About
Provided by Webber Wentzel
Webber Wentzel has arguably the market leading premier tax advisory offering in South Africa, with an integrated and multi-skilled team of experts (comprising both lawyers and accountants) who work closely with other practice areas to bring our clients bespoke solutions to complex problems in a way which displays commercial acumen and insight. We track actual and anticipated changes to tax laws across the globe to ensure that our clients are well placed to manage these and we actively engage in lobbying and submitting valuable input on tax-related legislative changes.The tax team is best known for its abilities in the areas of Corporate Tax (including M&A and private equity related work), Fund Formation and International Tax and Tax Dispute Resolution. The team represents the industry body for private equity, namely SAVCA, in responding to all tax legislative developments affecting the industry. Our Africa Tax practitioners form part of this team and make use of an extensive best friend's network across the African continent to advice on investments in Africa.
Contact: Brian Dennehy, Director ([email protected]) and Graham Viljoen, Director ([email protected]).
Chambers Review
Webber Wentzel is a distinguished South African law firm with a leading tax practice that is well equipped to handle both domestic and cross-border matters. The group offers expertise in exchange control structuring and compliance benefits. It provides an integrated offering to clients, with an emphasis on cross-department collaboration. The firm has in-depth knowledge spanning the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious tax, garnering notable recognition for its skill in handling private equity and M&A-related matters. It is often retained by noteworthy clients based across Africa, particularly in the finance and natural resources sectors.
Work Highlights
- A Webber Wentzel team led by Kyle Beilings and Brian Dennehy advised Actis on the tax aspects of its acquisition of both Octobel and RSAWeb.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Interviewees appreciate the firm's "highly technical partners who have great experience."
One source described the team as "dedicated, with an uncompromising focus on the client’s success."
Interviewees appreciate the firm's "highly technical partners who have great experience."
One source described the team as "dedicated, with an uncompromising focus on the client’s success."
Notable Practitioners
Nina Keyser's contentious tax experience encompasses audits and investigations, and she is often engaged by major corporations in the mining, agribusiness and manufacturing sectors. Based in Cape Town, she is frequently sought out to advise on tax disputes with SARS.
Johannesburg director Graham Viljoen provides advice and guidance on a range of corporate tax matters, including major M&A deals. He is a particularly strong choice for private equity-related transactions, providing tax advice on portfolio expansion and investments.
"Having that level of experience gave us the confidence that the advice he gave didn’t need to be second-guessed." "He has a good understanding of complex tax matters."
Craig Miller is an experienced tax expert with an impressive client portfolio of prominent names in the financial, real estate and hospitality sectors. He is based in Johannesburg.
"We trust his work in the tax space, particularly around tax structuring."
Brian Dennehy is a dedicated corporate tax lawyer whose practice covers a suite of matters including M&A and corporate reorganisations. Based in the firm's Johannesburg office, he particularly impresses for his experience of private equity buyout transactions and fund formation."He is always professional and technically astute."
Eminent tax lawyer Anne Bennett is a distinguished figure in the South African market, and continues to be regularly engaged in both major cross-border transactions and significant contentious proceedings. She acts out of Johannesburg.
"She is a very skilful and professional individual with a world of practical experience on all tax-related scenarios you can expect when doing business in Africa."
