Denise Durand

Denise began her career as a mineral rights manager in an investment group before pursuing law. Denise joined Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr as an Associate in 2017 and became a Senior Associate in 2019. Denise was promoted to Director in 2024.

Denise acts for blue-chip clients across sectors including mining, financial services, pharmaceuticals, property, agriculture, education, tourism and infrastructure. Her experience includes contract enforcement and damages claims, shareholder and eviction disputes, business rescue and insolvency litigation, foreclosure proceedings, interdicts and review applications.

• Drafting of legal pleadings, notices and documents in commercial disputes, including but not limited to, enforcement of contracts or damages claims, shareholder disputes, review applications, eviction applications, successfully opposing business rescue applications, foreclosure of immoveable properties, recovery of commercial rental arrears and interdict proceedings;

• Drafting of legal pleadings, notices and documents in commercial disputes, including but not limited to, enforcement of contracts or damages claims, shareholder disputes, review applications, eviction applications, successfully opposing business rescue applications, foreclosure of immoveable properties, recovery of commercial rental arrears and interdict proceedings;

• Crisis management and providing guidance for preventing reputational damage;

• Interpreting various legislation and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements;

• Advising on corporate governance and supporting clients’ company secretaries in their duties;

• Advising on legal implications of contractual obligations;

• Reviewing and negotiating contracts including option agreements for acquiring additional shares in a mining company, a joint venture and memorandum of understanding for renewable energy projects, and a non-circumvention agreement regarding financing for a mining company's capital raise.

• Reviewing and providing commentary on the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (“MPRDA”).

• Initiating and opposing appeals in terms of Section 96 of the MPRDA including, opposing reviews of the granting of mining rights.

• Advising clients on illegal mining and encroachments on mining areas.

• Engaging with traditional councils and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in regard to mining activities conducted on community land and reviewing notarial leases and trust deeds.