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IN THE COMPANIES TRIBUNAL OF SOUTH AFRICA
CASE NO: CT02310ADJ2025
In the matter between:
MARK VAN HOUTEN APPLICANT
And
THE COMPANIES INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY COMMISSION FIRST RESPONDENT
NORTHWOLD CENTRE (PTY) LTD SECOND RESPONDENT
Presiding Member: Dr. M A Chicktay
Date of Decision: 22
nd April 2026
Preliminary Issue
INTRODUCTION
[1] The Applicant is MARK VAN HOUTEN (“the Applicant”), an dult male
Director of the Second Respondent carrying on business at Plot 64
Bayers Naude Drive Elandsdrift Gauteng.
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[2] The First Respondent is the Companies and Intellectual Property
Commission, an organ of state established in terms of Section 185 of
the Companies Act, having its principal place of business at DTI
Campus, Block F, 77 Meintjies Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria, Gauteng
(“ClPC”).
[3] The Second Respondent is NORTHWOLD CENTRE (PTY) LTD a
South African Company registered in terms of the company laws of the
Republic of South Africa, under registration number 2001/598575/05.
[4] This is an application in terms of section 172 of the Act to cancel the
compliance notice issued by CIPC on 26
th May 2025.
Preliminary Issues
[5] At the commencement of the hearing the Applicant requested that the
matter be suspended as the same issues before the Tribunal are
currently before the High Court together with a number of other issues.
There was no opposition raised by any of the Respondents.
[6] In Caesarstone Sdot -Yam Ltd v World of Marble and Granite
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Supreme Court of Appeal has confirmed that courts will exercise their
inherent jurisdiction to stay proceedings where a similar action is
pending in another forum until proceedings have been completed and
judgment is given.
[7] In order to avoid conflicting decisions, it is believed that the matter be
suspended pending the outcome of the High Court decision. The
Applicant can thereafter request that the matter continue with the
Tribunal.
1 Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd v World of Marble and Granite 2000 CC 2013 (6) SA 499 (SCA)
paras 45 and 48-9
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ORDER
[8] The Application is suspended.
_____________________
Dr. MOHAMED ALLI CHICKTAY
MEMBER OF THE COMPANIES TRIBUNAL