Chris Charter
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.

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
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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
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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
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...

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...

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...

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...

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
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...
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.
Expertise

Competition Law
We can help you navigate competition law matters with strategic advice and practical solutions.

Agriculture, Aquaculture & Fishing
We use our expertise across our disciplines to support our clients' growth and sustainability in the agriculture, aquaculture, and fishing sectors.

Consumer Goods, Services & Retail
Our multidisciplinary team provides innovative, practical and commercial advice to help our clients achieve their objectives.

Gambling & Regulatory Compliance
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Government and State-Owned Entities
We provide a comprehensive service that can be applied to all aspects of public law.

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.

Oil & Gas
Our Oil and Gas team has substantial legal expertise across the value chain.

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.