Department profile
Werksmans Attorneys

Competition/Antitrust

Global Guide 2026 : South Africa


Werksmans Attorneys

Rankings

About

Provided by Werksmans Attorneys

Werksmans' competition lawyers are at the forefront of developments in competition law in South Africa and have assisted a number of large corporate clients with the competition law aspects of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). These clients including mining, manufacturing, telecommunications and financial services companies, and foreign multinationals. They also regularly advise on prohibited practices such as cartel conduct, bid rigging and abuses of dominance. Members of our Competition Practice have acted in cartel proceedings in steel, airline, construction, engineering, vehicle, fuel and much more.

South African competition law differs from foreign models in that the focus is not purely on competition and antitrust issues, but also on certain public interest and social goals. These include the promotion of small businesses, the interests of employees and black economic empowerment. Our deeply experienced competition lawyers bring with them a complementary blend of legal and business skills, and a focus on finding practical solutions and the best possible outcome for the client.

Additionally, our Competition e-Learning Tool provides robust competition law training for all company employees around key areas of competition law.

Our Competition Law services include competition and antitrust services; specifically mergers, investigations and referrals, and compliance matters.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition/Antitrust - South Africa

Band 3

Band 3


What the Team is Known For

Werksmans Attorneys enjoys a well-established reputation in the competition market, frequently advising on competition clearance for high-profile mergers and acquisitions in South Africa. The practice demonstrates further proficiency participating in multi-jurisdictional mandates, particularly those pertaining to the wider African continent. The department also has an active practice representing clients in Competition Commission investigations relating to allegations of price fixing and market inquiries. The firm maintains a strong client base in the financial services, natural resources and technology sectors.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Werksmans assisted Vitol with the competition law aspects of its proposed acquisition of a controlling shareholding in Engen.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Werksmans' knowledge base is very strong. The lawyers have vast experience in competition matters.

    Competition/Antitrust respondentGlobal
  • Werksmans' team possess strong knowledge and industry experience.

    Competition/Antitrust respondentGlobal
  • Werksmans provides a practical and client-customised approach.

    Competition/Antitrust respondentGlobal
  • Werksmans possesses deep knowledge and experience in this area of law and offers practical solutions.

    Competition/Antitrust respondentGlobal
  • Werksmans' team is always following up and is quick to react.

    Competition/Antitrust respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 3Paul Coetser
    Band 3Paul Coetser

    Paul Coetser

    Head of practice, Paul Coetser is a well-known and well-respected lawyer in the competition field. Based in Johannesburg, he possesses experience dealing with the Commission in merger clearance notifications and cartel investigations.

    • Paul Coetser gives deep technical support.

      Competition/Antitrust respondentGlobal
  • Band 4Ahmore Burger-Smidt
    Band 4Ahmore Burger-Smidt

    Ahmore Burger-Smidt

    Based in the firm's Johannesburg office, Ahmore Burger-Smidt is regularly engaged by clients to provide competition advice on corporate transactions, as well as acting for third-party interveners on merger clearance investigations. She has further experience representing clients in cartel and abuse of dominance investigations.

    • Ahmore Burger-Smidt possesses very strong knowledge and experience.

      Competition/Antitrust respondentGlobal
    • We were very impressed with her.

      Competition/Antitrust respondentGlobal
  • Band 5Paul Cleland
    Band 5Paul Cleland

    Paul Cleland

    Johannesburg-based Paul Cleland covers the full spectrum of competition mandates, including merger filings and contentious matters in the TMT sector.

    • With Paul Cleland we have had a 100% success rate.

      Competition/Antitrust respondentGlobal
    • Paul Cleland is really smart.

      Competition/Antitrust respondentGlobal

Ranked Individuals at Werksmans Attorneys (3)

South Africa

Members

Provided by Werksmans Attorneys

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