Latest news with #LPC
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Lawyer struck off struck off the roll for misappropriation of R50 000 in property deal
A lawyer has been struck from the roll of legal practitioners in the Western Cape High Court, after being found guilty of bringing the legal profession into disrepute. Image: File Lawyer Deon Jakobus Beukman has been struck from the roll of legal practitioners in the Western Cape High Court, after being found guilty of bringing the legal profession into disrepute for misappropriating R50 000 meant to be refunded to a buyer in a property transaction. The matter relates to a 2009 transaction. Beukman had been the conveyancer in terms of a sale agreement for a property in Somerset West for R550 000. The buyer paid an amount of R561 921.46 to the lawyer and consented to certain funds being paid to expedite the registration of the transfer. The respondent further paid an amount of R41 250 to the estate agent, for his commission. However the seller died on February 20, 2009 before the transfer was registered, and the executor of the seller's estate elected to cancel the sale agreement as the seller's deceased estate was insolvent. The lawyer refunded the buyer an amount of R481 653.81 together with interest of R67 895.53. The buyer subsequently issued a summons in the Magistrate's Court against the respondent under case number 3349/2009 in which he claimed an amount of R81 935.34, as the buyer believed that he was entitled to a full refund of the R561 921.46 that he had paid to the respondent, together with interest in the amount of R69 563.22. During the course of the civil proceedings, it also came to light that the estate agent had refunded his R50 000 commission which included interest, to the lawyer as a result of the dispute. Beukman however did not make the payment to the buyer. One of his arguments to a complaint lodged against him with the LPC by the buyer was that the estate agent had refunded him the funds in terms of an indemnity signed and that there was therefore no duty on him to invest the funds in his trust account. For several years, nothing came of the complaint; until the LPC conducted an audit of all matters that were outstanding and during the course of this assessment, the matter was identified, and its finalisation was prioritised, court papers read. The matter was first heard before a disciplinary committee on April 30, 2024, where Beukman was found guilty and later escalated to the high court. Judge Ncumisa Mayosi found: 'Deon Jakobus Beukman (Beukman) is struck from the roll of legal practitioners of this Honourable Court. Beukman shall pay Mr Ian Jacobs the sum of R50 000 on or before November 30, 2025. In the event that Beukman fails to comply with the terms of sub-paragraph 4 above, either the LPC or Mr Ian Jacobs may institute contempt of court proceedings against Beukman.' 'The respondent's offending conduct is not confined to the admitted act of misappropriating R50 000, which may appear to be an insignificant amount to some. The respondent's offending conduct is compounded by his further actions which displayed persistent dishonesty; a lack of reliability. Not only did the respondent not pay the money over to his client; he did not even inform his client that the commission with interest had been refunded. This lack of transparency and accountability is deeply problematic for a legal practitioner charged with trust funds that do not belong to him. The respondent remained undeterred in his refusal to pay the buyer, even in the face of a striking off application contemplated by the LPC, which if granted would curtail his livelihood.' Beukman did not respond to requests for comment by deadline. Cape Times
Daily Maverick
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Mbenenge's sexual harassment hearing exposes ripples of discontent in SA's legal profession
Behind the scenes, a rift has occurred in the Pan African Bar Association of South Africa (Pabasa), highlighting the notion of the law as 'apolitical' as understood by a crop of younger members. Last week, the gruelling Judicial Conduct Tribunal investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge adjourned to October for argument. It is then that advocates Muzi Sikhakhane for Mbenenge, and Nasreen Rajab-Budlender for the complainant, court secretary Andiswa Mengo, will argue the case of a lifetime. The public inquiry, which began in January and is headed by retired judge Bernard Ngoepe, has not only laid bare the intimate and private lives of Mbenenge and his accuser, but also choppy waters in the legal fraternity (for it is a fraternity) itself. The creaking shifts in the tectonic plates can be traced in the arc of this extraordinary inquiry, which exposed a chasm between old and new, interpretations of language, the law and culture, and the meaning of words themselves. As the Masimanyane Women's Rights International, the Women's Ikhwelo Network and other women's groups noted in a media statement last week, 'words have power — and consequences. 'We are appalled by the misogynistic and patriarchal statements made by Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge during his sexual harassment tribunal.' The senior judge's 'invocation of so-called 'cultural norms' to justify sexual misconduct is an affront not only to women but to the integrity of the entire South African Constitution and the judiciary,' the statement continued. Rift in Pabasa Behind the scenes, a rift has occurred in the Pan African Bar Association of South Africa (Pabasa), highlighting the notion of the law as 'apolitical' as understood by a crop of younger members. As reported by Franny Rabkin in the Sunday Times, Rajab-Budlender, Mengo's legal representative in the Mbenenge matter and a founder member of Pabasa, resigned from the organisation at the end of May. Nine other members resigned at the same time. Dali Mpofu is Pabasa secretary, and former Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions Nomgcobo Jiba (who was struck off the roll in 2016 but restored in 2019), is its deputy chair. Formed in 2018, Pabasa describes itself as 'unapologetically black and women-oriented'. It is also 'committed to independence, professionalism and excellence in the craft of advocacy and the promotion of race and gender equality'. Its aim is also to work with other bars and the Legal Practice Council (LPC) to address unemployment among young graduates. Attacks by Pabasa members on Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng — who presided over the Senzo Meyiwa trial — and on the LPC had since led to the exodus. Mokgoatlheng made remarks about white lawyers not being late. Since then, 36 advocates have left Pabasa, including the Arcadia and Loftus advocates' chambers in Pretoria, citing the 'politicisation' of Pabasa as the reason. Rabkin reported that a total of 45 members had resigned from other regions as well. Sikhakhane, Mbenenge's legal representative, is also a member of Pabasa and was its first chair. His encouragement of women within the organisation is acknowledged. 'Deep concern' Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi penned a powerful counter to the argument by Mbenenge and his legal team that customary courtship rituals were being rendered 'unconstitutional' by the tribunal. When renowned gender-based violence expert Lisa Vetten pointed out that power imbalances between men and women existed in all societies, she was undermined as a simpleton who had no understanding of African ways. Vetten has been attacked by some of Mbenenge's supporters as a 'Western-paid NGO', which is also no doubt part of the Pizza Conspiracy. Zibi's argument, as a young black African man, as we like to say in South Africa, carries weight, no matter how much some might claim his mind has been 'colonised' or 'whitewashed'. Zibi, who heads the Scopa committee in Parliament, sets out how power relations play out here and in other government spaces where some are viewed as having authority. The kind of deference he experienced was unsettling, he opined, and it took some time to work through these power relations. With regard to cultural impulses that cannot be stopped or controlled, he wrote: 'I hope the Judicial Conduct Tribunal … does not buy this nonsense. 'Yet, this is what Judge President Mbenenge implausibly suggested before the tribunal. This laughable proposition, said with much glee, arrogance and a nauseatingly sexist intellectual superiority complex in respect of the (female) evidence leader (and his own counsel), seems to suppose the rest of us live in the world he has created in his head. 'This is the world where the most powerful individual in every high court building in the Eastern Cape is an equal to a junior secretary for the purposes of random sexual advances via text message.' Zibi also took exception to Mbenenge's insistence on asking for nude photographs even when Mengo had informed him she was not well (as has been testified), and his invocation of culture 'where it is apparently fine for a grey-haired church elder to ask a woman young enough to be his daughter to take off her clothes and send him a revealing picture'. DM
Time Business News
10-07-2025
- Health
- Time Business News
Everything You Need to Know Before Opening a Mental Health Clinic
Before any formal steps, define what kind of mental health clinic you want to open. Will you focus on individual therapy, group counseling, psychiatric medication management, or trauma recovery? Decide whether your clinic will specialize in children, adolescents, adults, or underserved populations. Establish your treatment philosophy—whether rooted in evidence-based practices, holistic care, or culturally responsive models. A strong, purpose-driven vision ensures that every business, clinical, and marketing decision aligns with your long-term goals and community impact. Starting a mission-driven service in the mental health space requires more than just clinical passion—it demands strategic planning, legal understanding, and a strong operational foundation. From identifying your niche to understanding licensing and compliance, every detail matters. Understanding how do I start a mental health business involves researching your target population, establishing a business entity, securing funding, and hiring qualified professionals. Equally important is creating a strong referral network and marketing plan to build trust and reach clients. With clarity of purpose and a commitment to ethical care, your mental health venture can create lasting community impact. Select a legal entity that offers liability protection and tax advantages—typically an LLC or professional corporation for mental health businesses. Register the business with your state's corporate division and obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. Choose a name that reflects professionalism, trust, and your clinical approach. It should resonate with your audience and comply with state naming laws. Securing a business structure early paves the way for bank accounts, insurance contracts, leases, and payroll systems. Your clinic must meet state-specific licensing requirements for outpatient mental health services. These may involve facility safety, staffing ratios, clinical protocols, and policy documentation. Individual clinicians also need to be licensed (e.g., LCSW, LMFT, LPC, PsyD, MD) based on their discipline. Start insurance credentialing as early as possible—becoming an in-network provider with Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial insurers can take several months. Implement HIPAA-compliant systems for storing medical records, protecting client information, and handling telehealth. Compliance is not just regulatory—it's a critical foundation for operational integrity and trust. Find a location that's accessible, comfortable, and designed for confidentiality. Ideal clinics include private therapy rooms, a client-friendly reception area, staff offices, and space for groups if needed. Ensure ADA accessibility, soundproofing for privacy, and zoning approval for healthcare use. Choose calming colors, natural lighting, and subtle decor to foster a safe, welcoming atmosphere. Whether leasing or owning, the facility should enhance the therapeutic experience and reflect your clinic's quality of care. Hiring the right people is central to clinical success. Depending on your services, recruit licensed therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, case managers, and administrative staff. Look for professionals trained in trauma-informed care, evidence-based treatment, and cultural competence. Build a positive team culture rooted in ethics, transparency, and shared purpose. Offer regular supervision and support continuing education. A well-supported, mission-aligned team improves client outcomes, reduces turnover, and builds your clinic's reputation from the inside out. Establish a structured process for client intake, assessment, treatment planning, documentation, and discharge. Use an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system built for behavioral health to streamline charting, scheduling, and billing. Develop written policies for crisis intervention, client complaints, documentation standards, and safety protocols. These systems ensure quality control and prepare your clinic for audits, payer reviews, and future accreditation. Efficiency and consistency in clinical operations lead to better care and a more sustainable business. Budget for every element of startup and early operations—rent, payroll, furniture, technology, marketing, licensing fees, insurance, and legal support. Estimate your operating costs for at least six months, factoring in delays in insurance reimbursements. Set fees for cash-pay clients and estimate reimbursement rates from various insurers. Choose a billing system or professional to handle claims, coding, and collections. A strong financial plan helps you stay afloat, expand services, and reinvest in your clinic's future without compromising care. To attract clients and referral partners, develop a professional website that highlights your services, staff credentials, treatment philosophy, accepted insurances, and contact details. Optimize for local search so nearby clients can find you easily. Network with primary care providers, school counselors, hospital discharge planners, and social services. Consider offering workshops or blog posts to position your clinic as a mental health resource in the community. Focus on transparency, education, and authenticity—ethical marketing builds long-term trust and credibility. Start small and scale thoughtfully. Launch with core services and a manageable caseload to ensure operational systems and staff are functioning smoothly. Collect client feedback, monitor documentation and billing workflows, and address any gaps. Track key metrics like client retention, satisfaction, staff utilization, revenue cycle performance, and clinical outcomes. Use this data to improve service delivery, make staffing decisions, and demonstrate value to insurers and community partners. A successful launch depends not just on readiness but on a commitment to continuous improvement. Achieving excellence in behavioral health services requires more than clinical expertise—it demands adherence to nationally recognized quality benchmarks. Organizations striving for higher standards often pursue certifications that demonstrate their commitment to safety, care, and accountability. JCAHO Accreditation for behavioral health is a key milestone that signals an organization's compliance with rigorous performance and quality standards. This accreditation not only enhances credibility with patients and payers but also improves internal operations through structured evaluation and continuous improvement. By meeting these standards, facilities position themselves for long-term success while fostering trust within the communities they serve. Opening a mental health clinic is a major undertaking—both a clinical mission and a business venture. With thoughtful planning, regulatory compliance, ethical leadership, and financial strategy, you can create a space where healing happens consistently and professionally. Your clinic can become a pillar of support in your community, a source of hope for individuals in need, and a business that sustains itself through integrity and care. When you build with intention, success is not just possible—it's inevitable. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
GMA Network
10-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Metro Manila condo oversupply eases slightly to 37 months
It will now take 37 months to sell the existing supply of condominium units in Metro Manila, a month shorter than seen in the first quarter of the year, as there are now some 82,000 unsold units across 638 actively selling buildings. According to a report released by Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) on Thursday, there were 82,800 units of available supply in the second quarter, equivalent to 37 months or three years. This is slightly lower than the 38 months worth of oversupply recorded in the first quarter. Data released by LPC showed that there were a total of 764,100 condominium units in Metro Manila, with 619,000 units ready for occupancy and 145,000 units at pre-selling. The biggest share of unsold units is in Quezon City with 19,500 units, followed by Ortigas with 15,000 units, the Bay Area in Pasay with 13,800 units, Manila City with 11,400 units, Caloocan with 8,900 units, Alabang with 7,900 units, Makati with 4,500 units, and Bonifacio Global City and Taguig with 1,700 units. Broken down in terms of demographics, 37% of the unsold inventories are for the upscale market priced P7 million to P12 million; 31% for the upper-middle-income market priced P4 million to P7 million; 16% for the high-end market priced P12 million to P68 million; and 10% for the middle-income market priced P2.3 million to P4 million. Some 5% of the unsold units are for the lower middle-income market, priced at P1.8 million to P2.3 million; 1% are for the luxury market, priced at P68 million and above; and less than 1% are for the low-income market, priced below P600,000. Buyer activity for the April to June period grew for the second straight quarter, with 6,642 units sold to reflect a 2% quarter-on-quarter growth, as launches for the quarter increased 31% to 1,761 units. LPC Research and Consultancy director Roy Golez Jr. said that buyers took advantage of promotions being offered by developers in a bid to sell their inventories, which companies are expected to continue. More offers are likely, Golez said, but not necessarily on pricing, "so we are seeing value-added and leasing services for these buyers." Prices have also increased, with prime villages hitting historic highs per square meter—Dasmariñas Village at P704,000, Forbes Park at P649,000, Green Meadows at P288,000, and Ayala Alabang at P237,000. Prices have also increased in areas south of Metro Manila—Ayala Alabang at P237,000; Southlinks Estate at P157,000; and Ayala Southvale at P126,000. Those in Cavite averaged P68,000, and in Laguna, P57,000. 'Maraming namimili. Actually, marami nang namili (Many are buying; actually, a lot have already bought), especially in the Nuvali Sta. Rosa area, kaya (so), if you notice, the projects there have been expanding,' Golez said. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
These Are the 4 Most Unfriendly Myers-Briggs Personality Types, According to a Psychotherapist
These Are the 4 Most Unfriendly Myers-Briggs Personality Types, According to a Psychotherapist originally appeared on Parade. Everybody's different, and we've all had our own unique experiences in life that have shaped us. In the intricate tapestry of human personalities, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) stands out as one of the most renowned and widely used personality assessment tools. The MBTI identifies individuals' preferences across four areas: extraversion (E) vs. introversion (I), sensing (S) vs. intuition (N), thinking (T) vs. feeling (F) and judging (J) vs. perceiving (P), resulting in 16 personality types. It ultimately indicates differing psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make each Myers-Briggs personality type carries its unique strengths and charms, some personalities have been perceived as less friendly than others. Mayya Fleyshmakher, MA, LPC, is a licensed clinical psychotherapist who utilizes the MBTI in her own private practice to help clients with their career choices and advancements as they progress. Here, she offers her expert insight to answer the ultimate question: what are the most unfriendly Myers-Briggs personality types? The answers may surprise you!Related: There is no singular Myers-Briggs personality type that can be drawn as the most unfriendly of them all. However, particular dichotomies of these differing types may make them seem more unfriendly than others. Fleyshmakher tells Parade, "The 'Thinking' (T) types might be more prone to exhibit cold or detached behavior due to their focus on logic and objectivity over emotional considerations." She continues, "They may lack empathy, therefore portraying signs of misattunement, appearing to be unfriendly and even selfish." These "Thinking" types that may seem more unfriendly include INTJ, INTP, ENTJ and ENTP. And out of all the types to be considered the most unfriendly Myers-Briggs personality types, Fleyshmakher says that the INTJ seems to face more isolating behaviors due to introverted tendencies. This often leads them to be more reserved and less empathetic towards others. So, if you're friends with one of these "Thinking" Myers-Briggs types, try to keep in mind that they are not purposely being unfriendly. These personality types tend to lean on facts and logic over acting on emotion. "It's crucial to remember that such traits do not necessarily indicate hostility or unkindness; rather, they reflect a different approach to processing and expressing emotions. When factoring in trauma, you might even meet 'Thinking' types who utilize this personality trait to bypass dealing with complex emotions, often resorting to numbing responses," Fleyshmakher The most important consideration to remember when utilizing the MBTI is that no personality type is inherently unfriendly. People are complex and unique beings, and it's imperative that the role of individual trauma is not overlooked. "Determining more or less 'friendlier' types of the MBTI requires consideration as to how trauma affects these personality traits in the first place," Fleyshmakher explains. Our society has long associated the word "trauma" with intense experiences, like abuse and war combat. However, the updated definition of trauma is generally understood as an emotional response to a distressing or disturbing event(s) that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope. Fleyshmakher adds, "Considering how we now define trauma, more and more individuals report that they have experienced some level of trauma in their lifetime." She continues, "The Myers-Briggs and its types present limitations, as it does not set out to factor the role of trauma on personality." As with any tool similar to the MBTI, it's not a one-size-fits-all and must be carefully reviewed, relative to each person. When considering individualized trauma and the use of the MBTI, some trauma responses may mimic the Myers-Briggs personality features. "Individuals with trauma symptoms exhibit hyper-independence, overthinking and mistrust. Many of my clients are shocked to find out that what they thought was part of their personalities turned out to be symptoms, which quickly changed once they completed trauma work." Fleyshmakher adds, "Therefore, what may seem as the unfriendly, introverted types of the MBTI are really just the symptoms of difficult childhoods and stress."Related: Contrasting their highly logical counterparts, the "Feeling" (F) types tend to prioritize empathy and emotions in their decision-making process, often leading to a more friendly demeanor. These more friendly Myers-Briggs personality types include INFJ, INFP, ENFJ and ENFP."The ability to display empathy is a key factor in fostering healthy platonic and romantic relationships and, overall, 'Feeling' types come off as the friendlier types of the Myers-Briggs," Fleyshmakher shares. "Individuals who struggle in finding the right partner often overlook prioritizing empathy as above looks or status. These types might find more success in looking to formulate relationships with 'Feeling' types."Fleyshmakher tells Parade that she often shies away from creating rigid definitions of personality because there is usually always more work lying beneath the surface. She touches upon her own experience from a psychotherapist's lens: "I have met many 'Feeling' types who fall under the ENFP types that, upon doing deeper work in therapy, learned their complacent and often lovable, friendly demeanor was a learned behavior from childhood, specifically in learning to survive with abrasive, volatile and harsh parents." Related: Overall, the MBTI can provide insight into an individual's preferences and tendencies. It shows differing psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions. However, the MBTI should not be used as a definitive assessment of personality or as the sole basis for therapeutic her own private practice, Fleyshmakher uses the MBTI to help clients with their career choices and advancements—with the important caveat that it is only utilized once a client has completed the appropriate clinical interventions to help them process and heal trauma. Thus, therapists may use the MBTI to better understand a client's communication style, decision-making processes and coping mechanisms. But, considering individualized trauma and responses will allow for a more accurate reading of the Myers-Briggs Due to its popularity, there are many variations of the MBTI test online. However, the original assessment, which is still utilized by certified practitioners, is considered the most accurate, as it involves a structured and methodical approach. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was first developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers. The assessment was based heavily on Carl Jung's theory of psychological types. Up Next:Mayya Fleyshmakher, MA, LPC, is a licensed clinical psychotherapist in private practice in Holmdel, New Jersey. Fleyshmakher specializes in trauma-focused EMDR Therapy and spreading awareness about the importance of trauma work, specifically in educating people about how they perceive, define and treat can connect with Mayya here: Website Instagram TikTok These Are the 4 Most Unfriendly Myers-Briggs Personality Types, According to a Psychotherapist first appeared on Parade on Jul 2, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
