Co-led by Sarah McKenzie and Maria Philippides, the 'brilliant' disputes team at Webber Wentzel routinely advises on complex corporate, contractual, and regulatory disputes, including class actions, across regulated sectors like finance, energy, insurance, healthcare, media, mining, and telecoms. McKenzie specialises in international and domestic commercial and treaty arbitrations, while Philippides advises top insurers, clients active in the security sector, and medical and dental professionals. Trevor Versfeld acts for major banks and mining companies, Nick Alp focuses on cross-border disputes, Vlad Movshovich is skilled in arbitration proceedings, and Priyesh Daya boasts expertise in corporate litigation. Dario Milo is also a key member of the department with a focus on football disputes, and Pooja Dela is active in administrative law disputes, and Michael Straeuli in financial services matters.
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Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The team at Webber Wentzel are brilliant. They combine great cross-jurisdictional legal knowledge with commercial acumen and bring a calm and effective approach to bear on thorny disputes.’
- ‘Sarah McKenzie is exceptionally bright, commercially minded and tenacious. She is very good at identifying and focussing on matters to achieve a great result for the client.'
- ‘Great focus on client relationships and going the extra mile in delivery of services.’
- ‘Priyesh Daya is an excellent relationship partner. He is flexible and always accommodating of client needs.’
- ‘The individuals take time to understand the matter at hand to ensure a precise response. They refer to and highlight relevant legal prescripts and case laws to substantiate their responses to their approach.’
- ‘With regards to dispute resolution, what makes the practitioners unique is their deep knowledge of the various dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration, as well as court processes.'
Key clients
- Ibex Group
- Anglo American South Africa (Pty) Ltd
- Transnet SOC Limited
- National Soccer League
- Absa Group Ltd
- Framatome
- Murray & Roberts
- RCL
- Sanlam Burkina Faso Societe Anonyme
- QBE European Operations as the liability insurer of Sibanye Gold
Work highlights
Advised the Ibex Group (formerly the Steinhoff Group) in four interrelated, highly complex, and large quantum review proceedings concerning various administrative action taken by the South African Reserve Bank against the Ibex Group.
Advised Anglo American on opposing a class action certification application brought on behalf of all coal mineworkers (past and current) who seek certification to bring a class action to recover damages for Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis and associated or related lung and respiratory diseases alleged to have been contracted by the class members as a result of undue exposure to respirable coal dust in the South African coal mines where they work/worked.
Advised the joint business rescue practitioners on the business rescue process of M&R and advising them on all aspects of the business rescue process.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Sarah McKenzie; Maria Philippides
Other key lawyers
Trevor Versfeld; Nick Alp; Vlad Movshovich; Priyesh Daya; Dario Milo; Pooja Dela; Michael Straeuli