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Bowmans
Department profile | Bowmans
Restructuring/Insolvency

About

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

Provided by Chambers

Restructuring/Insolvency - South Africa

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

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

Provided by Bowmans

  • Bowmans advised NileDutch on the business rescue and liquidation of its shipping agent in South Africa.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Bowmans' advice has always been well considered and professionally provided, explaining all consequences extremely well.

Restructuring/Insolvency respondent
Global

We always get top service from Bowmans. Despite their size, they have retained a warm, accessible, client-centric and deliveries-oriented approach.

Restructuring/Insolvency respondent
Global

The law firm has the resources to assist on matters of any size, which is important for clients.

Restructuring/Insolvency respondent
Global

The team at Bowmans is approachable, extremely responsive and commercially minded. 

Restructuring/Insolvency respondent
Global

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Adam Harris
2
Adam Harris
2
Band 2
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 a very smart individual who knows his business rescue work inside-out.

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Juliette de Hutton
3
Juliette de Hutton
3
Band 3

Cape Town-based Juliette de Hutton acts for a range of insolvency practitioners and high-street lenders on numerous restructuring and business rescue files.

Juliette de Hutton balances an incredible attention to detail and really deep understanding and knowledge of restructuring work with an incredible commercial strength.

She is patient and always has the best interests of her clients at heart.

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Tobie Jordaan
3
Tobie Jordaan
3
Band 3

Tobie Jordaan demonstrates an impressive breadth of expertise. He represents a range of lenders and corporate clients on business rescues mandates.

His guidance ensures the correct processes are followed and all consequences are considered.

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Gerhard Rudolph
4
Gerhard Rudolph
4
Band 4

Prominent litigator Gerhard Rudolph is renowned for his breadth of expertise, with a notable track record in restructuring-related issues, insolvency litigation and debt recovery. His impressive client roster features major names in the construction and financial services sectors. He joined Bowmans in January 2025.

Gerhard Rudolph is a highly commercial, astute and balanced lawyer with strong technical knowledge of the law and a practical approach.

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Kgosi Nkaiseng
4
Kgosi Nkaiseng
4
Band 4

Kgosi Nkaiseng is well placed to advise business rescue practitioners as well as distressed companies.

Kgosi Nkaiseng is very smart and a quick thinker.

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Ulrike Naumann
4
Ulrike Naumann
4
Band 4

Ulrike Naumann acts as head of the finance practice group and has significant experience acting for financial institutions on the restructuring of distressed debt.

She is exceptionally knowledgeable on the subject matter and she provides technically and commercially excellent advice.

Ulrike Naumann's dedication and commitment in solving complex issues is unlike any other. She is always available and is able to handle a number of issues and counterparties simultaneously.

Her advice is always well considered and she has a wealth of knowledge and experience.

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U
Kylene Weyers
U
Up and Coming

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.

Kylene Weyers always goes out of her way with client service. Her level of sophistication and commercial awareness is very good, and is consistently improving.

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Ranked Lawyers at
Bowmans

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

South Africa

Restructuring/Insolvency
Adam Harris
2
Adam Harris
2
Band 2
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Juliette de Hutton
3
Juliette de Hutton
3
Band 3
View Profile
Tobie Jordaan
3
Tobie Jordaan
3
Band 3
View Profile
Gerhard Rudolph
4
Gerhard Rudolph
4
Band 4
View Profile
Kgosi Nkaiseng
4
Kgosi Nkaiseng
4
Band 4
View Profile
Ulrike Naumann
4
Ulrike Naumann
4
Band 4
View Profile
U
Kylene Weyers
U
Up and Coming
View Profile

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