Free resources
Legal guides for South Africans
Plain-language guides to legal pressure, recovery, and business protection in South Africa — judgments, garnishee orders, sequestration, business rescue, and more. Written by KLS Legal Consultants.
For individuals
Individual debt guides
What is a default judgment in South Africa?
A default judgment can damage your credit, cost you your assets, and affect your employment — often without you knowing it was granted. This guide explains what it is, how it happens, and what you can do about it.
How to stop a garnishee order in South Africa
Thousands of South Africans have money deducted from their salary every month under garnishee orders that were never properly authorised. This guide explains your rights and how to fight back.
Sequestration suitability: what should be assessed first?
Sequestration and repayment-focused routes work very differently and suit very different situations. This guide explains the legal consequences so you can make an informed decision.
How judgment rescission works in South Africa: a step-by-step guide
Rescission of judgment is the formal legal process to have a default judgment set aside. This guide walks through every step — from assessing grounds to clearing your credit record.
Rescission vs appeal: which route fits a judgment in South Africa?
A judgment is not challenged the same way in every case. The right route depends on whether you were absent, whether the court decided the merits, and what went wrong procedurally or legally.
For businesses
Business guides
You've received a Section 345 demand. Here's exactly what it means.
A Section 345 demand is not a routine debt collection letter. It is a formal legal step that triggers a statutory presumption of insolvency if ignored. You have 21 days. This guide explains what to do with them.
Business rescue vs liquidation: what directors need to know
When a company is in financial distress, two formal legal processes come into play: business rescue and liquidation. Understanding the difference — and acting at the right time — can be the difference between saving and losing the business.
SME contracts checklist: what should be reviewed before you sign?
Contracts protect cash flow, delivery expectations, liability, confidentiality, payment terms, and dispute routes. This guide helps SMEs identify which documents need legal review first.
SME compliance checklist: where should a business start?
Compliance becomes manageable when the business can see its documents, data, staff, supplier, and customer risks in one structured view.
Employer labour checklist: what should be in place before a workplace issue escalates?
Employment contracts, warnings, disciplinary processes, policies, and retrenchment decisions need structure before an internal problem becomes a legal dispute.
Startup legal documents: what should founders put in place first?
Founder expectations, ownership, contractor work, platform terms, privacy documents, and client promises become harder to fix once the startup grows.
When does a small business need a legal retainer?
A retainer can help when legal questions are recurring, documents need review often, and the business wants a predictable support route before issues become urgent.
Unpaid invoices: what should a business do before escalating debt recovery?
Debt recovery is stronger when the documents, debtor type, dispute status, and evidence are reviewed before pressure is applied.
Letter of demand vs summons: when should a business escalate?
A demand letter applies pressure before court. A summons starts legal proceedings. The right step depends on the documents, debtor type, dispute status, and commercial value of the claim.