Restructuring/Insolvency
Global Guide 2024 : South Africa
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+27 11 669 9000About
Provided by Bowmans
Restructuring is broader than formal bankruptcy or liquidation processes. It includes covenant re-setting, ‘amend and extend’ discussions, forbearances or waivers of default, consensual solutions such as refinancing, sale of non-core assets, cash injections and restructuring of the business or equity, as well as formal processes such as schemes of arrangement, business rescue and liquidation.
Our Restructuring Practice operates as an integrated team across all of our offices and practices to provide our clients with a user-friendly engagement model and service of a consistently high quality.
We have experience advising on a wide range of transactions throughout Africa and considerable experience in cross-border restructurings that involve simultaneous insolvency filings in multiple jurisdictions. This extends to advising on pan-European and co-ordinated US/ Europe restructurings.
Our clients include large national clients in African jurisdictions where we have representation, as well as multinationals and international law firms acting on their behalf, non-government entities, governments, state-owned entities and financial institutions.
Chambers Review
Bowmans fields a strong restructuring group with expertise across a diverse range of areas. The team handles a variety of restructuring mandates for some of the region’s largest manufacturers, telecoms companies and financial institutions. The firm is additionally active representing business rescue practitioners, assisting with post-commencement documentation, the structuring of transactions, and disputes resulting from counterclaims. Regularly acting for creditors and bondholders, the firm frequently plays a pivotal role in the sale of subsidiaries and other assets as part of formal restructuring processes.
Work Highlights
- The Bowmans team acted for several banking institutions on the restructuring of the Land and Agricultural Bank of South Africa.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Bowmans has multiple knowledgeable and experienced restructuring and insolvency lawyers who work exceptionally well across the firm with their banking and finance team."
"We choose to work with Bowmans because it is a well-known and well-respected law firm that renders an outstanding service."
"Bowmans has multiple knowledgeable and experienced restructuring and insolvency lawyers who work exceptionally well across the firm with their banking and finance team."
"We choose to work with Bowmans because it is a well-known and well-respected law firm that renders an outstanding service."
Notable Practitioners
Based in Cape Town, Adam Harris is a notable name in the insolvency market. He is regularly seen acting for banks and other creditors, as well as distressed companies, on formal and informal restructuring and other insolvency-related issues.
"Adam Harris is excellent for liquidation and recovery litigation, and negotiations."
Cape Town-based Juliette de Hutton acts for a range of insolvency practitioners and high-street lenders on numerous restructuring and business rescue files.
"I have no hesitation in recommending Juliette de Hutton. I have always found Juliette to be very knowledgeable about cross-border insolvency issues and I would not hesitate to use her services."
"She is an expert in her field and a wonderful adviser."
Tobie Jordaan continues to enhance his growing reputation in the restructuring space. With an impressive breadth of expertise, he represents a range of business rescue practitioners, lenders and corporate clients. He joined Bowmans in January 2024.
Kgosi Nkaiseng joins the rankings following his high degree of activity on the firm's key mandates, as well as positive client feedback. He is well placed to advise business rescue practitioners as well as distressed companies. He joined Bowmans in January 2024.
"Kgosi Nkaiseng is an absolute pleasure to work with and he is extremely knowledgeable."
Kylene Weyers specialises in business rescue and corporate recovery, alongside her skills in general commercial litigation. She is equally capable of representing liquidators and distressed entities. She joined Bowmans in January 2024.
"Kylene Weyers knows what she is doing and clients enjoy working with her."
Ranked Lawyers at
Bowmans
South Africa
Members
Provided by Bowmans
James McKinnell
Lyndon Norley
Peter Whelan
Ulrike Naumann
Clients
Provided by Bowmans
ABSA Bank
Cell C
Credit Suisse
Investec Asset Management
J Stern & Co
Oger Telecommunications
Standard Chartered Bank
Tata Telecommunications Limited
The Standard Bank of South Africa
Industries
Provided by Bowmans
Aerospace & Defence
Banks
Construction & Materials
Energy
Financial Services
Government
Mining & Metals
Software & Computer Services
Telecommunications
Transportation
Travel & Leisure