Much has been said in recent weeks regarding contracts which cannot be performed as a result of action taken in response to the novel coronavirus – COVID 19. A number of clients have asked whether the pandemic is a justifiable reason for breaching a contract, and whether the breaching party would be held responsible as [...]
According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency’s (Zimstats) Quarterly Digest of Statistics for the first quarter of 2019, there were 7,738 reports of rape (including attempted rape) made in 2018. In January 2019 alone, there were 636 reports of rape with 625 reports of rape being made in February 2019. This translates to 21 women [...]
Some members from our team recently participated in a webinar hosted by the International Bar Association, regarding the regulation of the legal profession in Africa. Below is a summation of what was discussed: The topic for discussion centred on the issue of cross border legal services and the need to open up space and regulate. [...]
STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS Is the contract in compliance with law? The legal requirements for an employment contract are set out in Section 12 of the Labour Act [Chapter 28:01] You can download the Labour Act from the internet. Familiarise yourself with at least the first 18 sections, which will set out the basic provisions (such as [...]
Job Description: Accountant Keep books of accounts Prepare trial balance, monthly and quarterly reports Arrange for annual audit Prepare annual budgets Prepare tax returns for the Partners Arrange for payment of QPDs, VAT, PAYE, withholding and other taxes Administer the payroll Arrange for procurement Identify and mitigate risk in the Accounts Department Put in place [...]
On 14 February 2018, the Intellectual Property Tribunal (IPT) convened and heard its first matter following its establishment in 2010. The case of Bayer AG v Milborrow Animal Health (Zimbabwe) (Pvt) Ltd (IPT 01/17 was argued and judgment in the matter was reserved and ultimately handed down on 29 May 2019. The IPT was established [...]
World Intellectual Property (IP) Day is celebrated on 26 April each year. It was established by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in 2000 in commemoration of the day the Convention establishing WIPO came into force. The day is celebrated by Intellectual Property Offices, IP lawyers and agents around the world with activities and events [...]
CONVEYANCING Conveyancing describes the legal procedure whereby the ownership of immovable property is transferred. Property ownership in Zimbabwe is recorded in the Registrar of Deeds’ Office which deals with conventional and sectional title property ownership. Conveyancing is a complex process involving many role-players, all managed by the Conveyancer who is a legal practitioner. The transferor [...]
People often put off making a will and eventually die without one, despite the fact that there are various organizations that advocate for people to execute wills. In the event that a person dies intestate (that is, without executing a will) his/her estate is administered in terms of the Administration of Estates Act [Chapter 6:01] [...]
Mining in Zimbabwe is primarily regulated by the Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05] (“the Act”), which amongst other things deals with acquisitions and rights to conduct exploration, prospecting and mining. The Act has not been substantively amended for more than a decade and there is need to bring the law in line with current [...]
