Chris Charter
Chris Charter is a Director and National Head of our Competition practice. Chris’ practice covers all aspects of the discipline from merger control to prohibited practices. On the prohibited practices side, bringing and defending complaints, writing opinions, corporate leniency and compliance work are all covered.
Chris has advised in mergers involving major South African listed companies and has advised a number of global companies in obtaining South African and African regulatory clearance in respect of multinational transactions. He and his team have extensive experience in a number of African jurisdictions including COMESA.
About Chris
About Chris
After time spent at PriceWaterhouseCoopers London, Chris began his legal career as a Candidate Attorney at Cliffe Dekker (now Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr) in 2001. He became an Associate in 2003 and was promoted to Senior Associate in 2005. In 2007 Chris became a Director.
Credentials
Credentials
Education
- Registered with the Legal Practice Council
- BA, University of Stellenbosch
- LLB, University of Stellenbosch
- Year of admission as an attorney: 2003
Memberships
- Member of the Competition Law Committee of the Council of the Law Society of the Northern Provinces
- Co-Chair of the IBA Working Group on Unilateral Conduct
Languages
Languages
- English
About Chris
After time spent at PriceWaterhouseCoopers London, Chris began his legal career as a Candidate Attorney at Cliffe Dekker (now Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr) in 2001. He became an Associate in 2003 and was promoted to Senior Associate in 2005. In 2007 Chris became a Director.
Credentials
Education
- Registered with the Legal Practice Council
- BA, University of Stellenbosch
- LLB, University of Stellenbosch
- Year of admission as an attorney: 2003
Memberships
- Member of the Competition Law Committee of the Council of the Law Society of the Northern Provinces
- Co-Chair of the IBA Working Group on Unilateral Conduct
Languages
- English
Experience
Chris' competition work spans a vast variety of industries, including private equity, telecommunications, construction, banking, mining, airlines, healthcare, grocery wholesale and retail, petroleum, fast moving consumer goods and financial services.
Chris also has experience in general regulatory matters, including those pertaining to telecommunications and consumer law. Although now specialising in competition law, Chris has a strong background in corporate and commercial law which greatly assists clients in marrying competition law with commercial reality.
Successfully acting for Massmart Holdings in general compliance matters and in relation to a number of horizontal mergers, including the acquisition of Finro Cash & Carry, which was opposed by the Commission.
Advising Harmony Gold Mining Company in its hostile takeover bid for Gold Fields.
Successfully defending Independent News and Media against allegations of abuse of dominance.
Acting for Pioneer Foods in investigations into alleged collusion in the bread, maize and wheat industries.
Acting for Aveng Limited an GrinakerLTA in regard to Commission investigations into collusion.
Advising The Coca-Cola Company on compliance and in regard to various major acquisitions and restructures to its bottling system in South Africa and Africa
Advising Investec Bank Limited in the restructure of its private equity division and the creation of Investec Equity Partnership (IEP) as well as ongoing advice to IEP.
Advising Sinopec in regard to its proposed acquisition of Chevron South Africa.
Lonmin Plc and Sibanye-Stillwater
Advising Remgro in regard to its acquisition of Unilever's spreads business in South Africa and neighbouring countries.
Advising ANZ Bank in regard to proceedings brought by the Commission against numerous banks alleged to have engaged in foreign exchange collusion.
MiXTelematics
Advising Lonmin Plc in various matters including a proposed merger with Sibanye Stillwater.
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Advising a major pharmaceutical company in an excessive pricing investigation.
Advising private equity firms including Brait, Metier, RMB Corvest, Abraaj, Capital Works, PSG Capital, Agile Capital, Stockdale Street and others on various acquisitions impacting South Africa and Africa.
News
Final revised Public Interest Guidelines: Commission doubles down on ownership requirements for mergers
On 20 March 2024, the Competition Commission (Commission) gazetted its final Revised Public Interest Guidelines relating to merger control (PI Guidelines). This followed an initial...
Many hands make ‘light’ work: Draft block exemptions for energy suppliers and users published
With (another) national state of disaster in place since 9 February 2023, on 8 March 2023 the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) published for public comment draft...
Robust intervention recommended in the Commission’s preliminary report on the online platform inquiry
On 13 July 2022, the Competition Commission of South Africa (Commission) released for public comment its provisional report (Report) following a 14-month inquiry into the online platforms...
Practical considerations when enforcing pledges and cessions of shares
When providing funding to a borrower, lenders will typically require some form of collateral or security as credit support for the funding to be provided. One form that the security...
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire: The Competition Appeal Court clarifies when you have exited bid-rigging cartel
On 10 February 2022, the Competition Appeal Court (CAC) in the case of Cross Fire Management (Pty) Ltd v The Competition Commission of South Africa Cross Fire Management ( Pty ) CAC...
WEBINAR | Competition and Compromise in a Time of Crisis
Our panel of experts discussed Competition and Compromise in a Time of Crisis: COVID-19 and Competition Law Enforcement. Watch the webinar below.
Chris Charter discusses the implications of the Competition Amendment Act
Director and National Practice Head of Competition, Chris Charter was on eNCA to discuss the implications of the Competition Amendment Act which was signed into law on 13 February...
South Africans paying too much for private healthcare.
Chris Charter, Head of our Competition Practice features on CNBC Africa discussing the topic of South Africans paying too much for private healthcare
Chris Charter comments on the Massmart complaint
Massmart has launched a complaint with the Competition Commission targeting Pick n Pay, Spar and Shoprite in a bid to end lease exclusivity clauses. Chris Charter, Head of our Competition...
Chris Charter on new Competition Commission action against price collusion
Massmart has launched a complaint with the Competition Commission targeting Pick n Pay, Spar and Shoprite in a bid to end lease exclusivity clauses. Chris Charter, Head of our Competition...
A balancing act or dangerous imbalance? Discussing the Evolution and Import of the Public Interest Assessment in the Competition Act
The public interest assessment element of merger control has undergone significant transformation since the Competition Act's inception.
Competition Commission sets sights on digital and social media platforms
Head of our Competition Law practice, recently joined Gugulethu Mfuphi on KAYA FM to discuss the Competition Commission's focus on digital and social media platforms and their impact...
Chris Charter joins Bruce Whitfield on The Money Show
Head of our Competition Law practice, joined The Money Show with Bruce Whitfield to talk about The Competition Commission sets sights on digital and social media platforms and their...
Competition Commission inquiry into how digital content consumption is impacted by online platforms
On 17 March, the Competition Commission published the draft Terms of Reference for a market inquiry into the distribution of traditional media content on digital platforms. Chris Charter...
Competition Commissions guidelines the procurement and supply of school uniforms
Chris Charter, Director and Head of the Competition Law practice joined Smile FM to discuss the Competition Commission's guidelines on the markets for the procurement and supply of...
Market recognition
- Chambers Global 2019 - 2024 ranks Chris Band 1 in Competition/Antitrust. Between 2015 - 2017 Chris was rated Chris Band 2 and has been ranked since 2012 after being recognized in 2009 and rated as "Up and Coming" in 2011. Chambers Global notes Chris Charter stands out to many commentators for the quality of his practice, his excellent service level and his fast turnaround times. One source added: "I'm always impressed by him."
- The Legal 500 EMEA 2017 - 2024 recommended Chris as a leading individual for competition.
- FLR1000 2024 has ranked Chris as highly regarded as a leading lawyer in Aviation.
- FLR1000 2019–2023 recommended Chris as a highly regarded lawyer.
- IFLR1000 2011–2018 recommended Chris as a leading lawyer.
- Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms 2017 to 2020 named Chris as a highly regarded leading lawyer for Competition.
Market recognition
- Chambers Global 2019 - 2024 ranks Chris Band 1 in Competition/Antitrust. Between 2015 - 2017 Chris was rated Chris Band 2 and has been ranked since 2012 after being recognized in 2009 and rated as "Up and Coming" in 2011. Chambers Global notes Chris Charter stands out to many commentators for the quality of his practice, his excellent service level and his fast turnaround times. One source added: "I'm always impressed by him."
- The Legal 500 EMEA 2017 - 2024 recommended Chris as a leading individual for competition.
- FLR1000 2024 has ranked Chris as highly regarded as a leading lawyer in Aviation.
- FLR1000 2019–2023 recommended Chris as a highly regarded lawyer.
- IFLR1000 2011–2018 recommended Chris as a leading lawyer.
- Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms 2017 to 2020 named Chris as a highly regarded leading lawyer for Competition.
Expertise
Competition Law
We can help you navigate competition law matters with strategic advice and practical solutions.
Consumer Goods, Services & Retail
Our multidisciplinary team provides innovative, practical and commercial advice to help our clients achieve their objectives.
Corporate Debt, Turnaround & Restructuring
We have an experience team that can balance our clients' needs with the pragmatic realities they face.
Gambling & Regulatory Compliance
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Industrials, Manufacturing & Trade
We provide a multidisciplinary approach to legal and commercial matters across Africa.
Private Equity
Experts from across our specialist practice areas advise on private equity matters.
Transport & Logistics
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Corporate & White Collar Investigations
CDH’s Corporate & White Collar Investigations team can help clients navigate local and international corporate risk management requirements.
Financial Institutions, Services and Fintech
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Mergers & Acquisitions
CDH’s lawyers balance legal knowledge with commercial understanding to support our clients’ best interests.
Technology & Communications
Our team offers advice on a wide range of functions and sector-related issues.