This blog is co-authored by Luka Botes, candidate attorney.
In March 2026, the High Court found that a claimant who sues for personal-injury damages may be compelled to provide consent for the defendant to access relevant medical records where such records are central to the claim and necessary for the defendant to prepare its defence.…
In February 2026, the High Court found the defendants, a tertiary college, and its lecturers, 100% liable for any proven damages suffered by the claimants following the death of a student who sustained fatal burn injuries during a practical class at the college’s campus.
The deceased was enrolled as a mechanical engineering student at the…
This blog is co-authored by Aneesa Laher, a candidate attorney.
The conflict in the Middle East has caused multiple disruptions across the shipping and aviation sectors. A disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil trade, triggered a roughly 70% spike in Jet A1 prices at South African coastal airports within…
This blog is co-authored by Sanjana Kapoor, a candidate attorney.
A March 2026 High Court decision highlights that procedural irregularities in arbitration proceedings can affect the material and financial nature of the award. The court held that the arbitrator acted unfairly by not opening a sealed settlement offer before making the award and by not…
In February 2026, the High Court dismissed a R500 000 general damages claim arising from the swapping of two deceased infants at a public hospital’s mortuary. The court held that the claimant mother did not prove damages for psychiatric injury.
The claimant gave birth to a stillborn baby at the hospital in September 2020. After…
In February 2026, the High Court examined the practical and legal implications arising from delays in giving effect to a settlement order requiring the provision of medical services to a child with cerebral palsy. The decision serves as a reminder of the critical importance of ensuring prompt compliance with court orders, and the consequences that…
In March 2026, the High Court found the provincial health department 100% liable for damages after healthcare professionals at a public hospital repeatedly failed to recognise and treat complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) following a finger injury.
The finding was reinforced by a notable concession from the department’s own orthopaedic expert. In the joint minutes…
In September 2025, the Dubai International Financial Centre Court held that a reinsurer was obliged to indemnify an insurer for defence costs incurred in legal proceedings brought by an insured concerning a marine war risks policy. The court confirmed that, under Middle East reinsurance market practice, reinsurers must reimburse the insurer for such costs unless…
South Africans affected by flight suspensions and airport closures linked to the Middle East conflict should check whether their travel insurance will reimburse cancellation, delay or “stranded overseas” costs, because many policies exclude losses arising from war or armed conflict.
Travel insurance is designed to cover individual mishaps such as cancellation or interruption of travel,…
In January 2026 the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed a joint homeowners’ appeal and held that a standard exclusion of increased costs due to operation of any law remained fully operative despite a “Guaranteed Rebuilding Cost Coverage” (GRC) endorsement to the policy. The court found the policy wording unambiguous and determined that the GCR endorsement,…
