

Start the right conversation
Whether you are a debt counsellor looking for a specialist litigation partner, an existing VDH client, or enquiring about a matter already handled by VDH, select the relevant option below. We will direct your enquiry to the appropriate team.
Specialist Experience. Proven at Scale.
100 000+
Court Applications Drafted
3
Regional Offices
20
Years of experience
Nationwide
Court coverage
17
Attorneys
One Specialist Focus.
Debt Review Court Applications.
VDH focuses on the legal process behind debt review court order applications. We assist Debt Counsellors with structured, court-ready applications, supported by experienced legal oversight, clear communication and technology-driven matter management.
Shaping Debt Review Through Law, Litigation and Research
VDH has contributed to the development of South African debt review through specialist court applications, direct involve-ment in important debt review case law and academic research focused on the practical challenges within the Magistrates’ Court process.
VDH Declaratory Order
VDH initiated declaratory pro-ceedings to obtain practical clarity on procedural issues affecting section 86 debt review court appli-cations, contributing to a more workable and consistent court process.
Van Vuuren v. Roets
VDH represented the Consumer in Van Vuuren v Roets, a significant debt review matter dealing with the legal position of consumers under debt review and the circumstances in which the process may be brought to an end.
Specialist Research
Our work is supported by specialist academic research into the National Credit Act and the practical chal-lenges experienced in debt review referrals before the Magistrates’ Courts, including Magda Cloete’s (née Birkholtz) LLM research on delays in debt review referrals.
Our Specialist Focus
01
Debt Review Court Applications
Our primary focus is the preparation and management of debt review court applications before the Magistrates’ Courts. We assist Debt Counsellors with structured, court-ready applications aimed at obtaining debt review court orders efficiently, accurately and professionally.
02
Opposed Debt Review Litigation
Where matters become opposed, contested or legally complex, VDH provides specialist litigation support. We assist with credit provider opposition, exclusions, counter-proposals, postponements, legal argument and the procedural issues that arise in debt review court proceedings.
03
Strategy & Finalisation of Debt Review Applications
VDH is known in the debt review industry for its focus on moving matters towards granted court orders. This service covers the strategic and practical steps required to progress applications through the court process, deal with obstacles, address outstanding issues and finalise matters where a granted order can properly be obtained.
This may include follow-up on court outcomes, addressing postponements or removals, dealing with outstanding documents, resolving procedural issues and ensuring that the matter remains focused on the objective: a properly granted debt review order.
04
Education & Legal Training
VDH provides education and legal training on debt review court processes, National Credit Act developments and practical litigation issues for Debt Counsellors, credit providers, attorneys and other industry professionals. Our training is aimed at improving understanding, consistency and confidence in the debt review process.
05
Regulatory Compliance & Complaint Management
VDH assists with regulatory and complaint-related matters arising within the debt review environment, including responses to compliance concerns, complaints, process reviews and enquiries involving the National Credit Regulator or other industry role-players. Our approach is practical, legally grounded and focused on clear, defensible responses.
Values
Debt review court applications are technical, but the consequences are deeply personal.
At VDH, we see more than documents, balances and court dates.
We see the family behind the application, the parent trying to keep a household together, the home that provides stability, and the vehicle that allows someone to keep working.
Our small-town roots and family-led foundation continue to shape how we practise law: with discipline, compassion and respect for the legal process.
We support Debt Counsellors in pursuing outcomes that are lawful, reasonable and balanced — always within the framework of their statutory duties.
Our 5-values Flag
Compassion
Specialist Focus
Justice
Legal Accuracy
Excellence
The Legal Team
Our legal team brings together specialist knowledge, litigation experience and a considered approach to legal strategy.
From debt review court applications to complex opposed proceedings, our attorneys provide the depth of analysis, thorough preparation and confident courtroom advocacy that define our practice.
“Justice delayed is justice denied”
William E. Gladstone

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