Van Deventer Dowlath & Marx Inc

Van Deventer Dowlath & Marx Inc South African law firm established in 1989, with over 35 years of professionalism, accountability, customised service and solutions.
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Sandton-based property attorneys specialising in conveyancing, developments, sectional title & community scheme compliance, litigation, public sector consulting, and real estate education.

🏠 🏘️ 🏢 ☑️ ⚖️ 📋 📈 📉 🧑‍🏫 🎓 The form specialises in property transfers, bond registrations and property law - with a strong and experienced litigation team to support. We are a B-BBEE Level 2 Contributor and on the bond registration panels of ABSA, FNB and Standard Bank.

Bryanston is evolving, and developments like 170 Grosvenor show exactly where the future of urban living and property in...
04/06/2026

Bryanston is evolving, and developments like 170 Grosvenor show exactly where the future of urban living and property investment is heading.

From the luxury aparthotel model and strong projected yields to the integrated lifestyle offering and transport accessibility, this is the kind of project that attracts both professionals and serious investors.

At Van Deventer Dowlath & Marx, we are proud to have been appointed with sole responsibility for the full conveyancing process, from pre-sales through to final handover. For us, that is about more than legal administration. It is about creating transactional certainty, protecting investor confidence, and ensuring every transfer is handled through one experienced and centralised legal team.

170 Grosvenor is not just another residential development. It is a carefully positioned long-term asset in one of Johannesburg’s most established business and lifestyle nodes, and we believe the market response reflects that.

Student accommodation disputes are on the rise. Who is responsible, and what rights do tenants and landlords actually ha...
03/06/2026

Student accommodation disputes are on the rise. Who is responsible, and what rights do tenants and landlords actually have?

Tune in today as Jason Berkowitz, Associate Director at Van Deventer Dowlath & Marx Incorporated, joins Radio 786's On the Agenda to discuss the growing disputes between student tenants and landlords in the rental housing sector.

The discussion will focus on the importance of property law, how misunderstandings of legal rights and obligations contribute to conflict, and what measures may be needed to ensure greater clarity and fairness for both tenants and landlords.

📅 Wednesday, 3 June 2026
⏰ 12h35
📻 Radio 786

Don't miss this important conversation with legal insight into an issue affecting students, landlords and accommodation providers across South Africa.

Too many parents only discover their legal responsibilities towards their children once conflict has already escalated, ...
03/06/2026

Too many parents only discover their legal responsibilities towards their children once conflict has already escalated, and by then, the emotional and financial damage can already be severe.

Under South African law, a child's right to support does not depend on whether their parents were married, separated, divorced, or never in a relationship at all. Both parents carry a legal duty to support and care for their child from birth.

At Van Deventer Dowlath & Marx Attorneys, we regularly assist parents navigating disputes involving maintenance, care, contact, and parental responsibilities. One of the biggest misconceptions we encounter is the belief that maintenance is linked to marriage, or that financial responsibilities only begin once divorce proceedings start.

Maintenance is not optional, negotiable, or subject to withholding because of disagreements between parents. The Children's Act places the best interests of the child at the centre of every decision, and South African courts have repeatedly reinforced the importance of enforcing maintenance obligations.

Many parents are also unaware that separating while still legally married does not suspend financial responsibilities. A parent may approach the Maintenance Court for support without first instituting divorce proceedings. Likewise, unmarried parents are equally bound by the duties of support.

Where conflict exists, parenting plans can play a critical role in creating structure and reducing uncertainty. These agreements can formalise care arrangements, contact schedules, financial responsibilities, and decision-making authority regarding education, healthcare, and religion.

Courts also have wide powers to enforce maintenance orders, including garnishee orders, attachment of assets, contempt proceedings, and, in serious cases, warrants of arrest for wilful non-payment.

Understanding your rights and obligations early can prevent unnecessary hardship and help create a more stable future for your child.

DM us if you're entering this new chapter and need advice on how to navigate the way forward.

03/06/2026

Most body corporate disputes don’t start with bad people. They start with unclear rules, outdated rules, or rules that were never properly registered in the first place.

Good governance is one of the most effective ways to protect your community scheme, your trustees, and ultimately your property values.

A proper governance framework should include a set of conduct and management rules that are relevant to your scheme, legally compliant, ethically sound, and correctly registered with CSOS.

and the Community Schemes Department at VDM Attorneys assist bodies corporate and homeowners’ associations in reviewing, drafting, amending, and registering rules that work in practice, not just on paper.

The right rules won’t prevent every dispute, but they can prevent many of them before they ever begin.

📢 Coming in July 📢What does the future of Johannesburg look like?Join us for an exclusive presentation and Q&A with Hele...
02/06/2026

📢 Coming in July 📢

What does the future of Johannesburg look like?

Join us for an exclusive presentation and Q&A with Helen Zille as we explore the challenges, opportunities, and future of South Africa's economic powerhouse.

From infrastructure and service delivery to investment confidence, property values, and economic growth, this promises to be a fascinating discussion on what it will take to rebuild confidence in Johannesburg.

More details to follow.

02/06/2026

At Van Deventer Dowlath & Marx, we see firsthand how missing, damaged and neglected building plans continue to impact property transfers across Johannesburg.

In this conversation with Ash from Ask Ash, Cor van Deventer explains how delays at the council level are creating significant financial pressure for sellers, many of whom are now required to redraw and resubmit plans at substantial cost before transfers can proceed.

Efficient property transfers rely on accurate record management, and when critical documentation cannot be accessed, the consequences affect every party involved in the transaction.

If you're stuck between building and finding your building plans, DM us, and we can best advise you.

Compliance in the property industry is no longer a paperwork exercise. It is now a legal and operational necessity.The r...
01/06/2026

Compliance in the property industry is no longer a paperwork exercise. It is now a legal and operational necessity.

The recent R266,000 penalty upheld against Capital Point Properties, together with the possibility of individual sanctions reaching R7.8 million, sends a clear warning to property practitioners across South Africa.

At Van Deventer Dowlath & Marx Incorporated, we are seeing a significant shift in how the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and the PPRA are enforcing compliance obligations across the sector. Regulators are demanding real-time proof of functional compliance systems, including RMCP implementation, due diligence records, source-of-funds verification, sanctions screening, audit trails and reporting registers.

Without a functional RMCP and proper compliance records, agencies may face financial penalties, delays or refusals of Fidelity Fund Certificates, and ultimately risk their ability to legally operate.

This is no longer about preparing for future regulation. It is about remaining compliant, protected and operational today.

Read the full article in the comments below.

Can you hold decision-makers accountable? VDM Attorneys is looking for an Associate Attorney specialising in PAIA, PAJA,...
31/05/2026

Can you hold decision-makers accountable? VDM Attorneys is looking for an Associate Attorney specialising in PAIA, PAJA, and Administrative Law. ⚖️

Associate Attorney: Administrative Law & Public Sector Litigation

Van Deventer Dowlath & Marx Incorporated (Morningside, Johannesburg) is seeking a motivated and technically strong Associate Attorney to join our growing litigation and administrative law team.

We are looking for an attorney with experience in matters involving the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA), constitutional law, judicial review applications, and public sector disputes.

Key Areas of Practice
• PAIA applications and access to information disputes
• PAJA reviews and administrative law litigation
• Constitutional and public law matters
• High Court motion proceedings
• Municipal, regulatory, and government-related disputes
• Legal opinions and advisory work

Requirements
• Admitted Attorney
• Strong drafting and legal research skills
• Experience in High Court litigation and motion proceedings
• Sound understanding of PAIA, PAJA, and constitutional principles
• Ability to manage matters independently while working within a team environment
• Excellent attention to detail and client communication skills

Advantageous
• Experience acting for municipalities, public entities, or regulatory bodies
• Exposure to constitutional litigation and judicial review proceedings

This position offers the opportunity to work on complex and meaningful matters that shape governance, accountability, and administrative justice in South Africa.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and supporting documentation to [email protected]

29/05/2026

One of the biggest mistakes we see during divorce proceedings is making decisions emotionally rather than strategically.

Moving out of the family home overnight, threatening insolvency, hiding assets, or posting emotionally on social media can all have serious legal and financial consequences later on.

Divorce is deeply personal, but it is also a legal process that requires calm, informed decision-making. While many people believe an aggressive approach is the answer, it is rarely the loudest voice in the room that achieves the best outcome.

At Van Deventer Dowlath & Marx, we believe that strong legal representation is not about unnecessarily escalating conflict. It is about providing sound legal advice, protecting our clients’ interests, and working towards practical resolutions wherever possible.

When both parties, and sometimes even their legal teams, are locked in constant conflict, achieving meaningful resolution becomes far more difficult.

A measured, strategic approach is often what leads to the best long-term outcome. If you're entering this new chapter, DM us to learn more.

The first of many training sessions on the new cold calling regulations - kicked off today with two of our best!Cor van ...
28/05/2026

The first of many training sessions on the new cold calling regulations - kicked off today with two of our best!

Cor van Deventer covering the legal side of prospecting, unpacking how the CPA and POPIA are intertwined, and considerations for the rollout of the DNC Register, and Richard, shifting the conversation from “cold calling” to “warm calling” through better positioning, relevance, and relationship building.

Is cold calling banned? No.
But honestly... it probably should be.

The future of business development is smarter, more intentional, more compliant communication, and creating genuine value before asking for anything ✨

Address

2 Cullinan Close
Johannesburg
2191

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 04:30
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:30
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:30
Thursday 08:00 - 16:30
Friday 08:00 - 16:30

Telephone

+27113941606

Website

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