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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

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South Africa

1

Projects and infrastructure

The ‘well-resourced’ projects team at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP frequently advises on all aspects of project financing, development, and construction, as well as regularly handling complex regulatory issues. Practice head Brigette Baillie has unparalleled expertise in major energy and infrastructure projects, particularly in concession and PPP agreements, PPAs, and the full range of construction issues. Ross Lomax focuses on M&A transactions, project-related corporate work, and general corporate matters. Patrick Hirsch has experience advising both borrowers and lenders, Patrick Leyden specialises in mining and energy sectors, and Carey-Anne Jennings is key in the debt and equity aspects of project finance. Lebo Ramokone advises funders, off-takers, generators, and equity providers, and the ’exceptional’ Spencer Naicker and Ernst Muller are also key contacts in the department.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Spencer Naicker delivers personalised service with quick turnaround times. He is friendly and efficient and very available.'
  • ‘The team are highly supportive and take time to understand the client’s needs. They listen carefully to instructions and deliver on the brief with sound, risk-based advice.'
  • 'Their practical and solutions oriented approach to complex contracting in the energy sector is greatly appreciated and continues to support our business needs.'
  • ‘Spencer Naicker is an exceptional lawyer who brings deep practical experience and a strong solutions oriented mindset to complex transactions. Spencer has an exceptional ability to balance legal risk with commercial realities and is a trusted adviser with extensive knowledge of industry standards and developments.’
  • ‘The team has excellent technical legal abilities but are also very commercial and focus on understanding a client's business to provide fit for purpose and practical legal advice.'
  • ‘Ross Lomax is a very experienced lawyer and we value him for his legal competence. What ultimately stands out is his commitment towards our business and his willingness to go the extra mile to support us. He is not just external counsel supporting us - he is a business partner for our business.’

Key clients

  • Rio Tinto & Richards Bay Minerals
  • Enel Green Power
  • Air Liquide S.A.
  • BW Energy Ltd and BW Kudu Ltd
  • EDF Renewables (Pty) Ltd
  • G7 Renewable Energies (Pty) Ltd
  • International Finance Corporation
  • Rand Merchant Bank
  • Scatec ASA
  • ENGIE
  • Facility for Investments in Renewable Small Transactions (RF) (Pty) Ltd
  • Illovo Sugar Africa (Pty) Ltd

Work highlights

Assisted Mulilo with the preparation of their bids submitted in December 2020 under the Risk Mitigation IPP Procurement Programme and Mulilo project was announced as one of eleven preferred bidders in March 2021.
Representing EDF in relation to a battery storage project awarded pursuant to Round 2 of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy's request for qualification and proposals for the Battery Energy Storage Capacity IPP Procurement Programme.
Acted as international counsel for Standard Bank in a transaction that involved the refinancing of two affiliated power projects in Kenya by a single financier, previously financed separately by different groups of financiers.

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Leading associates

Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Thandeka Diremelo
Thandeka Diremelo
Practice head

Brigette Baillie

Other key lawyers

Ross Lomax; Patrick Hirsch; Patrick Leyden; Carey-Anne Jennings; Lebo Ramokone; Spencer Naicker; Ernst Muller; Busisiwe Sibeko; Thandeka Diremelo