“O, I do not like that paying back.” (Falstaff, in Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part I) A standard clause in loan agreements, suretyships and the like is the “certificate of balance” or “COB” clause....

Employers: How to Avoid Paying Severance Pay on Retrenchment “Only in our dreams are we free; the rest of the time we need wages.” (Terry Pratchett) Retrenching employees can be an expensive...

Braai Chain Hauled Over the Coals for Hidden Service Charges and Fined R1m “The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing… If you can fake that, you’ve got it made.” (Groucho Marx) We’ve all had...

Do You Need a Second Will for Your Overseas Assets? “Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” (Pablo Picasso) If you own assets outside South Africa, you may have...

A Complex Issue: Beware Late Building Penalties “Home wasn't built in a day.” (Jane Ace, radio comedian) You find the perfect plot on which to build your dream home in a security estate. Your offer...