Ranking tables

Competition/Antitrust | Global

South Africa

The Competition/Antitrust section in South Africa ranks lawyers and law firms based on their recent work in merger clearance matters and behavioural investigations into allegations of abuse of dominance or cartel involvement. It also covers market inquiries, with particular recent work in the technology sector. The section is predominantly focused on lawyers active before the South African Competition Commission, but also includes some individuals with experience in regional jurisdictions such as Kenya and Nigeria.

Rankings overview for Departments

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. Bowmans
    1
    Bowmans
    Competition/Antitrust
    2024 | Band 1 | 18 Years Ranked
    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, across the African continent and globally. The practice advises blue-chip domestic and multinational clients on the competition aspects of high-value M&A transactions in industries such as manufacturing and technology. It offers experience of merger filings not only before the South African authorities but also in Kenya and Nigeria. 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.
  2. ENS
    1
    ENS
    Competition/Antitrust
    2024 | Band 1 | 17 Years Ranked
    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 Competition Commission investigations, both before the authorities in South Africa and other African jurisdictions. 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.
  3. Webber Wentzel
    1
    Webber Wentzel
    Competition/Antitrust
    2024 | Band 1 | 18 Years Ranked
    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.
2

Band 2

  1. Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
    2
    Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
    Competition/Antitrust
    2024 | Band 2 | 18 Years Ranked
    Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr houses a robust team recognised for its excellent client relationships and 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.
  2. 2
    Nortons Inc
    Competition/Antitrust
    2024 | Band 2 | 15 Years Ranked
    Nortons is a highly reputed competition and regulatory boutique noted for its wealth of specialist expertise in the field. The firm provides the full gamut of services, including in relation to horizontal and vertical restrictive practices, abuse of dominance, joint ventures and merger control. The group has an impressive litigation record in the area, with extensive experience before authority investigation tribunals. The department plays a central role in a number of Competition Commissions market inquiries. The practice has notable strength in sectors including consumer goods, telecoms, mining and energy.
  3. Herbert Smith Freehills
    Competition/Antitrust
    2024 | Band 2
3

Band 3

  1. Werksmans Attorneys
    3
    Werksmans Attorneys
    Competition/Antitrust
    2024 | Band 3 | 18 Years Ranked
    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 bid rigging and market inquiries. The firm maintains a strong client base in the healthcare, consumer goods and technology sectors.
4

Band 4

  1. Fasken
    4
    Fasken
    Competition/Antitrust
    2024 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked
    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 obtaining Commission exemption from the application of aspects of competition law. It possesses further experience handling domestic and multi-jurisdictional merger control mandates.