Senior Candidate Attorney | Immigration Law Specialist

Ruben joined MA Malan Attorneys in 2023 with a BA (Law) degree from the
University of Pretoria while completing his LLB degree at the University of South
Africa (UNISA) and is currently serving as a candidate attorney. While working full-
time at MA Malan Attorneys, he simultaneously balanced academic commitments
and part-time work in the service industry — an experience that fostered a
disciplined work ethic.

Driven by a sharp eye for detail and a passion for solving complex legal issues,
Ruben brings analytical rigour and thoughtful strategic insight to every matter. He
approaches legal work meticulously, placing high value on professionalism, efficient
time management, and consistently high standards. Above all, Ruben values client
relationships and always takes clients’ best interests to heart — approaching every
engagement with integrity, care, and an unwavering commitment to achieving the
best possible outcomes.

Ruben has assisted the Managing Director, Mr. Malan, in preparing content and
materials for Immigration Law webinars presented to legal professionals through the
Law Society of South Africa’s (LSSA) Legal Education and Development (LEAD)
centre with the aim of promoting legal education and enhancing practitioners’
understanding in Immigration Law.

Areas of Expertise

Immigration Law

• Temporary residence visa and permanent residence permit applications, including appeals
• Applications for authorisation for illegal foreigners to remain in the Republic pending determination of status (“good cause” applications)
• Overstay appeal applications (waiving of undesirability)
• Pending ID investigations and V-listing disputes including applications for the upliftment of prohibition
• Naturalisation applications
• High Court litigation against the Department of Home Affairs, including numerous applications to compel the finalisation of long-outstanding matters and applications to set aside irregular decisions.

Family Law

• Unopposed divorce proceeding
• Registration of foreign marriages and divorces
• Navigation of the marriage process between South African citizens and foreign nationals
• Drafting and registration of antenuptial contracts