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.

Impactful Matters

Listings, Stock Exchanges & Public Documents

We have extensive expertise and experience in advising in respect of transactions by JSE listed companies and are able to provide expert advice on all related legislation and other provisions, including the rules and listings requirements of the JSE, the Securities Services Act, the Companies Act and the Securities Regulation Code on Takeovers and Mergers and the rules of the Securities Regulation Panel.

Our services include:

  • Our Corporate and Commercial practice has advised on virtually all types of corporate actions undertaken by listed companies, including section 90 payments to shareholders, share buy-backs and buy-ins, share issues and preference share redemptions, capitalisation issues, consolidations and sub-divisions of share capital, odd-lot offers, rights offers, unbundling transactions and schemes of arrangement. We also have substantial experience in advising on the formation and structuring of employee share incentive and share option plans and programmes.
  • We are routinely involved in the drafting and settlement of all manner of corporate communications issued by our JSE listed clients, including announcements, circulars, notices, prospectuses and other public documents.

Ranked Practitioners

  • Willem Jacobs is the National Practice Head of the Corporate & Commercial team. Chambers Global 2014–2022 ranked Willem in Band 2 for corporate/M&A. The Legal 500 EMEA 2016–2021 recommended him as a leading individual for commercial, corporate/M&A. Willem was also recommended in 2012–2016 for mining; as well as commercial, corporate and M&A. IFLR1000 2018-2020 recommended Willem as a highly regarded lawyer for M&A and private equity. IFLR1000 2011–2015 and 2017 recommended him as a leading lawyer in this area. Who’s Who Legal 2019 ranked Willem as a leading lawyer in M&A and Governance. Who’s Who Legal 2017–2018 identified Willem as a leading lawyer for M&A. He was identified as a leading lawyer by The International Who’s Who of Mergers & Acquisitions Lawyers 2014 and was identified in The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers 2014.

  • Chambers Global 2015–2022 ranked David Thompson in Band 4 for corporate/M&A. The Legal 500 EMEA 2020 recommended him for commercial, corporate/M&A.

  • The Legal 500 EMEA 2018 recommended John Gillmer for commercial, corporate/M&A. In 2019-2021 he was recommended in investment funds.

  • IFLR1000 2018-2020 recommended Johan Green as a highly regarded lawyer for Capital Markets: Equity and Mergers & Acquisitions. The Legal 500 EMEA 2020 recommended him for commercial, corporate/M&A.

  • Chambers Global 2019-2022 ranked Peter Hesseling in Band 2 for corporate/M&A Chambers Global 2017–2018 ranked Peter in Band 3 for corporate/M&A. Chambers Global 2014-2016 ranked him in Band 5 for Corporate/M&A. The Legal 500 EMEA 2012–2021 recommended Peter for commercial, corporate/M&A. IFLR1000 2018 and 2020 recommended Peter as a highly regarded lawyer for restructuring & insolvency and mergers & acquisitions. Who’s Who Legal 2019 ranked Peter as a leading lawyer in M&A and Governance. Who’s Who Legal 2018 identified him as a leading lawyer for M&A. Who’s Who Legal 2017 identified Peter as a leading lawyer in capital markets. Who’s Who Legal 2016 identified Peter in the International Who’s Who of Banking Lawyers – Capital Markets. ILO Client Choice Awards 2013–2014 named him as the exclusive winner of the General Corporate category in South Africa.

  • IFLR1000 2018-2020 recommended Yaniv Kleitman as a notable practitioner.

  • Chambers Global 2021 ranked Johan Latsky in Band 4 for corporate/M&A and from 2011–2020 he was ranked in Band 3. Chambers Global 2012–2021 ranked him in Band 1 for capital markets: equity. The Legal 500 EMEA 2012–2021 recommended Johan for commercial, corporate/M&A. ILO Client Choice Awards 2014 named him as the exclusive winner of the M&A category in South Africa.

  • Chambers Global 2017–2022 ranked William Midgley in Band 2 for real estate. The Legal 500 EMEA 2017–2020 recommended him as a leading individual for real estate and recommended him in 2016 for real estate.

  • IFLR1000 2018-2020 recommended Francis Newham as a notable practitioner.

  • Chambers Global 2017–2022 ranked David Pinnock in Band 1 for corporate/M&A: Private Equity. The Legal 500 EMEA 2016–2021 recommended him for commercial, corporate/M&A. Who’s Who Legal 2019 ranked David as a leading lawyer in M&A and Governance. Who’s Who Legal 2017–2018 identified him as a leading lawyer in M&A. IFLR1000 2018-2020 recommended David as a notable practitioner.