Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH) is a South African firm with a pan-African focus. Founded in 1853, it has grown to its current state through mergers and now employs more than 350 lawyers across offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Stellenbosch.

Focuses / specialisms

The firm engages in high-end, complex work in all areas covered by the ranking tables and has large teams focused on practice areas and industry sectors.

The firm has a particular focus on M&A work where they are in the top tier, but they are also very active in banking, debt and equity capital market and project development and finance.

Sectors of focus for the firm include agriculture, aviation, construction, engineering, energy, mining, and oil and gas.

The firm advises on deals structured under a range of laws in addition to South African, including those of Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, and Swaziland, as well as Chinese, English, and Portuguese law.

Key clients

The firm has developed strong relationships within the banking arena with Nedbank, Richemont, A2X Markets, Hyprop, Investec Property Fund, Harmony Gold and Transcend Residential Property Fund.

In the capital markets area, the firm developed relationships with clients Nedbank Group, Creation Capital Investments Proprietary, True South 1 Proprietary, Capitec Bank, FirstRand Bank, Richemont, Mediclinic, Remgro, Redefine, Stor-Age and Hyprop.

In M&A, the firm has developed ties with Accenture, AFGRI Holdings, African Clean Energy Developments; African Rainbow Capital Investments; Anglo American; ArcelorMittal South Africa; Ampath, Arrowhead Properties; Azelis; Berkshire Hathaway; Blantyre Capital; Brait; Brimstone Investment Corporation; Burger King Holdings, Capital & Regional and Capitec Bank Holdings.

In project development the firm works with Phakwe Witkop Investments, Eco Atlantic Oil and Gas, Cennergi, Lephalale Solar Project, Africa Energy Corp, Anglo American, Anglo Gold, Rustenburg Platinum Mines, ArcelorMittal, CAPM African Precious Metals and BHP Billiton South Africa in the mining and oil and gas space.

Research period review: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

During the research period, the firm was active in banking, debt and equity capital markets, M&A, and project development in the mining and oil and gas space.

In banking the firm worked for a mix of lenders and borrowers in the financial services, mining, technology, healthcare and renewables sectors.

In debt capital markets the firm worked on note and bond issues for issuers in financial services.

In equity capital markets the firm worked on secondary share offerings for clients in financial services and real estate.

In M&A worked on acquisitions and mergers for clients in technology, financial services, real estate, energy and agriculture.

In project development worked on projects for clients in the mining, financial services, energy and real estate sectors. The firm also worked on deals for clients in the mining and infrastructure sectors.

Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

Eco (Atlantic) oil and gas project development

Nedbank ZAR 1 billion note issues

Waterberg JV Resources mining project

Client Feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

Banking and finance

“Strategic advice, detailed guidance, availability and great turnaround times.”

Insolvency

“Good relationship management. Fair pricing.”

M&A

“Professional. Knowledgeable. Responsive. Considered. Thorough. Inspire confidence.”

“They provide overall professional knowledge and guidance; since they have been involved in many matters going back many years, we are able to draw from that institutional knowledge and background context. Very prompt, on-time service delivery.”

“Excellent knowledge base with very good practical application.”

“This was a complex transaction with three parties and three legal teams involved. Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr stood out for me in their commercial astuteness in getting the deal across the line and the breadth of services across commercial, human capital and tax advisory services. I also appreciated the time taken by the Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr team to explain the intricacies of the deal to the management team.”

“CDH provides a full suite of legal services and has extensive experience in M&A transactions in South Africa. This is evident in their practical and solution-driven approach to transactions. Their turnaround times are excellent and they are always available when needed (even if that means after midnight).”

“CDH has a wide range of legal expertise. They offer innovative and reliable advice to us. They are very accessible to their clients and have deep knowledge of the subject matter. They offer pragmatic advice and solutions to complex legal and commercial problems, as was the case here. CDH takes the time to truly understand all aspects of a transaction and in this case took time to understand the business of the company we were investing in in order to mitigate any risks and/or highlight benefits to us.”

“Exceptional understanding of the process and drafting of the sale agreement. Above average understanding of our business.”

“They provide timely, practical legal advice that fits our business requirements. The team is responsive, having deep institutional knowledge of our business and risk appetite.”

“The team spent time unpacking the risks and opportunities of the M&A, so we could make commercial decisions on the transaction.”

“The thoroughness of every aspect that they handled was astonishing. The care taken to protect our interest and the managing of deadlines was of high standard.”

“They are always available, understand our business, and always gives us outstanding legal advice.”

Private equity

“They proactively identify and address issues.”

“Expert and timely advice and very competent service delivery.”

Project development

“They are efficient, knowledgeable and have good network contacts.”

"They provide good industry and regulatory knowledge, practical solutions-driven advice, good client service, and a broad knowledge base and service offering. Good partner interaction backed up by solid support ensures that issues are addressed quickly and efficiently.”

André de Lange

“An excellent lawyer with great knowledge base. André has a very calm and controlled demeanour which is great for M&A.”

"He takes the time to understand the business of our clients and the relevant transaction. He has extensive experience and is solution-driven. He is always available as a sounding board. He does not simply delegate instructions to junior members of his team, but is always hands-on.”

Andrew Giliam

“Excellent across all desired attributes.”

Brian Jennings

“Brian has a very good and in-depth understanding of our business. He is responsive, providing practical and high-quality legal advice, whilst having due consideration to the business's needs and requirements. Brian is particularly strong in the corporate – Commercial sector.”

“Excellent technical knowledge on company law-related matters in particular. He has developed commercial acumen and provides excellent commercially orientated legal advice.”

Charl Williams

“His attention to detail and commercial acumen in deal negotiation and execution is exceptional. Charl Williams' expertise and commercial finesse shows, as well as his ability to resolve the complex underlying commercial aspects of a deal, provide pragmatic solutions for parties, and resolve complexities arising in the transaction to ensure that his client's interests are protected. Charl is very diligent and thorough, ensuring all aspects of the deal are considered, and his attention to detail and analytical thinking is exceptional. He also provides innovative solutions.”

"He is extremely thorough and has brilliant negotiation skills.”

David Thompson

“Professional. Knowledgeable. Responsive. Considered. Thorough. Inspires confidence.”

Haafizah Kota

“Available. Friendly. Excellent communication. Responsible.”

Ian Hayes

“Excellent technical knowledge of corporate law; thorough understanding of our business as well as the broader mining industry requirements, combined with excellent commercial insight. He is what I would call a 'trusted adviser' in every respect.”

Imraan Mahomed

“Imraan guided us on the labour law aspects of the transaction. He provided a wealth of in-depth knowledge and guidance in a clear and meaningful manner.”

Lara Granville

“She is efficient and very knowledgeable in her legal field, which is specifically competitions law. Readily available and fees are reasonable. Top professional.”

Megan Rodgers

“She has very good industry and regulatory knowledge, can bring in expertise where required, provides good client service, and is solution driven.”

Phetole Modika

“He is available to clients, always providing thoughtful insights, client and solutions-oriented, and he has his finger on the pulse of market developments.”

Quintin Honey

"Readily available within a few hours; an exceptional legal mind; highly honorable and ethical; and fees are reasonable. He is simply a pleasure to work with.”

Rachel Kelly

“Rachel has good institutional knowledge of our business and the industry. Rachel can cut to the chase immediately and I don’t need to waste time explaining context to her. She is responsive and available, knowledgeable about the industry and the law and provides practical and commercial advice. Rachel is particularly strong on black economic empowerment, mining and logistic matters.”

Roux van der Merwe

“Roux ensures that he understands our business and has our best interests in every deal.”

Tamarin Tosen

“Very considerate, good human relations, transparent, well-educated and very reliable.”

"Takes a personal interest and takes time to understand our business.”

“Tamarin is thorough in her execution in all she does. She is able to understand the business in a very short period.”

Vivien Chaplin

“Vivien was the lead partner from CDH in the transaction. I found her to be knowledgeable, commercially astute and with a high work ethic in meeting our tight timelines. She is very personable, easy to work with and took the time to explain the complexities of the transaction.”

“Efficient, knowledgeable and has good network contacts.”