of the most misunderstood aspects of matrimonial law in South Africa concerns the manner in which...

The division of assets upon divorce remains one of the most technically complex and strategically significant aspects of family law in South Africa. It is an area governed not only by statute, but also by the matrimonial property regime elected by the parties,...

In South African family law, the concept of parental responsibilities and rights represents a deliberate shift away from the historically rigid notion of “custody” and “access,” toward a more child-centred, constitutionally aligned framework. Rooted in the Children’s...

In legal practice, few missteps are as common and as consequential as the failure to respond to a court summons. Whether arising from a civil claim, debt recovery matter, or contractual dispute, a summons is not a mere formality. It is a formal legal process that...

Estate planning is often misunderstood as a task reserved for the elderly or the ultra-wealthy. In reality, it is a critical legal and financial exercise for any individual seeking to preserve wealth, protect dependants, and ensure the orderly transfer of assets. When...

In an era where digital connectivity underpins both personal and commercial activity, cybercrime has emerged as one of the most significant legal and economic threats in South Africa. From online fraud and identity theft to data breaches and cyber extortion, the risks...

In an increasingly complex commercial environment, consumers are often at an informational and bargaining disadvantage when dealing with suppliers of goods and services. Recognising this imbalance, South African law has developed a robust framework of consumer...

Cryptocurrency has transformed financial markets globally, and South Africa is no exception. From Bitcoin and Ethereum to stablecoins and emerging tokens, digital assets offer unprecedented opportunities but also unique legal and regulatory challenges. For investors,...

Family law remains one of the most emotionally charged and complex areas of legal practice. Clients often enter our offices at Pravda & Knowles Attorneys burdened by misconceptions that can cloud judgment, exacerbate conflict, and complicate legal proceedings....

In an era defined by digital connectivity, the boundary between professional and private life has become increasingly porous. Employers are, quite understandably, concerned with productivity, data security, and reputational risk. Employees, on the other hand, assert...

In the modern legal landscape, few mechanisms are as powerful and as misunderstood as civil forfeiture. While often associated with criminal activity, civil forfeiture operates independently of a criminal conviction, enabling the State to seize property on the basis...

In the modern legal landscape, few mechanisms are as powerful and as misunderstood as civil forfeiture. While often associated with criminal activity, civil forfeiture operates independently of a criminal conviction, enabling the State to seize property on the basis...

In the digital age, social media has become an integral part of personal and professional life. Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, and TikTok are no longer just spaces for sharing thoughts or photos—they can be powerful legal evidence. Courts...

Rental disputes are a common source of tension in South Africa, often arising from unpaid rent, property damage, eviction attempts, or disagreements regarding lease agreements. Understanding your legal rights as a tenant or your obligations as a landlord, is essential...

The legal profession is undergoing a profound transformation with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into everyday practice. AI technologies — ranging from natural language processing (NLP) tools to predictive analytics and document automation — are...

The rapid digitization of commerce, legal transactions, and government services has brought digital signatures into sharp focus. With businesses increasingly conducting transactions online, a common question arises: are digital signatures legally enforceable in South...