Legal Updates: 18-22 May 2026

This update includes a brief selection of highlights from our paid subscription-based comprehensive newsletters and the latest blog posts. View free sample copies of our newsletters at https://www.lexinfo.co.za/newsletters or contact us at alert@lexinfo.co.za for more information or a quotation.

This week, gain insights into how to optimise the running of your law firm. Other resources include new legislation, commentary on topical matters and recent rulings.

The next edition will be published on Friday, 29 May 2026.

LAW PRACTICE MANAGEMENT ALERT: APRIL 2026

Some highlights from the latest edition of our monthly newsletter focusing on the challenges encountered in the daily operations of a law practice. This newsletter covers topics such as artificial intelligence, leadership, technology, marketing, well-being, human resources, financial management and more.

Internet Articles

• Cilliers, Sonja and Swarts, Maryke. Your brain has a bandwidth limit. – 2026 Apr 16 PMRI

• Cranston, Jim. Law firm leadership: Maxwell’s 21 indispensable qualities of a leader. – 2026 Apr 27 LawVision

• Everett, Stephanie. You know how to manage your own work. Nobody taught you how to manage your team’s. – 2026 Apr 29 Lawyerist

• Harrington, Jay. Attorney productivity tips: 5 Tips that helped me get my head back above water. – 2026 Apr 29 Attorney at Work

• Heshmaty, Alex. How to best market your law firm in 2026. – 2026 Apr Legal Management 

• Schorr, Ben. Build your own Copilot legal assistant — No tech skills required. – 2026 Apr 10 Attorney at Work

Journal Article

• Breydo, Lev E. Rewired: Reconceptualizing legal services for the AI age. – 2026 Mar 23(2) North Western Journal of Technology and Intellectual Property p333

Law Firm Article

• Luyt, David. Workplace AI governance controls – A policy that actually works. – 2026 Apr 8 Michalsons

New Publications

• Jargiello, David. Professional Responsibility for Lawyers. – Edward Elgar Publishing, 2026. Purchase information available here.

• Williams, Allison C. Crushing Chaos: The Law Firm Owner's Guide to More Money, More Free Time and Less Stress. – Allison Speaks, LLC, 2026. Purchase information available here.

ATTORNEY ALERT: 18 MAY 2026

A brief overview of highlights from our premium newsletter, covering all aspects of the law:

Constitutional Court case

• Director-General: Department of Home Affairs and Others v Irankunda and Another (CCT 214/24) [2026] ZACC 18 (12 May 2026)

Journal articles

• Bakker, Pieter. Validity of a customary marriage under section 3(1)(b) of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998: JAM v JJZ (46712/2014) [2025] ZAGPPHC 10 (10 January 2025). – 2026 89(1) Tydskrif vir Hedendaagse Romeins-Hollandse Reg p87

• Prinsen, Larisse and Spamers, Marozane. Clarifying ‘maturity’: Determining children’s capacity for medical consent in South Africa. – 2026 Feb 17 Medical Law International 

• Ramsden, Gerald Andrew. Legal liability in South African white-collar boxing. – 2026 89(1) Tydskrif vir Hedendaagse Romeins-Hollandse Reg p40

          + 20 more journal articles

New legislation

• Immigration Amendment Act 11 of 2025 – GN7481 GG 54680 p1 14May2026

• South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Amendment Act 6 of 2026 – GN7482 GG 54681 p1 14May2026

Supreme Court of Appeal cases

• Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service v Poulter (1110/2024) [2026] ZASCA 68 (12 May 2026)

• Dr Darren Levin Inc and Another v Promenade Centre (Pty) Ltd (1149/2024) [2026] ZASCA 70 (13 May 2026)

• JB v S (1491/2024) [2026] ZASCA 71 (13 May 2026) 

  + 2 more cases were included

EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR LAW ALERT: 18 MAY 2026

The latest edition contains the following highlights:

High Court case

• Dispro Tech SA (Pty) Ltd v Soot Science (Pty) Ltd (5063/2025) [2026] ZANWHC 99 (8 April 2026)

Journal article

• Maluleke, Foster and Van Eck, Stefan. An overview analysis of financial stability in the South African multi-national enterprises and supply chains: Reflections on difficulties with the enforcement of workers' rights. – 2026 (29) Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal

Labour Court cases

• Landmark Foundation Trust v Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration and Others (C245/24) [2026] ZALCCT 77 (13 May 2026)

• Lewis v Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration and Others (C302/2024) [2026] ZALCCT 72 (23 April 2026)

• Pilusa v South African Local Government Bargaining Council: Limpopo and Others (JR1654/21) [2026] ZALCJHB 138 (25 April 2026)

  + 3 more cases were included

Land Claims Court case

• Smit NO and Others v Mlambo and Others (LanC 108/2025) [2026] ZALCC 19 (23 April 2026)

INSURANCE LAW ALERT: 19 MAY 2026

A brief selection of highlights from our specialised newsletter:

Case

• Raspberry Academy (Pty) Ltd v Oaksure Financial Services (Pty) Ltd (2025/219635) [2026] ZAGPJHC 388 (14 April 2026) [Lead referral agreement]

Financial Services Tribunal decisions

• Hlabane v Deputy Pension Funds Adjudicator; Private Security Sector Provident Fund; Mphosha Construction Projects CC t/a Mphosha Security Services (PFA13/2026) (13 May 2026)

• Kgobe v Assupol Life (FSP80/2025) (13 May 2026)

• Leather Industry Provident Fund v Financial Sector Conduct Authority (A2/2026) (14 May 2026)

+ 3 more cases were referenced

Media comment

• Venter, Zelda. Cancer claim dispute: How Discovery Life's technical defence failed. – 2026 May 18 IOL News

Media statement

• South African Government News Agency. Special Tribunal orders freezing of businesswoman's assets following TERS 'abuse'. 11 May 2026

HEALTH LAW ALERT: 20 MAY 2026

This week, our specialised Alert service referenced the following selected highlights:

Advertising Regulatory Board ruling

• Marli Cape Town (6 May 2026)

Cases

• JB v S (1491/2024) [2026] ZASCA 71 (13 May 2026)

• KEM obo OM v Member of the Executive Council for Health: North West (2044/2013) [2026] ZANWHC 139 (13 May 2026)

Constitutional Court case

• Solidarity Trade Union and Others v Minister of Health and Others (CCT 240/24) [2026] ZACC 19 (18 May 2026) [Certificate of need scheme – National Health Act 61 of 2003, ss 36–40 constitutionally invalid]

Journal article

• Baird, Sophy. Should medical aids cover gender-affirming healthcare for children under prescribed minimum benefits? – 2025 41(1–2) South African Journal on Human Rights p48

Media comment

• Masilela, Sinenhlanhla. C-section complications death case: Judge rejects doctor’s bid to escape negligence claim. [Morakile and Another v Life Peglerae Hospital and Others (1792/2024) [2026] ZANWHC 145 (14 May 2026)] – 2026 May 19 IOL News

ENERGY LAW ALERT: 21 MAY 2026

Highlights from yesterday's edition:

Advertising Regulatory Board ruling

• TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa (Pty) Ltd (7 May 2026)

Consultation Paper

• National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). Wholesale Electricity Pricing Methodology Consultation Paper. May 2026. – Consultation Paper | Notice of Public Hearing

Government Gazettes

• National Nuclear Regulatory Act 47 of 1999: Board of the National Nuclear Regulator (NRR). Invitation for nominations of a suitable candidate to represent organised business to serve on the Board. – GN7483 GG 54683 p3 15May2026 and National Nuclear Regulator authorisation fee for the 2026/27 financial year. – GN7463 GG 54677 p15 15May2026

• Petroleum Pipelines Act 60 of 2003: National Energy Regulator of South Africa: Rules made in terms of section 33(3). – GN7464 GG 54677 p20 15May2026

Media comment

• Cokayne, Roy. Mantashe ordered to transfer mining right to Afrimat. [Afrimat Iron Ore (Proprietary) Ltd v Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources and Others (2026/089786) [2026] ZAGPPHC 403 (18 May 2026)] – 2026 May 19 Moneyweb

Public hearing

• National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). Notice of NERSA’s republication and second public hearing of the electricity tariff applications for Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and Madibeng municipality for purposes of redetermining the 2024/25 financial year tariffs of the respective municipalities. 14 May 2026 – City of Ekurhuleni | Madibeng Municipality | Notice of Public Hearing 

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Image design: Daniélle Geldenhuys

Date posted: 22 May 2026