Chris Fick & Associates

Why you should sign a power of attorney before you emigrate or travel

If you are emigrating, or perhaps just going overseas for an extended holiday or work contract, you may well leave behind some form of “unfinished business”. Perhaps you own a property, other assets or bank accounts needing attention, or have outstanding tax/business/financial affairs, or contracts to be signed, cars to be licenced, or something else […]

Life partners: Beware the “Common law marriage” myth!

“The general rule of our law is that cohabitation does not give rise to special legal consequences, no matter how long the relationship has endured” (From a 2010 High Court judgment and still applicable) One of the more pervasive myths in South Africa is that, if you live together for long enough as “life partners”, […]

Facebook defamation – The truth is not enough!

You are engaged in a bitter dispute – perhaps it’s a fight over money, a family feud or a messy divorce, a disaffected employee or a vengeful neighbour. You decide to resort to Social Media “to tell the truth” about your nemesis. You feel totally safe doing so – after all, our Constitution protects our […]

FACEBOOK REVENGE: THE DEFAMATION DANGER

“Good name in man and woman… is the immediate jewel of their souls. Who steals my purse steals trash… but he that filches from me my good name robs me of that which not enriches him, and makes me poor indeed” (Shakespeare) Our laws of defamation are there to help you protect your good name […]

OUR FEBRUARY QUIZ 2017

Who is credited with having said these words? “I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” A. Donald Trump B. Malcolm X C. Dalai […]

CITY’S WMD PROJECT TO SOLVE VARIOUS DOMESTIC WATER-RELATED PROBLEMS

The City of Cape Town has been reaching out to indigent households with high water arrears. Properties valued at R300 000 or less qualify automatically, as do owners with a combined monthly household income of R3500 or less. The owner must be the registered owner of only one property used for residential purposes. This project offers […]

ONS OPLEIDINGSPROGRAM

Ons 4 tot 8 weke opleidingsprogram het in Augustus 2015 begin en is daarop gerig om die werksondervinding en vaardighede van werklose jongmense wat afkomstig is uit die Kaapse “townships” in ’n formele werksomgewing te verbeter. Ons kandidate word gekies vanuit die woongebiede rondom Kaapstad, hoofsaaklik deur Mev Suzette Ndovie, ‘n onafhanklike persoon wat self […]

OM BORG TE STAAN: DIE ANGEL

“Sy wou net nie aanspreeklik wees as hy nie sy finansiële verpligtinge nakom nie. Dit bly ongelukkig ‘n algemene verwyt van diegene wat borg staan vir ‘n skuldenaar wat versuim om sy finansiële verpligtinge na te kom.” (Uit die uitspraak hieronder, vry vertaal) In die begin … is jy heeltemal rustig. Die bank wil nie […]

OUR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Our 4 to 8 week internship program has been running since August 2015 and is aimed at improving the experience and skill sets of young unemployed individuals of all backgrounds. We encourage these young individuals to gain administrative experience, develop office related skills in a formal work environment and adopt a positive outlook. Our interns […]

SIGNING SURETY: THE STING’S IN THE TAIL

“She just did not want to be liable if he defaulted, a common regret felt by those who stand surety for defaulting debtors” (extract from judgment below) In the beginning … You are totally relaxed. The bank won’t give your son / daughter / spouse / partner / company / friend a loan unless you sign […]