Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr‘s prominent real estate practice houses a team ‘well-versed in property matters and able to provide holistic advice on transactions‘. Practice head Muhammad Gattoo has extensive experience in commercial property finance matters, and regularly acts for prominent financial institutions and international financiers in high-value transactions. Gattoo is also noted for his strength in advising on sectional title registers and property transfers. Simóne Franks stands out for her work in relation to property-related transfers, and Fatima Gattoo handles sectional title developments and the registration of complex securities. John Webber‘s extensive experience in the real estate sector includes advising on land use conversions and land developments. Samantha Kelly and Bridget Witts-Hewinson are also singled out for their contributions. Lucia Erasmus and William Midgley have retired from practice.

The commercial property team at Bowmans has ‘superior industry knowledge when it comes to real estate transactions, and certainly adds value to any real estate deal‘. Led by property finance expert Craig Schafer, the practice has an excellent track record in assisting developers, banks, listed and unlisted property funds, as well as mining and renewable energy companies, with a wide spectrum of real estate matters. Schafer acts for commercial property lenders in relation to the financing of property acquisitions and developments, and Samantha Saffy is well-versed in advising on the registration of notarial and mortgage bonds as security for project finance. Julia Power has experience in conveyancing matters. Philippa Sutherland also plays an important role in the team.

With experience in restitution law, land rights, and commercial property transactions, particularly those involving immovable and movable property issues, Andrew Bembridge leads ENSafrica’s multidisciplinary real estate and property team. The department has established expertise in handling a wide spectrum of real estate and property matters for traditional communities and prominent domestic and international banking, corporate and financial services clients. Len Vorster fields over three decades of experience in the space, and counts conveyancing, sectional title schemes, notarial matters and residential and commercial property transactions as key areas of strength. Fritz Schulz specialises in property law, and regularly advises on commercial property finance matters. Lee-Anne Hopley brings experience in conveyancing matters.

Led by the ‘knowledgeable and efficient‘ Sulani Jooste, Webber Wentzel’s real estate team assists with the full life-cycle of property matters, and has solid expertise in handling complex real estate transactions. Jooste advises prominent investors, financial institutions and property developers on commercial property transactions; Mark McIntosh has expertise in handling commercial finance notarial and mortgage bonds, and regularly acts for mining, hospitality and financial services clients. Venashrie Mannar is very experienced in handling the land-related aspects of renewable energy transactions, and Desiree Bayman assists with commercial development agreements and property transfers. Abdul Allie brings experience in advising on the real estate elements of M&A deals.

Adams & Adams‘ real estate and property law practice ‘possesses a wealth of knowledge across various complex real estate transactions‘. The ‘highly skillful and knowledgeable‘ group is very experienced in advising on commercial real estate mandates, and the department is equally strong at advising on conveyancing work; the two teams work in tandem to assist property developers, REITs, property and asset managers, investment companies, and major South African financial institutions with a broad spectrum of matters. Roelof Grové specialises in property law; he co-heads the department with commercial real estate expert Helgard Janse van Rensburg.

With extensive experience in assisting developers, town planners and project managers with property development mandates, Penny Chenery leads Lawtons Africa’s real estate practice. The team’s recent workload includes handling mortgage bond registrations, high-value acquisitions, and conveyancing matters. Melissa Leibowitz is the key name for advising on the drafting and registering of mortgage bonds for residential, development and commercial finance matters.

At Werksmans Attorneys, high-value property transactions have been prominent in the team’s recent workload. The property and real estate department is well-known for representing private and individual property developers, REITs, investors and banks in commercial property transactions and development mandates, as well as acting for clients in the hotel and leisure and retail sectors. Fátima Rodrigues‘ practice includes property finance, acquisitions and disposals; she co-leads the group with Johan Lubbe, who assists with the registration of mortgage bonds and transfers of property ownership, among other areas. Khathu Neluheni is also singled out for her contributions.