For many families in South Africa, parents are not married to each other when a child is born.  That does not mean a father is invisible in the eyes of the law.  South African law recognises unmarried fathers and allows them to acquire meaningful parental responsibilities and rights, provided certain requirements are met, and the child’s best interests remain the guiding test.  This guide explains the legal concept of an unmarried father, the rights that can be acquired, practical routes to secure those rights, common complications, and where to get help.

The judgment in Morgan v Minister of Justice and Others [2025] ZAGPPHC 1202 (11 November 2025) has reignited discussions about the distinction between attorneys and advocates in South Africa.  The case revolved around the applicant’s challenge to sections 34(6) and 34(7) of the Legal Practice Act (LPA), which regulate the forms of legal practice for attorneys and advocates.  The applicant, a trust account advocate, sought to have these provisions declared unconstitutional, arguing that they unfairly pr

Becoming a magistrate is a calling to public service.  It combines legal knowledge, careful judgment, and daily problem-solving that directly affects people’s lives.  If you are considering this path, here is a clear guide to what a magistrate is, the role involves, the qualifications you need, and the practical steps to get there in South Africa.

Sitting for the conveyancing examination in April 2024 was a challenge, yet a hurdle that I had no choice but to overcome.  Looking back, it was most certainly a tough yet extremely rewarding exercise.

The conveyancing field is even wider than I could ever have imagined.  This obviously translates to an extensive amount of study work in preparation for the exam. 

Every few months, we see another warning about manipulated videos, fake audio clips, or scammers using AI-generated voices to trick victims.  For many legal practitioners, these incidents feel like something happening “out there,” mostly overseas, mostly hypothetical.  However, deepfakes have already reached South Africa, and clients are starting to ask what can be done when their image, voice, or reputation is exploited online.

In a rapidly evolving legal landscape, access to information, mentorship, and professional networks is a crucial determinant of success for law students.  Yet, for many aspiring legal practitioners from previously disadvantaged communities, these opportunities remain limited and often inaccessible.  The Society of Legal Excellence (SLE) was founded to address this very challenge.  Established as a non-profit company (NPC) and later registered as a non-profit organisation (NPO) with the Department of

Our lives increasingly unfold online.  Search engines index our names; social networks preserve posts and photos; old news articles linger long after the facts are stale.  Against that backdrop, many jurisdictions recognise a right to be forgotten law, which is better thought of as a right to erasure or de-indexing that allows people, in defined circumstances, to ask that their personal information be deleted or made less visible.  This article explains the concept, its history and purpose, how it interfaces with South African law, the benefits (and limits), and what a practical request typ