News & Articles
Many benefits for a 51% black owned company
“My start-up business has been growing rapidly and I’m considering bringing a partner on board to invest and help take the business to the next level. I’m keenly aware of the importance of transformation and have identified a potential BEE partner who is prepared to take up a 51% stake in my business. That said, a new partner is a big decision and I just want to make sure there is sufficient strategic benefit in doing so?”
Grandparents have rights too!
“I practically raised my grandchildren for the first few years of their lives and am very close to them. Unfortunately, my son recently passed away and now their mother refuses that I see them. Is there anything I can do?”
Be mindful that even ordinary words can be racist and derogatory
“I’ve recently seen the media reports on the case where a co-worker’s reference to another worker as a “swart man” was found to be racist and derogatory. On a daily basis I am aware of persons referring to others as white females or black persons for example, often in the context of work related matters. Surely this cannot all be seen as racist and derogatory?”
Is it the end of smoking?
“I am both a smoker and business owner that sells cigarettes. I understand that new legislation is being proposed that will affect me as a smoker and my business. Is this true and what should I be preparing for?”
The benefits of investing in venture capital companies
“A business colleague recently chatted to me about an investment he made in what he called a venture capital company and how he was not only investing in local companies but was also receiving substantial tax benefits for doing so. What is a VCC and can you really get tax benefits for investing in such companies?”
The pros and cons of co-ownership
“A friend and I are considering buying a house together as an investment property. I’m quite keen but she is a bit worried about how it will work and if it’s a good idea. Can you give some guidance on what the pros and cons might be of jointly owning the property?”
Does prescription apply to crimes?
“Of late there has been quite a number of media reports locally and internationally of victims of rape or sexual assault coming forward with claims of abuse having occurred many years ago. I know that debts can prescribe, but was wondering if criminal charges can also prescribe?”
Has the bell-tolled for broad-based BEE?
“My business is reliant on a good BEE certificate and I try and keep my ear to the ground about changes that may affect my business. Recently there seems to have been quite an active debate about the proposed new amendments to the BEE Codes. I must say, many of them seem quite positive. So what is all the fuss about?”
VDT History and our presence in the Phatshoane Henney Group
VDT Attorneys Inc. was established in 1932, determined to offer tailor-made and effective solutions to any legal problem in a cost-effective manner. We have over the years formed strong professional relationships with our clients and correspondence practices.
85 Years of Award-Winning Service
By acting on a cutting-edge level of professionalism, VDT Attorneys Inc. strives to deliver exceptional service, consistently. Our clients form the core of our service-delivery principles because without them, we cannot reach our fullest potential in the legal field. It is with the loyalty of our clients, the dedication of our team and the guidance of the directors that we have been awarded several accolades.
When does a parent’s duty to financially support a child end?
“I’m divorced and have been paying maintenance for my ex and my two children for a number of years. My eldest son has now finished school and wants to go to university. My ex is now insisting that I must contribute to his university studies as part of my maintenance obligations. Surely now that he is an adult, my responsibility to maintain will have stopped?”
How to validly extend the period for getting your home loan approved
“I’m trying to buy a house. The purchase agreement is subject to the condition that I obtain a mortgage bond within 30 days. My time is running out but I’m close to getting the financing approved from my bank. I just need a few more days. Is it possible to extend the 30 day period and if so by when must this be done? I really don’t want to lose this house!”
Be careful not to employ convicted sex offenders in jobs near children
“I’m establishing a new day care centre and am recruiting employees to work in the centre. I recently heard of another day care that had big problems when they unwittingly employed a convicted sex offender at the day care. I want to avoid a similiar situation and was wondering what I should do in this regard?”
What is your duty to enquire whether a couple is married in community of property?
“My mother and father were married in community of property. They often joked by saying that they could get out of any contract as long as only one of them signed because the law required that both of them must always sign. As a business owner, through the years I’ve always wondered whether this is correct and how careful a business needs to be when dealing with couples married in community of property?”
What print or font is too small for a contract?
“I recently bought a second-hand car from a local car dealership. Not long afterwards the car started giving me trouble. When I took it back to the dealership, they said it was not their responsibility as the contract I had signed transferred all responsibility to me. They showed me the contract, but most of it was printed so small that I couldn’t even read it let alone understand it. Surely I should at least be able to read a contract to be bound by it?”
Why the decisions of our courts establish our law
“A friend of mine is studying law and he once mentioned that our courts must always look at previous court decisions when considering a matter and in this way our courts also create law. I find that quite strange as I always thought we had existing laws that our courts must only apply. Can our courts really also create law?”
85 Years of Training and Transformation
Since our establishment in 1932, we have been a leading firm grounded on exceeding expectations, being professional and importantly, implementing solutions. Laws regulating BEE and Employment Equity within the realm of corporate culture have been enacted to further the skills set and opportunities of previously disadvantaged individuals. This requirement is not the sole reason why we are a transformative firm.
What It Takes to Bid Farewell to Your Home
Calculate the financial implications of selling your home
Notification of circumstances which may give rise to a claim
Many practitioners may not be aware of the fact that, in terms of the AIIF professional indemnity insurance policy, notice must not only be given to the insurer of an actual claim or demand, but also of circumstances which may give rise to a claim.
The importance of a privacy policy for your business
“I’ve been working with developers to take my business online. They have advised me to make sure I have a proper privacy policy drawn up for my website. Is this really necessary or can I just use a standard one from the internet?”
When to register your BEE transaction with the B-BBEE Commission
“I have a medium-sized construction business. We recently had our BEE partner buy a stake in our business. I’ve heard that you are now required to register your BEE transactions with the new B-BBEE Commission. Is this correct and will I have to register our transaction?”
Black industrialism, youth employment and education funding key in proposed new BEE amendments
“I understand that Government has proposed important amendments to the current BEE Codes of Good Practice that will have a big impact on large businesses in particular. My company qualifies as a generic enterprise, and I was wondering what I need to prepare for should these amendments be adopted.”
How to interpret time periods in a contrac
“I was recently reading my standard cellphone contract and was amazed to notice how many items were linked to days. It wasn’t immediately clear to me if it was calendar days or business days or even when these days start running. Is there a standard rule for how this works?”
POPI and your data security
“I have an advisory business serving private and corporate clients. Our client information is stored on a central server in our offices. I have been advised to review our data security due to the growing risk of being hacked and the requirements of POPI to protect the personal information of my clients. What does POPI require of me in this regard?”
Can I amend my will?
What is a codicil?
When you want to add something to your will or make a minor change, then you can make use of a codicil. A codicil is a schedule or annexure to an existing will, which is made to supplement or to amend an existing will. A codicil must comply with the same requirements for a valid will. A codicil need not be signed by the same witnesses who signed the original will.
It’s About More Than Just Us
Since its establishment in 1932, VDT Attorneys Inc. has developed many relationships in the professional, legal and transformative realms of its surroundings. We have grown to be a firm known for high expertise and advanced work ethic.
Managing disputes over a deceased relative’s estate
The Administration of Estates Act, 1965, determines what must happen with an estate after a person’s death. There are certain steps that should be taken to ensure the process is legal. However, if the estate is worth a lot of money or the deceased has children, then it is a good idea to seek the assistance of an attorney, as family disputes and debts of the deceased can be confusing. In order to do this an executor will be appointed to act on behalf of the estate.
How will the VAT increase affect our recent purchase of property?
“My husband and I found our dream home through an estate agent, and signed the sale of property agreement on 31 March 2018, a mere day before the new VAT rate came into play. The property, however, only registered in our name after 01 April 2018. What VAT rate is applicable?”
What are the consequences of paying an admission of guilt fine?
“My son was recently arrested after being in a bar fight. The police offered him the option of paying an admission of guilt. While he did not accept it, I do wonder if it would not have been the better option. What are the consequences of paying an admission of guilt?”
How to stop the water abuse in your complex
“We are all aware of the water restrictions around the country and that we should all try and save water. Yet in our sectional scheme, there are some of the owners that openly waste water, but receive the same water bill as I do from the body corporate. Surely our body corporate should be dealing more effectively with such wastage?”