“Marrying” Customary Unions with modern Family Law: A practical approach to assist Legal practitioners in dealing with the complexities created by our mixed legal systems.

Topics to be covered will include:

• A general interpretation of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, 120 of 1998
• A discussion on the proposed amendments to Section 10 of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, 120 of 1998, preventing parties from amending their marriage regime, without intervention of a Court
• An examination of whether South African courts are lenient in confirming the existence of a customary marriage
• A legal assessment of the applicability of Rule 43 (High Court) and Rule 58 (Magistrates’ Court) to proceedings involving customary marriages
• Providing legal practitioners with a comprehensive update on recent Caselaw relevant to customary marriages

Benefits of attending

As legal practitioners engaged in the practice of Family Law, it is imperative that we acknowledge and effectively navigate the rich cultural diversity and heritage that characterises our client base. This responsibility necessitates a sound and comprehensive understanding of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, 120 of 1998, and its application within the broader context of Family Law.

This webinar aims to facilitate informed engagement on the subject matter and will provide participants with critical, up-to-date legal insights. In addition, participants will benefit from practical guidance, including but not limited to the appropriate formulation of pleadings in accordance with the provisions of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act.

Background to this presentation

Although the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, 120 of 1998 is not a new concept, its interpretation and application continue to present challenges for many legal practitioners. This webinar is intended to provide clarity and practical guidance, thereby equipping practitioners with the necessary legal tools and confidence to advise and represent clients who are parties to customary marriages.

Presenter

Riani Ferreira has specialised in matrimonial litigation since her admission as an Advocate in 2003. She has a particular interest in matters relating to antenuptial contracts and has argued on this subject before the Supreme Court of Appeal. Advocate Ferreira has also had matters referred to the Constitutional Court for consideration. She maintains a strong passion for customary law and has recently

09 July 2025 | 10:00 – 13:00

Closing date for registrations:  08 July 2025

Certification
All sessions are mandatory to qualify for a certificate.

Practicing and candidate legal practitioners, support staff and legal advisors.

• Practising Legal Practitioners:     R1 260.00 (including VAT) per participant
• Candidate Legal Practitioners:    R 630.00 (including VAT) per participant
• Others | Non-legal Practitioners: R 2 020.00 (including VAT) per participant

Kindly note that you can only register online and that there are limited places available. Participants should be registered individually to enable the system to generate a unique username and password for each person.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 

E-mail: Seminars@LSSALEAD.org.za  | Please note we only communicate via e-mail should you need more information.

• The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) will not accept liability if the fees are not paid into the designated LSSA bank account.
• The webinar is conducted in English only.
• Should you need to cancel your registration, this must be done in writing within two business days before the closing date to avoid the full fee being charged.

LEAD is one of the largest providers of legal professional education in South Africa and has been accredited as a legal education provider by the Legal Practice Council. LEAD provides access to quality learning that is relevant, accessible and affordable. LEAD offers an extensive range of learning activities and training options.