South Africa

Firm overview

CDH is a full-service law firm – one of the largest business law firms in South Africa, with more than 350 lawyers and a track record spanning over 163 years.

The firm is able to provide experienced legal support and an authentic knowledge-based and cost-effective legal service for clients looking to do business in key markets across Africa. Its Africa practice brings together the resources and expertise of leading business law firms across the continent that have direct experience acting for governments, state agencies and multinational organisations. This combined experience across the continent produces an extensive African capability.

CDH also partners with other professional disciplines such as audit, business consulting or corporate finance disciplines to provide a seamless and integrated solution for projects that have a multidisciplinary dimension.

The firm focuses on a number of key sectors which are active and thriving in Africa, including mining and minerals, telecommunications, energy, oil and gas, banking and finance, projects and infrastructure, hospitality and leisure and arbitration.

With first-hand, in-depth experience, CDH is able to offer sector specific expertise and knowledge of regulatory nuances to provide an exceptional integrated service across Africa. This includes a proven track record and deal experience across multiple jurisdictions in Africa, a practical and commercial approach, a multidisciplinary team of experts managed from a single point, extensive sector experience, and dedicated, partner-led teams.

CDH has 12 core practice areas: corporate and commercial; competition; dispute resolution; employment; environmental; finance and banking; pro bono and human rights; projects and infrastructure; real estate; tax and exchange control; technology and outsourcing; and trusts and estates.

The firm also has extensive public sector experience, acting for a large number of government departments and state-owned entities.

Firm overview

We are a full-service corporate law firm with a footprint across the African content , providing specialised legal services to local and international clients. Through our in-country and regional expertise, combined with our network of high-quality correspondent firms, we are able to assist you with all your legal and tax requirements, no matter where in Africa you choose to do business.
As Africa’s largest law firm, we are able to harness the expertise of our more than 600 practitioners based at 12 offices spread throughout the continent. Should your matter be situated in countries in Africa where we do not have presence or regional expertise, we are able to take advantage of our longstanding partnerships with formidable correspondent firms whom we work alongside in order to ensure the utmost quality of service is provided.

Our cross-border, continent-wide expertise is augmented by this broad network of firms with deeply local expertise, meaning that you receive expert legal advice from the most qualified legal advisors in each country. This approach makes us the African law firm of choice for cross-border legal advice throughout the continent.
We harness our deep specialist expertise in practice areas relevant to the project and at the correct level. This approach enables us to tailor-make solutions for your business needs, with the desired turnaround times and cost efficiencies.

You have the flexibility to choose a working arrangement with us that is best for your business, be it through a single point of contact, your own small, dedicated team of practitioners, or selected individuals.
We can advise you directly or work closely with your in-house legal team on projects so as to ensure that the end goal is achieved in the manner that best suits the assignment.