Our industry experience
We have experience in a wide variety of industries and are experts in quickly learning the key competitive dynamics across markets. See more about our expertise in specific industries below.
Digital Markets, Technology & Telecoms
We have worked on some of South Africa’s most important competition law cases in the tech sector, from market inquiries to mergers, abuse of dominance investigations and compliance advisory matters. Our expertise in technology markets includes gaming, wearable devices, mobile devices, online search, e-commerce, app stores, WASP services, online travel, video sharing platforms, display advertising, digital payment solutions and generative AI services. Our lawyers have advised a San Francisco based global technology group on merger matters, investigations and market inquiries. Our team has represented a South African mobile telecommunications network provider in processes before the communications authority and in successful interconnection rates litigation at the High Court. We have also acted for various players in telecommunications and connectivity industries including network providers (in dark and lite fibre; in last mile connectivity; in undersea cabling) as well as data centres, simcard distributors and network service providers. In these spaces we have notified mergers, provided compliance advice on pricing and access, and strategic support in interactions with other market players and regulators.
Digital Markets, Technology & Telecoms
We have worked on some of South Africa’s most important competition law cases in the tech sector, from market inquiries to mergers, abuse of dominance investigations and compliance advisory matters. Our expertise in technology markets includes gaming, wearable devices, mobile devices, online search, e-commerce, app stores, WASP services, online travel, video sharing platforms, display advertising, digital payment solutions and generative AI services. Our lawyers have advised a San Francisco based global technology group on merger matters, investigations and market inquiries. Our team has represented a South African mobile telecommunications network provider in processes before the communications authority and in successful interconnection rates litigation at the High Court. We have also acted for various players in telecommunications and connectivity industries including network providers (in dark and lite fibre; in last mile connectivity; in undersea cabling) as well as data centres, simcard distributors and network service providers. In these spaces we have notified mergers, provided compliance advice on pricing and access, and strategic support in interactions with other market players and regulators.
Digital Markets, Technology & Telecoms
We have worked on some of South Africa’s most important competition law cases in the tech sector, from market inquiries to mergers, abuse of dominance investigations and compliance advisory matters. Our expertise in technology markets includes gaming, wearable devices, mobile devices, online search, e-commerce, app stores, WASP services, online travel, video sharing platforms, display advertising, digital payment solutions and generative AI services. Our lawyers have advised a San Francisco based global technology group on merger matters, investigations and market inquiries. Our team has represented a South African mobile telecommunications network provider in processes before the communications authority and in successful interconnection rates litigation at the High Court. We have also acted for various players in telecommunications and connectivity industries including network providers (in dark and lite fibre; in last mile connectivity; in undersea cabling) as well as data centres, simcard distributors and network service providers. In these spaces we have notified mergers, provided compliance advice on pricing and access, and strategic support in interactions with other market players and regulators.
Consumer Goods, Services & Retail
We have secured merger approvals for numerous consumer goods producers, including in infant milk formula, edible oils, electronic products, and mobile devices and accessories.We have also secured merger approval for a hostile takeover in the global provision of security services. Our lawyers have assisted a global beverages brand with issues relating to local and African mergers, investigations by local and other African authorities, and pricing strategy. We represented a supplier in the Commission’s grocery retail market inquiry and a retailer in the Commission’s fresh produce market inquiry. We acted successfully for a group of alcoholic beverages distributors in a landmark case relating to dual distribution. We have also advised local retailers on various acquisitions, restructures and investigations, including a covid “price-gouging” allegation and a pricing investigation by the Botswana competition authority.
Consumer Goods, Services & Retail
We have secured merger approvals for numerous consumer goods producers, including in infant milk formula, edible oils, electronic products, and mobile devices and accessories.We have also secured merger approval for a hostile takeover in the global provision of security services. Our lawyers have assisted a global beverages brand with issues relating to local and African mergers, investigations by local and other African authorities, and pricing strategy. We represented a supplier in the Commission’s grocery retail market inquiry and a retailer in the Commission’s fresh produce market inquiry. We acted successfully for a group of alcoholic beverages distributors in a landmark case relating to dual distribution. We have also advised local retailers on various acquisitions, restructures and investigations, including a covid “price-gouging” allegation and a pricing investigation by the Botswana competition authority.
Consumer Goods, Services & Retail
We have secured merger approvals for numerous consumer goods producers, including in infant milk formula, edible oils, electronic products, and mobile devices and accessories.We have also secured merger approval for a hostile takeover in the global provision of security services. Our lawyers have assisted a global beverages brand with issues relating to local and African mergers, investigations by local and other African authorities, and pricing strategy. We represented a supplier in the Commission’s grocery retail market inquiry and a retailer in the Commission’s fresh produce market inquiry. We acted successfully for a group of alcoholic beverages distributors in a landmark case relating to dual distribution. We have also advised local retailers on various acquisitions, restructures and investigations, including a covid “price-gouging” allegation and a pricing investigation by the Botswana competition authority.
Energy
We have many years of experience advising firms on competition law and regulatory issues in the liquid fuels, natural gas, renewable power and industrial gas sectors. In the petroleum industry, our lawyers have represented firms in contested cartel litigation in the diesel industry; advised on important exemption matters in petroleum supply; and have obtained merger approvals in production, storage, distribution and retail markets. We have represented clients in regulatory disputes relating to a range of liquid fuels pricing issues. In gas, we successfully represented a client in the LPG industry in the first dawn raid without a warrant and in subsequent investigation proceedings. We also secured a withdrawal of a self referral in LPG supply and have obtained merger approvals in the industrial gas market. We have advised clients in the distribution of natural gas in relation to exemption applications, joint venture arrangements, pricing, commercial agreements and processes before the energy regulator. Our experience in renewable energy covers merger control, prohibited practice investigations and advisory work. We have represented private equity investors and multinational renewable energy developers in acquisitions of South African wind and solar projects, and also successfully represented a respondent to exclusionary conduct allegations relating to wake loss arrangements in wind energy. We have advised private equity players in relation to acquisitions in renewable energy markets.
Energy
We have many years of experience advising firms on competition law and regulatory issues in the liquid fuels, natural gas, renewable power and industrial gas sectors. In the petroleum industry, our lawyers have represented firms in contested cartel litigation in the diesel industry; advised on important exemption matters in petroleum supply; and have obtained merger approvals in production, storage, distribution and retail markets. We have represented clients in regulatory disputes relating to a range of liquid fuels pricing issues. In gas, we successfully represented a client in the LPG industry in the first dawn raid without a warrant and in subsequent investigation proceedings. We also secured a withdrawal of a self referral in LPG supply and have obtained merger approvals in the industrial gas market. We have advised clients in the distribution of natural gas in relation to exemption applications, joint venture arrangements, pricing, commercial agreements and processes before the energy regulator. Our experience in renewable energy covers merger control, prohibited practice investigations and advisory work. We have represented private equity investors and multinational renewable energy developers in acquisitions of South African wind and solar projects, and also successfully represented a respondent to exclusionary conduct allegations relating to wake loss arrangements in wind energy. We have advised private equity players in relation to acquisitions in renewable energy markets.
Energy
We have many years of experience advising firms on competition law and regulatory issues in the liquid fuels, natural gas, renewable power and industrial gas sectors. In the petroleum industry, our lawyers have represented firms in contested cartel litigation in the diesel industry; advised on important exemption matters in petroleum supply; and have obtained merger approvals in production, storage, distribution and retail markets. We have represented clients in regulatory disputes relating to a range of liquid fuels pricing issues. In gas, we successfully represented a client in the LPG industry in the first dawn raid without a warrant and in subsequent investigation proceedings. We also secured a withdrawal of a self referral in LPG supply and have obtained merger approvals in the industrial gas market. We have advised clients in the distribution of natural gas in relation to exemption applications, joint venture arrangements, pricing, commercial agreements and processes before the energy regulator. Our experience in renewable energy covers merger control, prohibited practice investigations and advisory work. We have represented private equity investors and multinational renewable energy developers in acquisitions of South African wind and solar projects, and also successfully represented a respondent to exclusionary conduct allegations relating to wake loss arrangements in wind energy. We have advised private equity players in relation to acquisitions in renewable energy markets.
Industrial & Manufacturing
We have acted for clients across the industrial and manufacturing sectors - advising glass manufacturers on joint venture arrangements; assisting an industrials group with group restructuring and assisting steel producers in compliance with approval conditions. We have undertaken mergers for chemical producers and distributors of speciality chemicals. We have also successfully steered an international industrial manufacturing group through the Commission’s evolving public interest process in the context of a merger approval. Our lawyers have acted for a leading steel producer in merger matters, as well as competition investigations and litigation relating to flat steel pricing, price discrimination in long steel, information exchange and cartel allegations in the long steel market.
Industrial & Manufacturing
We have acted for clients across the industrial and manufacturing sectors - advising glass manufacturers on joint venture arrangements; assisting an industrials group with group restructuring and assisting steel producers in compliance with approval conditions. We have undertaken mergers for chemical producers and distributors of speciality chemicals. We have also successfully steered an international industrial manufacturing group through the Commission’s evolving public interest process in the context of a merger approval. Our lawyers have acted for a leading steel producer in merger matters, as well as competition investigations and litigation relating to flat steel pricing, price discrimination in long steel, information exchange and cartel allegations in the long steel market.
Industrial & Manufacturing
We have acted for clients across the industrial and manufacturing sectors - advising glass manufacturers on joint venture arrangements; assisting an industrials group with group restructuring and assisting steel producers in compliance with approval conditions. We have undertaken mergers for chemical producers and distributors of speciality chemicals. We have also successfully steered an international industrial manufacturing group through the Commission’s evolving public interest process in the context of a merger approval. Our lawyers have acted for a leading steel producer in merger matters, as well as competition investigations and litigation relating to flat steel pricing, price discrimination in long steel, information exchange and cartel allegations in the long steel market.
Construction & Engineering
We have experience advising construction companies and various input suppliers into the construction sector. Our lawyers represented listed construction companies in the Competition Commission’s fast track settlement programme. The team also has extensive experience in the steel and cement markets, having represented an international cement company in a high profile dawn raid and investigation, and assisted a major steel manufacturer on investigations into price fixing and abuse of dominance issues in flat steel and long steel markets. We have advised clients in the engineering space on mergers, restraints and investigations. We represented a fire protection company in a dawn raid and consequent document retention and privilege claim processes, ultimately securing one of the first settlements without liability in a prosecution relating to alleged cartel conduct.
Construction & Engineering
We have experience advising construction companies and various input suppliers into the construction sector. Our lawyers represented listed construction companies in the Competition Commission’s fast track settlement programme. The team also has extensive experience in the steel and cement markets, having represented an international cement company in a high profile dawn raid and investigation, and assisted a major steel manufacturer on investigations into price fixing and abuse of dominance issues in flat steel and long steel markets. We have advised clients in the engineering space on mergers, restraints and investigations. We represented a fire protection company in a dawn raid and consequent document retention and privilege claim processes, ultimately securing one of the first settlements without liability in a prosecution relating to alleged cartel conduct.
Construction & Engineering
We have experience advising construction companies and various input suppliers into the construction sector. Our lawyers represented listed construction companies in the Competition Commission’s fast track settlement programme. The team also has extensive experience in the steel and cement markets, having represented an international cement company in a high profile dawn raid and investigation, and assisted a major steel manufacturer on investigations into price fixing and abuse of dominance issues in flat steel and long steel markets. We have advised clients in the engineering space on mergers, restraints and investigations. We represented a fire protection company in a dawn raid and consequent document retention and privilege claim processes, ultimately securing one of the first settlements without liability in a prosecution relating to alleged cartel conduct.
Financial Services, Fintech and Insurance
We have represented international banks in important cartel litigation relating to foreign currency trading where the jurisdiction of the local authorities is being challenged. We have also secured numerous merger approvals for retail, business and mutual banks, navigating the concurrent authority regime across the competition authorities and the Ministry of Finance. In the fintech space, we have acted for clients at the forefront of South African innovation in payment solutions and bringing banking to informal markets. Our lawyers have represented a client in the securities trading ecosystem, challenging a merger raising conglomerate effects across securities exchange and issuer services. We have acted for numerous participants in the insurance industry, securing approvals for life and non-life business acquisitions, and representing clients in investigations into the household and vehicle insurance markets.
Financial Services, Fintech and Insurance
We have represented international banks in important cartel litigation relating to foreign currency trading where the jurisdiction of the local authorities is being challenged. We have also secured numerous merger approvals for retail, business and mutual banks, navigating the concurrent authority regime across the competition authorities and the Ministry of Finance. In the fintech space, we have acted for clients at the forefront of South African innovation in payment solutions and bringing banking to informal markets. Our lawyers have represented a client in the securities trading ecosystem, challenging a merger raising conglomerate effects across securities exchange and issuer services. We have acted for numerous participants in the insurance industry, securing approvals for life and non-life business acquisitions, and representing clients in investigations into the household and vehicle insurance markets.
Financial Services, Fintech and Insurance
We have represented international banks in important cartel litigation relating to foreign currency trading where the jurisdiction of the local authorities is being challenged. We have also secured numerous merger approvals for retail, business and mutual banks, navigating the concurrent authority regime across the competition authorities and the Ministry of Finance. In the fintech space, we have acted for clients at the forefront of South African innovation in payment solutions and bringing banking to informal markets. Our lawyers have represented a client in the securities trading ecosystem, challenging a merger raising conglomerate effects across securities exchange and issuer services. We have acted for numerous participants in the insurance industry, securing approvals for life and non-life business acquisitions, and representing clients in investigations into the household and vehicle insurance markets.
Healthcare
Our lawyers have represented international pharmaceutical companies in their most important South African competition law cases. This includes defence litigation relating to allegations of excessive pricing and exclusionary patent abuse, and also obtaining merger approval for portfolio acquisitions in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ecuador, Colombia and elsewhere. Our team also has extensive experience advising medical device suppliers on competition law and regulatory issues, including investigations into excessive pricing, price gouging, discriminatory pricing and bundling practices.
Healthcare
Our lawyers have represented international pharmaceutical companies in their most important South African competition law cases. This includes defence litigation relating to allegations of excessive pricing and exclusionary patent abuse, and also obtaining merger approval for portfolio acquisitions in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ecuador, Colombia and elsewhere. Our team also has extensive experience advising medical device suppliers on competition law and regulatory issues, including investigations into excessive pricing, price gouging, discriminatory pricing and bundling practices.
Healthcare
Our lawyers have represented international pharmaceutical companies in their most important South African competition law cases. This includes defence litigation relating to allegations of excessive pricing and exclusionary patent abuse, and also obtaining merger approval for portfolio acquisitions in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ecuador, Colombia and elsewhere. Our team also has extensive experience advising medical device suppliers on competition law and regulatory issues, including investigations into excessive pricing, price gouging, discriminatory pricing and bundling practices.
Transport & Logistics
Our team has experience across the transport sector, including in rolling stock and rail signalling, shipping and road logistics. We have provided advice on joint venture arrangements in port storage and represented clients in investigations into an alleged shipping cartel. We have also advised automotive dealer networks on merger control and compliance issues, and secured numerous merger approvals relating to acquisitions of automotive dealerships and automotive parts. We have also advised extensively on the Competition Commission’s guidelines on automotive parts. We have advised OEMs on civil damages in relation to collusion in the automotive parts industries and given advice on the competition implications of brand licensing in the retail of automotive parts.
Transport & Logistics
Our team has experience across the transport sector, including in rolling stock and rail signalling, shipping and road logistics. We have provided advice on joint venture arrangements in port storage and represented clients in investigations into an alleged shipping cartel. We have also advised automotive dealer networks on merger control and compliance issues, and secured numerous merger approvals relating to acquisitions of automotive dealerships and automotive parts. We have also advised extensively on the Competition Commission’s guidelines on automotive parts. We have advised OEMs on civil damages in relation to collusion in the automotive parts industries and given advice on the competition implications of brand licensing in the retail of automotive parts.
Transport & Logistics
Our team has experience across the transport sector, including in rolling stock and rail signalling, shipping and road logistics. We have provided advice on joint venture arrangements in port storage and represented clients in investigations into an alleged shipping cartel. We have also advised automotive dealer networks on merger control and compliance issues, and secured numerous merger approvals relating to acquisitions of automotive dealerships and automotive parts. We have also advised extensively on the Competition Commission’s guidelines on automotive parts. We have advised OEMs on civil damages in relation to collusion in the automotive parts industries and given advice on the competition implications of brand licensing in the retail of automotive parts.
Mineral Resources
Our lawyers have advised mining companies in transactions across Africa, with particular experience in PGMs, copper, coal, iron ore, vanadium and manganese. We have also secured merger approvals for clients in the processing and beneficiation of minerals and waste materials, and provided strategic advice on distribution, supply and procurement issues in the mining sector.
Mineral Resources
Our lawyers have advised mining companies in transactions across Africa, with particular experience in PGMs, copper, coal, iron ore, vanadium and manganese. We have also secured merger approvals for clients in the processing and beneficiation of minerals and waste materials, and provided strategic advice on distribution, supply and procurement issues in the mining sector.
Mineral Resources
Our lawyers have advised mining companies in transactions across Africa, with particular experience in PGMs, copper, coal, iron ore, vanadium and manganese. We have also secured merger approvals for clients in the processing and beneficiation of minerals and waste materials, and provided strategic advice on distribution, supply and procurement issues in the mining sector.
Agriculture & Agrosciences
We have advised numerous input suppliers into the agricultural sector, including crop protection products, seeds, biotech and breeding rights. Our team members advised one of the merging parties in one of the most significant global mergers in the agro-sciences sector, which raised novel competition and innovation theories of harm in insecticides and biotech traits. We have secured merger approvals involving agricultural cooperatives, grain storage, edible oil processing, and meat production. We also successfully secured merger approval in contested merger proceedings involving maize and wheat production. We also acted in the Commission’s prosecution of maize producers for alleged cartel conduct.
Agriculture & Agrosciences
We have advised numerous input suppliers into the agricultural sector, including crop protection products, seeds, biotech and breeding rights. Our team members advised one of the merging parties in one of the most significant global mergers in the agro-sciences sector, which raised novel competition and innovation theories of harm in insecticides and biotech traits. We have secured merger approvals involving agricultural cooperatives, grain storage, edible oil processing, and meat production. We also successfully secured merger approval in contested merger proceedings involving maize and wheat production. We also acted in the Commission’s prosecution of maize producers for alleged cartel conduct.
Agriculture & Agrosciences
We have advised numerous input suppliers into the agricultural sector, including crop protection products, seeds, biotech and breeding rights. Our team members advised one of the merging parties in one of the most significant global mergers in the agro-sciences sector, which raised novel competition and innovation theories of harm in insecticides and biotech traits. We have secured merger approvals involving agricultural cooperatives, grain storage, edible oil processing, and meat production. We also successfully secured merger approval in contested merger proceedings involving maize and wheat production. We also acted in the Commission’s prosecution of maize producers for alleged cartel conduct.
Commercial Property
Our team has extensive experience obtaining merger approvals for transactions in the commercial property sector. We also have a deep understanding of the industry through representing landlords in the Competition Commission’s grocery retail market inquiry. We have also advised banks and financiers on the merger implications of acquiring property as security on default.
Commercial Property
Our team has extensive experience obtaining merger approvals for transactions in the commercial property sector. We also have a deep understanding of the industry through representing landlords in the Competition Commission’s grocery retail market inquiry. We have also advised banks and financiers on the merger implications of acquiring property as security on default.
Commercial Property
Our team has extensive experience obtaining merger approvals for transactions in the commercial property sector. We also have a deep understanding of the industry through representing landlords in the Competition Commission’s grocery retail market inquiry. We have also advised banks and financiers on the merger implications of acquiring property as security on default.
Hospitality & Leisure
We have extensive experience in the online travel sector through being involved in the Competition Commission’s online intermediation platforms market inquiry. We have advised a leading tourism company on partner agreements, loyalty arrangements, and a merger involving foreign currency exchange. We also successfully defended the client from a prosecution relating to alleged cartel conduct in the provision of flights and accommodation services.
Hospitality & Leisure
We have extensive experience in the online travel sector through being involved in the Competition Commission’s online intermediation platforms market inquiry. We have advised a leading tourism company on partner agreements, loyalty arrangements, and a merger involving foreign currency exchange. We also successfully defended the client from a prosecution relating to alleged cartel conduct in the provision of flights and accommodation services.
Hospitality & Leisure
We have extensive experience in the online travel sector through being involved in the Competition Commission’s online intermediation platforms market inquiry. We have advised a leading tourism company on partner agreements, loyalty arrangements, and a merger involving foreign currency exchange. We also successfully defended the client from a prosecution relating to alleged cartel conduct in the provision of flights and accommodation services.
Private Equity
Our team members have advised numerous private equity investors on a range of issues - transaction structuring; securing merger approval; and facilitating compliance with competition law despite the tight timelines often implicated in funding arrangements. We have also advised clients on cross-shareholdings held by funds and fund managers, the competition implications in transactions involving en commandite partnerships and the nature of the market in which such funds participate.
Private Equity
Our team members have advised numerous private equity investors on a range of issues - transaction structuring; securing merger approval; and facilitating compliance with competition law despite the tight timelines often implicated in funding arrangements. We have also advised clients on cross-shareholdings held by funds and fund managers, the competition implications in transactions involving en commandite partnerships and the nature of the market in which such funds participate.
Private Equity
Our team members have advised numerous private equity investors on a range of issues - transaction structuring; securing merger approval; and facilitating compliance with competition law despite the tight timelines often implicated in funding arrangements. We have also advised clients on cross-shareholdings held by funds and fund managers, the competition implications in transactions involving en commandite partnerships and the nature of the market in which such funds participate.
Industry Associations
Our lawyers have extensive experience advising industry associations on competition law issues, including:
Obtaining industry level exemption for security of supply measures in the liquid fuels sector,
Litigation relating to alleged anti-competitive information exchange in the diesel market,
Representing industry associations in market inquiries by the Competition Commission into LPG and grocery retail,
Developing competition law compliance programmes for associations in the medical devices and liquid fuels markets.
Presenting compliance training to industry associations in the healthcare, LPG and liquid fuels sectors.
Compliance audits of association forums and working groups,
Drafting terms of reference for the activities of particular projects undertaken by subcommittees of industry associations, and
Compliance advice on collective submissions to government on industry issues.
Industry Associations
Our lawyers have extensive experience advising industry associations on competition law issues, including:
Obtaining industry level exemption for security of supply measures in the liquid fuels sector,
Litigation relating to alleged anti-competitive information exchange in the diesel market,
Representing industry associations in market inquiries by the Competition Commission into LPG and grocery retail,
Developing competition law compliance programmes for associations in the medical devices and liquid fuels markets.
Presenting compliance training to industry associations in the healthcare, LPG and liquid fuels sectors.
Compliance audits of association forums and working groups,
Drafting terms of reference for the activities of particular projects undertaken by subcommittees of industry associations, and
Compliance advice on collective submissions to government on industry issues.
Industry Associations
Our lawyers have extensive experience advising industry associations on competition law issues, including:
Obtaining industry level exemption for security of supply measures in the liquid fuels sector,
Litigation relating to alleged anti-competitive information exchange in the diesel market,
Representing industry associations in market inquiries by the Competition Commission into LPG and grocery retail,
Developing competition law compliance programmes for associations in the medical devices and liquid fuels markets.
Presenting compliance training to industry associations in the healthcare, LPG and liquid fuels sectors.
Compliance audits of association forums and working groups,
Drafting terms of reference for the activities of particular projects undertaken by subcommittees of industry associations, and
Compliance advice on collective submissions to government on industry issues.