April 2020 – Minde Schapiro & Smith

Leases, Contracts and COVID-19: What is Force Majeure?

The COVID-19 crisis has changed everything. Our personal lives have been upended and our businesses hit hard. And with many businesses operating out of leased premises, a great many landlords and tenants are asking themselves what happens if the crisis leaves a tenant unable to pay the agreed rental. What follows is of necessity a general guide only – professional advice specific to your case is essential here. Tenants – your risk As always “With Great Change comes Great Opportunity”, but if you aren’t

In Times of Great Change, Make Sure Your Will is Updated!

“Death always comes without knocking” (Margaret Atwood) Particularly in these times of pandemic, deadly infections and uncertainty, no one can ever say with any confidence that we will still be alive tomorrow, or next month, or next year. Now more than ever having a valid and updated will in place is no luxury to be attended to “when I have the time” or “when I am older”. The risk is that without a proper will (your “Final Will and Testament”) you die “intestate”,

Divorce in a Time of Lockdown – What Grounds Can You Rely On?

Note: If, as we hope, you personally have no need for an article on divorce, please think of passing this on to anyone you know who may find it relevant and useful. The National Lockdown has thrown together many couples not used to spending “24/7” time in each other’s company. Relationships will have strengthened for many couples, but others will be struggling. The fears, anxieties and money worries now looming over us all certainly won’t haven’t helped. If your marriage is one

Property Sellers – Prepare for SPLUMA

Many factors can delay your property transfer, and all of them are likely to cost you. A last-minute rush to comply with statutory requirements is one such pitfall to avoid. Beware therefore of the possibility that you will soon need (in some parts of the country you may already need), to lodge before transfer a formal “SPLUMA” (Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act) certificate of compliance. SPLUMA, without getting too technical, provides a framework for all provinces and municipalities to

Your Website of the Month: Lockdown Advice for Entrepreneurs

“The scale of the national COVID-19 lockdown is unprecedented in living memory. The repercussions – personal, professional, national and international – will reverberate for years to come. As entrepreneurs, we need to be making the right decisions for right now to ensure that our businesses and our people’s livelihoods do not become another casualty of the virus.” At date of writing it is still unclear to what extent the Lockdown will be relaxed in each Province, but regardless of timelines the

Monthly Archives: April 2020

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