Samantha Smith

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Newsflash | SARB hikes the repo rate to 7.25%

This afternoon, the Monetary Policy Committee of the South African Reserve Bank (‘SARB’) concluded its penultimate meeting of 2026. In what some economists termed ‘a close call’ and others a foregone conclusion, SARB has elected to raise the repo rate

Pulse | September 2026

Can a surviving spouse’s maintenance claim override a property inheritance? Recently, the Supreme Court of Appeal considered whether a surviving spouse’s maintenance claim could effectively exhaust a deceased estate, leaving nothing for an heir who had been bequeathed immovable property.

Pulse | Can a surviving spouse’s maintenance claim override a property inheritance?

In De Bruyn v The Master of the High Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal (‘the SCA’) recently upheld the Master’s refusal to prohibit a surviving spouse’s maintenance claim which effectively exhausted the estate available for distribution. Although the deceased

Pulse | Preparing for the unexpected: Why your animal companion belongs in your will

Your will may explain precisely who should inherit your home, investments, and possessions. But does it stipulate who will care for your dog, administer your elderly rabbit’s medication, take your cat to the vet, or provide a safe place for

Newsflash | High Court declares ‘valid BEE certificate’ requirement for FFCs unconstitutional: What does this mean for property practitioners?

In a significant ruling for property practitioners, the North Gauteng Division of the High Court last week declared section 50(a)(x) of the Property Practitioners Act (‘the PPA’) inconsistent with the Constitution and invalid. As the declaration concerns an Act of

All About Property | September 2026

In this edition of All About Property, we explore an important ruling on whether businesses can circumvent the CPA and when marketing language amounts to misrepresentation in property sales. Expert insights: Can businesses legally avoid the Consumer Protection Act? A

All About Property | Flirting with liability: Can marketing a property as ‘stunning’ land you in hot water?

In the context of property transactions, marketing language is, by its nature, principally intended to present a property in an appealing manner. Accordingly, descriptions highlighting a home’s character or features may understandably influence a potential purchaser’s decision. South African courts

All About Property | Can businesses avoid the Consumer Protection Act? The Promenade Centre judgment and the limits of corporate structuring

The Supreme Court of Appeal’s judgment in the seminal case of Dr Darren Levin Inc. v Promenade Centre addresses a recurring question at the intersection of commercial contracting and consumer protection: Can a supplier structure a transaction through a juristic

Pulse | When commercial law and property collide: Is transfer duty payable on the acquisition of shares in a residential property company?

In commercial transactions involving the acquisition of shares in a property-owning company, the tax consequences are not always immediately apparent. Although the underlying immovable property remains registered in the company’s name, the Transfer Duty Act (‘the Act’) treats certain shares

Pulse | Inside the Regulation of Trusts Bill: A new dawn for trust administration in South Africa

Earlier this month, government published the Regulation of Trusts Bill (‘the Bill’) for public comment. Intended to repeal and replace the Trust Property Control Act (‘the Act’), the Bill provides for, inter alia, the creation and administration of trusts, the