Timothy Smit

Tim was admitted as an attorney in February 2011. Tim joined Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc as a Senior Associate in 2017 and was promoted to Director in the Dispute Resolution practice in 2019.

• Representing a major telecommunications provider and major outsourcing group in prosecuting and opposing administrative review proceedings relating to state tenders.

• Representing a major international retail group in general commercial issues regarding perfection of securities, retail and real estate disputes.

• Representing insurers, brokerages, underwriters and individuals in professional indemnity claims, D&O claims, construction and engineering claims, product liability claims, subrogated recovery claims, public liability claims and claims of medical malpractice.

• Representing a minority shareholder of a joint venture in prosecuting derivative action proceedings against a large multinational company.

• Representing the shareholders of an eminent fintech company in the favourable settlement of a complex dispute between shareholders relating to the sale of a fintech subsidiary.

• Acting for a major international motor vehicle manufacturer in regard to product liability claims.

• Representing a major private hospital group in defending claims of medical malpractice and in prosecuting construction related disputes.

• Conducting fraud and under-performance related investigations for major corporations.

• Assisting a director of a major South African bank in respect of a claim brought by the shareholders of the bank against the directors of the bank for shareholder value diminution.

• Pursuing actions against former directors to have those directors declared delinquent. 

• Chambers Global 2025 - 2026 ranked Tim Band 3 for corporate investigations. 
• The Legal 500 EMEA 2025 recommended Tim for dispute resolution.
• The Legal 500 EMEA 2020 - 2023 recommended Tim as a "Next Generation Partner" in dispute resolution.
• The Legal 500 EMEA 2022 recognised Tim on its Arbitration Private Practice Powerlist - Africa Region