Dear Member,

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families well over the festive season. A time to unwind and spend the much needed time with friends and family.

To ensure that you enjoy your well earned break, we have in this WiseUp Newsletter, articles that warn you of the dangers and traps that are always out there, but more so over the festive season. A time when you are more vulnerable.

One of these dangers are loan sharks. You may not be in debt but decide a bit more money is not a bad idea. The potential problem is that dealing with loan sharks can not only lead to legal dangers like excessive interest rates, invalid agreements and so on, but it can also be dangerous in a physical and emotional sense. Like extreme and unregulated collection procedures. Think carefully before you take out a loan from a loan shark.

Next on the list is the subject of agreements and contracts. If you have a verbal agreement with anyone make sure you don’t leave it there. Turn it into a contract which is a written and legally binding agreement. Read the article on this topic and you’ll know why we have a number of free standard contract templates you can use. Now including one for Lobolo. You can download them from www.legalwise.co.za.

We've included an article on the changes to our Membership Agreement. Changes to the Agreement are based on feedback we have received from our Members, our Network of lawyers, our colleagues and to ensure that the Agreement meets our obligations in terms of industry legislation, most notably the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Short Term Insurance Policyholder Protection Rules (PPR) and the Legal Practice Act (LPA).

We've also used the opportunity to explain our Paralegal services benefit more clearly, to make a few changes to our benefits, limits, restrictions and exclusions, as well as to better explain terms and remove uncertainty. The new Agreement will come into effect on 1 January 2022.

I would also like to remind you of our new video consultation service which has been well received. You can use it from the comfort of your home via WhatsApp or Zoom and can schedule your appointment by dialing 010  140 0710.

Finally, on behalf of all my colleagues I would like to thank you for entrusting LegalWise. I appreciate that you have other options available to you. But did you make the right decision joining LegalWise? Read the article in this issue. I’m sure it will reassure you that you did.

#BeLegalWise