Webber Wentzel

Webber Wentzel is proud to announce the promotion of a group of talented associates to senior associates, recognising their hard work, dedication and contribution to the firm. The newly promoted senior associates are Ayanda Maseko, Carma Rossouw, DJ van Wyk, Gina Lodolo, Jos Venter, Justin de Wet, LouFrans Esterhuizen, Masai Buthane, Mpendulo Mbetse, Naledi Mbaba, Natina Thumana, Nikita Deib and Raeesah Shaik. We wish them all the best in their new roles! #lawfirms #legalpromotions #webberwentzel

The global insurance market has entered a period of unprecedented complexity. Geopolitical conflict, once regarded as a peripheral risk confined to specialist underwriters and political risk markets, has migrated to the centre of mainstream insurance concerns. Sandra Sithole and Raynold Tlhavani unpack how escalating global tensions are driving complexity across marine, property, cyber and casualty lines, with direct implications for South African insurers and reinsurers operating in an interconnected, trade-dependent economy: bit.ly/4uROs4D #InsuranceLaw #Geopolitics #RiskManagement #Reinsurance #CyberRisk

Balancing the rights of landowners and mining companies has always been a complex legal tightrope. However, the Supreme Court of Appeal recently provided much-needed clarity on the hierarchy of these rights. The court held that a mining right, granted under the MPRDA, unambiguously permits the holder to access the land, bring in equipment, and conduct operations, even if a lease agreement has expired or the landowner objects. Francois Sieberhagen highlights the key takeaways from this judgment, read more: bit.ly/4c3qyeR #MiningLaw #PropertyRights #MPRDA #SouthAfricanLaw #WebberWentzel

Many organisations are adopting AI faster than they are building the governance and human judgment needed to run it responsibly. Aalia Manie breaks down the "Legal AI Race to the Bottom," arguing that true value extends far beyond a simple "cost minus time" calculation. In this article Aalia highlights several emerging risks that leaders need to navigate. Success in this transition isn't about being the fastest to adopt; it’s about having the "institutional patience" to measure outcomes and build a foundation of rigour. Read more: bit.ly/41dLWrE #AIStrategy #LegalTech #CorporateGovernance #WebberWentzelFusion

South Africa's electricity sector is entering its most competitive phase yet, and 2026 is the year it gets real. As featured in Engineering News, Webber Wentzel's energy team reflects on what South Africa's shift to a competitive electricity market means for 2026, from M&A and portfolio restructuring to cross-border transactions and the practical realities of trading in a liberalising market. Read more: bit.ly/4c3kaUV #EnergyLaw #SouthAfrica #RenewableEnergy #ERAA #ElectricityMarket #WebberWentzel

The Western Cape continues to cement its position as one of Africa’s most dynamic tourism destinations, but what will drive demand, investment, and visitor experience in 2026? In the latest episode of The Legal Lens, hosted by Bernadette Versfeld, Partner and Head of Consumer Sector, we speak to Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism, Julia Louw, Head of Leisure at Wesgro, Ryan Ravens, CEO of Accelerate Cape Town and Candice Meyer, Partner at Webber Wentzel about the key trends shaping hospitality, leisure and sports tourism. The discussion covers everything from major events and infrastructure developments to regulatory shifts, operational pressures, and emerging opportunities for operators and investors. Watch the full episode: bit.ly/4t5pvRA #HospitalityandLeisureLaw #RegualatoryLaw #TheLegalLens #WebberWentzel

Day one of the Pension Lawyers Association Conference is in full swing! We’re looking forward to tomorrow’s session where Nicci van Vuuren will delve into "Board Actions for Arrear Contributions." Nicci will be discussing the legal pathways available to Boards and the strategic measures necessary to protect fund members. If you are at the Sandton Convention Centre today or tomorrow, be sure to connect with Nicci, Lenee Green, or Zelda Swanepoel. #PLAConference #PensionLawyers #FundGovernance #WebberWentzel

Today on Human Rights Day, we honour the legacy of courage that shaped our democracy. As we mark 30 years of the Constitution, we stand with those who continue to protect rights, preserve humanity, and uphold justice. #HumanRightsDay #SouthAfrica #WebberWentzel

A costly lesson on timing: Is your professional indemnity cover actually operative? A High Court ruling found that a broker lost their right to indemnity simply by failing to notify their insurer as soon as a client complained, well before a formal lawsuit was filed. Sandra Sithole, Rethabile Shabalala, and Maano Manavhela explain how to navigate notification obligations to ensure you aren't left footing the bill. Read more: bit.ly/4sMGckl #DisputesLaw #InsuranceLaw #Compliance #WebberWentzel

Webber Wentzel partners Priyesh Daya and Nick Alp will be attending Paris Arbitration Week from 23-27 March 2026. As one of the leading gatherings in the global arbitration calendar, the event brings together top-tier arbitration practitioners, academics, in-house counsel, and institutions from across jurisdictions. The programme features a wide range of sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities focused on emerging trends, complex cross-border disputes, evolving procedural practices, and the future of international arbitration in a rapidly changing global landscape. Learn more about the event and view the full programme: bit.ly/47FgyWI #ParisArbitrationWeek #Arbitration #DisputeResolution #LegalInsights

Under the newly commenced COIDA regulations, the window for employees to lodge claims has moved to three years, and it reaches back to accidents that happened before these rules were even signed. Kate Collier and Kalene Watson discuss why this, along with the new rehabilitation and reintegration rules, requires a proactive change in how South African businesses handle workplace injuries. Key highlights include: ✅ Identifying the new powers (and limits) of Fund Inspectors. ✅ The 30-year rule for retaining medical and rehabilitation reports. ✅ Why your HR policy must now include a formal return-to-work plan. Staying ahead of these changes isn't just about avoiding penalties; it’s about navigating a new accountability framework that rewards transparency and long-term record-keeping. Read the comprehensive overview here: bit.ly/3P7Su8G #OccupationalHealthAndSafety #OHS #EmploymentLaw #COIDA #RegulatoryLaw

Lenee Green, Nicolette van Vuuren and Zelda Swanepoel will be attending the Pension Lawyers Association's 30th Annual Conference, taking place on 24 - 25 March 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre. Now in its 30th year, the conference brings together leading pension law practitioners to engage on the key legal, regulatory and policy developments shaping the retirement funds industry in South Africa. If you're attending, we look forward to connecting with you. #PensionLaw #RetirementFunds #WebberWentzel

Your AI tool just created something impressive. But who actually owns it? Under South African law, you likely do not. Platform terms cannot override the Copyright Act, which often grants ownership to the system's programmer, not the person behind the prompt. For businesses, this means real exposure to infringement and liability risks. Carla Dennehy sets out the essentials for protecting your AI-generated assets. Read more: bit.ly/4rEEel8 #TMTLaw #IntellectualPropertyLaw #AI #Copyright #LegalRisk #WebberWentzel

South African company law and corporate governance is constantly evolving. On Tuesday we sat down with our clients in Johannesburg to work through what recent developments in this space mean in practice. From the simplified JSE Listings Requirements to the recently launched King V and the practical realities of digital governance, Safiyya Patel, as moderator, joined by our panel of Jesse Watson, Madelein van der Walt and Taaj Viljoen covered the developments that matter most to boards, advisers and in-house counsel right now. Thank you to everyone who joined us in Johannesburg. The Cape Town leg of the seminar takes place on 26 March — we look forward to welcoming you there. #CompanyLaw #CorporateGovernance #JSEListings #KingV #WebberWentzelEvents #WebberWentzel

Webber Wentzel partner Chandni Gopal will be attending the ESG in Evolution: the legal imperatives of tomorrow, hosted by the International Bar Association, from 25-27 March 2026 in Paris, France. This conference will explore how ESG continues to evolve amid shifting global political, trade and regulatory landscapes. The discussions will focus on the legal imperatives shaping ESG’s future - including anti-corruption enforcement, cross-border trade and investment tensions, and the balance between legal harmonisation and divergence. Visit the official event website for more information and registration: bit.ly/47SLHWC #IBAESG #Sustainability #CorporateLaw #ClimateChange

“My AI said so” is not a defence. As AI tools become standard in arbitral practice, reviewing documents, drafting submissions, and in some cases assisting with awards, the legal profession is grappling with a question it can no longer ignore: where does assistance end and delegation begin? Priyesh Daya, Brittany Leroni and Caitlin Leahy examine the risks of AI in arbitration proceedings, from data security and hallucination to enforceability challenges under the New York Convention: bit.ly/4lApRNx #Arbitration #AILaw #DisputeResolution #LegalTech #WebberWentzel

The Famous Idea Trading v GEMS judgment settles a question that has long complicated procurement in the construction, infrastructure and energy sectors: private entities are not exercising public power, and their tender decisions fall outside the reach of PAJA review. For developers, contractors, lenders and energy companies, the practical implications are significant, from reduced litigation risk to greater timeline certainty on critical projects. Tyron Theessen and Michelle Diers analyse the judgment and what it signals for private procurement going forward. Read the full article: bit.ly/3NxKzkl #InfrastructureLaw #EnergyLaw #WebberWentzel

🏆 | Proud to be recognised at the IFLR Awards, which celebrate legal innovation in dealmaking, from pioneering new structures to shaping the frameworks that support cross-border investment. These awards reflect the strength of our teams and the impact of the work delivered for our clients across complex, high-value transactions. #IFLRAfricaAwards

A US court ruled that documents a defendant created using an AI chatbot were not privileged, and the reasoning matters for anyone using AI in a legal context. The AI held no licence, owed no duty of loyalty, and the platform's privacy policy allowed data to be used for model training. Kim Rew and Tristan Marot look at what this means locally, where the same principles apply, and how legal practitioners can use AI tools without compromising confidentiality obligations: bit.ly/3N9Gtir #AILaw #LegalPrivilege #WebberWentzelFusion

Expert psychiatric evidence is not a "nice-to-have" in emotional distress claims - it is essential. A recent High Court judgment dismissed a deeply sympathetic claim because the plaintiff could not prove a recognised psychiatric injury through expert evidence. Grief alone, however genuine, is not enough. Raynold Tlhavani and Maano Manavhela break down the judgment and its implications for personal injury litigation. Read more: bit.ly/47Fkoix #InsuranceLaw #Delict #Litigation #WebberWentzel