Justine Krige

Justine began her career in 2009 as a candidate attorney at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr. She was appointed as an associate in 2011. Justine was appointed as a director in 2017, until 2023. Justine rejoined CDH as an Executive Consultant in 2026.

• Advising on and drafting of agreements for various commercial transactions including sale of share agreements, sale of business agreements, lease agreements, profit-sharing agreements, service level agreements, management and marketing agreements, cession agreements, and standard terms and conditions of sale.

• Advised numerous companies, in both private and public sectors, on corporate governance matters including advising in relation to directors' duties, compliance checks with reference to their MOIs, shareholders agreements and other arrangements, the Companies Act/Regulations and King Report.

• Advised numerous companies, in both private and public sectors, on corporate governance matters including advising in relation to directors' duties, performing compliance checks with reference to their MOIs, shareholders agreements and other arrangements, the Companies Act/Regulations and King Report, and follow-up work to update or redraft constitutional documents and shareholder agreements and other arrangements, preparation of board charters, and advice in relation to the establishment, role and functions, and terms of reference of board sub-committees (social and ethics committee, remuneration committee, risk management committee and audit committee).

• Advising on mergers and acquisitions, including advice on commercial issues, company law and regulatory considerations, negotiating terms of agreement and drafting and reviewing commercial agreements.

• Forming part of multi-national legal teams on cross-border transactions, working with foreign legal counsel and financial institutions.

• Advising several major hospitality companies in relation to franchise, management, marketing, lease and other commercial contracts, and the application of the Consumer Protection Act and Protection of Personal Information Act.

• Acted for Istithmar PJSC, Leisurecorp LLC and Dubai World Group in relation to several of their investments in South Africa and elsewhere in Africa including the acquisition of several private game reserves in South Africa.

• Acted for Protea Hotels in relation to several new hotel projects, which included drafting and negotiating various transaction agreements such as shareholders agreements, commercial leases and development agreements.

• Acted for the owners/management of Protea Hotels in relation to the disposal of the hotel business to Marriott Inc. The transaction involved several other African jurisdictions including Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania and Mauritius. The work entailed co-ordination of the due diligence investigation undertaken by the buyer on the target entity/group, negotiation and drafting of the transaction documents, advice on regulatory matters, and implementation of the transaction.

• Acted for Old Mutual in relation to the acquisition of a life insurer in Kenya, which has operations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, DRC, Rwanda and Mauritius. The work entailed extensive due diligence on the target entity/group , negotiation and drafting of the transaction documents, advice on regulatory matters, and implementation of the transaction.

• Acted for Old Mutual in relation to the acquisition of Grand Central Airport, Midrand. The work entailed extensive due diligence on the target entity/group, negotiation and drafting of the transaction documents, advice on regulatory matters, and implementation of the transaction.

• Acted for Premier Fishing, a leading Black-owned and controlled fishing company in its acquisition of a controlling interest in Talhado Fishing Enterprises, a specialist squid fishing company.

• Acted for ABSA in relation to engagement with a new landlord and developer to further a property strategy for the consolidation of office space from Sandton and various other office locations in Johannesburg to Rosebank as a standalone hub in addition to the CBD, including the development of a new multi floor building, as well as support in concluding a new corporate office lease on a new building in Sandton, for additional space to support business requirements.

• Acted for Old Mutual in relation to its disposal of its Latin American business in Mexico, Colombia and Uruguay. The transaction involved numerous countries across 4 continents and local laws and the sale of shares in a highly regulated industry that resulted in complex and lengthy negotiations together with a comprehensive sale of shares agreement and other ancillary agreements. 

• Acted for Old Mutual in relation to its establishment of a ring-fenced enterprise supplier development fund. The work entailed the establishment of the entity, as well as preparation of various ordinary and preference share subscription agreements, a shareholders agreement and memorandum of incorporation, with a specific focus on ensuring BEE compliance.

• Acted for Descon Engineering, a Pakistani multinational company, in relation to its acquisition an interest in Plant Design and Project Services, a South African engineering design, project management and construction company.

• Assisted Grand Parade Investments, an established empowerment company, with holdings in the food and gaming sectors, with disposals of its interests in various entities in South Africa and abroad.

• Acted for Communicare NPC in relation to the disposal of its life rights business to the CPOA.

• Acted for Payment24 Group, a fleet management payment services provider, in relation to its disposal of an interest in the company pursuant to an investment by the Standard Bank of South Africa.

• Acted for Peri GmbH in relation to its acquisition of the shares in a major South African formwork and scaffolding company.

• Acted for South African Airways in relation to the acquisition and financing of various aircraft.

• Advised PetroSA on various corporate governance matters including advising in relation to directors' duties, the Companies Act/Regulations and King Report, and advice in relation to its constitutional documents and board sub-committees

• Assisted in the implementation of the Western Cape Liquor Amendment Act.

• The Legal 500 EMEA 2020 - 2024 recommended Justine as next generation partner for commercial, corporate and M&A.
• The South African WOZA (Women in Law) Awards awarded Justine the "Best Mergers & Acquisitions Woman Lawyer" (1st runner up) and "Best Corporate Woman Lawyer" (2nd runner up) in 2022.