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Mediation now an option in Magistrate Court matters

26 July 2023

Mediation has for a number of years been a viable option for litigants in the High Court to attempt to... speedily resolve their dispute. The mediation option, as an alternative form of dispute resolution, has now also been incorporated into the Rules Regulating the Conduct of Proceedings of Magistrate’s Courts (“Magistrate’s Court Rules”) under Rules 70 – 79. This amendment, which came into operation on 9 June 2023, deals with how civil matters are dealt with in the Magistrate’s Courts and specifically includes mediation as an option for parties involved in litigation.

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Settle your dispute with a settlement agreement

28 March 2023

In dispute resolution matters, the settlement agreement has become an important tool to cut short protracted conflict and litigation and... for parties to agree to a full and final settlement of their dispute. In this article, we explore in a bit more detail how and when a settlement agreement should be used to settle a dispute.

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Article

The importance of mediation, adjudication and arbitration in construction disputes

20 October 2022

Parties to construction projects easily get nervous when they see provisions in the agreement that demand that disputes be referred... to mediation and/or arbitration. Why have these provisions, and do they water down the enforcement of their rights? In this article, we unpack why clauses such as these have become the norm in the construction industry and should be welcomed.

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Can you force a party to mediate a dispute?

14 July 2021

I have a growing dispute developing with a service provider and it looks like it may head to court. However,... with delays and costs of litigation, I was wondering whether the option of mediation is not a better alternative. But can I force the other party to use mediation rather than going to court?

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Can adopted children benefit from a family trust?

14 June 2021

Sometime before his death, my father established a family trust which contained properties that were rented out to generate income... for my mother. In accordance with the trust deed however, once my mother dies, the income from the properties would go to the children of my mother and father. I have an adopted brother and 2 biological sisters. There is now a debate as to whether my adopted brother also qualifies to benefit from the family trust. What is the legal position?

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Is a power of attorney an abdication, or temporary delegation of your authority to act?

06 January 2021

I recently had to sign a power of attorney authorising my attorney to act on my behalf in my property... transfer. It just got me wondering about what exactly a power of attorney means and for how long it remains valid. Can you enlighten me?

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