Bertus Preller Family Law and Divorce Lawyer
Bertus Preller is not only the author of two well-known books "Everyone's Guide to Divorce and Separation," published by Random House, and "The Unexpected Counsellor" that is available on Takealot and Amazon, but also the author of South Africa's premier blog on family and divorce law, FamilyLaws. This blog serves as an essential guide for the most recent developments in family and divorce law cases in South Africa. Bertus has received numerous prestigious awards, such as being named Family Lawyer of the Year in South Africa by ACQ5 Finance magazine in 2015, and Best Divorce Lawyer in South Africa by Business Day in 2023. He currently practices as a consultant at Maurice Phillips Wisenberg Inc., in Cape Town and is an adept Mediator and Arbitrator. Bertus is an accredited FAMAC mediator.
Having received his legal education from the University of the Free State and the University of Johannesburg, Bertus was admitted as an attorney in 1989. His legal career, which spans over three decades, has seen him act in cases in the Constitutional Court, High Court, and Magistrates Court. He has also litigates in cases across South Africa. In 1996, Bertus expanded his skill set to include mediation and arbitration, serving as a Part-time Commissioner at the CCMA and acting as an Appeals Authority for the South African Police Services. His practice is primarily focused on Family and Divorce Law.
Bertus is a frequently cited authority on Family Law, appearing in a wide range of media outlets such as the Sunday Times, Business Times, and various magazines including Noseweek, Keur, and Women's Health. He has also made guest appearances on television shows like SABC's 3 Talk and Morning Live, as well as on CapeTalk, 702 and the 5FM Breakfast show. His clientele is diverse, encompassing artists, celebrities, sport athletes, and high-net-worth individuals. In 2006, he pioneered iDivorce, the first online DIY Divorce platform in South Africa.
In his leisure time, Bertus is a professional photographer, having covered several international rugby tests and the HSBC Seven's rugby series. This creative endeavor reflects his innovative and out-of-the-box approach to his legal practice. Bertus is a strong advocate for a client and child-centered divorce process, firmly believing that divorce should not be a painful and adversarial experience.
His areas of legal expertise are comprehensive and include Divorce Law, Family Law, Divorce Mediation, Parenting Plans, Parental Responsibilities and Rights, Custody arrangements, same-sex marriages, rights of unmarried fathers, child abduction and Hague Convention cases, domestic violence issues, and international divorce law.
His areas of expertise are:
Some notable cases and articles where Bertus appeared were:
Having received his legal education from the University of the Free State and the University of Johannesburg, Bertus was admitted as an attorney in 1989. His legal career, which spans over three decades, has seen him act in cases in the Constitutional Court, High Court, and Magistrates Court. He has also litigates in cases across South Africa. In 1996, Bertus expanded his skill set to include mediation and arbitration, serving as a Part-time Commissioner at the CCMA and acting as an Appeals Authority for the South African Police Services. His practice is primarily focused on Family and Divorce Law.
Bertus is a frequently cited authority on Family Law, appearing in a wide range of media outlets such as the Sunday Times, Business Times, and various magazines including Noseweek, Keur, and Women's Health. He has also made guest appearances on television shows like SABC's 3 Talk and Morning Live, as well as on CapeTalk, 702 and the 5FM Breakfast show. His clientele is diverse, encompassing artists, celebrities, sport athletes, and high-net-worth individuals. In 2006, he pioneered iDivorce, the first online DIY Divorce platform in South Africa.
In his leisure time, Bertus is a professional photographer, having covered several international rugby tests and the HSBC Seven's rugby series. This creative endeavor reflects his innovative and out-of-the-box approach to his legal practice. Bertus is a strong advocate for a client and child-centered divorce process, firmly believing that divorce should not be a painful and adversarial experience.
His areas of legal expertise are comprehensive and include Divorce Law, Family Law, Divorce Mediation, Parenting Plans, Parental Responsibilities and Rights, Custody arrangements, same-sex marriages, rights of unmarried fathers, child abduction and Hague Convention cases, domestic violence issues, and international divorce law.
His areas of expertise are:
- Divorce Law and Family Law
- Divorce Mediation
- Parenting Plans, Custody (care and contact) of children)
- Parental Responsibilities and Rights
- Same Sex Marriages
- Unmarried Fathers Rights
- Family Violence Interdicts
- International Child Abduction and Hague Convention Cases
- International Divorce Law
- Collaborative Family Law
- Maintenance and Rule 43 Applications
- Cohabitation Law and Universal Partnerships
Some notable cases and articles where Bertus appeared were:
- AA v LA [2013] ZAWCHC 168
- B v B [2018] ZAWCHC 171
- J v L [2019] ZAFSHC 225
- H M v L M [2020] ZAWCHC 24
- SACCAWU and Others v Irvin & Johnson Limited Seafoods Division Fish Processing 2000 (3) SA 705; 2000 (8) BCLR 886
- E.W v V.H (12272/2022) [2023] ZAWCHC 58
- Blue Dot Properties 391 (Pty) Ltd v H.G and Others (1926/2023) [2023] ZAWCHC 269 (1 November 2023)
- J.P.R.D v L.S.D (20916/2018) [2023] ZAWCHC 296 (23 November 2023)
- DR v NM and Another (3358/2024) [2024] ZAWCHC 69 (5 March 2023)
