Employment
Global Guide 2024 : South Africa
Band 2
About
Provided by Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
CDH's Employment Law practice in South Africa and in East Africa has a strong reputation for delivering efficient solutions-based advice and supporting clients in the day-to-day management of their legal issues and risks. We act for clients of all sizes across a spectrum of industries. Our clients include local, national and international companies as well as all levels of government. Our team’s broad commercial insight and approach to developing a deep understanding of a client’s needs enables us to deliver pragmatic advice to support the client’s business objectives. We focus on delivering proactive solutions to the challenges our clients face in the management of their people resource. We advise clients on all contentious and non-contentious areas of employment law. Our Employment team has extensive experience in wide-ranging employment issues relating to large-scale restructurings, mergers and acquisitions, redundancies, business transfers, temporary employment services, pension benefits and international secondments. We advise on collective disputes, disciplinary hearings, employee benefits and incentives, occupational health and safety, national minimum wage, basic conditions of employment, statutory contributions like UIF contributions and skills development. We also specialise in other contractual, common law and statutory employment related causes, such as restraints of trade and claims based on unlawful employer/employee behaviour.
Chambers Review
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr houses a well-respected employment department, with expertise in corporate restructuring, dismissals, strikes and anti-corruption matters. The team acts for an enviable roster of public sector clients, as well as major corporate entities in the mining, telecoms, technology, manufacturing and financial services sectors, among others. The group is increasingly active on corporate investigations, employment disputes and collective labour bargaining, as well as regulatory work, with an established practice covering workplace employee conduct. The department is regularly involved in high-profile and ground-breaking employment cases in South Africa.
Work Highlights
- Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr represented Multichoice in several incapacity hearings at the CCMA with regard to employees' refusal of vaccinations.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr provides the most exceptional value for money that any corporate in these challenging economic times could ask for."
"The quality of their work is of a superior standard. Their approach to complex and sophisticated matters is holistic, and not just legalistic, and it takes into consideration tactics and strategy."
"Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr balances both quality of advice and speed."
"The team is always available to assist without delay. Its advice and execution is always practical and relevant."
"The team at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr provides the most exceptional value for money that any corporate in these challenging economic times could ask for."
"The quality of their work is of a superior standard. Their approach to complex and sophisticated matters is holistic, and not just legalistic, and it takes into consideration tactics and strategy."
"Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr balances both quality of advice and speed."
"The team is always available to assist without delay. Its advice and execution is always practical and relevant."
Notable Practitioners
Aadil Patel provides advice on ongoing employment issues, disciplinary matters and investigations, including in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic and vaccination policies. He regularly advises high-profile clients, such as government agencies and South Africa- based corporates.
"Aadil Patel is a very dynamic attorney."
Fiona Leppan is routinely engaged by employers to assist with collective bargaining and industrial action and has considerable experience appearing before the Labour Courts. She additionally advises on wage disputes.
"Her technical knowledge is excellent."
Hugo Pienaar operates a notable employment and labour law practice, with particular recognition for his advocacy before the Labour Courts and advice concerning collective action. He acts for a broad range of South African corporates, including financial services and pharmaceutical companies. He is based in the firm's Cape Town office.
"Hugo Pienaar brings with him a wealth of commercial experience."
"He delivers excellent service and advice."
Imraan Mahomed is a well-regarded lawyer with experience covering a range of employment matters, including dismissals and workplace investigations. He provides counsel to his clients on labour relations as well as corporate restructurings.
"Imraan Mahomed is a very solid labour lawyer."
Ranked Lawyers at
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
South Africa
Members
Provided by Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
Head of Department
Anli Bezuidenhout
Jose Jorge
Michael Yeates
Phetheni Nkuna
Thabang Rapuleng