Well-known for its 'reliable, practical, and commercially sound legal advice', Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr's real estate team continues to handle a broad spectrum of complex real estate financings. Department lead Muhammad Gattoo is a specialist in commercial property finance for major banks and international lenders. John Webber is an established go-to practitioner recognised for the establishment of numerous townships in the Waterfall mixed-use development, South Africa’s largest property project. Simone Franks is skilled in property agreements, bonds, notarial contracts, and land use matters, while Fatima Gattoo is adept at the registration of complex securities. Natasha Fletcher, Samantha Kelly, Lulama Lobola, Suné Kruger, and Muneerah Hercules are further key contacts.
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.
- ‘John Webber and Samantha Kelly are good problem solvers, working alongside us to build and grow our RE business. They are also always available, taking our calls and giving us prompt feedback.’
- ‘They provide reliable, practical, and commercially sound legal advice that supports our business effectively.'
- 'They are innovative in their thinking and solution driven.'
- ‘Muhammad Gattoo, Fatima Gattoo and Natasha Fletcher stand out for their strategic insight and ability to simplify complex issues into clear, actionable advice. They bring exceptional attention to detail and reliability, which has been invaluable.'
- 'Together, the team is distinguished by responsiveness, practical thinking, and a deep understanding of our business needs qualities that set them apart from competitors.’
- 'It has built big capacity to take on both smaller niche developments to big residential developments. It also has capacity to provide advice on complex development issues, ranging from Council and town-planning issues to general conveyancing and RE transaction structuring issues. So, it really is a one stop shop for all our RE legal matters.'
Key clients
- Sun International
- Attacq
- Century Property Developments
- Tsogo Sun Casinos
- Sable Place Properties
- King Air
- Game Camp
- HBZ Bank
- Vukile Property Fund
- Equites Property Fund
- Standard Bank of South Africa
- Albaraka Bank
Work highlights
Advised Standard Bank of South Africa on the registration of highly-unusual commercial property finance mortgage bonds, ensuring that penalties were averted.
Advising Vukile, a leading investment company and a long-standing client, on all of its property transactions, including, since August 2020, the sale of eight letting enterprises in its portfolio, among more matters.
Advising a leading South Africa-based global banking and wealth management group on the financing of a ZAR multi-million development and on a development lease agreement.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Muhammad Gattoo
Other key lawyers
John Webber; Simone Franks; Fatima Gattoo; Natasha Fletcher; Samantha Kelly; Lulama Lobola; Suné Kruger; Muneerah Hercules