The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Glyn Marais is a third tier firm,

Glyn Marais mainly focuses on leveraged and acquisition finance, with real estate finance being another key area of work. It predominately acts for borrowers but also acts for major South African banks. Past mandates include acting for Standard Bank on an R800m debt facility made available to Growthpoint Properties for its acquisition of the V&A Waterfront. Willem de Villiers is the lead partner.

Within Corporate and M&A, Glyn Marais is a second tier firm,

Glyn Marais has a particularly impressive record in the real estate sector, while clients also praise its ‘African/international franchise’. It acts for various financial institutions and private equity houses, including recently representing Growthpoint Properties during its R220m acquisition of Menlyn Corner and advising Annuity Properties on its R586m purchase of property assets. The team also advised Standard Chartered Private Equity on its R250m purchase of shares in Afrifresh Holdings. Sanlam is another key client. Willem De Villiers is ‘highly knowledgeable’, ‘gives in-depth and appropriate advice’, and is also ‘brilliant in negotiating legal terms’. Francois Marais is the other senior figure in the team.

Within Dispute resolution, Glyn Marais is a third tier firm,

Glyn Marais lost former department head Craig Assheton-Smith, who left to launch his own practice, but remains ‘extremely professional’ and ‘knowledgeable’, and has ‘very broad strength-in-depth’. The team is particularly strong in labour and real estate disputes. Riaan Du Plessis now heads the practice.

Within Labour and employment, Glyn Marais is a second tier firm,

The ‘excellent’ Glyn Marais is the ‘best we have ever used’, according to one client. The highly knowledgeable and experienced Hugo Pienaar, who acts for a number of multinationals and major domestic companies, recently represented Cricket South Africa and its board in disciplinary proceedings against its suspended CEO. He also acted for Exxaro Coal Mpumalanga during a major strike. Mohsina Chenia is particularly experienced in contentious matters.

Within Mining, Glyn Marais is a third tier firm,

Glyn Marais has market-leading environmental law expertise, with Ernst Basson at the forefront of such matters. Brian Frank and Willem de Villiers are experienced commercial and M&A lawyers. The practice mainly focuses on domestic matters but is also active across Africa. Clients include ARM African Rainbow Minerals, Kermas and Samancor.

Within Tax, Glyn Marais is a third tier firm,

Glyn Marais represents major South African banks, such as Absa, NedBank and Investec, as well as a number of real estate entities including regular client Growthpoint Properties. Experienced practitioner Richard Glyn is widely acknowledged as a technically accomplished tax expert.