DLA Piper has represented South Africa's leading banks in the acquisition by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Capitec Bank and Investec Bank of shares in the South African Bankers Services Company (PayInc, formerly known as BankServ), Africa's leading automated clearing house (ACH).
In an era of digital transformation, our technology lawyers combine in-country experience with the global skills and resources of one of the world’s biggest business law firms.
We work for the world's leading tech companies on corporate transactions, intellectual property rights (IPR), patents and litigation, across commercial, regulatory, compliance and employment issues.
We are already one of the most active law firms in Africa, and our teams advise domestic and multinational clients ranging from tech giants, pharmaceutical companies, banks and financial institutions to mid-market businesses, startups, scaleups, governments and NGOs.
Local insight, global reach: with teams in 20 African countries, our people understand the political, legal, cultural and regulatory issues in the region, and bring those insights to bear on behalf of our clients.
Our global Africa team itself comprises more than 200 lawyers in Johannesburg, Casablanca, London, New York, Paris, Dubai, Perth, Hong Kong and Beijing.
Being part of one of the world's biggest business law firms means we can draw on the multidisciplinary resources of a global technology practice enabling us to deliver a fully integrated cross-border business legal service across multiple jurisdictions.
This means we can advise tech companies throughout the business lifecycle: from startups that are seeking funding to established companies that are addressing employment matters, commercial and technology transactions, as well as IP patent protection strategies.
Companies offering evolving technologies in evolving markets also need strong legal support in areas including M&A, IPOs and disputes, as well as guidance on international tax planning, regulatory compliance, establishing new entities, complying with local employment laws, and setting out benefits and company policies and procedures. We can help in all of these areas, with IP and tech experience that encompasses:
- Software
- Computer hardware
- Cloud
- FinTech
- PayTech
- InsureTech
- PropTech
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics
- Blockchain
- Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- Telecommunications
- Digital and new media
- Games and entertainment
- E-commerce
- IT and outsourcing services
- CleanTech
- Semiconductors
- Internet of Things (IoT)
Please contact us to discuss how we can help you to achieve your objectives.
DLA Piper has represented Community Investment Ventures Holdings Proprietary Limited (CIVH) and its subsidiary, Maziv Proprietary Limited (Maziv), before South Africa's Competition Appeal Court (CAC), conditionally securing approval for the proposed ZAR14 billion merger involving Vodacom Proprietary Limited (Vodacom) and Maziv. On 15 August, the CAC conditionally approved the merger, overturning the Competition Tribunal’s earlier decision to prohibit the deal.
DLA Piper and AVAdvisory have advised ASP Isotopes Inc (ASPI) on its proposed acquisition of all the issued shares in Renergen Limited (Renergen), a JSE-listed natural gas operation, as well as its intended secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).
DLA Piper was ranked as the 3rd most active law firm for South African M&A (by deal value) at the annual Ansarada DealMakers Awards held on 18 February. DealMakers tracks and records M&A activity across South Africa and the rest of Africa. The awards are calculated based on the number of transactions involving Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed entities.