South Africa > Tax
Index of tables
Tax
Leading individuals
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- Emil Brincker DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
- Peter Dachs ENS (Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs)
- Richard Glyn Glyn Marais
- Wally Horak Bowman Gilfillan
- Alan Keep Bowman Gilfillan
- Ernest Mazansky Werksmans Attorneys
ENS (Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs) is particularly noteworthy for international tax structuring, and is also active in corporate tax and restructurings, and has a breadth and depth of expertise that sets it apart from its competitors. It recruited Ernie Lai King from Norton Rose South Africa in 2011, thereby deepening its capability on China-related transactions. It also recruited senior tax specialist Julie Pousson from BHP Billiton. Department heads Bernard du Plessis and Peter Dachs are renowned for their international tax expertise, as is Robert Gad. Gerhard Badenhorst is recommended for indirect tax issues, and the ‘practical’ Gary Vogelman ‘has good relationships with the relevant government departments’ and is ‘a lateral thinker’.
Bowman Gilfillan had established a reputation for advising on tax aspects of M&A and capital markets, but the arrival of tax litigator Johan Kotze from DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr and customs and excise specialist Virusha Subban from ENS (Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs) broadened its scope further. The firm acts for a range of multinationals and banks, including Standard Bank, which it recently advised on the structuring and implementation of a bancassurance agreement with Liberty Group. Alan Keep heads the department, which also includes renowned international tax expert Wally Horak.
DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr’s ‘world-class’ reputation is thanks in part to Emil Brincker, who is ‘a cut above the rest’ and ‘the foremost tax expert in South Africa on corporate reorganisations and structured finance transactions’, and is also recommended for tax litigation. The department represents banks, and is also particularly active in the mining and resources sector.
International tax structuring and M&A are pillars of Webber Wentzel’s ‘highly experienced’ and ‘very well respected’ tax department. Michael Honiball heads the practice, which further strengthened its international tax credentials by recruiting Anne Bennett from Deloitte in January 2011, where she was head of international tax in South Africa. Clients also highlight the tax structuring advice and management incentive schemes expertise, particularly in the private equity space, where Mark Linington is highly recommended. Also recommended are Brian Dennehy, who advised Wal-Mart on tax aspects of its bid for Massmart, and Patricia Williams, who leads the tax disputes practice. Ian MacKenzie retired from the partnership in 2011 but remains available on a consultancy basis.
Werksmans Attorneys is ‘great value for money’, and its team consists of ‘some of the best tax advisers’ in South Africa. Ernest Mazansky has ‘great technical knowledge’ and ‘experience’. Doelie Lessing and Patrick McGurk are also recommended.
Glyn Marais’ small department has a strong structured finance focus, and provides ‘exceptional value for money compared to other, larger firms’. Property-related structuring and corporate restructuring are also a core focus area, and it is growing its profile on cross-border tax instructions. Clients include Absa Bank, NedBank, Investec, FirstRand, Growthpoint and Bravura Equity Services. The immensely experienced and highly respected Richard Glyn heads the practice.
Andrew Wellsted and Peter Surtees are the primary tax lawyers at Norton Rose South Africa following Ernie Lai King’s move to ENS (Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs) in 2011. Its expertise includes tax advice relating to financing and mining, as well as indirect taxation.