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Black-controlled firms are those which have more than 50% equity owned by black lawyers. Some of the larger commercial practices may employ more black lawyers, but the lower proportions would mean they would be classified as ‘black influenced’ or ‘black empowered’ firms.

Langa Attorneys has ten lawyers in its Johannesburg office. Themba Langa is well known for his work for football clubs, but is also an experienced corporate and tax lawyer

Pretoria firm Ledwaba & Mazwai has established itself as first among equals of the fully empowered firms, covering a huge amount for work for government and parastatals. For example, it advised the Gauteng government on the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link project -the largest rail infrastructure project currently under construction in the world, as well as the Department of Correctional Services on the building of five new correctional centres.

MHA Incorporated was formed in 2006 by the merger of Mukwevho Mkhabela Adekeye and Huntley. Dawn Norton and Jane Segole cover a range of commercial work for government, parastatals and local South African businesses on joint ventures with foreign investors. Recently, the firm has undertaken PPP work for the Department of Land Affairs and Department for Environmental Affairs, and also for the City of Johannesburg.

Maponya Inc has capability in various areas. The firm was a pioneer of black empowerment, and currently handles much property-related work.

Three directors at Mchunu Koikanyang Attorneys handle municipal-related contracts work for the likes of City of Johannesburg, as well as mining sector clients such as Ashanti Goldfields and Harmony Gold Mining. Based in Johannesburg, the firm has another office in Durban.

Pretoria-based Mothle Jooma Sabdia has three directors and ten associates covering a range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Thipe Attwell Mothle chairs the firm.

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Press releases

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Legal Developments in South Africa

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

  • How to stop fraud before it happens

    Stopping fraud before it happens is the ultimate goal of a successful fraud prevention and awareness programme. Whilst it is important that fraud prevention controls are robust and are methodically implemented, too often companies fail to recognize that it is the perception of the likelihood of detection and sanction which discourages a person from perpetrating fraud, rather than the actual effectiveness of the internal controls and anti-fraud measures.
    - Bowman Gilfillan

  • Consumer Protection Act and leases

    The Consumer Protection Act 2008 (“ the Act ”) was assented to on 24 April 2009 and is to come into operation incrementally with the majority of the provisions coming into effect 18 months after the date on which the Act was signed by the President.   Accordingly the majority of the provisions of the Act will come into operation on 24 October 2010.
    - Bowman Gilfillan

  • The impact of competition law changes/developments on M&A activity

    The Impact of Competition Law changes/developments (including the practices and policies of the Commission/Tribunal) on M&A activity - with a specific focus on 2008 and also forward looking taking into account expected legislative changes. If possible mention actual company names/cases wherever possible to make it have real life application
    - Bowman Gilfillan

  • Contributed tax capital: simplicity at last!

    By now, many will have heard something about c ontributed tax capital (CTC). A year or so hence, the concept will form part of the South African tax terrain – to the relief of tax practitioners who have had to trawl through the Income Tax Act’s (“the Act”) three-to-four page long definition of a dividend . I certainly heaved a sigh of relief when I read the Revenue Laws Amendment Bill of 2008 (“Bill”). 
    - Bowman Gilfillan

  • The Consumer Protection Bill – Changing the Face of Litigation and ‎Dispute Resolution

    The Consumer Protection Bill is the Department of Trade and Industry’s omnibus consumer protection legislation which has been passed by Parliament and is currently awaiting the President’s signature.
    - Bowman Gilfillan

  • Deliberate manipulation of securities prices will invariably and inevitably be harshly ‎penalised

    Deliberate manipulation of securities prices will be harshly penalised. That’s the clear message to emerge from the 17 February 2009 Financial Services Appeal Board   case of Michael Berman vs the Financial Services Board .
    - Bowman Gilfillan

  • Unconstitutionality of the Competition Amendment Bill By Andrew Smith and Emmylou ‎Wewege

    It is hoped that the President will refer the Competition Amendment Bill to the Constitutional Court rather than sign it into to law so as to resolve its unconstitutionality and avoid unnecessary litigation. Failure to do so will spark constitutional challenges which will prevent it from being implemented while that litigation unfolds.
    - Bowman Gilfillan

  • New Laws in the Pipe Line to Decisively Respond to the Challenge ‎of Climate Change

    New laws may be in the pipeline in South Africa to address climate change after the South African Finance Minister’s (“the Minister”) Budget speech o n 11 February 2009. In the 2009 Budget speech, the Minister announced specific additional measures which South Africa will implement in responding to climate change.
    - Bowman Gilfillan

  • Big business beware – the class and derivative actions are coming!‎ by Carl Stein

    The trend over the past decade in the USA , and more recently in the UK after the enactment of its new Companies Act in 2006, towards more aggressive shareholder activism seems likely to be followed in South Africa once our new Companies Act becomes operative.   This new Act is only awaiting the State President’s signature in order to become law, although it will only come into operation at least one year after the State President does so.
    - Bowman Gilfillan

  • Retaining diversity in a cost cutting environment by Karen Fulton

    With transformation being one of the key strategic imperatives of every South African business is it possible for employers to consider race when selecting employees to be retrenched?
    - Bowman Gilfillan

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

  • KF Fastigheter develops the trade area Mobilia in Lund

    KF Fastigheter has acquired parts of the trade area Mobilia in Lund, and will together with Arne Paulssons Byggnads AB develop the area, including i.a. a Coop supermarket. KF Fastigheter has in connection herewith sold a larger property in central Lund to Paulssons. Mannheimer Swartling advised KF Fastigheter.
    – Mannheimer Swartling

  • Kaul and Capol sold to Riverside

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised the owners in the sale of Kaul GmbH and UK-affiliate, Capol UK Ltd., to The Riverside Company.
    – Mannheimer Swartling

  • Proventus establishes vehicle for investments in corporate loans and bonds

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised Proventus in connection with the establishment of Proventus Capital Partners – a co-investment vehicle focusing on corporate loans and corporate bonds. The investment strategy for this vehicle also allows direct loans to companies and the ambition is to contribute with financing to mid-sized companies in need of capital for growth or restructuring when these companies are unable to secure traditional bank financing.
    – Mannheimer Swartling

  • Protego Real Estate Investors selling Swedish retail properties

    Protego Real Estate Investors has been advised by Mannheimer Swartling on the sale of twelve retail properties situated throughout Sweden for a total value of approximately SEK 210 million.
    – Mannheimer Swartling

  • Teracom divests its broadband business

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised the Teracom Group in the divestiture of its subsidiary Comet Networks to CSIT. Comet Networks operates the Group's broadband business, currently reaching more than 650,000 households and 80,000 businesses in approximately 50 municipalities in Sweden.
    – Mannheimer Swartling

  • Södra Timber acquires Trivselhus

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised Södra Timber in connection with its acquisition of Ittur Prefab Industrier AB, the parent company of the Trivselhus Group, one of Sweden’s leading producers of prefabricated homes. Closing is expected to take place on 1 October 2009. The transaction is subject to inter alia competition clearance.
    – Mannheimer Swartling

  • Varian Medical Systems selected for new proton therapy centre

    Mannheimer Swartling has assisted Varian Medical Systems in entering into agreements for delivery of a proton therapy system to Skandionkliniken. The agreements include supply of an estimated USD 60 million in products. Varian Medical Systems will also have a five year service agreement valued at approximately USD 25 million. Skandionkliniken is the first clinical centre for proton therapy in Scandinavia and will have a capacity of treating 1,000 – 2,500 cancer patients per year. Varian Medical Systems is the world’s leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer.
    – Mannheimer Swartling

  • Wallhamn, Sweden’s largest private port, gains approvals for expansion

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised Wallhamn AB on matters related to gaining approval for expansion of the port’s fairway to facilitate access for larger cargo ships. The port, owned by the Italian-based Grimaldi Group, is used for RoRo cargo, mainly in relation to the import and export of vehicles. The matter involved negotiations and permitting approval from, among others, the Swedish Transport Agency as well as other authorities and concerned parties. The firm recently also advised the Grimaldi Group on its acquisition of 50 per cent of port Wallhamn from EUKOR Car Carriers Inc, making the Grimaldi Group the sole owner of port Wallhamn.
    – Mannheimer Swartling

  • Stena Bulk in joint venture with Asahi Tankers

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised Stena Bulk AB in its new joint venture with Japanese shipping company Asahi Tankers. The joint venture company, Asahi Stena Tankers, will be owned 50/50 by the parties and will invest in tonnage of varying sizes, initially focusing on Suezmax tankers for global transportation of crude oil.
    – Mannheimer Swartling

  • Skandia Liv signs asset management agreement with DnB NOR

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised Skandia Liv on an agreement with DnB NOR to manage a portfolio of assets valued at approximately SEK 80 billion. The agreement replaces a previous asset management agreement between the parties and covers DnB NOR’s continued management of a portfolio of Swedish shares and interest and includes a number of special mandates, amongst others in tactical allocation and advice on “socially responsible investing.”
    – Mannheimer Swartling
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