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The Revised Equator Principles – encouraging a movement to environmental and socially sustainable financing of projects across the globe
1 July 2020

The Revised Equator Principles – encouraging a movement to environmental and socially sustainable financing of projects across the globe

Although the impacts of climate change have not been devoid of attention or debate, climate change was yet to be presented as one of the top threats to the global economy. This is no longer the case as from January 2020, when climate change and related environmental issues were ranked by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in its annual Global Risks Report (2020 Risks Report) as the most likely risks our world faces today.

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Asylum seekers and special permit holders now eligible to apply for COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant
1 July 2020 Pro Bono & Human Rights

Asylum seekers and special permit holders now eligible to apply for COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant

The national state of disaster and lockdown has taken a significant financial toll on citizens and foreign nationals alike as many have lost their jobs and sources of income. In an effort to cushion the impact on the economy, the government introduced various social relief measures through the newly established Solidarity Fund, and the Department of Social Development’s Disaster Relief Fund. This includes increasing the social grant amount for existing beneficiaries, food parcels and the special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant of R350 (SRD grant), which is only available for a 6-month period from May 2020.

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Crowd funding: Viable alternative finance during COVID-19?
1 July 2020 Corporate & Commercial

Crowd funding: Viable alternative finance during COVID-19?

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit South Africa’s economy in unprecedented ways, with many businesses being forced to think of new and innovative ways of operating and staying afloat. The pandemic has seen a rise in businesses having to strengthen their digital presence and has also seen a rise in many businesses scrambling for creative and alternative ways of raising capital other than from existing shareholders or traditional types of loan financing.

Read more
A discussion of the recent High Court judgment confirming the validity of the tobacco ban under the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 and Regulations
1 July 2020 Dispute Resolution

A discussion of the recent High Court judgment confirming the validity of the tobacco ban under the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 and Regulations

On 26 June 2020, the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria, dismissed an application brought by the Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA) challenging the validity of the regulations promulgated by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (the Minister) pursuant to section 27(2) of the Disaster management Act 57 of 2002, which prohibits the sale of tobacco products as part of the measures introduced to curb the escalation of the COVID-19 virus. This effectively means that the buying and selling of tobacco and related products remain prohibited in South Africa.

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The application of BBBEE prescripts when doing business with government
1 July 2020 Dispute Resolution

The application of BBBEE prescripts when doing business with government

Section 217 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa directs National, Provincial or Local spheres of Government, or any other institution identified in national legislation to contract for goods or services in accordance with a system that is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective.

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The Revised Equator Principles – encouraging a movement to environmental and socially sustainable financing of projects across the globe
1 July 2020

The Revised Equator Principles – encouraging a movement to environmental and socially sustainable financing of projects across the globe

Although the impacts of climate change have not been devoid of attention or debate, climate change was yet to be presented as one of the top threats to the global economy. This is no longer the case as from January 2020, when climate change and related environmental issues were ranked by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in its annual Global Risks Report (2020 Risks Report) as the most likely risks our world faces today.

Read more
Asylum seekers and special permit holders now eligible to apply for COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant
1 July 2020 Pro Bono & Human Rights

Asylum seekers and special permit holders now eligible to apply for COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant

The national state of disaster and lockdown has taken a significant financial toll on citizens and foreign nationals alike as many have lost their jobs and sources of income. In an effort to cushion the impact on the economy, the government introduced various social relief measures through the newly established Solidarity Fund, and the Department of Social Development’s Disaster Relief Fund. This includes increasing the social grant amount for existing beneficiaries, food parcels and the special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant of R350 (SRD grant), which is only available for a 6-month period from May 2020.

Read more
Crowd funding: Viable alternative finance during COVID-19?
1 July 2020 Corporate & Commercial

Crowd funding: Viable alternative finance during COVID-19?

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit South Africa’s economy in unprecedented ways, with many businesses being forced to think of new and innovative ways of operating and staying afloat. The pandemic has seen a rise in businesses having to strengthen their digital presence and has also seen a rise in many businesses scrambling for creative and alternative ways of raising capital other than from existing shareholders or traditional types of loan financing.

Read more
A discussion of the recent High Court judgment confirming the validity of the tobacco ban under the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 and Regulations
1 July 2020 Dispute Resolution

A discussion of the recent High Court judgment confirming the validity of the tobacco ban under the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 and Regulations

On 26 June 2020, the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria, dismissed an application brought by the Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA) challenging the validity of the regulations promulgated by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (the Minister) pursuant to section 27(2) of the Disaster management Act 57 of 2002, which prohibits the sale of tobacco products as part of the measures introduced to curb the escalation of the COVID-19 virus. This effectively means that the buying and selling of tobacco and related products remain prohibited in South Africa.

Read more
The application of BBBEE prescripts when doing business with government
1 July 2020 Dispute Resolution

The application of BBBEE prescripts when doing business with government

Section 217 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa directs National, Provincial or Local spheres of Government, or any other institution identified in national legislation to contract for goods or services in accordance with a system that is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective.

Read more

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Regulating the consequences of force majeure in your contract
20 May 2020 Corporate & Commercial

Regulating the consequences of force majeure in your contract

The emergence of Covid-19 introduced a host of governmental directives that made it impossible for some parties to meet their contractual obligations, often leaving them scrambling for their contracts to see how this has been regulated, if at all.

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The question of adequate protection for essential service healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: The Labour Court analyses a trade union's complaints
14 April 2020 Employment

The question of adequate protection for essential service healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: The Labour Court analyses a trade union's complaints

On 8 April 2020, the Labour Court heard an urgent application launched by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union ("NEHAWU") against the Minister of Health ("the Minister"), the Minister of Employment and Labour, and the Provincial MECs for Health. This application concerned whether adequate provision of personal protective equipment ("PPE") was being made available to healthcare workers on the front line in public hospitals.

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5 legal tips for start-ups
25 October 2018 Corporate & Commercial

5 legal tips for start-ups

Many highly successful start-ups are bedevilled by legal disputes, often between founders or funders, which could have been easily avoided. The story of McDonalds is one example. It was founded by brothers, Richard and Maurice McDonald, who were ultimately allegedly short-changed by Raymond Albert "Ray" Kroc, who joined the business after its establishment but took all the glory (and the money). How? Because they did not put legal agreements in place to regulate their partnership.

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Retrenchments during the national lockdown
21 May 2020 Employment

Retrenchments during the national lockdown

Bheki Nhlapho, Senior Associate in the Employment Practice joined Morning Live on SABC News to discuss retrenchments during the national lockdown. He explains the employees' rights and alternatives available to employers in order to avoid retrenchments.

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Banked leave burdening employers
29 June 2020 Employment

Banked leave burdening employers

Asma Cachalia, Associate in the Employment practice joined Channel Africa to discuss banked leave burdening employers. She explains the importance of changing leave policies and employers encouraging employees to take statutory leave during the lockdown.

Listen to podcast Duration 05:48 Minutes
Social media posts and defamation of character
23 June 2020 Employment

Social media posts and defamation of character

Tamsanqa Mila, Associate in the Employment Practice joined Rise FM to discuss the implications of what one posts and shares on social media and how this could lead to being sued for defamation of character.

Listen to podcast Duration 08:26 Minutes
COVID-19 health and safety regulations for employers
17 June 2020 Employment

COVID-19 health and safety regulations for employers

Gillian Lumb, Director in the Employment Practice joined Pippa Hudson on Cape Talk to discuss the COVID-19 health and safety regulations for employers. She clarifies the guidelines that are set out by government in relation to health and safety in the workplace.

Listen to podcast Duration 18:28 Minutes