Contact

Vivien Chaplin

Sector Head, Director

Vivien Chaplin is a Director in our Corporate & Commercial practice and Head of the Mining & Minerals sector. Vivien has over 20 years' experience in advising on local and cross border mergers and acquisitions, company law and corporate governance issues and drafting specialised commercial contracts.

+27 (0)11 562 1556
vivien.chaplin@cdhlegal.comJohannesburg
Vivien Chaplin

About Vivien

About Vivien

Vivien is a corporate commercial lawyer with over 20 years' experience in advising on local and cross border mergers and acquisitions, company law and corporate governance issues and drafting specialised commercial contracts.

Before joining Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, Vivien led the Corporate Commercial Team at Hogan Lovells Johannesburg, and prior to that she was a Corporate Partner at ENSafrica.

Credentials

Credentials

Education

  • BA/LLB, University of Cape Town
  • Registered with the Legal Practice Council

Languages

Languages

  • English

About Vivien

Vivien is a corporate commercial lawyer with over 20 years' experience in advising on local and cross border mergers and acquisitions, company law and corporate governance issues and drafting specialised commercial contracts.

Before joining Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, Vivien led the Corporate Commercial Team at Hogan Lovells Johannesburg, and prior to that she was a Corporate Partner at ENSafrica.

Credentials

Education

  • BA/LLB, University of Cape Town
  • Registered with the Legal Practice Council

Languages

  • English

Experience

Advising companies across various industries

Vivien’s experience includes advising companies across various industries on mergers and acquisitions (including the structuring, due diligence and drafting of all transaction documents), Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) transactions and advice, Employee Share Ownership Plans (ESOP) and corporate restructures.

Setting up and doing business in South Africa

Vivien assists her clients on all aspects of setting up and doing business in South Africa, including BEE, corporate governance and Companies Act compliance as well as specific regulatory advice in the mining, aviation, IT, film, industrial and logistics sectors. 

Major mining companies

Vivien also assisted major mining companies with the drafting of  high value long-term supply and offtake agreements and many large companies with the drafting of their standard form and bespoke agreements for all steps of the supply chain, as well as corporate documents such as shareholders' agreements, memoranda of incorporation, committee charters and resolutions.

Contract drafting for private and public companies

In addition, Vivien provides training on BEE, corporate governance, procurement and supply chain contract drafting to private and public companies. She regularly speaks on these topics at conferences and has published numerous articles on corporate law and BEE developments. Vivien has also assisted several non-profit organisations in the education and health sectors.

News

The Promulgation of the Economic Regulation of Transport Act is a marked step towards rail reform and privatisation
Firm News

The Promulgation of the Economic Regulation of Transport Act is a marked step towards rail reform and privatisation

On 11 June 2024, President Ramaphosa signed the Economic Regulation of Transport Act 6 of 2024 (Act) into law, marking a significant development in respect of economic regulation of...
Reflecting on South Africa's mining future
Mining & Minerals

Reflecting on South Africa's mining future

Vivien Chaplin, Director in the Corporate & Commercial practice and Head of the Mining & Minerals sector, and Jaco Meyer, Director in the Corporate & Commercial practice, were featured...
Embracing privatisation of the rail industry in South Africa: Transnet’s Network Statement
Corporate & Commercial Law

Embracing privatisation of the rail industry in South Africa: Transnet’s Network Statement

In a move geared towards transforming the rail sector, Transnet SOC Limited (Transnet) issued its draft Network Statement (Statement) for public comment on 19 March 2024, outlining...
Skyward shift: Modernising air service licensing in South Africa

Skyward shift: Modernising air service licensing in South Africa

In a move geared towards enhancing the efficiency of air service licensing in South Africa, local operators’ air service licence applications and foreign operators’ permit applications...
Paycheck Politics: Decoding the Companies Amendment Bill and its impact on executive remuneration
Corporate & Commercial Law

Paycheck Politics: Decoding the Companies Amendment Bill and its impact on executive remuneration

In recent years, there has been a significant global focus on the remuneration of senior executives within companies. This heightened attention is especially pertinent in South Africa,...

All articles by Vivien
Companies Act Developments Seminar

Companies Act Developments Seminar

On Tuesday, 30 January 2024, our Corporate & Commercial practice hosted a seminar on Companies Act Developments.

All videos by Vivien

Market recognition

  • Chambers Global 2024 ranked Vivien in Band 5 for corporate/M&A.
  • The Legal 500 EMEA 2021–2024 recommended her for commercial, corporate/M&A.
  • The Legal 500 EMEA 2021–2024 also recommended her for mining.
  • IFLR1000 2021–2023 ranked Vivien as highly regarded in M&A.
  • Winner of Lexology ILO Client Service Award for Corporate Law: South Africa (2019)
  • Finalist: Businesswoman of the Year (Legal): 2010

Market recognition

  • Chambers Global 2024 ranked Vivien in Band 5 for corporate/M&A.
  • The Legal 500 EMEA 2021–2024 recommended her for commercial, corporate/M&A.
  • The Legal 500 EMEA 2021–2024 also recommended her for mining.
  • IFLR1000 2021–2023 ranked Vivien as highly regarded in M&A.
  • Winner of Lexology ILO Client Service Award for Corporate Law: South Africa (2019)
  • Finalist: Businesswoman of the Year (Legal): 2010

This website uses cookies to enhance the browsing experience. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.

Accept Decline