Expertise trusted by business and government

We advise public bodies, businesses and individuals on the exercise of public power, procurement decisions and disputes involving national, provincial and local government.

Our practice includes tender reviews, supply chain management disputes and litigation arising from administrative decisions. We advise on procurement policies and procedures, and on obligations under the Public Finance Management Act and the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act.

Services include:

• Advice and opinions on administrative powers, public procurement and financial management obligations;
• Review of tender awards and other administrative decisions;
• High Court and Constitutional Court litigation concerning public power and procurement;
• Drafting and reviewing supply chain management policies and procedures; and
• Investigations into unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

We advise and represent employers and employees in workplace disputes, executive terminations and employment litigation. Our clients include businesses, public bodies and individuals across government, higher education, banking and retail.

The practice covers employment agreements, workplace policies, disciplinary proceedings, retrenchments, incapacity, employment equity, collective bargaining and industrial action. We also conduct internal workplace investigations, including matters involving senior employees, alleged dishonesty and breaches of fiduciary duties.

We represent clients at the CCMA, bargaining councils and in private arbitration, and in proceedings before the Labour Court and the relevant appeal courts. Our litigation work includes disputes over retrospective reinstatement, arrear remuneration and compliance with court orders.

Services include:

• Executive employment agreements, terminations and restraint of trade disputes;
• Chairing and initiating disciplinary enquiries;
• Advice and representation in unfair dismissal and unfair labour practice disputes;
• Retrenchment consultation, selection criteria and severance disputes;
• Advice on poor work performance and ill-health incapacity;
• Employment equity, organisational rights and industrial action matters;
• Workplace investigations and advice on disciplinary action arising from the findings; and
• Employment litigation, appeals and enforcement proceedings.

We provide training for human resources, employee relations and management teams on disciplinary enquiries, workplace misconduct, incapacity, collective bargaining and CCMA proceedings. Training also covers employment equity obligations and developments in employment legislation and case law.

We conduct forensic investigations for corporate and public sector clients into suspected fraud, corruption, financial misconduct and procurement irregularities.

Our work includes investigations involving directors, executives and senior employees, as well as allegations of collusion, bribery, dereliction of duty and breaches of fiduciary duties. We prepare investigation reports and advise on the legal and procedural steps arising from the findings.

Services include:

• Corporate and public sector forensic investigations;
• Investigations into tender fraud and supply chain irregularities;
• Investigation reports, findings and recommendations;
• Advice on weaknesses in internal policies and procedures identified during an investigation;
• Disciplinary proceedings and civil claims arising from alleged misconduct; and
• Advice on referring suspected criminal conduct to the relevant authorities.

We advise and represent businesses and individuals in commercial disputes, including shareholder and director disputes, claims for damages and urgent High Court applications.

Our work includes restraint of trade and unlawful competition proceedings, disputes concerning trade marks and copyright, and applications under the Companies Act. We also advise on disputes in banking and financial services, including debarment proceedings under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act and matters before the Financial Services Tribunal.

Services include:

• Shareholder and director disputes, including alleged breaches of fiduciary duties;
• Commercial claims for damages and the defence of civil proceedings;
• Urgent interdicts concerning restraint of trade and unlawful competition;
• Trade mark and copyright disputes;
• Financial services disputes, including debarment matters; and
• Advice and representation in arbitration and court proceedings.

We advise employers, employees, pension funds and trustees on pension law, employee benefits and employee share schemes. Our work includes advice under the Pension Funds Act and representation in bargaining council exemption applications.

We advise employers and employees on immigration requirements affecting employment in South Africa, including applications for permission to work and the implications for employment arrangements.

We advise professional football clubs and players on employment and contractual disputes, including matters under the National Soccer League constitution and rules. Our services include representation in the NSL Dispute Resolution Chamber and advice on sponsorship and endorsement agreements.