Corporate & Commercial Law Services
Our lawyers coordinate complex transactions, deal with regulatory requirements, advise on tax matters, manage due diligence investigations and prepare all required documentation. Our key focus areas are:
Black Economic Empowerment
Our Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) team is widely recognised as being one of the most knowledgeable and experienced BEE regulatory teams. Our expertise includes advising on the Broad-Based BEE Act, the Codes of Good Practice, Transformation Charters and Sector Codes, and related legislation and regulations.
Our experience is deep and varied and covers a wide range of advisory services. Click here to learn more.
Companies Act
When the 'new' Companies Act, No 71 of 2008 came into force on 1 May 2011, it marked the beginning of a significant era for corporate law in South Africa. Although much of the old law was retained, many significant new concepts and changes were introduced. CDH is well positioned to help our clients to comply with the legislation. We also offer training tailored to your business needs to help you meet your obligations.
Click here to read more.
Corporate Governance
In recognising the evolving needs of our local and global clients who are expanding their business operations on the continent and further afield as well as the increased governance risks, we provide a full corporate governance and regulation service within the Corporate and Commercial practice, which has local and global corporate governance expertise.
Read more about our services here.
Equity Capital Markets
Equity capital markets (ECM) are evolving fast within the current market environment. New options for growth are being created. However, this often comes with more complex choices and challenges that complicate capital market decisions. Any company on a growth trajectory needs a legal advisor with a proven track record and expertise across the full ECM spectrum. With our tailored advisory and solutions-based approach, CDH is the right legal partner in any ECM project.
Click here to read more.
Listings, Stock Exchanges & Public Documents
Our Corporate & Commercial practice acts for a number of the top 100 Johannesburg Stock Exchange listed companies, companies listed on major international bourses and companies with dual or multiple listings.
Click here to read more.
Merger & Acquisitions
We close deals effectively by providing exceptional legal advice, managing risk, ensuring you meet regulatory compliance and working at every aspect of the transaction to ensure that it works from a legal and commercial perspective. Click here for more.
Private Equity
Our Private Equity team has in-depth experience of African transactions. In addition, we have immediate access to a vast network of relationship firms across the continent. We are therefore able to move quickly and seamlessly on local and international transactions. Learn more here.
Technology & Communications
Our Technology & Communications team uses its understanding of the technology sector to deliver cost-effective and innovate solutions for both suppliers and consumers. Learn more here.
Corporate & Commercial Law Brochures
Services
Corporate & Commercial Law Services
Our lawyers coordinate complex transactions, deal with regulatory requirements, advise on tax matters, manage due diligence investigations and prepare all required documentation. Our key focus areas are:
Black Economic Empowerment
Our Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) team is widely recognised as being one of the most knowledgeable and experienced BEE regulatory teams. Our expertise includes advising on the Broad-Based BEE Act, the Codes of Good Practice, Transformation Charters and Sector Codes, and related legislation and regulations.
Our experience is deep and varied and covers a wide range of advisory services. Click here to learn more.
Companies Act
When the 'new' Companies Act, No 71 of 2008 came into force on 1 May 2011, it marked the beginning of a significant era for corporate law in South Africa. Although much of the old law was retained, many significant new concepts and changes were introduced. CDH is well positioned to help our clients to comply with the legislation. We also offer training tailored to your business needs to help you meet your obligations.
Click here to read more.
Corporate Governance
In recognising the evolving needs of our local and global clients who are expanding their business operations on the continent and further afield as well as the increased governance risks, we provide a full corporate governance and regulation service within the Corporate and Commercial practice, which has local and global corporate governance expertise.
Read more about our services here.
Equity Capital Markets
Equity capital markets (ECM) are evolving fast within the current market environment. New options for growth are being created. However, this often comes with more complex choices and challenges that complicate capital market decisions. Any company on a growth trajectory needs a legal advisor with a proven track record and expertise across the full ECM spectrum. With our tailored advisory and solutions-based approach, CDH is the right legal partner in any ECM project.
Click here to read more.
Listings, Stock Exchanges & Public Documents
Our Corporate & Commercial practice acts for a number of the top 100 Johannesburg Stock Exchange listed companies, companies listed on major international bourses and companies with dual or multiple listings.
Click here to read more.
Merger & Acquisitions
We close deals effectively by providing exceptional legal advice, managing risk, ensuring you meet regulatory compliance and working at every aspect of the transaction to ensure that it works from a legal and commercial perspective. Click here for more.
Private Equity
Our Private Equity team has in-depth experience of African transactions. In addition, we have immediate access to a vast network of relationship firms across the continent. We are therefore able to move quickly and seamlessly on local and international transactions. Learn more here.
Technology & Communications
Our Technology & Communications team uses its understanding of the technology sector to deliver cost-effective and innovate solutions for both suppliers and consumers. Learn more here.
Brochures
Corporate & Commercial Law Brochures
Corporate & Commercial Lawyers
Our lawyers coordinate complex transactions, deal with regulatory requirements, advise on tax matters, manage due diligence investigations and prepare all required documentation.
Our Corporate & Commercial LawyersPRACTICE HEADS
Corporate & Commercial Law News
More newsCelebrating IWD 2025 - Accelerating Change | Dream Big for Her
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, the women of CDH Kenya embarked on an inspiring journey to co-author a powerful book, Dream Big for Her, alongside 34 of our female clients and peers.
Kenyan High Court rules that unregistered foreign lenders cannot sue defaulting borrowers
Advancing credit and having means to enforce against a borrower on default are fundamental to the operations of any financial institution. Recently, the High Court of Kenya has issued some puzzling decisions, creating uncertainty regarding the ability of foreign companies incorporated outside Kenya to enforce loan agreements with Kenyan counterparties in Kenyan courts. In summary, the courts have held that foreign lenders who have not registered in Kenya lack the legal capacity to enforce their rights against borrowers who default on loan repayments.
New environmental appeal regulations: Key developments
On 13 March 2025, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment published the National Appeal Regulations, 2025 (New Appeal Regulations) in terms of sections 43, 44(1)(a), 44(1)(b) and 47 of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998(NEMA).
Market recognition
- Chambers Global 2015-2025 rank our Corporate/M&A practice in Band 1.
- Chambers Global 2024-2025 rank our Kenya Corporate/M&A practice in Band 3.
- The Legal 500 EMEA 2018-2024 recognises us as Tier 1 in commercial, corporate/M&A.
- The Legal 500 EMEA 2023–2024 recommends our Kenya commercial, corporate/M&A practice in Tier 3.
- IFLR1000 2024 ranked CDH Kenya in Tier 3 for M&A.
- IFLR1000 2017-2024 ranks the firm in M&A - Tier 1. IFLR1000 2016 ranks the firm in M&A - Tier 2.
DealMakers 2024
- 1st by Listed M&A Deal Flow
- 2nd by Unlisted M&A Deal Flow
- 2nd by BEE Deal Value
- 2nd by BEE Deal Flow
- 3rd by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow
- Legal advisers on Coronation Fund Managers’ award-winning ‘BEE Deal of the Year’
DealMakers Africa
- 2nd by M&A Deal Flow.
- 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow (tie).
- 2nd by Pan African M & A Deal Flow (tie).
DealMakers 2023
- 2023 1st by M&A Listed Deal Flow.
- 2023 2nd by M&A Unlisted Deal Flow.
- 2023 2nd by M&A Unlisted Deal Value.
- 2023 2nd by M&A Listed & Unlisted BEE Deal Flow.
- 2023 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Value.
- 2023 4th by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow.
DealMakers 2022
- 2022 1st by M&A Listed Deal Flow
- 2022 3rd by M&A Listed Deal Value
- 2022 3rd by M&A Unlisted Deal Value
- 2022 3rd by M&A Unlisted Deal Flow
- 2022 3rd by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow
DealMakers 2021
- 2021 1st by M&A Deal Flow
- 2021 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow
- 2021 2nd by BEE Deal Value
- 2021 3rd by General Corporate Finance Deal Value
- 2021 3rd by BEE Deal Flow
- 2021 4th by M&A Deal Value
- 2020 1st by M&A Deal Flow
- 2020 1st by BEE Deal Flow
DealMakers 2018 - 2020
- 2020 1st by BEE Deal Value
- 2020 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow
- 2020 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Value
- 2020 3rd by M&A Deal Value
- 2020 Catalyst Private Equity Deal of the Year
- M&A Legal DealMakers of the Decade 2010 – 2019 (Deal Flow)
- Dealmakers 2019 - 1st by BEE M&A Deal Flow
- Dealmakers 2019 - 1st by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow
- Dealmakers 2019 - 2nd by M&A Deal Value
- Dealmakers 2019 - 2nd by M&A Deal Flow
- Dealmakers 2018 - 1st by M&A Deal Flow for the 10th year in a row.
- Dealmakers 2018 - 1st by M&A Deal Value.
- Dealmakers 2018 - 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow.
- Dealmakers 2018 - 1st by BEE M&A Deal Value.
- Dealmakers 2018 - 2nd by BEE M&A Deal Flow.
- Dealmakers 2018 - Lead legal advisers on the Private Equity Deal of the Year.
Market recognition
- Chambers Global 2015-2025 rank our Corporate/M&A practice in Band 1.
- Chambers Global 2024-2025 rank our Kenya Corporate/M&A practice in Band 3.
- The Legal 500 EMEA 2018-2024 recognises us as Tier 1 in commercial, corporate/M&A.
- The Legal 500 EMEA 2023–2024 recommends our Kenya commercial, corporate/M&A practice in Tier 3.
- IFLR1000 2024 ranked CDH Kenya in Tier 3 for M&A.
- IFLR1000 2017-2024 ranks the firm in M&A - Tier 1. IFLR1000 2016 ranks the firm in M&A - Tier 2.
DealMakers 2024
- 1st by Listed M&A Deal Flow
- 2nd by Unlisted M&A Deal Flow
- 2nd by BEE Deal Value
- 2nd by BEE Deal Flow
- 3rd by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow
- Legal advisers on Coronation Fund Managers’ award-winning ‘BEE Deal of the Year’
DealMakers Africa
- 2nd by M&A Deal Flow.
- 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow (tie).
- 2nd by Pan African M & A Deal Flow (tie).
DealMakers 2023
- 2023 1st by M&A Listed Deal Flow.
- 2023 2nd by M&A Unlisted Deal Flow.
- 2023 2nd by M&A Unlisted Deal Value.
- 2023 2nd by M&A Listed & Unlisted BEE Deal Flow.
- 2023 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Value.
- 2023 4th by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow.
DealMakers 2022
- 2022 1st by M&A Listed Deal Flow
- 2022 3rd by M&A Listed Deal Value
- 2022 3rd by M&A Unlisted Deal Value
- 2022 3rd by M&A Unlisted Deal Flow
- 2022 3rd by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow
DealMakers 2021
- 2021 1st by M&A Deal Flow
- 2021 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow
- 2021 2nd by BEE Deal Value
- 2021 3rd by General Corporate Finance Deal Value
- 2021 3rd by BEE Deal Flow
- 2021 4th by M&A Deal Value
- 2020 1st by M&A Deal Flow
- 2020 1st by BEE Deal Flow
DealMakers 2018 - 2020
- 2020 1st by BEE Deal Value
- 2020 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow
- 2020 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Value
- 2020 3rd by M&A Deal Value
- 2020 Catalyst Private Equity Deal of the Year
- M&A Legal DealMakers of the Decade 2010 – 2019 (Deal Flow)
- Dealmakers 2019 - 1st by BEE M&A Deal Flow
- Dealmakers 2019 - 1st by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow
- Dealmakers 2019 - 2nd by M&A Deal Value
- Dealmakers 2019 - 2nd by M&A Deal Flow
- Dealmakers 2018 - 1st by M&A Deal Flow for the 10th year in a row.
- Dealmakers 2018 - 1st by M&A Deal Value.
- Dealmakers 2018 - 2nd by General Corporate Finance Deal Flow.
- Dealmakers 2018 - 1st by BEE M&A Deal Value.
- Dealmakers 2018 - 2nd by BEE M&A Deal Flow.
- Dealmakers 2018 - Lead legal advisers on the Private Equity Deal of the Year.
Happy Clients
"They provide different thoughts on a number of key points, both from commercial and legal perspectives."
Chambers Global 2024
