Headed up by Corlett Manaka, the dispute resolution practice at Werksmans Attorneys has an excellent track record in handling complex commercial disputes. The firm is also a key port of call for clients in the mining, telecoms, and financial services sectors in a wide range of contentious matters, and is very experienced in representing public sector bodies in disputes. Darren Willans counts pension fund litigation and insurance disputes as key areas of expertise, while Jennifer Smit is well versed in handling contentious property and construction mandates. Faith Sikhavhakhavha is active on investigations and Jones Antunes‘ expertise includes mining disputes, contractual litigation, and shareholder disputes.
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Profile

Profile

Work Department

Business Crimes & Investigations, Dispute Resolution and Insolvency, Business Rescue & Restructuring

Position

Corlett Manaka is a director at Werksmans and a member of the Werksmans Inc. Executive Committee. He is Head of the Litigation Department and also heads up the Dispute Resolution practice group.

Career

Director Corlett Manaka is Head of Litigation & Dispute Resolution and a member of the Werksmans Inc. Executive Committee. He advises across the practice areas of Business Crimes & Investigations; Dispute Resolution; and Insolvency, Business Rescue & Restructuring. Corlett specialises in aviation law and litigation; commercial litigation; competition law; regulatory law; local government law; and constitutional and administrative law. He advises on the Provisions of the Public Finance Management Act and the Provisions of the Promotion of Access to Information Act. Corlett co-founded Nalane Manaka Inc, which merged with Werksmans in 2006.

Memberships

Corlett is a member of the Law Society of the Northern Provinces ans also serves on the boards of various entities.

Education

Corlett has BProc and LLB degrees from the University of the North and a Certificate in Competition Law from the University of the Witwatersrand.

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team is able to provide legal solutions where there are complex issues. The advice is also realistic and strikes a balance between the challenges of formal litigation and arbitration and the commercial need for a timely solution.'

  • 'There is a large reservoir of diverse expertise to be drawn on within the team and external counsel which results in an efficient, precise, and appropriate legal strategy for each matter.'
  • 'Their turnaround time is exceptional coupled with a quality product - accuracy is not sacrificed for speed.'
  • ‘Jones Antunes is our 'go-to' for any matter. He has a specific skill to match the legal advice with the commercial framework.'

  • ‘Werksmans is a hands-on law firm which constantly keeps clients updated on developments.'

  • ‘Corlett Manaka is an exceptional attorney.'

Key clients

  • Lenstwe Tshipi Mining Proprietary Limited
  • Glencore South Africa (Pty) Ltd
  • Pick n Pay (Pty) Ltd
  • Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority
  • Saint Gobain Construction Products (Pty) Ltd
  • Africoal (Pty) Ltd
  • Calculus Capital (Pty) Ltd
  • Nedbank Limited
  • Professional Provident Society Limited
  • Bidfood (Pty) Ltd
  • DGI Global (Pty) Ltd
  • Gold Fields Operations Limited
  • Gauteng Management Agency
  • SKG Group of Companies
  • Glencore Operations South Africa Proprietary Limited
  • Afgri Poultry Pty Ltd
  • Mobile Telephone Networks Proprietary Limited
  • Nissan South Africa Proprietary Limited
  • The South African Medical Association NPC
  • VBS Mutual Bank
  • Gibela Rail Transport Consortium
  • The Government of the Republic of South Africa
  • Public Investment Corporation
  • Financial Intelligence Centre
  • South African Roads Agency

Work highlights

Represented the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority in a ongoing dispute concerning the execution of an arbitration award arising from a supply agreement between Fraser Solar and the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Represented the Gauteng Provisional Government in an ongoing insurance dispute with Zurich Insurance Company South Africa, relating to alleged defective design and subsequent damage sustained to a part of the Gautrain tunnel.
Defending the SARB, PA and the FIC in ongoing proceedings involving an equality court application launched by the Sekunjalo Group of Companies, AYO technologies and the founder, Dr Iqbal Survé, concerning allegations of unfair and racial discrimination.