Law Firms in Johannesburg

Johannesburg is South Africa's commercial centre, built on gold mining and now home to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the major banks and the headquarters of many companies with operations across Africa. Lawyers in Johannesburg, most of them in Sandton and the inner city, advise on mining and resources, M&A, banking, competition, tax, labour and a steady flow of private disputes.

The legal profession has two branches. Attorneys deal directly with clients, draft documents and run litigation, while advocates specialise in court appearances and opinions and usually work from a society of advocates, such as the Johannesburg Bar. Since the Legal Practice Act, both are regulated by the Legal Practice Council, and you can ask the council to confirm that a practitioner is enrolled and in good standing. Attorneys who hold client money must also have a Fidelity Fund certificate. The Gauteng Division of the High Court sits in Johannesburg, the Constitutional Court is based at Constitution Hill, and the Labour Court and Competition Tribunal handle specialist matters.

Residents often need help with property transfers, divorce and maintenance, deceased estates, labour disputes before the CCMA and road accident claims. Companies seek advice on contracts, B-BBEE compliance, competition approvals, mining rights and restructuring. Foreign nationals frequently instruct Johannesburg attorneys on work visas, permanent residence and exchange control.

Fees are usually charged by the hour or as a fixed amount, and the Contingency Fees Act allows no win no fee agreements within statutory limits. Conveyancing fees are often based on a guideline tariff. Most firms work in English and Afrikaans, and many also offer isiZulu, Sesotho, Portuguese or other languages. Narrow down by practice area below to find lawyers in Johannesburg for your matter.