ABOUT THE FOUNDER
Renowned mediator Bertus Preller brings a wealth of experience and a multi-faceted skill set to the field of Family and Divorce Law Mediation. As the founder of FamilyLaws, South Africa's leading blog on family and divorce law, Bertus keeps his finger on the pulse of the latest legal developments. He is also the author of the seminal book "Everyone's Guide to Divorce and Separation," published by Random House, making him a trusted authority in the field.
Educated at the University of the Free State and the University of Johannesburg, Bertus was admitted as an attorney in 1989 and has since built an illustrious career spanning over three decades. He has acted in cases across various courts, including the Constitutional Court, High Court, and Magistrates Court, and has litigated extensively across South Africa. In 1996, he broadened his professional scope to include mediation and arbitration, roles in which he has excelled, serving as a Part-time Commissioner at the CCMA and an Appeals Authority for the South African Police Services.
Bertus has been honored with several prestigious awards, including 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 law firm in Cape Town.
A frequent contributor to various media outlets, Bertus has been quoted in publications like the Sunday Times and Business Times, and has appeared on television shows such as SABC's 3 Talk and Morning Live. His clientele includes a diverse range of individuals, from artists and celebrities to athletes and high-net-worth individuals.
In 2006, Bertus showcased his innovative spirit by launching iDivorce, South Africa's first online DIY Divorce platform. His creativity isn't limited to the legal field; he is also a professional photographer who has covered international rugby tests and the HSBC Seven's rugby series. This creative flair informs his approach to mediation, where he employs out-of-the-box strategies to facilitate resolutions that are both client and child-centered. Bertus firmly believes that the divorce process should not be a painful or adversarial experience but rather a constructive one where all parties can reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
His expertise in mediation is comprehensive, covering areas such as Divorce Law, Family Law, Parenting Plans, Parental Responsibilities and Rights, Custody issues, same-sex marriages, rights of unmarried fathers, child abduction and Hague Convention cases, domestic violence issues, and international divorce law.
Educated at the University of the Free State and the University of Johannesburg, Bertus was admitted as an attorney in 1989 and has since built an illustrious career spanning over three decades. He has acted in cases across various courts, including the Constitutional Court, High Court, and Magistrates Court, and has litigated extensively across South Africa. In 1996, he broadened his professional scope to include mediation and arbitration, roles in which he has excelled, serving as a Part-time Commissioner at the CCMA and an Appeals Authority for the South African Police Services.
Bertus has been honored with several prestigious awards, including 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 law firm in Cape Town.
A frequent contributor to various media outlets, Bertus has been quoted in publications like the Sunday Times and Business Times, and has appeared on television shows such as SABC's 3 Talk and Morning Live. His clientele includes a diverse range of individuals, from artists and celebrities to athletes and high-net-worth individuals.
In 2006, Bertus showcased his innovative spirit by launching iDivorce, South Africa's first online DIY Divorce platform. His creativity isn't limited to the legal field; he is also a professional photographer who has covered international rugby tests and the HSBC Seven's rugby series. This creative flair informs his approach to mediation, where he employs out-of-the-box strategies to facilitate resolutions that are both client and child-centered. Bertus firmly believes that the divorce process should not be a painful or adversarial experience but rather a constructive one where all parties can reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
His expertise in mediation is comprehensive, covering areas such as Divorce Law, Family Law, Parenting Plans, Parental Responsibilities and Rights, Custody issues, same-sex marriages, rights of unmarried fathers, child abduction and Hague Convention cases, domestic violence issues, and international divorce law.
