Reece May
Reece May is a Director in our Competition Law practice. Reece specialises in a range of competition law matters and has experience in national, foreign and regional mergers, prohibited practices (cartels and abuse of dominance) and competition law compliance. Reece also does work involving the Consumer Protection Act and has a litigation background.
About Reece
About Reece
Reece began his legal career as a candidate attorney with Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr in 2017 where he became an associate in 2019. After studying a LLM in Amsterdam, Reece rejoined as an Associate in 2021 and was appointed Senior Associate in 2022.
Reece was appointed as a Director in April 2025.
Credentials
Credentials
Education
- LLB (Cum Laude) – University of Pretoria
- LLM (Commercial Law) – University of Cape Town
- LLM (European Competition Law & Regulation) (Cum Laude) – University of Amsterdam
- Registered with the Legal Practice Council
- Attorney of the High Court of South Africa: 2019
- Notary Public of the High Court of South Africa
Memberships
- Member of the Association of Competition Law Practitioners South Africa (Junior Chapter EXCO)
Languages
Languages
- Afrikaans
- English
About Reece
Reece began his legal career as a candidate attorney with Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr in 2017 where he became an associate in 2019. After studying a LLM in Amsterdam, Reece rejoined as an Associate in 2021 and was appointed Senior Associate in 2022.
Reece was appointed as a Director in April 2025.
Credentials
Education
- LLB (Cum Laude) – University of Pretoria
- LLM (Commercial Law) – University of Cape Town
- LLM (European Competition Law & Regulation) (Cum Laude) – University of Amsterdam
- Registered with the Legal Practice Council
- Attorney of the High Court of South Africa: 2019
- Notary Public of the High Court of South Africa
Memberships
- Member of the Association of Competition Law Practitioners South Africa (Junior Chapter EXCO)
Languages
- Afrikaans
- English
Experience
South African Merger Control – Multi Sector Experience
Drafting various South African large and intermediate merger notifications in the security, investment / finance, freight forwarding, banking, fast food, engineering, agriculture, renewable energy, real estate, aviation, packaging, recycling, pharmaceuticals, insurance, battery, fishing, automotive and medical sectors. Engaging on and negotiating conditions to address various competition and public interest issues including employment and HDP ownership.
Cartel Prosecutions – Price Fixing
Drafting pleadings and defending a South African bank in cartel proceedings for an alleged international foreign exchange cartel in the Constitutional Court.
Complex and Contested Merger Investigations
Representing packaging industry firms in opposed consideration application regarding a prohibited merger.
Regional and Foreign Merger Control Experience
Drafting merger notifications and conditions compliance reports in COMESA, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Tanzania and Mozambique in the private equity, motor vehicle, retail, engineering and real estate sectors.
Abuse of Dominance
Representing client in South Africa's first tying Abuse of Dominance case.
Merger Control: Public Interest
Drafting merger notification and representing a firm in a merger before the Competition Tribunal setting precedent on the approach to consider public interest factors under the amended Competition Act.
Cartel Prosecutions – Bid Rigging
Representing fire protection company and attending hearing before the Competition Appeal Court to oppose bid-rigging cartel prosecution.
Interim Interdicts
Drafting pleadings and opposing an abuse of dominance interim interdict lodged against supermarket chain.
Market Inquiries
Advising internet search firm in responding to the Commission's Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry.
Multi-National Merger Control
Drafting South African and African merger filings in respect of multi-national merger filings in the pharmaceuticals, mining, real estate and freight forwarding sectors.
Cartel Investigations
Representing a bank in cartel investigations into alleged fixing of mortgage and prime rates as well as alleged price fixing of the trading of commodity futures.
Compliance Advice
Advising bank on the competition risks associated with vehicle financing alliance agreements with OEMs and vehicle dealerships.
Consumer Protection Law
Drafting opinions and providing consumer protection law advice to clients regarding online gambling activities, cloning of pharmaceutical products, franchise agreements and promotional competitions.
Initiating Competition Complaints
Conducting research and drafting abuse of dominance complaints in the securities depository, aviation and leisure weapons sectors.
Dawn Raids
Drafting dawn raid policies and providing dawn raid training.
Due Diligences
Conducting regulatory due diligence in the automotive, paint, telecommunications, retail apparel, and gifting sectors.
News
Unlocking value in commercial transactions while avoiding the pitfalls
Tax structuring isn’t an afterthought or an exercise to be delegated to accountants once the commercial deal is done – it’s a strategic imperative that can make or break the deal....
Can a positive ESG story justify an anti-competitive ending?
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations have evolved from toothless corporate catchphrases into key strategic imperatives. Globally, ESG principles now shape investment decisions,...
The Competition Commission’s New Groove: A Business-Friendly Shift
Practice Head Chris Charter and Directors Albert Aukema and Reece May were recently featured in Ghost Mail, where they discussed: “The Competition Commission’s New Groove: A Business-Friendly Shift?”
When does an internal restructure need approval from the competition authorities? The Competition Commission provides its views in its draft guidelines
On 24 January 2025, the Competition Commission (Commission) published its draft guidelines on internal restructuring (Draft Guidelines). These Draft Guidelines, although not final,...
The ABCs of merger investigations in South Africa: When do the competition authorities need to know about your deal?
The Competition Act 89 of 1998 (Competition Act) requires certain deals to be approved by the competition authorities prior to implementation. This alert unpacks when you would need...
Price personalisation or price discrimination: Can your computer tell the difference
Reece May, Senior Associate in the Competition Law practice joined Jeremy Maggs on Hot 1027 to discuss Price personalisation or price discrimination: Can your computer tell the difference?
The legal do's and don'ts for influencers, according to COMESA
Social media has offered ordinary people the opportunity to make extraordinary income through influencer marketing, but what are some of the legal do's and don'ts for influencers,...
When the neighbouring building developer plans ruin your scenery
Dispute Resolution Director, Joe Whittle & Associate, Reece May joined Classic FM to discuss what building owners should do when the neighbouring building developer plans ruin your...
Market recognition
- The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 recommended Reece for competition.
Market recognition
- The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 recommended Reece for competition.
Expertise
Competition Law
We can help you navigate competition law matters with strategic advice and practical solutions.
Consumer Protection
We help clients interpret and implement all aspects of this landmark legislation in South Africa.