Commercial law for South African business deals.
Agreements drafted to be clear, enforceable and aligned with what you actually negotiated — not with what a template assumed.
Every engagement scoped and fixed-fee quoted up front, after an initial consultation at no charge.
Midpoint R9.8m · Manufacturing · R24m turnover
Well-drafted agreements support successful transactions.
Contracts that hold
Clear drafting helps ensure agreements accurately record the intentions of the parties while reducing uncertainty and the potential for future disputes.
Appropriate allocation of risk
Warranties, indemnities and liability provisions are tailored to reflect the commercial agreement reached between the parties.
Structuring transactions
Transactions are structured with due regard to South African company law, regulatory requirements and the commercial objectives of the parties.
What we draft and review.
Share purchase agreements
Agreements governing the acquisition or disposal of company shares, including conditions precedent, warranties and completion provisions.
Sale of a going concern (zero-rated for VAT)
Agreements for the sale of businesses as going concerns, structured to meet the requirements for zero-rating under applicable VAT legislation where the statutory criteria are satisfied.
Asset sale agreements
Sale of a business as a going concern or of specific assets, with liabilities carefully carved out.
MOUs and heads of terms
The commercial shape of a deal recorded early, with binding confidentiality and exclusivity where it counts.
Shareholders' and partnership agreements
Agreements governing ownership, management, decision-making and future changes in ownership.
Restraint and confidentiality
Reasonable and appropriately drafted confidentiality and restraint provisions designed to protect legitimate business interests.
Employment and contractor agreements
Employment and independent contractor agreements addressing commercial terms, intellectual property and confidentiality.
Well-drafted agreements provide certainty, align expectations and support successful commercial relationships.Pravata
Legal due diligence and risk management.
Legal due diligence
Corporate records, commercial agreements, licences, regulatory matters and other legal information are reviewed to identify matters relevant to the engagement.
Risk allocation
Contractual provisions are structured to allocate risk appropriately and reflect the commercial agreement reached between the parties.
Deal structure
Legal and financial considerations are assessed together to support an appropriate transaction structure.
Compliance and approvals
Relevant corporate, regulatory and industry-specific requirements are identified and addressed where applicable.
Policy, governance and the paperwork that prevents disputes.
Employment and training manuals
Clear internal documentation reduces the disputes that arise from expectations never having been written down.
Trade-secret and IP policies
Policies designed to protect valuable business information, intellectual property and confidential know-how.
Data and confidentiality protocols
Information management procedures aligned with applicable privacy and confidentiality obligations, including POPIA.
Compliance frameworks
Governance and compliance structures that support sustainable growth and sound business practices.
Questions we're asked most.
Do I need a lawyer if we already agree on the price?
Even where the commercial terms have been agreed, the legal documentation establishes the rights, obligations and allocation of risk between the parties.
What is the difference between an MOU and a sale agreement?
An MOU generally records the principal commercial terms of a proposed transaction and may include limited binding provisions. The sale agreement contains the legally enforceable contractual terms governing the transaction.
Can you review an agreement the other side has drafted?
Yes. We regularly review and advise on agreements prepared by other legal representatives and provide recommendations where appropriate.
Do you handle the tax side as well?
Where tax considerations affect the transaction structure, these are considered alongside the legal documentation as part of an integrated advisory approach.
Do you work outside the Western Cape?
Yes. South African company law applies nationally, so we act on transactions in Cape Town, Pretoria, Johannesburg and elsewhere.
Speak to an advisor.
Tell us about your business and what you're looking to achieve. Email, WhatsApp or call us — we reply within one working day, at no charge and no obligation.
- A fixed-fee proposal in writing before any work begins
- Every enquiry read personally, not routed through an assistant
- Treated as confidential, with no obligation
“A valuation should tell you where the value comes from — not just what the number is.”
MJ Hartman, Founder