Denise Durand
Denise Durand is a Director in the Dispute Resolution practice with experience across a wide range of complex commercial disputes. Her work spans High Court litigation and arbitration, with a particular focus on matters arising in regulated and resource-intensive industries. She advises clients on contentious commercial, contractual and regulatory issues, often in matters with significant operational, financial and reputational implications.
She has particular expertise in mining-related disputes, including matters under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, challenges to mining rights, illegal mining, encroachments on mining areas, and engagements with traditional councils and government authorities in relation to community land.
In addition to dispute resolution, Denise advises on regulatory compliance, statutory interpretation and risk management, and is frequently involved in crisis response and reputation-sensitive matters.
About Denise
About Denise
Denise began her career as a mineral rights manager in an investment group before pursuing law. Denise joined Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr as an Associate in 2017 and became a Senior Associate in 2019. Denise was promoted to Director in 2024.
Denise acts for blue-chip clients across sectors including mining, financial services, pharmaceuticals, property, agriculture, education, tourism and infrastructure. Her experience includes contract enforcement and damages claims, shareholder and eviction disputes, business rescue and insolvency litigation, foreclosure proceedings, interdicts and review applications.
Credentials
Credentials
Education
- BA in Applied Economics and Law, University of the Witwatersrand
- LLB, University of the Witwatersrand
- Year of admission as an attorney: 2016
- Registered with the Legal Practice Council
Languages
Languages
- English
About Denise
Denise began her career as a mineral rights manager in an investment group before pursuing law. Denise joined Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr as an Associate in 2017 and became a Senior Associate in 2019. Denise was promoted to Director in 2024.
Denise acts for blue-chip clients across sectors including mining, financial services, pharmaceuticals, property, agriculture, education, tourism and infrastructure. Her experience includes contract enforcement and damages claims, shareholder and eviction disputes, business rescue and insolvency litigation, foreclosure proceedings, interdicts and review applications.
Credentials
Education
- BA in Applied Economics and Law, University of the Witwatersrand
- LLB, University of the Witwatersrand
- Year of admission as an attorney: 2016
- Registered with the Legal Practice Council
Languages
- English
Experience
Drafting of legal pleadings, notices and documents in commercial disputes, including but not limited to, enforcement of contracts or damages claims, shareholder disputes, review applications, eviction applications, successfully opposing business rescue applications, foreclosure of immoveable properties, recovery of commercial rental arrears and interdict proceedings;
Drafting of legal pleadings, notices and documents in commercial disputes, including but not limited to, enforcement of contracts or damages claims, shareholder disputes, review applications, eviction applications, successfully opposing business rescue applications, foreclosure of immoveable properties, recovery of commercial rental arrears and interdict proceedings;
Crisis management and providing guidance for preventing reputational damage;
Interpreting various legislation and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements;
Advising on corporate governance and supporting clients’ company secretaries in their duties;
Advising on legal implications of contractual obligations;
Reviewing and negotiating contracts including option agreements for acquiring additional shares in a mining company, a joint venture and memorandum of understanding for renewable energy projects, and a non-circumvention agreement regarding financing for a mining company's capital raise.
Reviewing and providing commentary on the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (“MPRDA”).
Initiating and opposing appeals in terms of Section 96 of the MPRDA including, opposing reviews of the granting of mining rights.
Advising clients on illegal mining and encroachments on mining areas.
Engaging with traditional councils and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in regard to mining activities conducted on community land and reviewing notarial leases and trust deeds.
News
Community oversight in corporate structures
The Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act 3 of 2019 (TKLA) authorises councils of traditional and Khoi-San communities (councils) to enter into agreements in their own names on behalf...
Digging for alignment: Africa’s ESG crossroads
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations have become central to the legal and commercial landscape of global mining, shaping investor risk appetite, regulatory compliance...
The dispute resolution landscape for the mining industry in South Africa
South Africa, a country rich in minerals, presents significant opportunities, as well as challenges, for international investors seeking to invest in South Africa and beneficiate minerals...
Overlaps and oversight: Navigating mineral rights in South Africa
As the global economy begins to embrace the transition to green metals, ensuring certainty of mineral right tenure is crucial for the sustainability of these aspirations. The granting...
Side-stepping subpoenas
A long-standing favourite of court-room dramas, the service and use of subpoenas plays a central role in the functioning of our legal system.
Expertise
Dispute Resolution
Our lawyers work together with clients to find business-oriented dispute resolution solutions.
International Arbitration
We guide our clients through the complexities of international arbitration.
Mining & Minerals
We help our clients navigate legal and administrative complexities in this key economic sector.