South Africa > Competition
Competition
Well known for its transactional expertise, Bowman Gilfillan has also developed a market-leading cartels and litigation practice. The firm is representing SABMiller in ongoing litigation relating to the use of appointed distributors in exclusive territories and alleged abuse of dominance. Robert Legh, Derek Lotter and Jean Meijer show industry knowledge and technical expertise, and are recommended.
ENS (Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs) has developed a market-leading behavioural competition and litigation practice, and acted for Massmart, Nedbank, Liberty Group and Tiger Brands in relation to an investigation by the Competition Commission into the retail and wholesale sectors. It also advised Massmart on its proposed R17bn acquisition by Wal-Mart. Lee Mendelsohn heads the department.
Webber Wentzel’s ‘absolutely brilliant’ and ‘top-quality’ department regularly advises on mergers and behavioural competition issues, and in litigation. It represented Wal-Mart in its proposed R17bn acquisition of Massmart, and acted for British Airways/Comair in a major abuse of dominance case. Robert Wilson, who ‘understands the nuances of competition law’, and the ‘pragmatic’, ‘business-oriented’ and ‘intellectually astute’ Martin Versfeld jointly head the practice. Senior figure Lesley Morphet,Desmond Rudman and Daryl Dingley are also recommended.
DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is commended for its ‘knowledge of the inner workings of the regulatory authorities’ and the ability to communicate and negotiate with the Competition Commission. The group represented construction company Aveng Africa in the Competition Commission’s first ever fast-track settlement proceeding on collusion. Chris Charter is ‘a superb competition lawyer’, as are Nick Altini and Andries le Grange, who regularly acts as counsel to South African Airways.
Norton Rose South Africa is making considerable headway, thanks in part to the efforts of ‘experienced and forthright’ department head Heather Irvine, who has appeared in a series of important cases. These include the Nutri-Flo fertiliser cartel case, which resulted in the dismissal of a complaint against client Omnia Holdings. The firm also acted for three government ministers in an appeal and review of the Competition Tribunal’s decision on the acquisition of Massmart by Wal-Mart. Rosalind Lake is considered to be ‘very efficient, thorough and knowledgeable’.
Despite not having the wider resources of its full-service competitors, competition law boutique Nortons Inc represents blue-chip local and international companies. Anthony Norton and Anton Roets are recommended.
Werksmans Attorneys’ highly respected competition department appointed Ahmore Burger-Smidt, former head of the enforcement and exemptions division at the Competition Commission, as a director at the firm in 2011. The ‘calm, intelligent’ Paul Coetser has ‘excellent specialist knowledge’, and the ‘knowledgeable, diligent and enthusiastic’ Paul Cleland and Pieter Steyn are also recommended.
Bell Dewar’s Stephen Langbridge has impressed the market with his merger clearance and litigation expertise. Mirroring the firm’s core focus, his record is particularly strong in the mining and resources industries.