Parties usually expect documents generated in a private arbitration to remain confidential. In South Africa, that expectation does not hold once the same dispute, or the same casualty, becomes the subject of related or parallel court proceedings. Where arbitration material is relevant to issues before a South African court, it is likely to be discoverable
Transport
Your Time is Up! Navigating maritime security: Lessons from the Yangze 22 decision
When tendering a letter of undertaking (LOU) to an arresting party, a P&I Club cannot lawfully include terms that could cause the undertaking to expire according to the Australian Federal Court.
In the case of the “Yangze 22”, the court refused to release a vessel from arrest because the P&I Club’s LOU included…
You first! Pay‑to-be-paid clauses upheld in marine liability insurance policies in UK: South African lessons
In November 2025 the UK Court of Appeal confirmed that a “pay-first” clause in a marine liability policy is valid when it accordingly prevents direct recovery by a third party from the insurer when the insured is unable to discharge its underlying liability.
Because the insured was insolvent, the court refused a direct claim by…
Residents seek judicial relief over inadequate municipal services
Judicial intervention in upholding the service delivery of basic services in communities across the country has become prevalent in recent years. Our Constitution allows residents to approach a competent court and enforce their rights under the Constitution in circumstances where those rights have been infringed. Residents are seen to be adopting a more hands-on approach…
Transport, Trade and Logistics Update
Securing trade loans for goods carried by sea: should banks be a party to a bill of lading?
Security for trade loans in general
Banks and other financial institutions (lenders) involved in the financing of international trade deals face challenges additional to those who are financing domestic trade operations. This is principally because…
Transport, Trade and Logistics Update
Insurable interest under South African law revisited
Introduction and background
Insurable interest continues to evolve under English and South African law and should be front of mind for parties involved in the logistics sector who want to manage their risk. The general approach taken by the courts in both countries is to ask whether the…
Transport, Trade and Logistics Update
Financiers beware: English Supreme Court of Appeal confirms the applicability of the 12-month time limit in the Hague and Hague-Visby Rules to all claims under bills of lading
A November 2024 UK Supreme Court decision in Fimbank Plc v KCH Shipping Co Ltd, [2024] UKSC 38, has provided clarity on the applicability of the 12-month…
Company transport considerations during the lockdown
With the rapidly changing legal landscape, employers may be left in the dark around how to ensure they comply with the latest laws and regulations relating to road transport during the national lockdown.
A company vehicle used for the purposes of transporting essential service employees to and from work must be limited to 50% of…