VGV Attorneys

27/02/2026

All the signs point to a promising year for buyers, sellers, and homeowners. But a recent Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) judgment is a sharp reminder that getting the legalities wrong, and in particular trying to rely on verbal promises, could mean a very rocky start to your new year. It’s also a reminder that while co-ownership can be a practical way to access and share property, it must be properly structured. When relationships sour, the fallout – as this case aptly shows – can be severe.

Read More: https://vgv.co.za/2026/01/06/property-sales-and-side-deals-verbal-agreements-dont-cut-it/

23/02/2026

This article is a balm for anyone unfortunate enough to be stuck in an unhappy marriage full of Shakespeare’s “discord and continual strife”, yet too scared to consider divorce because of the costs. An uncontested divorce in which you agree on everything need not cost much, but it’s a very different story if you know that your spouse will fight you to the bitter end.

The hard reality is that contested divorces can be extremely expensive. But if your emotional trauma is compounded by the fact that your spouse has a lot more money than you and will use that financial strength to intimidate and outlitigate you, don’t despair!

Read More: https://vgv.co.za/2026/01/06/how-to-fund-your-divorce-if-your-spouse-can-outlitigate-you/

20/02/2026

You may have read one of the many online articles about an electronic will being validated recently by the High Court.

Don’t be misled into thinking that electronic wills are now valid as a matter of course – they most certainly are not. Unless and until our Wills Act is updated to say otherwise, not leaving a written and signed will complying with all the Act’s formalities exposes your grieving loved ones to the risk of a hard-fought court battle at the worst possible time.

Read More: https://vgv.co.za/2026/01/06/electronic-wills-arent-valid-stick-to-pen-and-paper/

16/02/2026

Our courts have no tolerance for sexual harassment in the workplace, stressing that, at its core, it is concerned with power dynamics at work.

A recent Labour Court decision has confirmed that in assessing whether or not an employee is guilty of such harassment, it is the victim’s perspective that must lie at the heart of the enquiry. Victims will take heart from this decision, while employers and other employees should understand clearly the dangers of not heeding it.

Read More: https://vgv.co.za/2026/01/27/workplace-sexual-harassment-its-the-victims-perspective-that-counts/

13/02/2026

A couple’s four-year romantic relationship saw them living together first in her mother’s house and then in his apartment. They then decided to buy a house together with the idea of making their relationship more permanent.

Unfortunately, that dream came to nought – their relationship ended a month after the property purchase, leaving only one of them to live in the house and to pay all the ongoing costs while they decided what to do next.

In due course they fell out over how to end the co-ownership and how to adjust their respective claims for past and future property costs.

Their dispute reached the High Court, which ordered firstly that the co-ownership be terminated. This was necessary, because no co-owner can be forced against their will to remain a co-owner where the relationship between the co-owners has deteriorated to such an extent that it can’t continue.

Then, using an old Roman law remedy still in use today (the “actio communi dividundo”) the Court dealt with both the division of the property, and the adjustment of the various financial claims between the parties. As is usually the case, these were complex and intertwined after years of cohabitation.

Importantly, the Court noted a modern move away from the traditional principle that the property should necessarily be sold by public auction to the highest bidder, towards a much more flexible approach based on the Court having a wide discretion to ensure a fair and practical outcome in each case.

Thus, having considered all the circumstances, wishes and claims of both parties, the Court ordered that the ex-partner living in the house has a first option (valid for 60 days) to buy the other’s half share at valuation. If he doesn’t, he must offer it for sale on the open market at a fair and reasonable market-related price. If there’s still been no sale after 6 months, the Sheriff of the High Court becomes a “receiver and liquidator” and has 4 months to auction the house. The bond, costs and parties’ related financial claims will be settled from the proceeds as directed by the Court.

Read More Here: https://vgv.co.za/2026/01/27/love-and-the-law-cohabiting-get-your-house-in-order-now/

01/01/2026

26/12/2025

VGV Attorneys wishes you a happy Day of Goodwill 💙

25/12/2025

Merry Christmas from our team to you 🎁

19/12/2025

If you are thinking of buying (or already own) a house or apartment in a residential complex with the idea of renting it out as an Airbnb (whether permanently or on an “I can make a fortune this Christmas” basis), tread carefully.

A recent High Court decision has signalled confirmation that your body corporate or homeowners’ association (HOA) can, within limits, regulate your right to do so.

Read More: https://vgv.co.za/2025/11/25/can-you-airbnb-your-house-or-apartment-in-a-residential-complex/

17/12/2025

The season of goodwill, holidays, celebrations, and year-end functions is upon us once again. And with it comes a timely reminder to employers that, while their “zero tolerance” alcohol-at-work policies may be key to maintaining health and safety in the workplace, they have their limits when it comes to disciplining offenders.

Read More: https://vgv.co.za/2025/11/25/alcohol-at-work-the-cough-mixture-defence/

16/12/2025

VGV Attorneys celebrates our beautiful diversity and the strength that comes from unity.