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Corporate & Commercial Law

We offer in-depth experience across a range of commercial sectors, combining legal expertise and market knowledge with a thorough understanding of our clients' businesses to deliver advice that is both pragmatic and cost effective.

Corporate & Commercial Law Services

Our lawyers coordinate complex transactions, deal with regulatory requirements, advise on tax matters, manage due diligence investigations and prepare all required documentation. Our key focus areas are:

Black Economic Empowerment

Our Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) team is widely recognised as being one of the most knowledgeable and experienced BEE regulatory teams. Our expertise includes advising on the Broad-Based BEE Act, the Codes of Good Practice, Transformation Charters and Sector Codes, and related legislation and regulations.
Our experience is deep and varied and covers a wide range of advisory services. Click here to learn more.

Companies Act

When the 'new' Companies Act, No 71 of 2008 came into force on 1 May 2011, it marked the beginning of a significant era for corporate law in South Africa. Although much of the old law was retained, many significant new concepts and changes were introduced. CDH is well positioned to help our clients to comply with the legislation. We also offer training tailored to your business needs to help you meet your obligations.

Click here to read more.

Corporate Governance

In recognising the evolving needs of our local and global clients who are expanding their business operations on the continent and further afield as well as the increased governance risks, we provide a full corporate governance and regulation service within the Corporate and Commercial practice, which has local and global corporate governance expertise.

Read more about our services here.

Equity Capital Markets

Equity capital markets (ECM) are evolving fast within the current market environment. New options for growth are being created. However, this often comes with more complex choices and challenges that complicate capital market decisions. Any company on a growth trajectory needs a legal advisor with a proven track record and expertise across the full ECM spectrum. With our tailored advisory and solutions-based approach, CDH is the right legal partner in any ECM project.

Click here to read more.

Listings, Stock Exchanges & Public Documents

Our Corporate & Commercial practice acts for a number of the top 100 Johannesburg Stock Exchange listed companies, companies listed on major international bourses and companies with dual or multiple listings.

Click here to read more.

Merger & Acquisitions

We close deals effectively by providing exceptional legal advice, managing risk, ensuring you meet regulatory compliance and working at every aspect of the transaction to ensure that it works from a legal and commercial perspective. Click here for more.

Private Equity

Our Private Equity team has in-depth experience of African transactions. In addition, we have immediate access to a vast network of relationship firms across the continent. We are therefore able to move quickly and seamlessly on local and international transactions. Learn more here.

Corporate & Commercial Law Brochures

Corporate & Commercial
Corporate & Commercial
Equity Capital Market's
Equity Capital Market's
King IV - An Overview
King IV - An Overview
Agricultural Sector Brochure
Agricultural Sector Brochure

Services

Corporate & Commercial Law Services

Our lawyers coordinate complex transactions, deal with regulatory requirements, advise on tax matters, manage due diligence investigations and prepare all required documentation. Our key focus areas are:

Black Economic Empowerment

Our Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) team is widely recognised as being one of the most knowledgeable and experienced BEE regulatory teams. Our expertise includes advising on the Broad-Based BEE Act, the Codes of Good Practice, Transformation Charters and Sector Codes, and related legislation and regulations.
Our experience is deep and varied and covers a wide range of advisory services. Click here to learn more.

Companies Act

When the 'new' Companies Act, No 71 of 2008 came into force on 1 May 2011, it marked the beginning of a significant era for corporate law in South Africa. Although much of the old law was retained, many significant new concepts and changes were introduced. CDH is well positioned to help our clients to comply with the legislation. We also offer training tailored to your business needs to help you meet your obligations.

Click here to read more.

Corporate Governance

In recognising the evolving needs of our local and global clients who are expanding their business operations on the continent and further afield as well as the increased governance risks, we provide a full corporate governance and regulation service within the Corporate and Commercial practice, which has local and global corporate governance expertise.

Read more about our services here.

Equity Capital Markets

Equity capital markets (ECM) are evolving fast within the current market environment. New options for growth are being created. However, this often comes with more complex choices and challenges that complicate capital market decisions. Any company on a growth trajectory needs a legal advisor with a proven track record and expertise across the full ECM spectrum. With our tailored advisory and solutions-based approach, CDH is the right legal partner in any ECM project.

Click here to read more.

Listings, Stock Exchanges & Public Documents

Our Corporate & Commercial practice acts for a number of the top 100 Johannesburg Stock Exchange listed companies, companies listed on major international bourses and companies with dual or multiple listings.

Click here to read more.

Merger & Acquisitions

We close deals effectively by providing exceptional legal advice, managing risk, ensuring you meet regulatory compliance and working at every aspect of the transaction to ensure that it works from a legal and commercial perspective. Click here for more.

Private Equity

Our Private Equity team has in-depth experience of African transactions. In addition, we have immediate access to a vast network of relationship firms across the continent. We are therefore able to move quickly and seamlessly on local and international transactions. Learn more here.

Brochures

Corporate & Commercial Law Brochures

Corporate & Commercial
Corporate & Commercial
Equity Capital Market's
Equity Capital Market's
King IV - An Overview
King IV - An Overview
Agricultural Sector Brochure
Agricultural Sector Brochure

Corporate & Commercial Lawyers

Our lawyers coordinate complex transactions, deal with regulatory requirements, advise on tax matters, manage due diligence investigations and prepare all required documentation.

Our Corporate & Commercial Lawyers
PRACTICE HEADS
Ian Hayes

Ian Hayes

Practice Head, Director +27 (0)11 562 1593ian.hayes@cdhlegal.com
David Thompson

David Thompson

Deputy Regional Head, Director +27 (0)21 481 6335david.thompson@cdhlegal.com

Our Work

Featured

Clientèle Limited and Telesure Investment Holdings Proprietary Limited
Corporate & Commercial Law

Clientèle Limited and Telesure Investment Holdings Proprietary Limited

CDH advised both Clientèle Limited and Telesure Investment Holdings Proprietary Limited on Clientèle's acquisition of 1Life Insurance Limited and Telesure's acquisition of 26% of Clientèle. 
CDH's Private Equity advised Metier in establishing the Metier Capital Growth Fund III
Corporate & Commercial Law

CDH's Private Equity advised Metier in establishing the Metier Capital Growth Fund III

CDH's Private Equity (Investment Funds) team advised Metier in establishing the Metier Capital Growth Fund III (a parallel fund structure in South Africa and Mauritius)
ECO (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd on its Acquisition in Guyana
Corporate & Commercial Law

ECO (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd on its Acquisition in Guyana

CDH's Corporate & Commercial Practice and Oil & Gas Sector advised ECO (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd on its Acquisition in Guyana
SA Corporate Real Estate Limited and Indluplace Properties Limited
Corporate & Commercial Law

SA Corporate Real Estate Limited and Indluplace Properties Limited

CDH advised SA Corporate Real Estate Limited and Indluplace Properties Limited on the acquisition by SA Corporate and delisting of Indluplace Properties Limited. Click 
Investec Property Fund Limited
Corporate & Commercial Law

Investec Property Fund Limited

CDH advised Investec Property Fund Limited in relation to the internalisation of its asset management function in respect of both its South African portfolio and its European portfolio.
USC
Corporate & Commercial Law

USC

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is representing USC, the Germany-based cargo operator.  Our South Africa-based corporate/M&A team is advising this client as acquirer on the purchase of eight Airbus A340 aircraft (with engines), 15 spare engines and four APUs (Auxillary Power Units) from SAA Airways (SAA), South Africa's government-owned airline, which issued an RFP for their sale.  

All

Clientèle Limited and Telesure Investment Holdings Proprietary Limited

CDH advised both Clientèle Limited and Telesure Investment Holdings Proprietary Limited on Clientèle's acquisition of 1Life Insurance Limited and Telesure's acquisition of 26% of Clientèle. The transaction, a category 1 transaction under the JSE Listings Requirements, is worth approximately R1,914 billion. The transaction is subject to certain conditions precedent which are expected to be fulfilled or waived by the end of September 2024. 
 
1Life's operations in the underwritten direct and intermediated life insurance market and the funeral mass market will enhance Clientèle's already diversified financial services product offering to the South African market.

FNZ

Kieti represented FNZ, the leading UK-based global platform as a service company specialising in providing investment platforms to major financial institutions in the financial services and wealth management sectors.  Our Kenya-based corporate/M&A team advised FNZ on Kenya merger control issues in relation to FNZ’s acquisition of Silica.  Our work on this matter demonstrates our year-round role advising clients in connection with cross-border transactions, here with a significant competition law component.  

PayGo Energy

Advised Arrowhead and Gemgrow, both South Africa-based property funds, on the reverse takeover of Gemgrow by Arrowhead, in terms of which Gemgrow acquired all of the Arrowhead shares by way of a scheme of arrangement.

Senwes Group

Advised ZARX-listed Senwes Group, one of South Africa's largest agribusinesses, and KLK Landbou Limited, a large farming services specialist in the Northern Cape, on Senwes Group's purchase of a majority shareholding in KLK, whilst simultaneously overcoming a competing hostile takeover bid, already launched by one of KLK's existing shareholders.

Caixa Geral de Depósitos

Advised Caixa Geral de Depósitos, S.A., the leading Portugal-based state-owned banking corporation, as South African counsel, on its disposal of 100% of its shareholding in Mercantile Bank Holdings to Capitec Bank.

Séché Environnement

Advised Séché Environnement S.A., the leading France-based group which provides environmental management solutions globally, in its take-private acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of South African waste management company, Interwaste Holdings, by way of a scheme of arrangement. Following the implementation of the scheme, Interwaste was delisted from the main board of JSE.

Metier Capital Growth Fund II Partnership and Metier Capital Growth Fund II Investments

Advised Metier Capital Growth Fund II Partnership and Metier Capital Growth Fund II Investments, leading South African and Mauritius private equity investment vehicles, in their take-private acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of South African packaging company, Master Plastics, by way of a scheme of arrangement. Following the implementation of the scheme, Master Plastics was delisted from the main board of JSE.

Vukile Property Fund

Advised Vukile Property Fund Limited, one of South Africa's premier REITs, in the indirect acquisition of 4 retail centres in Spain from Unibail Rodamco. This marked a significant step in its offshore expansion.

Old Mutual Emerging Markets

Advised Old Mutual Emerging Markets Proprietary Limited (OMEM), which owns 100% of the issued share capital of Old Mutual (South Africa) Holdings (OMSA), which in turn held 100% of the issued share capital of UK-based, OM Latin America HoldCo UK (OMLAH) and 100% of the issued share capital of Panama-based, AIVA Holdings Group (AIVA). We advised OMSA in the sale of its 100% shareholding in OMLAH and AIVA, thereby also transferring indirect ownership of various companies falling under these entities. The transaction involved numerous countries across 4 continents, their local laws and the sale of shares in a highly-regulated industry.

Our Work

Clientèle Limited and Telesure Investment Holdings Proprietary Limited
Corporate & Commercial Law

Clientèle Limited and Telesure Investment Holdings Proprietary Limited

CDH advised both Clientèle Limited and Telesure Investment Holdings Proprietary Limited on Clientèle's acquisition of 1Life Insurance Limited and Telesure's acquisition of 26% of Clientèle. 
CDH's Private Equity advised Metier in establishing the Metier Capital Growth Fund III
Corporate & Commercial Law

CDH's Private Equity advised Metier in establishing the Metier Capital Growth Fund III

CDH's Private Equity (Investment Funds) team advised Metier in establishing the Metier Capital Growth Fund III (a parallel fund structure in South Africa and Mauritius)
ECO (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd on its Acquisition in Guyana
Corporate & Commercial Law

ECO (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd on its Acquisition in Guyana

CDH's Corporate & Commercial Practice and Oil & Gas Sector advised ECO (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd on its Acquisition in Guyana
SA Corporate Real Estate Limited and Indluplace Properties Limited
Corporate & Commercial Law

SA Corporate Real Estate Limited and Indluplace Properties Limited

CDH advised SA Corporate Real Estate Limited and Indluplace Properties Limited on the acquisition by SA Corporate and delisting of Indluplace Properties Limited. Click 
Investec Property Fund Limited
Corporate & Commercial Law

Investec Property Fund Limited

CDH advised Investec Property Fund Limited in relation to the internalisation of its asset management function in respect of both its South African portfolio and its European portfolio.
USC
Corporate & Commercial Law

USC

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is representing USC, the Germany-based cargo operator.  Our South Africa-based corporate/M&A team is advising this client as acquirer on the purchase of eight Airbus A340 aircraft (with engines), 15 spare engines and four APUs (Auxillary Power Units) from SAA Airways (SAA), South Africa's government-owned airline, which issued an RFP for their sale.  

Clientèle Limited and Telesure Investment Holdings Proprietary Limited

CDH advised both Clientèle Limited and Telesure Investment Holdings Proprietary Limited on Clientèle's acquisition of 1Life Insurance Limited and Telesure's acquisition of 26% of Clientèle. The transaction, a category 1 transaction under the JSE Listings Requirements, is worth approximately R1,914 billion. The transaction is subject to certain conditions precedent which are expected to be fulfilled or waived by the end of September 2024. 
 
1Life's operations in the underwritten direct and intermediated life insurance market and the funeral mass market will enhance Clientèle's already diversified financial services product offering to the South African market.

FNZ

Kieti represented FNZ, the leading UK-based global platform as a service company specialising in providing investment platforms to major financial institutions in the financial services and wealth management sectors.  Our Kenya-based corporate/M&A team advised FNZ on Kenya merger control issues in relation to FNZ’s acquisition of Silica.  Our work on this matter demonstrates our year-round role advising clients in connection with cross-border transactions, here with a significant competition law component.  

PayGo Energy

Advised Arrowhead and Gemgrow, both South Africa-based property funds, on the reverse takeover of Gemgrow by Arrowhead, in terms of which Gemgrow acquired all of the Arrowhead shares by way of a scheme of arrangement.

Senwes Group

Advised ZARX-listed Senwes Group, one of South Africa's largest agribusinesses, and KLK Landbou Limited, a large farming services specialist in the Northern Cape, on Senwes Group's purchase of a majority shareholding in KLK, whilst simultaneously overcoming a competing hostile takeover bid, already launched by one of KLK's existing shareholders.

Caixa Geral de Depósitos

Advised Caixa Geral de Depósitos, S.A., the leading Portugal-based state-owned banking corporation, as South African counsel, on its disposal of 100% of its shareholding in Mercantile Bank Holdings to Capitec Bank.

Séché Environnement

Advised Séché Environnement S.A., the leading France-based group which provides environmental management solutions globally, in its take-private acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of South African waste management company, Interwaste Holdings, by way of a scheme of arrangement. Following the implementation of the scheme, Interwaste was delisted from the main board of JSE.

Metier Capital Growth Fund II Partnership and Metier Capital Growth Fund II Investments

Advised Metier Capital Growth Fund II Partnership and Metier Capital Growth Fund II Investments, leading South African and Mauritius private equity investment vehicles, in their take-private acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of South African packaging company, Master Plastics, by way of a scheme of arrangement. Following the implementation of the scheme, Master Plastics was delisted from the main board of JSE.

Vukile Property Fund

Advised Vukile Property Fund Limited, one of South Africa's premier REITs, in the indirect acquisition of 4 retail centres in Spain from Unibail Rodamco. This marked a significant step in its offshore expansion.

Old Mutual Emerging Markets

Advised Old Mutual Emerging Markets Proprietary Limited (OMEM), which owns 100% of the issued share capital of Old Mutual (South Africa) Holdings (OMSA), which in turn held 100% of the issued share capital of UK-based, OM Latin America HoldCo UK (OMLAH) and 100% of the issued share capital of Panama-based, AIVA Holdings Group (AIVA). We advised OMSA in the sale of its 100% shareholding in OMLAH and AIVA, thereby also transferring indirect ownership of various companies falling under these entities. The transaction involved numerous countries across 4 continents, their local laws and the sale of shares in a highly-regulated industry.

Corporate & Commercial Law News

More news
17 Nov 2023 Video

Njeri Wagacha talks to Wangechi Gichuki and Linda Anene - Videocast

Every month CDH Kenya Partner, Njeri Wagacha publishes a podcast 'Njeri Talks Law'. This month, Njeri welcomes esteemed guests Wangechi Gichuki, Head of Legal and Secretarial Services, and Linda Anene, Senior Legal Counsel and Acting Company Secretary, from Safaricom.
8 Dec 2023 Video

Njeri Wagacha talks to Carol Musyoka

Every month CDH Kenya Partner, Njeri Wagacha publishes her podcast 'Njeri Talks Law'. In this month's episode, Njeri sits down with the accomplished Carol Musyoka
17 Nov 2023 Podcast

Njeri Wagacha talks to Wangechi Gichuki and Linda Anene

Every month CDH Kenya Partner, Njeri Wagacha publishes a podcast 'Njeri Talks Law'. This month, Njeri welcomes esteemed guests Wangechi Gichuki, Head of Legal and Secretarial Services, and Linda Anene, Senior Legal Counsel and Acting Company Secretary, from Safaricom.

Recognition

2015-2023

Chambers Global

Chambers Global 2015-2023 rank our Corporate/M&A practice in Band 1.

2018-2023

The Legal 500 EMEA

The Legal 500 EMEA 2018-2023 recognises us as Tier 1 in commercial, corporate/M&A.

2016-2021

IFLR1000

IFLR1000 2017-2021 ranks the firm in M&A - Tier 1. IFLR1000 2016 ranks the firm in M&A - Tier 2.

2013-2017

Client Choice International Awards

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr directors were named in the 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017 Client Choice International Awards.

2022

DealMakers

  • 2022 1st by Listed M&A Deal Flow.
  • 2022 3rd by Listed M&A Deal Value, Unlisted M&A Deal Value, Unlisted M&A Deal Flow and General Corporate Finance Deal Value.

2021

DealMakers

  • 2021 1st by M&A Deal Flow
  • 2021 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow
  • 2021 2nd by BEE Deal Value
  • 2021 3rd by General Corporate Finance Deal Value
  • 2021 3rd by BEE Deal Flow
  • 2021 4th by M&A Deal Value

2020

DealMakers 2020

  • 2020 1st by M&A Deal Flow
  • 2020 1st by BEE Deal Flow
  • 2020 1st by BEE Deal Value
  • 2020 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow
  • 2020 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Value
  • 2020 3rd by M&A Deal Value
  • 2020 Catalyst Private Equity Deal of the Year

2019

Dealmakers 2019

  • M&A Legal DealMakers of the Decade 2010 – 2019 (Deal Flow)
  • Dealmakers 2019 - 1st by BEE M&A Deal Flow
  • Dealmakers 2019 - 1st by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow
  • Dealmakers 2019 - 2nd by M&A Deal Value
  • Dealmakers 2019 - 2nd by M&A Deal Flow

 

2018

Dealmakers 2018

  • Dealmakers 2018 - 1st by M&A Deal Flow for the 10th year in a row
  • Dealmakers 2018 - 1st by M&A Deal Value.
  • Dealmakers 2018 - 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow.
  • Dealmakers 2018 - 1st by BEE M&A Deal Value.
  • Dealmakers 2018 - 2nd by BEE M&A Deal Flow.
  • Dealmakers 2018 - Lead legal advisers on the Private Equity Deal of the Year.

 

Ranked Practitioners

Chambers Global

Chambers Global 2015-2023 rank our Corporate/M&A practice in Band 1.

The Legal 500 EMEA

The Legal 500 EMEA 2018-2023 recognises us as Tier 1 in commercial, corporate/M&A.

IFLR1000

IFLR1000 2017-2021 ranks the firm in M&A - Tier 1. IFLR1000 2016 ranks the firm in M&A - Tier 2.

Client Choice International Awards

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr directors were named in the 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017 Client Choice International Awards.

DealMakers

  • 2022 1st by Listed M&A Deal Flow.
  • 2022 3rd by Listed M&A Deal Value, Unlisted M&A Deal Value, Unlisted M&A Deal Flow and General Corporate Finance Deal Value.

DealMakers

  • 2021 1st by M&A Deal Flow
  • 2021 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow
  • 2021 2nd by BEE Deal Value
  • 2021 3rd by General Corporate Finance Deal Value
  • 2021 3rd by BEE Deal Flow
  • 2021 4th by M&A Deal Value

DealMakers 2020

  • 2020 1st by M&A Deal Flow
  • 2020 1st by BEE Deal Flow
  • 2020 1st by BEE Deal Value
  • 2020 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow
  • 2020 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Value
  • 2020 3rd by M&A Deal Value
  • 2020 Catalyst Private Equity Deal of the Year

Dealmakers 2019

  • M&A Legal DealMakers of the Decade 2010 – 2019 (Deal Flow)
  • Dealmakers 2019 - 1st by BEE M&A Deal Flow
  • Dealmakers 2019 - 1st by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow
  • Dealmakers 2019 - 2nd by M&A Deal Value
  • Dealmakers 2019 - 2nd by M&A Deal Flow

 

Dealmakers 2018

  • Dealmakers 2018 - 1st by M&A Deal Flow for the 10th year in a row
  • Dealmakers 2018 - 1st by M&A Deal Value.
  • Dealmakers 2018 - 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow.
  • Dealmakers 2018 - 1st by BEE M&A Deal Value.
  • Dealmakers 2018 - 2nd by BEE M&A Deal Flow.
  • Dealmakers 2018 - Lead legal advisers on the Private Equity Deal of the Year.

 

Ranked Practitioners

Happy Clients

The lawyers have good knowledge of the law and an ability to integrate this with the commercial realities." Notable Practitioners

Chambers Global 2023

‘The partners and associates that we have worked with at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr have excellent business acumen and understanding which helps so much with briefing the facts of a case or detailing where legal assistance or commercial contracts are required.’

Legal 500 EMEA 2023

‘An absolutely outstanding team. They are up to speed with current legislation and relevant publications. The cross collaboration amongst their teams is evident in various requests I have sent their way. The partnerships are always great and very professional. The firm has evolved with the times and shown that its capable of working remotely and delivering a service digitally as well.’

Legal 500 EMEA 2023

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