Competition/Antitrust | Global

Bowmans is a market-leading law firm with competition specialists based in Cape Town and Johannesburg. It is sought out for its deep subject matter expertise and its involvement in some of the largest matters in the domestic market, and works with the firm's offices in Kenya and Nigeria to advise on matters across the African continent. The practice advises blue-chip domestic and multinational clients on the competition aspects of high-value M&A transactions. The group houses a respected contentious practice with notable experience representing clients in Competition Commission market investigations, as well as investigations into alleged cartel conduct, price fixing and abuse of dominance.

ENS is a prominent force in the market with a strong focus on assisting clients with obtaining South African clearance for high-profile, multi-jurisdictional mergers. The firm regularly represents clients in major Competition Commission investigations. The group is regularly involved in market inquiries, price fixing allegations and cartel investigations. Its clientele features a number of major corporates in sectors including technology and financial services.

Webber Wentzel houses a highly regarded competition practice group with a distinguished record of assisting clients with all aspects of competition law. The practice frequently advises on competition law clearance for major mergers and acquisitions in the consumer goods and pharmaceutical industries, including cross-border transactions. The team has also acted for multinational corporations in the technology and finance sectors on a number of high-profile Competition Commission investigations, including around market allocation and bid-rigging allegations.

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr houses a robust team recognised for its deep experience in the field of competition law. The practice acts for a number of market-leading South African corporations, as well as high-profile international companies, on filing for Competition Commission approval of M&A transactions in sectors including energy, consumer goods, telecoms and banking. The firm also assists with Competition Commission investigations into alleged cartels and excessive pricing, as well as market inquiries and appeals against Commission decisions.

Herbert Smith Freehills is a high-profile multinational law firm which has developed a notable practice in the South African competition space. The department is a popular choice as counsel on contentious issues, such as prohibited practices complaints heard before the Competition Tribunal and Commission market inquiries. The team is sought out for assistance with merger control notifications, with notable experience in sectors such as TMT, financial services and healthcare.

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 bid rigging and market inquiries. The firm maintains a strong client base in the financial services, natural resources and technology sectors.

Adams & Adams assists clients with merger clearance filings and behavioural investigations from its offices in Pretoria, Sandton, Durban and Cape Town. The law firm also has experience representing clients in follow-on damages actions and leniency applications.

Fasken has expertise spanning the full range of competition mandates. The firm regularly represents clients before the Competition Commission and Competition Tribunal concerning allegations of price fixing, market allocation and collusion. The team also assists clients with market inquiries and with obtaining Commission exemption from the application of aspects of competition law. It possesses further experience handling domestic and multi-jurisdictional merger control mandates.

Norton Rose Fulbright enters the rankings this year following strong referee feedback. The law firm assists clients with merger control notifications, often involving the financial services sector. The team also represents clients from the technology and energy industries in investigations into possible cartels or abuses of dominant positions.

Primerio enters the rankings this year on the back of impressive feedback from referees and good market activity. From its office in Johannesburg, the firm assists clients with obtaining competition law clearance for potential mergers, as well as representing them before the South African Competition Tribunal in cartel and abuse of dominance cases.