Our team is involved in several matters concerning the National Prosecuting Authority

The importance of Pride in Practice and exploring the legal landscape of LGBTQIA+ rights in South Africa

Deere faces a lawsuit regarding claims over repair restrictions

In a US federal antitrust lawsuit brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and five states against Deere & Co (Deere) in respect of right to repair for John Deere equipment, it was ruled that the agricultural equipment giant must face an anti-trust claim. The ruling, delivered on 9 June 2025, marks a crucial step forward in the ongoing legal battle over right-to-repair practices in the agricultural sector and represents one of the most significant enforcement actions targeting repair monopolisation in the industry.

The challenge threshold for English-seated arbitral awards remains challenging

The English High Court recently handed down a judgment in K1 and Others v B EWHC 2539 (Comm), dismissing an application to bring a challenge to an arbitral award under section 68(2)(g) of the Arbitration Act. Section 68 allows a party to challenge an award for a serious irregularity affecting the tribunal, the proceedings, or the award. Such irregularity must have caused, or will cause, substantial injustice. Section 68(2)(g) specifically refers to a serious irregularity where the award has been obtained by fraud, or where the award or the way in which it was procured is contrary to public policy.

Unlocking value in commercial transactions while avoiding the pitfalls

Tax structuring isn’t an afterthought or an exercise to be delegated to accountants once the commercial deal is done – it’s a strategic imperative that can make or break the deal. Whether you are acquiring a company or restructuring a corporate group for operational efficiency, evaluating transactions through a tax lens alongside commercial considerations can ensure additional efficiencies. When executed properly with genuine commercial substance and where obtaining tax benefits is not the sole or main purpose, sophisticated tax planning can preserve substantial working capital that would otherwise be consumed by immediate tax liabilities, enable more competitive acquisition pricing, facilitate multi-step transactions that achieve optimal outcomes, and provide crucial flexibility in structuring that commercial considerations alone cannot deliver.

New developments regarding the Immigration Amendment Bill

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has introduced the Immigration Amendment Bill, 2024 (Bill), to address constitutional deficiencies identified by the Constitutional Court in sections 34(1)(b) and (d) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002. The Bill is currently at the public participation phase, with Parliament considering comments and submissions made by interested parties. For a more detailed analysis of the Bill’s background and the relevant Constitutional Court judgments that led to the Bill being introduced, see our previous alert on the issue.

Out with the old, in with the new: transitioning from JIBAR to ZARONIA

The Johannesburg Interbank Average Rate (JIBAR) will be replaced by a new benchmark rate, the South African Rand Overnight Index Average (ZARONIA). While no formal announcement has been made to the discontinuation of JIBAR, the proposed transition timeline indicates such announcement for the cessation of JIBAR will be made this year, and its complete discontinuation by the end of2026.