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Chris Charter

Practice Head, Director

Chris Charter is a Director and Head of our Competition Law practice. Chris has over 20 years' specialist experience in African anti-trust and has advised numerous blue-chip South African and multinational businesses on all aspects of competition law compliance, including merger control, prohibited practice investigations, interim relief and litigation, and market inquiry work. 

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.

+27 (0)11 562 1053
chris.charter@cdhlegal.comJohannesburg
Chris Charter

About Chris

About Chris

After time spent at PriceWaterhouseCoopers London, Chris began his legal career at Cliffe Dekker (now Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr) in 2001. He has been a Director since 2007.

Credentials

Credentials

Education

  • BA LLB, University of Stellenbosch
  • Year of admission as an attorney: 2003
  • Registered with the Legal Practice Council

Memberships

  • Chris has served as a member of the Executive Committee and as Chairperson of the Association of Competition Law Practitioners, the successor body to the Competition Law Committees of the Council of the Law Societies of the Western Cape and Northern Provinces

  • Co-Chair of the International Bar Association's Working Groups on Unilateral Conduct and Digital Markets

About Chris

After time spent at PriceWaterhouseCoopers London, Chris began his legal career at Cliffe Dekker (now Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr) in 2001. He has been a Director since 2007.

Credentials

Education

  • BA LLB, University of Stellenbosch
  • Year of admission as an attorney: 2003
  • Registered with the Legal Practice Council

Memberships

  • Chris has served as a member of the Executive Committee and as Chairperson of the Association of Competition Law Practitioners, the successor body to the Competition Law Committees of the Council of the Law Societies of the Western Cape and Northern Provinces

  • Co-Chair of the International Bar Association's Working Groups on Unilateral Conduct and Digital Markets

Experience

Massmart Holdings

Successfully acting for Massmart Holdings (part of the Walmart group) in general compliance matters and in relation to a number of horizontal mergers.

Harmony Gold

Advising Harmony Gold Mining Company in its hostile takeover bid for Gold Fields.

Independent News and Media

Successfully defending Independent News and Media against allegations of abuse of dominance.

Pioneer Foods

Acting for Pioneer Foods in investigations into alleged collusion in the bread, maize and wheat industries.

Aveng Limited

Acting for Aveng Limited an GrinakerLTA in regard to Commission investigations into collusion.

Coca-Cola Company

Advising The Coca-Cola Company on compliance throughout Africa and in regard to various major acquisitions and restructures to its bottling system in South Africa and Africa.

Investec Bank Limited

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 (now Bud Group).

Sinopec

Advising Sinopec in regard to its proposed acquisition of Chevron South Africa.

Remgro

Advising Remgro in regard to its acquisition of Unilever's spreads business in South Africa and neighbouring countries.

ANZ Bank

Advising ANZ Bank in regard to ongoing proceedings brought by the Commission against numerous banks alleged to have engaged in foreign exchange collusion.

Lonmin Plc and Sibanye-Stillwater

Advising Lonmin Plc and Sibanye-Stillwater in various matters including Sibanye-Stillwater's acquisition of Lonmin.

Major pharmaceutical company

Advising a major pharmaceutical company in an ongoing excessive pricing investigation and subsequent referral for prosecution.

MiXTelematics

Advising MiXTelematics on dual distribution.

Remgro

Advising on Remgro's acquisition of Vumatel, a major transaction in the fibre-to-the-home and related infrastructure market.

Private equity firms

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

Many hands make ‘light’ work: Draft block exemptions for energy suppliers and users published
Competition Law

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
Competition Law

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
Dispute Resolution

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
Competition Law

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...
Education is the key to success – well, so is competition: The Competition Commission’s guideline on the procurement of school uniform and learning materials
Competition Law

Education is the key to success – well, so is competition: The Competition Commission’s guideline on the procurement of school uniform and learning materials

The Competition Commission has again weighed in on the market for the procurement and supply of school uniforms and other learning-related materials. The Commission reports that since...

All articles by Chris
WEBINAR | Competition and Compromise in a Time of Crisis
Competition Law

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

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.

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

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

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...

All videos by Chris
Competition Commission inquiry into how digital content consumption is impacted by online platforms
Competition Law

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
Competition Law

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...
Chris Charter discusses the Competition Amendment Act
Competition Law

Chris Charter discusses the Competition Amendment Act

Chris Charter, National Practice Head and Director in the Competition Practice joined Smile 90.4FM to speak about President Cyril Ramaphosa having published a notice in the Government...
Chris Charter discusses the impact of the new Competition Amendment Bill
Competition Law

Chris Charter discusses the impact of the new Competition Amendment Bill

Chris Charter, National Practice Head of Competition, joined Classic Business with Moneyweb on Classic FM to discuss the impact of the new Competition Amendment Bill on foreign investment...

All podcasts by Chris

Market recognition

  • Chambers Global 2019-2023 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 2017–2023 recommended Chris as a leading individual for competition.
  • IFLR1000 2022 ranked Chris highly regarded leading lawyer for Aviation.
  • Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms 2017 to 2020 named Chris as a highly regarded leading lawyer for Competition. The IFLR1000 - Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms 2010 to 2016 lists Chris as a leading lawyer in Competition/Aviation sector.
  • Who's Who Legal - The International Who's Who of Competition Lawyers and Economists 2012 to 2017 lists Chris among the leading Competition lawyers in South Africa. Who's Who Legal listed Chris among Competition Future Leaders 2017.

Market recognition

  • Chambers Global 2019-2023 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 2017–2023 recommended Chris as a leading individual for competition.
  • IFLR1000 2022 ranked Chris highly regarded leading lawyer for Aviation.
  • Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms 2017 to 2020 named Chris as a highly regarded leading lawyer for Competition. The IFLR1000 - Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms 2010 to 2016 lists Chris as a leading lawyer in Competition/Aviation sector.
  • Who's Who Legal - The International Who's Who of Competition Lawyers and Economists 2012 to 2017 lists Chris among the leading Competition lawyers in South Africa. Who's Who Legal listed Chris among Competition Future Leaders 2017.

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