Gustav Barkhuysen Attorneys

Gustav Barkhuysen Attorneys GB Law is a boutique Law Firm focusing on a personal client service and delivery. Our clients are our first priority.

Cape Town's CBD is having a serious moment. 🏙️📈Cape Town's CBD is seeing record levels of investment, with R12.8 billion...
03/08/2026

Cape Town's CBD is having a serious moment. 🏙️📈

Cape Town's CBD is seeing record levels of investment, with R12.8 billion poured into property developments and apartment prices up more than 53% since 2020.

So, what's driving it?

More people are choosing to live in the CBD, developers are investing in new residential projects, and the city is evolving into a vibrant "24-hour city" where people can live, work, dine and socialise, all in one place. It's a clear sign that confidence in Cape Town's property market remains strong.

With more buyers, sellers and investors entering the market, it's a good reminder that every property transaction comes with important legal considerations. Whether you're buying your first apartment, investing in sectional title, signing a lease, or drafting a property-related contract, GB Law is here to help you navigate the process with confidence.

Source: Moneyweb, "Cape Town CBD property boom hits R12.8bn. https://bit.ly/4wBxI1Q

Buying a property? Here's what happens after your offer is accepted. 🏡The excitement is real, but so is the paperwork.On...
28/07/2026

Buying a property? Here's what happens after your offer is accepted. 🏡

The excitement is real, but so is the paperwork.

Once the sale is signed, there's a carefully managed legal process that needs to happen before you get the keys. Deadlines, documents, compliance certificates, bond registration, transfer registration... it all needs to fall into place.

The good news? You don't have to figure it out on your own.

Our 7-Step Property Transfer Guide breaks the process down into clear, easy-to-understand steps, so you know exactly what to expect from start to finish.

Download your guide here 👉 https://bit.ly/GBA_TransferProcess

Forming a Trust in South Africa: Which Type Suits You? 🏡Not all trusts are created equal. 🤝 Choosing the right one depen...
27/07/2026

Forming a Trust in South Africa: Which Type Suits You? 🏡

Not all trusts are created equal. 🤝 Choosing the right one depends on what you're trying to protect and who you're planning for.

Here's a simple breakdown:

🏡 Ownership Trust: Ideal for protecting assets like property or investments, with trustees managing them on behalf of your chosen beneficiaries.

📋 Bewind Trust: The beneficiaries own the assets, while the trustees simply manage and administer them.

❤️ Curatorship Trust: Designed for someone who can't manage their own affairs, with trustees overseeing the assets in their best interests.

Trusts can also be set up during your lifetime or through your will, making them a powerful tool for estate planning, protecting family wealth, and providing for future generations.

The right trust isn't just about legal paperwork. It's about choosing the structure that best supports your goals. Whether you're planning your estate, protecting assets, or securing your family's future, the team at GB Law has the expertise to guide you every step of the way.

Get the right advice from the start and build a trust that works for you. 💼

Hiring someone to clean your gutters or repair your roof this weekend? Before you do, here's something every homeowner s...
23/07/2026

Hiring someone to clean your gutters or repair your roof this weekend? Before you do, here's something every homeowner should know.

Many people don't realise that:

• Paying someone "just for the day" doesn't necessarily mean they're not considered an employee in the eyes of the law.
• If a casual worker is injured on your property, you could be held legally responsible depending on the circumstances.
• Your homeowner's insurance may not cover injuries to someone you've hired to do paid work.

A simple job can quickly become a complicated legal matter if something goes wrong.

Want to understand your legal responsibilities before you hire someone? Click the link to read our latest blog, or contact GB Law for practical legal advice. https://bit.ly/4vJbEBm

22/07/2026

If you’re considering divorce, one of the most important decisions you’ll make isn’t about your assets, it’s about your children.

Before emotions take over, ask yourself:

• Have we created a parenting plan that truly puts our children’s best interests first?

• Have we carefully considered contact arrangements for school terms, holidays, birthdays and special occasions?

• Have we thought this through properly? Once a parenting plan is made an order of court, changing it later can be difficult unless both parents agree or there are compelling reasons to vary it.

Getting it right the first time matters.

The decisions you make now can shape your children’s future for years to come. Early legal advice can help reduce conflict, provide clarity, and ensure your parenting plan is built to last.

Want to know why getting legal advice early can make all the difference? Click the link to read our latest blog, or contact GB Law for a confidential consultation.

🔗 https://bit.ly/4wUnSIb

22/07/2026

If you're considering divorce, one of the most important decisions you'll make isn't about your assets, it's about your children.

Before emotions take over, ask yourself:
• Have we created a parenting plan that truly puts our children's best interests first?
• Have we carefully considered contact arrangements for school terms, holidays, birthdays and special occasions?
• Have we thought this through properly? Once a parenting plan is made an order of court, changing it later can be difficult unless both parents agree or there are compelling reasons to vary it.

Getting it right the first time matters.

The decisions you make now can shape your children's future for years to come. Early legal advice can help reduce conflict, provide clarity, and ensure your parenting plan is built to last.

Want to know why getting legal advice early can make all the difference? Click the link to read our latest blog, or contact GB Law for a confidential consultation. 🔗 https://bit.ly/4wUnSIb

14/07/2026

The deal was done… until it wasn’t. 👀

You shake hands. Everyone’s excited. The emails say “confirmed.” 🤝

Then suddenly, “We’ve got a deal!” 🤝 becomes *“Actually…” 🫠

A well-drafted commercial contract is the paper trail that keeps everyone honest. It captures the details, expectations, and responsibilities before misunderstandings turn into costly disputes.

Don’t let your business decisions live in someone’s memory. Get the agreement right from the start.

Read our latest blog on the contract clauses that trigger the biggest disputes, and how to protect your business before problems arise. 🔗 https://bit.ly/4fx0t9Q

SouthAfrica

A voice note, email, or unsigned draft may feel like a clear expression of someone’s final wishes, but in South African ...
30/06/2026

A voice note, email, or unsigned draft may feel like a clear expression of someone’s final wishes, but in South African law it is still not a valid will.

Despite the realities of modern digital communication, the GB Law blog explains that the Wills Act 7 of 1953 remains strict in 2026: wills must be properly written, signed by the testator, and witnessed by two competent witnesses.

While courts do have a very limited discretion under section 2(3) to recognise informal documents in exceptional circumstances, the threshold is extremely high and the evidentiary burden can be costly, contested, and uncertain. In many cases, families end up in prolonged litigation or default to intestate succession simply because formalities were not followed.

The message is clear - intention alone is not enough.

Read the full article to understand how South African courts treat digital “wills,” the risks involved, and why proper ex*****on remains the only reliable way to ensure your wishes are honoured. https://gblaw.capetown/articles/

✈️ CAPE WINELANDS AIRPORT UPDATE: Big Progress on a Game-Changing DevelopmentThe Cape Winelands Airport redevelopment ha...
29/06/2026

✈️ CAPE WINELANDS AIRPORT UPDATE: Big Progress on a Game-Changing Development

The Cape Winelands Airport redevelopment has reached a major milestone, with Growthpoint Properties confirming significant progress on the ambitious R8 billion project.

Once completed, the redevelopment will transform the historic Fisantekraal Airfield into a modern international commercial airport, supported by a 450-hectare mixed-use aviation precinct designed to drive economic growth, investment, tourism, and job creation across the region.

Construction of Phase 1 is expected to begin later in 2026, subject to final approvals, with the first phase targeted for completion in 2028.

This landmark development highlights South Africa's continued investment in strategic infrastructure and the legal, environmental, and property frameworks that make projects of this scale possible.

Source: BusinessTech - New R8 billion airport for South Africa.

24/06/2026

70% of residential units in Cape Town's CBD are either hotel-managed or listed on Airbnb.

Let that sink in for a moment.

In a city where the median household income is around R14,000 - a basic CBD studio on Airbnb costs R36,000 for a 30-day stay. Cape Town now ranks 8th in the world for Airbnb supply, with over 26,000 active listings.

Fed-up locals are furious. Housing advocates are calling for a crackdown. And the City of Cape Town is listening.

Here's what's on the table:
🏨 Airbnb operators could be charged commercial municipal rates — potentially doubling their rates bills overnight.
📋 Mandatory registration for all short-term rental properties.
📅 A national cap on the number of days a property can be rented out per year.
💸 Hospitality taxes for short-term landlords.

None of this is law yet. But the people who think it won't happen are the same ones who'll be scrambling when it does.

If you own an Airbnb in Cape Town - or you're thinking of buying one - the question you need to be asking right now is not "will this be regulated?" It's "when it is, will my numbers still work?"

We've broken down exactly what the proposed regulations mean for property owners and investors - and what you should be doing about it now.

👉 Read the full article: https://gblaw.capetown/post/cape-towns-airbnb-debate-regulation-reality-and-what-comes-next/

Have questions about how these changes could affect your property? We're here. 📩 [email protected]

Address

V&A Waterfront & Noordhoek Farm Village
Cape Town
8001

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Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 16:00

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+27211803532

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