South Africa

South Africa stretches along the Atlantic and Indian Oceans at the southern tip of Arica. It’s the largest south African country and the 25th largest in the world by area; it’s the 24th most populous country with over 57 million inhabitants. The country is considered a multiethnic society, with various religions, languages, and cultures. The liberal democracy is comprised of nine provinces and a parliamentary republic.

South Africa gained its independence as the Union of South Africa in May of 1910. Prior to this, it was colonized by the Dutch, British, and by Portuguese. In 1948, the Afrikaner-dominated National Party instituted apartheid; favoring the white minority at the expense of the black majority.  Top leaders of the African National Congress, including Nelson Mandela, spent decades in prison for opposing apartheid.  A coalition approach involving internal protests and insurgency, and boycotts by some Western entities, led to the eventual renegotiation and a transition to majority rule.  The multi-racial elections in 1994 created a ANC majority rule government, however, South Africa has struggled to reconcile apartheid era imbalances in the population.

South Africa is a parliamentary republic, and President serves as head of state and government. The National Assembly, sits in office for a period of five years and is voted in by a party list. The President serves the same term duration as that of the Assembly, which is typically for five years.

Legal System in South Africa

The Constitution of South Africa is the Supreme rule of law. The legal system is modeled after Roman-Dutch and South African law systems. The Magistrates' courts is the lowest court level in the judiciary; it hears lower offense and criminal cases. The courts of general jurisdiction are the High Court, which hears cases at the criminal and civil levels. The highest courts are the Supreme Court of Appeal, and the Constitutional Court.

The country is also a member of several foreign relations groups. South Africa is a member of South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, the World Trade Organization, Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), G20, G8+5, the International Monetary Fund, Group 77, and the Commonwealth of Nations, among others.

The National Law Review covers the latest news stories and developments related to South Africa, and the country’s international relations. Stories about financial news, the World Bank, international relations, cybersecurity, and media news, are among the topics visitors can read about online.

Custom text Title Organization
Jan
16
2024
Law Library of Congress Publishes Report on Selected Issues in Biotechnology Regulation Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.
Jan
12
2024
How to Avoid an Independent Compliance Monitor: Lessons From the SAP Settlement ArentFox Schiff LLP
Jan
9
2024
South Africa | Automatic Extension of Exemption Permits for Nationals of Zimbabwe and Lesotho Announced Berry Appleman & Leiden
Oct
18
2023
New Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions on Brass Rod from Brazil, India, Israel, Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea ArentFox Schiff LLP
Jan
14
2022
Global Solutions, Episode 29: Remote Work and Telework Rules in EMEA [PODCAST] Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Dec
2
2021
Omicron COVID-19 Variant Prompts US To Suspend Travel From Eight African Countries Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Dec
1
2021
Biden Administration Restricts Travel From 8 African Countries Due to Omicron Variant Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Dec
1
2021
Back to the Future: White House Restricts Travel to the United States From 8 Countries Due to New COVID-19 Variant Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Nov
29
2021
Biden Administration Bans Most Travel from Eight Countries in Southern Africa Mintz
Nov
29
2021
New COVID-19 Restrictions in Response to Omicron Variant Jackson Lewis P.C.
Nov
1
2021
Country-Specific International Travel Restrictions Will Be Rescinded November 8, 2021 Miller Canfield
Oct
16
2021
White House Announces Relaxation of COVID-19–Related Travel Restrictions to the United States, Beginning on November 8, 2021 Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Sep
23
2021
The End of NIEs Is Nigh – Biden’s Covid Team Announces Travel Restrictions to Be Lifted in November Hunton Andrews Kurth
Sep
22
2021
Biden Administration: C-19 Travel Bans to be Lifted for Fully Vaccinated Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP
Aug
6
2021
Nollywood Needs Co-Production Treaties to Move to the Next Level Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Aug
3
2021
Recent Developments in Artificial Intelligence and IP Law: South Africa Grants World’s First Patent for AI-Created Invention Winstead
Jul
28
2021
Nota Bene Episode 136: Africa Q3 Check In: Diligent Competition Investigations and the Digitization of the Economy with Andreas Stargard [Podcast] Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Jul
7
2021
US Department of State Extends Validity of National Interest Exceptions to 12 Months Mintz
Jul
7
2021
U.S. Department of State Announces Extension of Validity for National Interest Exceptions (NIEs) for Travelers from China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Ireland and India Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP
Jun
24
2021
Is It Payback Time? Audits of Government-Funded COVID-19 Relief in South Africa Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Jun
8
2021
Global Employment Law Update - Part 6: Russia to South Africa McDermott Will & Emery
May
20
2021
UK Government Anti-Corruption Plan – It's Global K&L Gates
May
13
2021
Exclusive Rights: Intellectual Property — US Signals Approval of IP Waiver for COVID-19 Vaccines [PODCAST] Mintz
Mar
26
2021
Issues with Visa Issuances from Countries Subject to PP10143 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jan
30
2021
Biden Administration Reinstates COVID-19 Travel Restrictions for Europe and Brazil, Adds Restrictions for South Africa Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Nov
5
2020
The Accession of the State of Qatar to the Cape Town Convention K&L Gates
Oct
30
2020
Price Gouging Restrictions Beyond the 50 States Proskauer Rose LLP
Aug
24
2020
South African Insurers Agree to Pay for COVID-19 Losses Hunton Andrews Kurth
Jun
29
2020
South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013, Goes into Effect July 1 Hunton Andrews Kurth
Jan
13
2020
Recent South African Publication on Non-Profit Organizations and Financial Crimes Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Nov
20
2019
OFAC Sanctions the Gupta Family for Bribery, Corruption and Misappropriation of South African State Assets Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Apr
17
2019
South Africa Publishes More About Money Laundering Vulnerabilities Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Feb
20
2019
New Antidumping Petition on Acetone from Belgium, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa and Spain Faegre Drinker
Nov
5
2018
What Companies Need to Know About World Bank and African Development Bank Debarment (and How to Avoid It) Covington & Burling LLP
Jul
9
2018
South Africa FIC Publishes Financial Crime Typologies Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Jun
29
2018
What Companies Need to Know About France’s Loi Sapin II Anti-Corruption Law Covington & Burling LLP
May
11
2018
England Tour of South Africa 2018 – “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue” Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Mar
15
2018
Q&A: Cape Town’s ‘Day Zero’ Risk Worldwide
Mar
9
2018
Is Cryptocurrency a Viable Solution for the Unbanked in Africa? Covington & Burling LLP
Mar
8
2018
WHO Names South African Listeria Outbreak World’s Largest Keller and Heckman LLP
Mar
6
2018
Cape Town’s Water Shortage Approaching ‘Day Zero’ Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
Feb
12
2018
The Hague System for the Registration of International Design Rights Welcomes Russia Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.
Jan
25
2018
Ten Key Issues to Watch in Africa in 2018 Covington & Burling LLP
Jan
19
2018
What Next for Trump and Africa? Covington & Burling LLP
Dec
22
2017
Ramaphosa’s Victory: Progress or Paralysis? Covington & Burling LLP
Dec
5
2017
A Guide to December’s ANC Party Congress Covington & Burling LLP
Aug
8
2017
Secret Ballot for President Zuma’s Upcoming No Confidence Vote Covington & Burling LLP
Aug
8
2017
An Italo-Celtic League, now with added Springbok – the Pro 14 is born Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
May
2
2017
Nearly Instantaneous Crop Data from Drones Polsinelli PC
Dec
12
2016
CFIUS Upcoming/New Filing: Sibanye Gold Ltd. and Stillwater Mining Co. Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
 

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