Establishing a South African Presence

\>Establishing a South African Presence_

Expanding into South Africa offers significant opportunities, but navigating the local legal landscape is key to a successful market entry. We provide foreign clients with comprehensive legal support to establish and grow their presence in South Africa.

From business formation to regulatory compliance, our services are designed to ensure that your entry into the South African market is smooth, efficient, and legally sound.

Below is a selection of services we offer in this space.

Guidance on the best legal structure for your South African operations, including setting up subsidiaries, branches, or joint ventures, ensuring compliance with local laws.

Expert assistance in navigating South African regulatory frameworks, including industry-specific regulations, exchange control requirements, and business permits.

Advising on local employment laws, including drafting employment contracts, complying with South African labor regulations, and managing workforce issues.

Ensuring your intellectual property is protected in South Africa, including registering trademarks, patents, and copyrights to safeguard your innovations.

Drafting and negotiating shareholder agreements that align with your business objectives, while ensuring effective governance and managing potential conflicts between stakeholders.

Legal support for raising capital in South Africa, including structuring investments, navigating local funding regulations, and managing relationships with investors.

Advising on South Africa’s exchange control requirements, ensuring compliance in cross-border transactions, repatriation of profits, and foreign investments.

Assisting with commercial real estate transactions, including negotiating leases or purchasing property for your South African operations.

Advising on cross-border commercial transactions, including import/export regulations, international contracts, and supply chain considerations for doing business in South Africa.

Representation in disputes that may arise during your South African operations, ensuring efficient resolution while minimizing business disruption.

Case study #1

A foreign-listed company operating in the satellite space wanted to establish a South African presence on the continent for R&D and commercialisation efforts.

We provided a one-stop service to incorporate and launch the local company, including the structuring of shareholder relationships, cross-border clearances, employment agreements and commercial agreements.

Case study

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Derick Swart
Managing director
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Steven Stuart-Steer
Associate director
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Business formation and structuring

Regulatory compliance

Employment and labor law

Intellectual property protection

Shareholder agreements and relationships

Funding and capital raising

Exchange control regulations

Real estate and leasing

Cross-border transactions

Dispute resolution