All Legal Matters

Welcome To GS Dlanjwa Attorneys

We boast 20 years of experience.

Our lawyers have experience in a broad range of legal fields and take a holistic approach to complex issues, from high-profile transactions to regulatory issues and litigation.

Contact our office via email or telephone call and arrange a consultation.

We usually request our clients to also provide us with a summary of the dispute or legal problem they are experiencing.

Civil Litigation:

1. Disputes between individuals, organizations, or government entities.
2. Cases involving contracts, property, employment, family law, and personal injury.
3. High Court: Handles complex, high-stakes civil cases (e.g., class actions, multi-party disputes).
4. Lower Court: Resolves smaller-scale civil disputes (e.g., small claims, magistrate's court).

Criminal Litigation:

1. Prosecution of individuals or organizations for crimes.
2. Cases involving theft, assault, fraud, homicide, and other offenses.
3. High Court: Tries serious crimes (e.g., murder, treason, racketeering).
4. Lower Court: Handles lesser offenses (e.g., misdemeanors, traffic violations).

Litigation Process:

1. Pleading (filing complaint or charge)
2. Discovery (exchange of evidence)
3. Pre-trial motions
4. Trial
5. Judgment or verdict
6. Appeal (if necessary)

Labour Law

Key Areas:

1. Employment Contracts: Terms, conditions, and termination.
2. Working Hours and Leave: Hours of work, overtime, annual leave, sick leave, and holidays.
3. Wages and Benefits: Minimum wage, bonuses, pensions, and health insurance.
4. Health and Safety: Workplace safety, hazardous materials, and employee protection.
5. Discrimination and Harassment: Protection against unfair treatment, bullying, and harassment.
6. Trade Unions and Collective Bargaining: Union formation, recognition, and negotiation.
7. Dispute Resolution: Mediation, arbitration, and litigation.

Labour Law Regulations:

1. Minimum Wage Act
2. Occupational Health and Safety Act
3. Employment Equity Act
4. Labour Relations Act
5. Basic Conditions of Employment Act
6. Unemployment Insurance Act
7. Workers' Compensation Act

Employee Rights:

1. Right to fair labor practices
2. Right to equal pay for equal work
3. Right to safe working conditions
4. Right to join a trade union
5. Right to strike (subject to conditions)
6. Right to dispute resolution

Employer Obligations:

1. Provide safe working conditions
2. Pay fair wages and benefits
3. Prevent discrimination and harassment
4. Recognize and negotiate with trade unions
5. Comply with labor regulations
6. Provide training and development opportunities

Labour Law Cases:

1. Wrongful dismissal
2. Unfair labor practices
3. Discrimination and harassment claims
4. Workers' compensation disputes
5. Collective bargaining disputes

Divorce and Family Law

Divorce:

1. Grounds: Irreconcilable differences, adultery, abandonment, cruelty, etc.
2. Types: Contested, uncontested, no-fault, collaborative.
3. Process: Petition, response, mediation, trial.
4. Issues: Property division, spousal support, child custody.

Family Law:

1. Marriage: Annulment, prenuptial agreements.
2. Child Custody: Joint, sole, shared, visitation rights.
3. Child Support: Calculation, enforcement, modification.
4. Spousal Support: Alimony, maintenance.
5. Property Division: Equitable distribution, community property.
6. Adoption: Domestic, international, step-parent.
7. Paternity: Establishment, disputes.

Child-Related Issues:

1. Child Protection: Abuse, neglect, foster care.
2. Juvenile Law: Delinquency, status offenses.
3. Education Law: Special needs, school disputes.

Family Law Documents:

1. Divorce petition
2. Separation agreement
3. Parenting plan
4. Child support order
5. Prenuptial agreement

Family Law Professionals:

1. Family law attorneys
2. Mediators
3. Arbitrators
4. Therapists (counselors)
5. Court-appointed specialists (GALs)

Estate Matters

Estate matters encompass various legal and financial issues related to managing and distributing an individual's property, assets, and wealth after their passing or incapacitation. 

Estate Planning:

1. Wills: Last Will and Testament, Living Will.
2. Trusts: Revocable, Irrevocable, Charitable.
3. Power of Attorney (POA): Financial, Healthcare.
4. Advance Directives: Healthcare Proxy, Living Will.
5. Beneficiary Designations: Life insurance, retirement accounts.

Estate Administration:

1. Probate: Court-supervised process for validating wills.
2. Estate Settlement: Distributing assets, paying debts.
3. Executor/Personal Representative: Managing estate.
4. Inventory and Appraisal: Valuing estate assets.
5. Taxation: Estate taxes, inheritance taxes.

Trust Administration:

1. Trustee Responsibilities: Managing trust assets.
2. Trust Distribution: Disbursing assets to beneficiaries.
3. Trust Termination: Ending trust operations.

Estate Disputes:

1. Will Contests: Challenging validity of will.
2. Trust Disputes: Conflicts among beneficiaries/trustees.
3. Inheritance Disputes: Contesting distribution of assets.
4. Elder Law: Protecting seniors from exploitation.

Local government and constitutional matters

Local government and constitutional matters involve the intersection of law, politics, and governance at the local level. Here's an overview:

Local Government:

1. Municipalities: Cities, towns, villages.
2. Counties: Administrative divisions.
3. Special Districts: Water, sewer, fire, etc.
4. Local Ordinances: Laws governing local matters.
5. Zoning and Land Use: Regulating property development.

Constitutional Matters:

1. Federalism: Division of power between national and local governments.
2. Separation of Powers: Legislative, Executive, Judicial branches.
3. Individual Rights: Free speech, due process, equal protection.
4. State and Local Constitutional Law: Interpreting state and local charters.

Key Local Government Functions:

1. Public Safety: Police, fire, emergency services.
2. Infrastructure: Roads, transportation, utilities.
3. Education: Schools, libraries.
4. Health and Human Services: Social services, public health.
5. Economic Development: Business incentives, zoning.

Road Accident Fund Claims

1. Provide financial support to accident victims.
2. Promote road safety awareness.
3. Compensate for medical expenses, lost income, and other related costs.

Eligibility:

1. South African citizens or permanent residents.
2. Foreigners involved in accidents on South African roads.
3. Dependents of deceased accident victims.

Types of Claims:

1. Medical expenses.
2. Loss of income or support.
3. Funeral expenses.
4. General damages (pain, suffering, disfigurement).

Personal injury claims

Personal injury claims arise when individuals suffer physical or psychological harm due to another party's negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions. Here's an overview:

Types of Personal Injury Claims:

1. Slip and Fall
2. Motor Vehicle Accidents
3. Medical Malpractice
4. Product Liability
5. Workplace Accidents
6. Assault and Battery
7. Premises Liability
8. Wrongful Death

Boards

Boards are governing or oversight bodies responsible for making strategic decisions, setting policies, and overseeing operations in various organizations, industries, or sectors. Here's an overview:

Types of Boards:

1. Corporate Boards (Company Boards)
2. Non-Profit Boards
3. Government Boards (Public Boards)
4. Regulatory Boards
5. Professional Boards (e.g., Medical, Legal)
6. Educational Boards (School, University)
7. Community Boards

Board Responsibilities:

1. Strategy and Planning
2. Policy-Making
3. Oversight and Monitoring
4. Financial Governance
5. Risk Management
6. CEO/Executive Director Evaluation
7. Stakeholder Engagement

Forensic investigation

Forensic investigation involves the application of scientific principles and methods to investigate crimes, gather evidence, and reconstruct events. Here's an overview:

Types of Forensic Investigations:

1. Criminal Investigations (homicide, theft, assault)
2. Cybercrime Investigations (digital forensics)
3. Financial Investigations (fraud, embezzlement)
4. Accident Investigations (aviation, automotive)
5. Environmental Investigations (pollution, contamination)

Forensic Science Disciplines:

1. DNA Analysis
2. Fingerprint Analysis
3. Ballistics and Firearms Analysis
4. Toxicology and Substance Abuse Analysis
5. Digital Forensics (computer, mobile device analysis)
6. Forensic Pathology (autopsy, medical examination)
7. Forensic Psychology (behavioral analysis)