Hildebrand Attorneys

27/04/2026

Freedom Day marks the commemoration of the first democratic elections in South Africa and those who still remember the occasion will cherish the memories of the overwhelming sense of unity in the long queues, an excitement to exercise the right to vote, an appreciation of being recognised as an equal amongst many with the ability to have a say in the course of the country’s political future.

Sadly, as new democracies mature, people become disillusioned with how little of the vote actually translates into meaningful, visible change. This is the downside of a State apparatus with many layers, where decisions take a long time to implement and where greed and sheer criminality can infiltrate and sabotage the processes aimed at uplifting the population.

It can only be hoped that the work of the various commissions currently at play will bring about better checks and balances and a change in how people in decision-making positions are appointed, vetted and evaluated. Ultimately, the question must be asked how we will be able to establish State institutions that display a culture reflective of the expectations during the voting process on 27 April 1994. An institutional culture where the responsibility towards the people of South Africa is understood and appreciated, where each Rand spent is valued for the potential it has to transform communities and lives and where this responsibility is embraced by all and collectively shared.

Employing the right people is such a critical factor of business success, where the desire is to see one’s contribution result in customer satisfaction, production excellence, optimisation and brand reputation improvement. Imagine what company cultures embracing the spirit of the 1994 elections would look like: recognition for all tiers of staff, an awareness and appreciation of our different backgrounds, equal opportunities irrespective of your background, a desire to foster an inclusive and empathetic culture, a zeal for collaborations that add value and uplift the business and the person.

02/04/2026

Our Easter spread was modest, but thoughtful in every detail. From Ayla’s famous bread, to the traditional hot cross buns, it was a table that brought everyone in. We kept it to sharing — of traditions, of matters at hand, and of weekend plans.
What stood out most was how easily the conversation moved beyond the usual. No briefs, no deadlines — just people, stories, and a bit of laughter in between.
A good reminder that sometimes the best moments come when we simply make space for them.
Wishing you a weekend filled with your own kind of ease, good company, and conversations that linger!

21/03/2026

Human Rights Day serves as a reminder that justice is not just practiced in courtrooms — it should be protected in everyday interactions, upheld in every conversation, and defended for every person.
Today, we reflect on our responsibility to stand for dignity, equality, and the rights enshrined in our Constitution. It is a noble cause and requires us to embrace these values in our lives for them to become meaningful and effective 🇿🇦

16/02/2026

It’s the month of Love! ❤️
And we’re not only serving briefs, filings and KitKats…
We also called a short recess of matters to consult over coffee, croissants and a well-deserved BREAK.
Because even the busiest firm knows — connecting is just as important as consultations!

25/12/2025

Hope is an essential element of our existence and well-being. In our context, many clients approach us in the hope of resolving disputes which they were unable to do on their own. Christmas stands for a new hope that came into this world and as we reflect on this day, we are reminded not to despair in the midst of our adversities. Merry Christmas from Hildebrand Attorneys!

30/10/2025

A quiet close to a day well argued!

23/10/2025

On Wednesday 22 October 2025 we attended the Forum for Immigrations Practitioners South Africa (FIPSA) conference in Durban. FIPSA is the registered body for recognised leading immigration practitioners. The conference included though leaders in immigration as well as officials from the Departments of Home Affairs, Employment and Labour and Trade, Industry and Competition as well as the South Africa qualifications Authority (SAQA). The conference took the form of presentations by the officials including the Minister of Home Affairs, talks by key stakeholders, question and answer sessions, networking sessions and strategy sessions.  
 
We managed to exchange best practice procedures with fellow immigration practitioners and to present the officials with feedback and requests for clarity as we have received from our clients regarding their experiences with immigration matters in South Africa. We made important suggestions to the officials and obtained vital information which will assists us in continuing to give our clients the highest level of services as it relates to immigration matters be it retiring, operating a business, studying, working, purchasing a property, obtaining permanent residence, getting married, joining family or appealing an adverse decision made by the authorities.

20/10/2025

Monday mood: focus, precision, and a touch of calm (before the counsel!).

09/06/2025

Delict Inheritance - who's responsible after death?

https://hildebrandattorneys.co.za/news/f/community-of-property-who’s-liable-after-death

Parties married according to South African Law without an Antenuptial Contract are married in community of property by default. One of the consequences of such marital property regime is that a joint estate exists betwee...