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legal services activities south africa

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2024

Stephen Timm | South Africa | 15 May 2024

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2022

Stephen Timm | South Africa | 12 October 2022

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2021

Stephen Timm | South Africa | 25 February 2021

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2019

Duncan Bekker | South Africa | 10 June 2019

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2017

Duncan Bekker | South Africa | 10 April 2017

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2016

Duncan Bekker | South Africa | 18 January 2016

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Report Coverage

This report on legal services and activities in South Africa includes information on the size and state of the industry, such as number of professionals and firms, revenue, number of firms opened and closed, hiring trends, budget cuts, effects of state capture and corruption, interference in the judiciary, legal tech and AI, transformation, and notable players. There are profiles of 27 players including the large firms such as Bowmans, ENSafrica, Norton Rose Fulbright, Webber Wentzel, Werksmans and Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, and other notable players including Lawtons, Baker McKenzie, Spoor & Fisher and Shepstone & Wylie.

Introduction

• The legal services sector is expected to face a tough period ahead as the economy slows. \r\n
• While hiring has rebounded since late 2023, and the number of practicing attorneys increased, the net number of new law firms declined from its 2021 peak. \r\n
• Legal practitioners are undertaking more work that is common during a downturn, such as insolvencies, restructuring and provision of regulatory advice. \r\n
• The sector is set to continue to adopt new technology to reduce costs and streamline procedures. \r\n
• While transformation continues apace, it has hit a speed bump as the legal sector code has not been approved timeously. \r\n
• While experts say the judicial system has held firm against state capture and recent attempts by the government to rein it in, concern over abusive practices in the profession is growing.

Trends

• A number of attorneys do additional work, as billable hours have declined as the economy has slowed.
• Abuse is a concern, linked in part to growing perception of corruption.
• An increase in operating costs such as indemnity fees and cover for cyber theft.
• An increasing number of one-person law firms as more lawyers want flexible working hours.
• Continued growth in the consulting model.
• Hiring at law firms has increased again, after declining in 2022.
• Increasing automation of the legal process may lead to falling demand for junior professionals.
• The net number of new law firms has declined since peaking in 2021.
• The slowing economy has affected corporate law firms which have reported handling fewer M&A deals and more work such as company restructurings, insolvencies, and liquidations.
• Transformation continues to be a key issue in the sector.
• While adopting legaltech, law firms remain cautious over AI risks.

Opportunities

• Compliance and advisory services due to new legislation and a changing regulatory framework.
• Development of legaltech apps, particularly with AI.
• Forensic probes into corruption and assistance with forensic and compliance advice.
• Increasing demand for legal services across Africa, driven by economic, population, and foreign investment growth.
• Many countries in Africa have relatively few lawyers per capita.
• The development of alternative legal services (legaltech platforms) which provide clients with lower costs and increased delivery times.

Challenges

• Failure to innovate in the face of disruptive technologies and operating models may leave some traditional firms behind.
• Increased operating costs such as indemnity fees and cover for cyber theft.
• Increasing automation of the legal process may lead to falling demand for junior professionals.
• Oversupply of graduates and concerns regarding legal education and development of future technology skills.
• Perception of confidence in the country’s judicial system is declining.
• Potential regulation of maximum legal fees.
• Potential regulation of medico-legal claims which may result in a cap in compensation payments.
• The sector is perceived to be transforming slowly.
• The slowing economy, which has limited the number of M&A deals, while the number of new firm openings has slowed recently.

Outlook

• The outlook for the legal sector looks mixed, given downwards adjustments in economic forecasts. \r\n
• A slowdown in mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance services and the inflexibility of some lawyers’ billing structures, mean lawyers’ salaries may only increase marginally in 2024. \r\n
• Despite slow growth in the net number of new firms in 2023, law firms forecast that M&A dealflow could rebound in 2024. \r\n
• The adoption of legaltech, including AI, is expected to continue apace, as law firms look to streamline operations. \r\n
• However, legaltech will mainly be adopted by large and medium-sized law firms that are better resourced to cover the cost of new technologies than smaller firms.

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Legal Services and Activities in South Africa
Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2024

Full Report

R 20 000.00(ZAR) estimated $1137.09 (USD)*

Industry Landscape

R 14 000.00(ZAR) estimated $ 795.96 (USD)*

Historical Reports

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2022-10-12

R 6 500.00(ZAR) estimated $369.55 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2021-02-25

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2019-06-10

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2017-04-10

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2016-01-18

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

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Table of Contents

[ Close ]
PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY 1
2.1 Industry Value Chain 3
2.2 Geographic Position 3
2.3 Size of the Industry 6
3. LOCAL 14
3.1 State of the Industry 14
3.1 Key Trends 29
3.2 Key Issues 29
3.3 Notable Players 30
3.4 Corporate Actions 31
3.5 Regulations 31
3.6 Enterprise Development and Social Development 34
4. AFRICA 36
5. INTERNATIONAL 39
6. INFLUENCING FACTORS 41
6.1 Economic Environment 41
6.2 Labour 42
6.3 Environmental Issues 44
6.4 Technology, R&D, Innovation 44
6.5 Input Costs 47
7 COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT 50
7.1 Competition 50
7.2 Ownership Structure of the Industry 50
7.3 Barriers to Entry 51
8. INDUSTRY SUMMARY 52
9. OUTLOOK 53
10. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS 54
11. REFERENCES 54
11.1 Publications 54
11.2 Websites 55
ANNEXURE 1 56
Relevant Legislation 56
APPENDIX 1 59
Summary of Notable Players 59
COMPANY PROFILES 61
Adams & Adams 61
Allen and Overy (South Africa) Inc 66
Baker and McKenzie Inc 68
Bell Dewar Inc 70
Bowman Gilfillan Inc 74
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc 82
Cox Yeats Attorneys 88
D M Kisch Inc 91
Daly Maqubela Oliphant Inc 94
Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs Inc 96
Fairbridge Arderne and Lawton Inc 105
Fluxmans Inc 108
Garlicke and Bousfield Inc 111
Gildenhuys Malatji Inc 113
Goldberg and de Villiers Inc 116
Hahn and Hahn Inc 119
Knowles Husain Lindsay Inc 121
Lawtons Inc 124
Livingston Leandy Inc 126
Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa Inc 128
Shepstone & Wylie Attorneys 136
Smith Tabata Buchanan Boyes Inc 141
Spoor and Fisher Partners 145
Stowell and Co Inc 149
Von Seidels Intellectual Property Attorneys 151
Webber Wentzel 153
Werksmans Inc 162
Werthschroder Inc 170

Report Coverage

This report covers legal services and activities in South Africa including knowledge management. It includes statistics on law firms and legal services professionals, information on the size and state of the industry, trends, regulation and influencing factors. There are profiles of 28 companies including major firms such as Bowmans, Werksmans, Webber Wentzel, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, ENSafrica and Norton Rose Fulbright and other notable players such as Spoor & Fisher and Adams & Adams.

Introduction

• The legal activities and services sector in South Africa has partly recovered from the pandemic, as is evident in the decline in firm closures between January and August 2022. \r\n
• But growth in the sector may have begun to stagnate as the number of new firm openings and newly admitted advocates and attorneys has declined. \r\n
• The adoption of new technology to reduce costs and streamline procedures will likely propel competition. \r\n
• Operating costs are set to increase and with the expected regulation of legal fees, and pressure is growing to transform the legal profession with a legal sector code underway. \r\n
• There are concerns over abusive practices in the profession and over whether corruption has infiltrated the sector.\r\n

Strengths

• Client base of large South African and international companies.
• Low formal barriers to entry beyond educational requirements.
• Steady growth in number of professionals and a large pool of legal graduates.
• Strong regulatory bodies and a relatively independent judiciary.
• Well established and respected firms and professionals with expertise in South Africa and regional Africa.

Weaknesses

• Oversupply of legal graduates and concerns regarding legal education and development of future technology skills.
• The legal sector is increasingly mature, particularly in the lucrative areas of corporate and commercial law.
• Traditional law firms, due to their hierarchical structure, are somewhat resistant to rapid, technology-driven, change.
• Widely perceived by state and statutory bodies to be transforming slowly.

Opportunities

• Client demand for value-oriented holistic advisory services, including knowledge management.
• Demand for legal services expected to be driven by compliance and advisory services due to new legislation and a changing regulatory framework.
• Effective knowledge management, underwritten by emerging technology, to promote innovation and informed decision making to secure a competitive advantage.
• Increasing demand for legal services across Africa, driven by economic, population, and foreign investment growth.
• Legal business process innovation: outsourcing, flexible service delivery, and technology driven efficiency.
• Many countries in Africa have relatively low per capita lawyer rates.
• The demand for forensic probes into corruption in the private and public sector and assistance with forensic and compliance advice.

Threats

• An increase in operating costs such as indemnity fees and cover for cyber theft.
• Failure to innovate in the face of disruptive technologies and operating models may leave some traditional firms behind.
• Increasing automation of the legal process may lead to falling demand for junior professionals.
• Potential regulation of maximum legal fees under the Legal Practice Act.
• Potential regulation of medico-legal claims which may result in a cap in compensation payments by the state in medical negligence cases.
• The slowing economy, which has resulted in the number of M&A deals in South Africa remaining unchanged in 2021 over 2020. The number of new firm openings has slowed recently.

Outlook

• The slowing economy is expected to affect the sector and there are signs it may already be stagnating.\r\n
• Deal activity, from which the sector derives a significant share of its revenue, is expected to remain unchanged in 2022. \r\n
• This trend could continue into 2023 given the current geopolitical and financial headwinds. \r\n
• Operating costs are set to rise with the expected regulation of legal fees. \r\n
• To mitigate costs and streamline procedures, the sector is set to continue to adopt legal technology. \r\n
• Pressure is growing to transform the legal profession with the publication of the Legal Sector Code.

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Legal Services and Activities in South Africa
Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2022

Full Report

R 6 500.00(ZAR) estimated $369.55 (USD)*

Industry Landscape

R 4 550.00(ZAR) estimated $ 258.69 (USD)*

Historical Reports

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2024-05-15

R 20 000.00(ZAR) estimated $1137.09 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2021-02-25

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2019-06-10

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2017-04-10

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2016-01-18

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Table of Contents

[ Close ]
PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY 1
2.1. Industry Value Chain 4
2.2. Geographic Position 5
2.3. Size of the Industry 8
2.4. Key Success Factors and Pain Points 13
3. LOCAL 14
3.1. State of the Industry 14
3.2. Key Trends 17
3.3. Notable Players 30
3.4. Corporate Actions 30
3.5. Regulations 31
3.6. Enterprise Development and Social Economic Development 36
4. AFRICA 38
5. INTERNATIONAL 42
6. INFLUENCING FACTORS 45
6.1. COVID-19 45
6.2. Economic Environment 47
6.3. Labour 47
6.4. Environmental Issues 49
6.5. Technology, Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation 50
6.6. Input Costs 52
7. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT 55
7.1. Competition 55
7.2. Ownership Structure of the Industry 56
7.3. Barriers to Entry 57
8. SWOT ANALYSIS 58
9. OUTLOOK 59
10. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS 60
11. REFERENCES 60
11.1. Publications 60
11.2. Websites 61
APPENDIX 1 63
Summary of Notable Players 63
COMPANY PROFILES 65
Adams & Adams 65
Allen and Overy (South Africa) Inc 70
Baker and McKenzie Inc 72
Bell Dewar Inc 74
Bowman Gilfillan Inc 77
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc 85
Cox Yeats Attorneys 91
D M Kisch Inc 94
Daly Maqubela Oliphant Inc 97
Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs Inc 100
Fairbridge Arderne and Lawton Inc 113
Fluxmans Inc 116
Garlicke and Bousfield Inc 119
Gildenhuys Malatji Inc 121
Goldberg and de Villiers Inc 124
Hahn and Hahn Inc 128
Knowles Husain Lindsay Inc 130
Lawtons Inc 133
Livingston Leandy Inc 135
Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa Inc 138
Shepstone & Wylie Attorneys 145
Smith Tabata Buchanan Boyes Inc 149
Spoor and Fisher Partners 153
Stowell and Co Inc 157
Von Seidels Intellectual Property Attorneys 159
Webber Wentzel 161
Werksmans Inc 169
Werthschroder Inc 175

Report Coverage

This report focuses on legal services and activities in South Africa and includes comprehensive information on the state and size of the sector and the factors that influence it. There is information on the number and size of firms, people studying or employed in the sector, earnings and fees and transformation statistics. There are profiles of 28 companies including big law firms such as Norton Rose Fulbright, Bowmans, Webber Wentzel, Werksmans and ENSAfrica, a number of medium-sized firms and specialists such as Von Seidels Intellectual Property Attorneys and Spoor & Fisher.

Introduction

The legal activities and services sector in South Africa has been significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic, which initially resulted in courts and a number of legal entities having to close briefly. While legal practitioners have experienced salary cuts and a decline in fees billed, sole practitioners and smaller law firms have been more greatly affected than larger firms. In addition, firms are facing rising operating costs and the possibility of having legal fees regulated. Competition is on the rise and law firms are attempting to incorporate new legal technologies to reduce costs.

Strengths

• Client base of large South African and international companies.
• Low formal barriers to entry, beyond educational requirements.
• Steady growth in number of professionals and a large pool of legal graduates.
• Strong regulatory bodies and a relatively independent judiciary.
• Well established and respected firms and professionals with expertise in South Africa and regional Africa.

Weaknesses

• Over-supply of legal graduates and concerns regarding legal education and development of future technology skills.
• The legal sector is increasingly mature, particularly in the lucrative areas of corporate and commercial law.
• Traditional law firms, due to their hierarchical structure, are somewhat resistant to rapid, technology-driven, change.
• Widely perceived by state and statutory bodies to be transforming slowly.

Opportunities

• Client demand for value-oriented holistic advisory services, including knowledge management.
• Demand for legal services expected to be driven by compliance and advisory services due to new legislation and a changing regulatory framework.
• Effective knowledge management, underwritten by emerging technologies, to promote innovation and informed decision making to secure a competitive advantage.
• Harnessing emerging technologies of the fourth industrial revolution.
• Increasing demand for legal services across Africa, driven by economic, population, and foreign investment growth.
• Legal business process innovation: outsourcing, flexible service delivery, and technology driven efficiency.
• Many countries in Africa have relatively low per capita lawyer rates.
• The demand for forensic probes into corruption in both the private and public sector and assistance with forensic and compliance advice.

Threats

• An increase in operating costs such as indemnity fees and cover for cyber theft.
• Bar associations that don’t reform old rules on chambers might find more members leave their associations.
• Failure to innovate in the face of disruptive technologies and operating models may leave some traditional firms behind.
• Increasing automation of the legal process may lead to falling demand for junior professionals.
• Potential regulation of maximum legal fees under the Legal Practice Act.
• The coronavirus pandemic, which has led to fees falling and an increase in remote work.

Outlook

While demand for legal services is expected to increase, driven by ongoing legislative developments and clients’ focus on ensuring regulatory compliance, the sector faces a number of challenges. Foremost among these is the coronavirus pandemic which initially resulted in court closures which together with the struggling economy has put significant financial pressure on legal practitioners, particularly smaller firms and sole practitioners. It has also led to an increase in remote work and sped up the use of legal technology and will continue to drive a need for professionals with an understanding of both law and technology. The global legal services sector is set to recover, but this is partly dependent on the effective rollout of vaccines against the coronavirus.

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Legal Services and Activities in South Africa
Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2021

Full Report

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

Industry Landscape

R 1 330.00(ZAR) estimated $ 75.62 (USD)*

Historical Reports

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2024-05-15

R 20 000.00(ZAR) estimated $1137.09 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2022-10-12

R 6 500.00(ZAR) estimated $369.55 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2019-06-10

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2017-04-10

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2016-01-18

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Table of Contents

[ Close ]
PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY 1
2.1. Industry Value Chain 3
2.2. Geographic Position 4
3. SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY 4
4. STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 8
4.1. Local 8
4.1.1. Corporate Actions 17
4.1.2. Regulations 18
4.1.3. Enterprise Development and Social Economic Development 23
4.2. Continental 25
4.3. International 27
5. INFLUENCING FACTORS 29
5.1. Coronavirus 29
5.2. Economic Environment 34
5.3. Operating Costs 34
5.4. Labour 35
5.5. Environmental Concerns 37
5.6. Technology, Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation 38
6. COMPETITION 41
6.1. Barriers to Entry 42
7. SWOT ANALYSIS 43
8. OUTLOOK 44
9. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS 44
10. REFERENCES 45
10.1. Publications 45
10.2. Websites 46
APPENDIX 1 47
Summary of Notable Players 47
COMPANY PROFILES 49
ADAMS & ADAMS 49
ALLEN AND OVERY (SOUTH AFRICA) INC 54
BAKER AND MCKENZIE INC 56
BELL DEWAR INC 58
BOWMAN GILFILLAN INC 62
CLIFFE DEKKER HOFMEYR INC 69
COX YEATS ATTORNEYS 75
D M KISCH INC 78
DALY MAQUBELA OLIPHANT INC 81
EDWARD NATHAN SONNENBERGS INC 83
FAIRBRIDGE ARDERNE AND LAWTON INC 94
FLUXMANS INC 97
GARLICKE AND BOUSFIELD INC 100
GILDENHUYS MALATJI INC 103
GOLDBERG AND DE VILLIERS INC 106
HAHN AND HAHN INC 109
KNOWLES HUSAIN LINDSAY INC 111
LAWTONS INC 114
LIVINGSTON LEANDY INC 116
NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT SOUTH AFRICA INC 118
SHEPSTONE & WYLIE ATTORNEYS 123
SMITH TABATA BUCHANAN BOYES INC 127
SPOOR AND FISHER PARTNERS 131
STOWELL AND CO INC 135
VON SEIDELS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ATTORNEYS 137
WEBBER WENTZEL 139
WERKSMANS INC 157
WERTHSCHRODER INC 163

Report Coverage

This report on the legal activities and services sector, including knowledge management, includes comprehensive information on the nature, size and status of the sector, and the factors and trends that influence it. It includes the latest information on the number and size of law firms, practising lawyers and candidate attorneys, and scope of fees. There are profiles of 28 firms including the big players, Norton Rose Fulbright, Bowmans, Webber Wentzel, ENSafrica and Werksmans, as well as smaller firms and those focusing on specific areas such as Adams & Adams and von Seidels, that are known for their focus on intellectual property.

Introduction

The legal activities and services sector in South Africa forms an important part of the tertiary economy and plays a vital role in upholding the rule of law and promoting the fair, democratic, and equitable functioning of the country. Law firms provide knowledge-intensive business service, and this report offers an overview of South Africa’s legal profession, as well as the role and benefits of knowledge management in the sector. While somewhat exposed to South Africa’s poor economy, the legal services sector enjoys a stable base of companies seeking compliance and advisory services in the face of new legislation and a shifting regulatory framework. Competition is on the rise and law firms are attempting to incorporate disruptive new legal technologies in pursuit of increasingly efficient operating processes and value-oriented client services.

Strengths

• Client base of large South African and international companies.
• Low formal barriers to entry, beyond educational requirements.
• Steady growth in number of professionals and a large pool of legal graduates.
• Strong regulatory bodies and a relatively independent judiciary.
• Well established and respected firms and professionals with expertise in South Africa and regional Africa.

Weaknesses

• Over-supply of legal graduates and concerns regarding legal education and development of future technology skills.
• The legal sector is increasingly mature, particularly in the lucrative areas of corporate and commercial law.
• Traditional law firms, due to their hierarchical structure, are somewhat resistant to rapid, technology-driven, change.
• Widely perceived, by state and statutory bodies, to be transforming slowly.

Opportunities

• Client demand for value-oriented holistic advisory services, including knowledge management.
• Demand for legal services expected to be driven by compliance and advisory services due to new legislation and a changing regulatory framework.
• Effective knowledge management, underwritten by emerging technologies, to promote innovation and informed decision making to secure a competitive advantage.
• Harnessing emerging technologies of the fourth industrial revolution.
• Increasing demand for legal services across Africa, driven by economic, population, and foreign investment growth.
• Legal business process innovation: outsourcing, flexible service delivery, and technology driven efficiency.
• Many countries in Africa have relatively low per capita lawyer rates.

Threats

• Economic headwinds and policy uncertainty undermining foreign investment and investor confidence.
• Failure to innovate in the face of disruptive technologies and operating models may leave some traditional firms behind.
• Increasing automation of the legal process may lead to falling demand for junior professionals.
• Potential regulation of maximum legal fees under the Legal Practice Act.
• Rapidly increasing competition from international law firms, small innovative firms, technology companies, and audit and advisory firms.
• Some analysts have expressed concerns regarding the continued independence of the judiciary and increasing executive control.

Outlook

Demand for legal services is expected to increase, driven by ongoing legislative developments and clients’ focus on ensuring regulatory compliance. While political uncertainty and the poor local economy have affected investor confidence, law firms have also been providing advice to companies restructuring their businesses in an effort to cut costs. Attorneys at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr suggest that president Cyril Ramaphosa’s promises to address corruption and economic reform are likely to buoy investor confidence in the future, with a positive effect on the legal market, but that ongoing concerns regarding land reform and the state of the economy will constrain the rate of recovery.\r\n\r\nCompetition in the market has increased dramatically in recent years, and law firms are likely to experience ongoing pressure on their fees as disruptive technologies and alternative legal business models become the mainstream. Large firms are attempting to adapt, incorporating these new legal technologies and innovative operating models in an effort to streamline their businesses and reduce the amount of high-volume, low-value work undertaken by their professionals. The international market shows that there are real opportunities for traditional firms who successfully incorporate emerging technologies to allow an increased focused on providing personalised advisory services to clients. David Lancaster, a legal sector advisor, expects South Africa’s large law firms to increase their ratio of partners to other professionals as they focus on providing clients with high-end legal services while automating or streamlining their more routine activities.\r\n\r\nThere will also be a need for professionals with an understanding of both law and technology, as the fourth industrial revolution drives innovation, and clients’ demand for advice, in many sectors. Effective knowledge management will play a key role in ensuring that firms are able to innovate and take informed decisions regarding the risks and opportunities presented by a rapidly changing business environment. Expectations of ongoing growth in Africa are also set to increase the demand for legal services, and South Africa is likely to play a key role in servicing continental demand.

Read More..
Legal Services and Activities in South Africa
Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2019

Full Report

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

Industry Landscape

R 1 330.00(ZAR) estimated $ 75.62 (USD)*

Historical Reports

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2024-05-15

R 20 000.00(ZAR) estimated $1137.09 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2022-10-12

R 6 500.00(ZAR) estimated $369.55 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2021-02-25

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2017-04-10

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2016-01-18

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Table of Contents

[ Close ]
PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY 1
2.1. Industry Value Chain 5
2.2. Geographic Position 7
3. SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY 8
4. STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 13
4.1. Local 13
4.1.1. Corporate Actions 29
4.1.2. Regulations 30
4.1.3. Enterprise Development and Social Economic Development 33
4.2. Continental 35
4.3. International 38
5. INFLUENCING FACTORS 39
5.1. Economic Environment 39
5.2. Operating Costs 40
5.3. Labour 40
5.4. Environmental Concerns 42
5.5. Technology, Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation 42
6. COMPETITION 46
6.1. Barriers to Entry 47
7. SWOT ANALYSIS 47
8. OUTLOOK 49
9. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS 50
10. REFERENCES 50
10.1. Publications 50
10.2. Websites 51
APPENDIX 1 53
Summary of Notable Players 53
COMPANY PROFILES 55
ADAMS & ADAMS 56
ALLEN AND OVERY (SOUTH AFRICA) INC 61
BAKER AND MCKENZIE INC 63
BELL DEWAR INC 66
BOWMAN GILFILLAN INC 70
CLIFFE DEKKER HOFMEYR INC 77
COX YEATS ATTORNEYS 84
D M KISCH INC 87
DALY MAQUBELA OLIPHANT INC 90
EDWARD NATHAN SONNENBERGS INC 92
FAIRBRIDGE ARDERNE AND LAWTON INC 104
FLUXMANS INC 107
GARLICKE AND BOUSFIELD INC 110
GILDENHUYS MALATJI INC 113
GOLDBERG AND DE VILLIERS INC 116
HAHN AND HAHN INC 119
HOGAN LOVELLS (SOUTH AFRICA) INC 121
KNOWLES HUSAIN LINDSAY INC 124
LIVINGSTON LEANDY INC 127
NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT SOUTH AFRICA INC 129
SHEPSTONE & WYLIE ATTORNEYS 134
SMITH TABATA BUCHANAN BOYES INC 138
SPOOR & FISHER 142
STOWELL AND CO INC 146
VON SEIDELS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ATTORNEYS 148
WEBBER WENTZEL 150
WERKSMANS INC 163
WERTHSCHRODER INC 169

Report Coverage

The Legal Activities and Services report examines the domestic legal sector, focusing on current conditions and trends. Factors that influence the success of the sector including the rapid introduction of new legislation and the growing need for company compliance are also discussed. The ‘Big Five’, Bowman Gilfillan, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH), Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs (ENS), Norton Rose SA, and Webber Wentzel are among the 25 companies profiled in the report. Also profiled are Werksmans and Adams & Adams, both increasingly notable firms, and Spoor & Fisher, which in 2017 was awarded “Intellectual Property (IP) Law Firm of the year in South Africa” for the third year running.

Introduction

This report focuses on the activities of attorneys, advocates, notaries and conveyancers in South Africa. The legal activities sector is vital to both the South African economy and to the democratic and equitable functioning of the country. Forming part of the financial and business services sector, the latest estimates of legal income indicate the sector is worth some R29bn. The legal market is growing but is also increasingly competitive while the Legal Practice Act, scheduled to come into effect in 2018, is set to fundamentally change the structure of the sector.

Strengths

• Steady growth in the number of firms and professionals.
• The sector is less affected by the depressed economic environment than others.
• Well established firms with a solid reputation for legal expertise in South Africa and regional Africa.
• Well regulated and supported through legal societies.

Weaknesses

• According to the large domestic law firms, the South African market is relatively mature and competition is increasing.
• Concerns regarding the quality of legal education and a lack of specialised skills.
• Slow transformation.
• The profession is over-supplied in terms of qualified graduates.

Opportunities

• Increasing demand for legal services across Africa, driven by regional growth and resultant investment.
• Increasing demand for legal services in South Africa, driven by an increase in the volume of cases and the shifting regulatory and compliance environment.
• Legal process outsourcing and the emergence of “virtual” law firms represent opportunities for smaller players to enter the market and gain market share from large, traditional law firms.
• The development of new technologies to service legal professionals.
• The rest of Africa is under-lawyered.

Threats

• Fears regarding the continued independence of the judiciary and increasing control by the executive.
• Technological disruption undermining the current business models employed by larger law firms.
• The Legal Practice Act will fundamentally change the character of the sector, with unpredictable consequences.

Outlook

The legal services sector has continued to grow steadily, despite a depressed local economic environment and increasing levels of competition. Experts within the sector expect that the number of law firms and practising lawyers will continue to increase, while also suggesting that fewer large international firms will enter the domestic market. Demand for legal services is expected to increase on the African continent as economic and population growth fuel investment according to Legal500. Analysts including LexisNexis believe the Legal Practice Act will “dramatically alter the legal landscape” and that it represents a source of considerable insecurity among some legal professionals. However, according to the Law Society of South Africa, most lawyers remain optimistic about the future of their firms and the profession as a whole. \r\n\r\nDisruptive trends such as legal process outsourcing, the emergence of “virtual” firms and digital applications are set to continue with a number of South Africa\'s larger firms already incorporating the best of these developments into their business models. International analysts have suggested that the legal profession as a whole is on the verge of a very significant shift, which will prejudice historically large firms pursuing traditional business models. While these trends are expected to reach South Africa later than the rest of the world, they represent the most significant developments for the future of the legal profession with, according to De Rebus, unpredictable consequences.

Read More..
Legal Services and Activities in South Africa
Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2017

Full Report

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

Industry Landscape

R 1 330.00(ZAR) estimated $ 75.62 (USD)*

Historical Reports

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2024-05-15

R 20 000.00(ZAR) estimated $1137.09 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2022-10-12

R 6 500.00(ZAR) estimated $369.55 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2021-02-25

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2019-06-10

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2016-01-18

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Table of Contents

[ Close ]
PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY 1
2.1. Industry Value Chain 3
2.2. Geographic Position 5
3. SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY 6
4. STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 11
4.1. Local 11
4.1.1. Corporate Actions 21
4.1.2. Regulations 22
4.1.3. Enterprise Development and Social Economic Development 23
4.2. Continental 24
4.3. International 26
5. INFLUENCING FACTORS 27
5.1. Economic Environment 27
5.2. Labour Resources 28
5.3. Operating Costs 29
5.4. Technology, Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation 30
5.5. Environmental Concerns 31
5.6. Cyclicality 31
6. COMPETITION 32
6.1. Barriers to Entry 33
7. SWOT ANALYSIS 33
8. OUTLOOK 34
9. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS 35
10. REFERENCES 36
10.1. Publications 36
10.2. Websites 37
COMPANY PROFILES 38
ADAMS & ADAMS 38
ALLEN AND OVERY (SOUTH AFRICA) INC 43
BELL DEWAR INC 45
BOWMAN GILFILLAN INC 49
CLIFFE DEKKER HOFMEYR INC 56
COX YEATS ATTORNEYS 63
DALY MAQUBELA OLIPHANT INC 66
DU PLESSIS VAN DER MERWE INC 68
EDWARD NATHAN SONNENBERGS INC 71
FAIRBRIDGE ARDERNE AND LAWTON INC 80
FLUXMANS INC 84
GARLICKE AND BOUSFIELD INC 87
GILDENHUYS MALATJI INC 90
GOLDBERG AND DE VILLIERS INC 93
HOGAN LOVELLS (SOUTH AFRICA) INC 96
KNOWLES HUSAIN LINDSAY INC 99
LIVINGSTON LEANDY INC 102
NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT SOUTH AFRICA INC 104
SHEPSTONE & WYLIE ATTORNEYS 110
SMITH TABATA BUCHANAN BOYES INC 113
SPOOR & FISHER 117
STOWELL AND CO INC 120
WEBBER WENTZEL 122
WERKSMANS INC 135
WERTHSCHRODER INC 141

Report Coverage

The Legal Activities report describes current conditions, recent developments including merger and acquisition activity, and factors influencing the success of the industry. The report profiles 25 law firms, including the largest and most well-known firms, colloquially referred to as The Big Five, Bowman Gilfillan, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH), Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs (ENS), Norton Rose SA, and Webber Wentzel. Also profiled are small legal firms such as Johannesburg-based Daly Maqubela Oliphant Incorporated where there are 20 employees, and Knowles Husain Lindsay Incorporated, which employs 70 people and has recently expanded its services to include high-end commercial and corporate law services.

Introduction

This report focuses on the activities of attorneys, advocates, notaries and conveyancers in South Africa. The legal activities sector is vital to both the South African economy and to democratic and equitable functioning of the country through the upholding of the rule of law. Forming part of the services sector, which contributed 59% to total GDP in 2014, legal activities accounted for estimated revenue of R29bn. This report also places focus upon recent trends showing that the sector is growing and deals with concerns regarding transformation as well as the Legal Practice Act. The Act, signed into law by President Jacob Zuma in 2014, is set to transform the profession as all lawyers, advocates and attorneys, fall under a single regulatory body: The South African Legal Practice Council.

Strengths

• The sector continues to perform well despite a somewhat depressed economic environment.
• The sector is growing steadily with a number of new professionals and firms entering annually.
• Well established firms with a solid reputation for legal expertise both locally and in the continent.
• Well regulated sector.

Weaknesses

• Concerns regarding the quality of legal education entail that, while the sector is over-supplied, certain key skills are often lacking, especially at smaller firms.
• The profession is over-supplied in terms of qualified graduates.
• The profession is transforming slowly.

Opportunities

• Increasing activity in the numerous areas of the law, including civil mediation, mergers and acquisitions and lucrative corporate law.
• Increasing demand for legal services on the African continent, driven by increasing investment.

Threats

• Fears regarding the continued independence of the judiciary and the profession as a whole.
• The Legal Practice Act renders the immediate future outlook of the sector somewhat unpredictable.

Outlook

The legal services sector has presented with steady and smooth growth over the last decade, remaining relatively unaffected by slow economic growth and even shrugging off the global economic downturn of 2008. As such, experts within the sector expect that the number of law firms and the number of practising lawyers will continue to increase. Demand for legal services is increasing on the African continent while upturns in the number of matters related to competition law, finance law, and mergers and acquisitions are expected to buoy the domestic market. While the Legal Practice Act is set to “dramatically alter the legal landscape” and represents a source of considerable insecurity among legal professionals, experts suggest that it is unlikely that the trends of sector growth and generally positive and profitable outlook are likely to change in the short- to mid-term.

Read More..
Legal Services and Activities in South Africa
Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2016

Full Report

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

Industry Landscape

R 1 330.00(ZAR) estimated $ 75.62 (USD)*

Historical Reports

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2024-05-15

R 20 000.00(ZAR) estimated $1137.09 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2022-10-12

R 6 500.00(ZAR) estimated $369.55 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2021-02-25

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2019-06-10

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Legal Services and Activities in South Africa 2017-04-10

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $108.02 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Table of Contents

[ Close ]
PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY 1
2.1. Industry Value Chain 3
2.2. Geographic Position 5
3. SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY 6
4. STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 20
4.1. Local 20
4.1.1. Corporate Actions 27
4.1.2. Regulations 28
4.1.3. Enterprise Development and Social Economic Development 29
4.2. Continental 30
4.3. International 32
5. INFLUENCING FACTORS 32
5.1. Economic Environment 32
5.2. Labour Resources 33
5.3. Technology, Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation 35
5.4. Environmental Concerns 35
5.5. Cyclicality 36
6. COMPETITION 36
6.1. Barriers to Entry 37
7. SWOT ANALYSIS 37
8. OUTLOOK 38
9. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS 38
10. REFERENCES 40
10.1. Publications 40
10.2. Websites 40
COMPANY PROFILES 42
ADAMS & ADAMS PARTNERS 42
ALLEN AND OVERY (SOUTH AFRICA) INC 46
BELL DEWAR INC 48
BOWMAN GILFILLAN INC 51
CLIFFE DEKKER HOFMEYR INC 57
COX YEATS ATTORNEYS 65
DALY MAQUBELA OLIPHANT INC 68
DU PLESSIS VAN DER MERWE INC 70
EDWARD NATHAN SONNENBERGS INC 72
FAIRBRIDGES WERTHEIM BECKER INC 81
FLUXMANS INC 84
GARLICKE AND BOUSFIELD INC 87
GILDENHUYS MALATJI INC 90
GOLDBERG AND DE VILLIERS INC 93
HOGAN LOVELLS (SOUTH AFRICA) INC 96
KNOWLES HUSAIN LINDSAY INC 99
LIVINGSTON LEANDY INC 101
NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT SOUTH AFRICA INC 103
SHEPSTONE & WYLIE ATTORNEYS 110
SMITH TABATA BUCHANAN BOYES INC 113
SPOOR AND FISHER PARTNERS 117
STOWELL AND CO INC 120
WEBBER WENTZEL 122
WERKSMANS INC 128
WERTHSCHRODER INC 133