Competition/Antitrust
Global Guide 2024 : South Africa
Band 2
About
Provided by Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
Our Competition Law practice has a proven track record of providing strategic advice and practical solutions to competition law issues for clients with business interests in South Africa, Kenya and the rest of Africa. Where transactions span multiple jurisdictions, we are ideally placed to provide comprehensive competition and antitrust services. Our team has extensive experience in the legal requirements associated with obtaining merger clearance and has successfully represented clients in several high-profile transactions. We have been involved in landmark cases dealing with restrictive practices (complaints regarding anti-competitive conduct). We have represented clients in all forums: before the Competition Commission, the Competition Tribunal, the Competition Appeal Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court. We have been at the forefront of the most recent development in competition law: defending damages actions brought by alleged victims of anti-competitive conduct, including the first attempt at a class action for damages in South Africa. We represent clients across a wide range of sectors.
Chambers Review
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr houses a robust team recognised for its excellent client relationships and deep experience in the field of competition law. The practice acts for a number of market-leading South African corporations, as well as high-profile international companies, on filing for Competition Commission approval of M&A transactions in sectors including energy, consumer goods, telecoms and banking. The firm also assists with Competition Commission investigations into alleged cartels and excessive pricing, as well as market inquiries and appeals against Commission decisions.
Work Highlights
- Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr defended the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group against a complaint of collusion in the foreign exchange market.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr's competition team is really excellent."
"CDH has a very experienced competition law team and has supported us on a diverse range of issues. The lawyers are very competent and available to provide advice on an urgent basis."
"It is a well-staffed team under experienced leadership."
"The lawyers immerse themselves in understanding the business; over time they become a partner to the business, so it is more like a partnership relationship."
"The lawyers are responsive and knowledgeable and give practical advice."
"Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr's competition team is really excellent."
"CDH has a very experienced competition law team and has supported us on a diverse range of issues. The lawyers are very competent and available to provide advice on an urgent basis."
"It is a well-staffed team under experienced leadership."
"The lawyers immerse themselves in understanding the business; over time they become a partner to the business, so it is more like a partnership relationship."
"The lawyers are responsive and knowledgeable and give practical advice."
Notable Practitioners
Chris Charter leads the firm's competition practice and offers notable activity in the field of merger clearance matters, including appeals against clearance decisions and disputes concerning breaches of merger conditions. He also represents clients in excessive pricing investigations.
"Chris Charter is highly capable with sound judgement that we value."
"Chris has lots of experience, he is a solutionist who gives good-quality and pragmatic legal advice."
"He is really knowledgeable, I would really recommend him as one of my favourites in South Africa."
"He was very good in our engagements with the Competition Commission."
"Chris delivers commercially astute and sound competition law advice. He is responsive, engaging and curious about our business."
Andries Le Grange is deeply experienced in advising clients on prohibited practice investigations, as well as representing clients in merger notifications and disputes following merger clearance.
"Andries Le Grange has an in-depth understanding of our business and industry."
"He amazes me with the depth of his knowledge, how responsive he is and how quickly he provides feedback even though I know he has his hands full."
"I regard Andries highly as a competition lawyer and cannot recommend him strongly enough."
Albert Aukema has experience spanning the full gamut of competition law issues. He is particularly active assisting clients with merger control proceedings, with further experience in Commission investigations into allegations of abuse of dominance and cartel involvement, as well as appeals against decisions of the Commission.
"Albert Aukema is knowledgeable, experienced and practical."
Ranked Lawyers at
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
South Africa
Members
Provided by Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr