TWO MINUTES TO A SWIMMING POOL TRAGEDY AND A R62M DAMAGES CLAIM
“There’s no tragedy in life like the death of a child” (Dwight D. Eisenhower) A recent High Court decision highlights once again both the personal tragedy and the legal consequences of failing to protect children from the dangers of swimming pools and other hazards. The facts The property in question had both a swimming pool […]
SELLING PROPERTY? CHECK FOR VAT BEFORE YOU SIGN
“There’s many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip” (very old and very wise proverb) You sell your property for a good price and, with the deal in the bag, you start daydreaming about how to spend the proceeds. Then – disaster of disasters – you realise that in the excitement of the sale […]
DIVORCE MAINTENANCE: CAN YOU CONTRACT OUT OF IT?
“The concept of chivalry is beyond his comprehension and lies dead and buried in his mind, if it ever existed” (Part of the Court’s scathing assessment of the husband in the judgment below) Generally, our laws hold us to the agreements we make with each other, but there are limits. A recent High Court judgment, […]
LOST VIEWS AND RISING DAMP: LESSONS FOR HOME BUYERS
“Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.” (Eleanor Roosevelt) Here’s the story of yet another bitter dispute between neighbours over the loss of a treasured view. The setting this time is a group housing development which was specifically designed to give each and every house views […]