Tatham Wilkes Inc.

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Tatham Wilkes Inc.

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Tatham Wilkes inc. is a prominent law firm based in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.

The objective of the firm is to combine over 100 years of years of experience in law with the most current legal thinking, in order to provide each of our clients with innovative, practical and cost-effective legal solutions. It is the firm's vision to ensure that its personnel – whether professional, clerical or administrative – are committed to providing excellent service to its clients. The firm understands that it is necessary to remain at the forefront of legal developments in order to provide clients with the best possible and most innovative service and advice. Additionally, the firm remains abreast of opportunities and threats that may affect the business and acts proactively to ensure that despite ongoing regulatory changes, the firm is always positioned to provide appropriate legal advice to its clients. Focusing on its human capital, the firm emphasizes the development of professional and clerical staff in order to ensure innovative, efficient and positive administration of all legal matters.

19/10/2026

Passing the baton

Family businesses occupy a unique position in the commercial landscape. They are typically shaped by founder-driven decision-making, deep personal investment, and a long-term outlook that many corporate structures struggle to replicate. However, these same qualities can complicate the transition from one generation to the next.

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A successful family business deserves a successful future. Learn why succession planning should start long before retirement.

16/10/2026

Workplace rules rewritten

South Africa’s proposed Labour Law Amendment Bill, 2025 introduces far-reaching changes affecting contracts, staffing models, severance pay, and enforcement. Employers should act now to mitigate risk and prepare for compliance.

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Major labour law reforms are on the horizon. Find out how the proposed changes could affect your business.

14/10/2026

A new era for parental leave

South Africa’s parental leave framework has been declared unconstitutional, prompting significant legislative reform. The Labour Law Amendment Bill, 2025, proposes a unified system that grants equal access to parental leave. This article outlines the proposed changes and their implications for employers.

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South Africa's parental leave framework is changing. Are your workplace policies keeping up?

12/10/2026

When ads take flight… and cross the line

On 13 March 2026, the Advertising Regulatory Board (“ARB”) ruled that a South African TikTok advertisement by Checkers Sixty60 was misleading. This decision highlights the broader legal framework governing advertising in South Africa, including both statutory protections and industry-led self-regulation.

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A Checkers Sixty60 TikTok ad was ruled misleading, reminding brands that creativity must stay truthful.

09/10/2026

Smarter contracts for better infrastructure

After years of reliance on the 2015 edition of the General Conditions of Contract for Construction Works (“GCC 2015”), the South African Institution of Civil Engineering introduced a new edition in September 2025 (“GCC 2025”). This updated framework aims to improve clarity, promote fairness, and enhance efficiency in the construction industry.

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GCC 2025 introduces clearer, fairer construction contract terms to improve project delivery and collaboration.

07/10/2026

Who owns what AI creates?

Copyright arises automatically when a creative work is written down, recorded, or saved in a tangible form. It grants the creator an exclusive right to control how the work is used, shared, reproduced, or adapted. In doing so, copyright not only protects creative expression but also enables creators to derive economic benefit from their work. It further safeguards the integrity of the work by preventing unauthorised alteration or misuse.

Read more : https://www.tathamwilkes.co.za/Our-Insights/ArticleDetail?Title=Who-owns-what-AI-creates?

AI-generated works are raising new questions in copyright law about who, if anyone, owns the rights.

05/10/2026

Not all leases are created equal

The question of whether residential lease agreements fall within the ambit of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA) has long been the subject of legal debate. The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has now provided important clarification in Els v Venter and Another (449/2024) [2025] ZASCA 163 (27 October 2025), where it considered whether a residential lease concluded between private parties constitutes a transaction “in the ordinary course of business” for purposes of the CPA.

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Protection under the Consumer Protection Act for residential leases depends on the landlord’s ordinary course of business.

02/10/2026

When borders disappear in insolvency

Cross-border insolvencies have become increasingly prevalent in modern commercial practice. This trend is driven largely by the growing mobility of individuals, who frequently hold assets both within South Africa and abroad. In addition, the rise in international financing through foreign banks, investors, and private equity structures has significantly increased the likelihood of insolvency proceedings spanning multiple legal systems.

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A recent judgment shows that insolvency is increasingly viewed as a single cross-border estate rather than a local process.

30/09/2026

Beyond the will: A lasting legacy through a philanthropic trust

Estate planning is often viewed primarily as a means of ensuring that family members are provided for after one’s death. However, a carefully structured will can accomplish far more than merely distributing assets. For individuals who wish to support charitable causes, establishing a philanthropic trust through a will is an effective way to create a lasting legacy while ensuring their charitable intentions are carried out in a structured, sustainable manner.

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Ensuring your charitable legacy continues to create impact beyond your lifetime.

28/09/2026

The power of restructuring

In an increasingly competitive and dynamic business environment, organisations must continuously adapt to survive and thrive. One of the most powerful strategic tools available is corporate restructuring - the process of modifying a business’s structure, operations, goals, or vision to align with an evolving marketplace.

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Restructuring isn’t just for struggling businesses, it’s a smart strategy to streamline operations, cut costs, and unlock real growth.

Address

200 Hoosen Haffejee Street
Pietermaritzburg
3201

Telephone

+27333453501

Website

http://www.tathamwilkes.co.za/

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