Department profile
Restructuring/Insolvency
Global Guide 2026 : South Africa
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Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by Webber Wentzel
Our team of multidisciplinary experts help businesses operate through these hard climates by providing practical and commercial specialist support. We advise on all aspects of general contingency planning in a distressed debt environment, formal and informal restructures, business rescue proceedings and insolvencies. We have a reputation for taking a proactive and commercial approach and achieving the best possible outcome for our clients.
We have worked across all sectors, with deep expertise in the resources (mining), financial services, telecommunications, retail, construction and agricultural sectors and we understand the unique financial pressure points of each sector.
We have advised on some of the largest and most complex cross-border restructurings, business rescues and insolvencies, including the African Bank restructure. This multijurisdictional matter, which was unprecedented on the African continent, also highlighted the benefits of our relationship with our alliance partner, Linklaters, and firms across Africa.
Contacts: Khurshid Fazel, Partner ([email protected]) and Julian Jones, Partner ([email protected]).
Chambers Review
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Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Webber Wentzel advised Arnot Opco on aspects of its business rescue proceedings, including follow-up contentious matters.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
The team provides sound advice on all aspects of the deal and develops innovative structures and solutions. It leads negotiations across several difficult aspects.
Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobalWebber Wentzel's team is highly skilled and carries substantial experience when it comes to business rescue. The firm is technically sound but also practically minded.
Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobalThe team has material practical experience which is evident in the advice we receive. It also has strong commercial acumen alongside the technical legal knowledge.
Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobalThe firm stands out for its commerciality and very sound technical know-how, with the ability to be agile and creative when needed and have our back, which is critical in these scenarios.
Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 2 
Band 2 Lara Kahn
Lara Kahn is a prominent lawyer with an established reputation for her representation of distressed entities and their business rescue practitioners in all aspects of business rescue proceedings. She additionally assists with the subsequent restructuring and reorganisations of companies, as well as the sale of assets, and is based in Cape Town.
She is especially skilled at drafting and working collaboratively to ensure the outcome is what the client wants from the firm.
Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobalFor me, Lara Kahn is an absolute star. If you want somebody to fight your fight, then it's her.
Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobalLara Kahn has strong technical knowledge, commercial understanding and offers consistently sound and practical advice, especially in complex or stressful situations.
Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobalLara is exceptionally good technically, so whenever confronted with technical questions she is a very good person to have on your side.
Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal
Band 4 
Band 4 Julian Jones
Julian Jones is a Johannesburg-based lawyer who assists with business rescue proceedings as well as advising on liability issues associated with liquidation.
Ranked Individuals at Webber Wentzel (2)
South Africa
Lara Kahn
Restructuring/Insolvency
View profile Julian Jones
Restructuring/Insolvency
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Members
Provided by Webber Wentzel
Julian Jones
View profile of Julian JonesLara Kahn
View profile of Lara Kahn
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