Themis Law Chambers

Themis Law Chambers Themis Law Chambers is the office premises of Hayes Inc and Themis Commercial Legal Advisors (Pty) L Visit our website for more information.

Themis Law Chambers: the offices of Themis Commercial Legal Advisors (Pty) Ltd and Hayes Incorporated (litigation).

The verdict is in: Fridays are better in green.The Themis team got into the Bok Friday spirit, complete with Springbok t...
28/08/2026

The verdict is in: Fridays are better in green.

The Themis team got into the Bok Friday spirit, complete with Springbok treats, plenty of green and what appears to be some last-minute line-out practice.

No objections from us. Go Bokke!

"Justice is not to be taken by storm. She is to be wooed by slow advances." -Benjamin N. Cardozo, Associate Justice of t...
28/08/2026

"Justice is not to be taken by storm. She is to be wooed by slow advances." -Benjamin N. Cardozo, Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court, on the nature of the judicial process.

Urgent Relief is not Automatic: Here is what what a Court needs to grant an urgent interim interdictNot every emergency ...
26/08/2026

Urgent Relief is not Automatic: Here is what what a Court needs to grant an urgent interim interdict
Not every emergency is treated as one by a court.

To obtain an urgent interdict in South Africa, you have to prove four things: that you have a right worth protecting, that waiting will cause harm that cannot be undone, that the court should act rather than hold off, and that there is no other adequate remedy available to you.

That is a higher bar than most people expect. And urgent applications move fast, there is rarely time to fix a poorly prepared case once you are in front of a judge.

Our litigation team works minutes from the Western Cape High Court. When something cannot wait, we are ready to move, but the most important thing we bring is not our location. It is a properly prepared, compelling application from the outset.

Facing a situation that cannot wait? Call us on 021 461 0123 or email [email protected]

An Arbitration Award Is Not Always the End of the MatterAn arbitration award is not automatically enforceable as a court...
24/08/2026

An Arbitration Award Is Not Always the End of the Matter

An arbitration award is not automatically enforceable as a court judgment. If the unsuccessful party does not comply with the award, the successful party will generally need to apply to court to have the award made an order of court before it can be enforced.

While arbitration awards are generally final and binding, they may be challenged in limited circumstances, including where the arbitrator exceeded their powers or a material irregularity occurred during the proceedings.

A carefully drafted arbitration clause is therefore essential. It provides certainty regarding the process, reduces the risk of procedural disputes, and helps ensure an efficient resolution of disagreements.

Our dispute resolution team has extensive experience in arbitration matters and can assist with advising on arbitration agreements, conducting arbitration proceedings and enforcing arbitration awards.

Contact us on 021 461 0123 or at [email protected].

Suretyship As Director: Read the Fine Print Before You SignAre you the director of a company and required to stand suret...
20/08/2026

Suretyship As Director: Read the Fine Print Before You Sign

Are you the director of a company and required to stand surety for your company's obligations to a bank or supplier?

The real risk is in the fine print: signing as 'surety and co-principal debtor' waives your right to have the bank or supplier pursue the company for payment first, which can leave your personal assets exposed for a company debt with far fewer protections than the wording suggests.

Before signing a suretyship for a company facility, lease or supplier account, make sure you know exactly what's been waived and whether the terms can be negotiated.

Contact us at 021 461 0123 or [email protected] for assistance.

Getting Married? The Antenuptial Contract Happens Before, Not AfterIn South African law, a marriage without an antenupti...
17/08/2026

Getting Married? The Antenuptial Contract Happens Before, Not After

In South African law, a marriage without an antenuptial contract will be a marriage in community of property by default, which means that the parties will have a joint estate, joint debts, and a single estate on death or divorce.

An antenuptial contract lets a couple choose a different marital property regime, but must be executed before a notary before the marriage is entered into to be valid.

The contract also needs to be registered at the relevant deeds office within 3 months after signature - if not, the contract will be invalid and unenforceable.

Contact us at 021 461 0123 or [email protected] to inquire about your antenuptial contract today.

Are Electronic Signatures Legally Binding in South Africa?Yes, but not always.The Electronic Communications and Transact...
12/08/2026

Are Electronic Signatures Legally Binding in South Africa?

Yes, but not always.

The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA) recognises electronic signatures for many agreements. However, certain documents, such as wills and agreements for the sale of immovable property, still require handwritten signatures.

In some cases, an Advanced Electronic Signature (as defined in ECTA) may also be required to meet legal requirements.

Before signing electronically, make sure you know which type of signature is legally required.

Contact us at 021 461 0123 or [email protected] for assistance.

On 9 August 1956, around 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the extension of the pass la...
09/08/2026

On 9 August 1956, around 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the extension of the pass laws to women.

They stood in silence for thirty minutes outside the Prime Minister's office, having delivered petitions carrying more than 100,000 signatures. Their protest song gave South Africa one of its most enduring phrases - wathint'abafazi, wathint'imbokodo (you strike a woman, you strike a rock).

National Women's Day sits inside a legal system that owes a debt to that march. For the legal profession specifically, it's a reminder that access to the law, and a career within it, hasn't always been available equally to everyone, and it's an encouragement to keep pursuing equality.

No More Remote Working for Candidate AttorneysThe South African Legal Practice Council (LPC) has issued a directive, eff...
06/08/2026

No More Remote Working for Candidate Attorneys

The South African Legal Practice Council (LPC) has issued a directive, effective 3 August 2026, reaffirming the strict application of Rule 22.1.3.1 of the South African Legal Practice Council Rules in relation to the supervision of candidate legal practitioners. The directive formally withdraws the LPC's 2022 remote working notice and confirms that candidate legal practitioners must complete their practical vocational training in the office of their principal and under direct, in-person supervision. Routine remote working arrangements and supervision conducted primarily through virtual means will, from the effective date, be in contravention of the Rule.

The LPC has also indicated that compliance with the Rule will be assessed strictly in future admission applications, and that non-compliance may result in disciplinary action or affect the recognition of a candidate's practical vocational training.

Law firms, principals and candidate legal practitioners are encouraged to review their current working and supervision arrangements to ensure that they align with the updated directive.

Read the directive here: https://lpc.org.za/directive-rule-22-1-3-1-of-the-rules-31-july-2026/.

A licence refused. A tender outcome that doesn't add up. A planning application declined without much explanation. What ...
05/08/2026

A licence refused. A tender outcome that doesn't add up. A planning application declined without much explanation. What are your next steps?

The reviewing of administrative decisions is dealt with in terms of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, which gives effect to the constitutional right to administrative action that is lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair. The Act specifies that an application to review an administrative decision must be brought without unreasonable delay, and must be brought strictly within 180 days of becoming aware of the decision.

If a decision affecting your business doesn't sit right, requesting written reasons and applying for a judicial review of the decision as soon as possible is incredibly important.

Contact us at 021 461 0123 or [email protected] for advice.

Address

Unit 1, Roeland Square, Corner Of Roeland Street And Drury Lane
Cape Town
8001

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

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