Our Practice Areas:
Commercial Law
Commercial law encompasses a wide range of both private and public legal matters relating to commercial dealings between individuals, companies, close corporations, partnerships, joint ventures and other businesses and/or Government entities. The branches of commercial law are important for amongst others, financing and financial markets, trade and industry. Private commercial law is contractual and/or delictual in nature and for example relates to financing, insurance and related matters between parties. Public commercial law is, for example, dealings of a commerce between businesses and the public/consumer and extends to legal matters between the state and businesses/Individuals. Other examples of commercial law include, company law, the law of insolvency, labour law and consumer protection
Litigation
Litigation comprises of civil procedure and criminal procedure. Civil procedure governs the legal proceedings between individuals or juristic persons who wish to enforce their rights against each other. These types of matters are known as civil cases. Civil procedure is applied in all litigation matters, irrespective of which part of the law one intends to litigate in. For example, civil procedure will be used if a dispute relating to family law, contracts, insurance claims, leases, delicts (a claim for damages) etc. is litigated.
Criminal procedure governs the procure applied when the state prosecutes an individual who allegedly committed a criminal offence.
Commercial litigation has become so prominent that some courts now even deal with litigation regarding commercial disputes separate from the normal civil litigation.
Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Alternative Dispute Resolution is an alternative to general litigation whereby parties attempt to resolve any dispute amicably so as to prevent lengthy court and/or other litigation proceedings. There are different forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms which include negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and conciliation. Some advantages of ADR mechanisms are cost-effectiveness, time efficiency, confidentiality, flexibility and preservation of relationships. The South African legal field has recognized the importance of ADR as it lessens the burdens on courts and promotes access to justice.
Family Law
Family law is a division of the legal field which regulates the legal issues that arise within family and/or other non-business types of relationships, and personal matters involving individuals. Examples of family law legal issues include divorce, separation, child rights, spousal maintenance, appointment of curators, domestic violence and protections orders etc. Matters involving children (primary residence (custody), contact rights (visitations), maintenance, adoption, guardianship and paternity also fall under this branch of the law.
Notarial Services
Did you know that if you get married without having entered into an agreement regarding the patrimonial consequences of the marriage before the moment you say: “I do!” then you are married in community of property. There are various marital regimes governed by the marital laws within South Africa, each with their own benefits and consequences. Each marital regime caters for specific needs and circumstances, and no one size fits all approach should ever be adopted. Effective notarial services from the get-go assists greatly with attainment of estate and fiduciary laws and goals.
It is best to discuss the patrimonial consequences of a marriage before the wedding day. Make sure to contact us at VRA Attorneys for one of our experts to guide you in the right direction.
Other services in this branch of the law include the authentication of official documents to be used outside of the Republic of South Africa, the drafting and registration of various documents relating to limited real rights in relation to immovable property and various other deed office transactions.
