Fees & Ethos

PROFESSIONAL POLICY AND CREDO

Van Wyk | Matabane has built its reputation on its sound work ethos and culture. We believe in transparency, long-term relationships, serving clients’ best interests at all times.

A key differentiation we bring is easy accessibility of partners and personnel to clients. We provide focused attention and keep abreast of trends and research, identification of client opportunities and attention to detail.

Excellence in the provision of legal services correlate directly to good briefs, but we note that clients are not likely to have a legal background or understanding of our specialisations. We therefore ensure that every facet of our service offering is understood and that detailed briefs are taken and confirmed for the understanding and benefit of all stakeholders. Adoption of this approach avoids duplication of effort, confusion, misunderstandings and unnecessary costs. Our clients end up being our ‘knowledge partners’.

FEE STRUCTURE

As a centre of excellence we provide detailed accounting of all our services and deliverables. Our fee structure is based on transparent disclosure, realistic standards for services rendered and good governance principles. We understand that clients wish to achieve objectives when retaining our services but they also seek value for money and legitimate returns with a trusted brief. Personal circumstances and budgetary constraints are balanced against solutions. Our fees are therefore competitive but based on stellar quality of service levels.

This policy has engendered sustained trust in the integrity of our firm, its partners and all our personnel. A trend of lengthy and delayed court processes in South Africa which can compromise best evidence and effective resolution of issues is understood by our firm. They cause costs to escalate dramatically and we are sensitive to litigation being used as a tool of abuse which we eschew in the best interests of the client where appropriate. Working in the client’s best interests we may however provide legal counsel which avoids litigation and provides more rapid yet satisfying results. Alternative dispute resolution methods, mediation, arbitration and/or strategic negotiation, may be recommended.

Our legal counsel always aims at balanced results leading to effective solutions. Noting the saving on unnecessary costs and drawn out court cases we may advise clients to seek alternative dispute resolution.

BBBEE

We currently hold a level 2 certification and actively participate in mentoring talent from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. We embrace equal opportunity.

PROFESSIONAL REACH

Our professional services demonstrate expertise and a compelling track record within the South Africa, regionally within Africa and globally. We are defined by our understanding of governance, legislative conflicts, cultural influences, dispute resolution successes and failures, case law - which impacts outcomes – as well as investment and joint venture trends.

This places us in a unique position to advise our clients on contract formulation and enforcement. Our regional work with Botswana, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho is extensive. We have acted for clients in most African countries because of our depth of knowledge and ongoing research in the following environments: legal, economic, political, ecological, socio-demographic, technology and competition - all of which influence litigation, alternative dispute resolution, contract design and successful ventures.

Our global reach includes Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the USA. We have a staff contingent of 10 competent people: attorneys, candidate attorneys, paralegals and administrative staff. All personnel are recruited and oriented to our ‘knowledge and service’ culture to your benefit.

Publications and Legal Commentary

We have written and supplied articles and legal commentary on emerging trends and case law for multimedia publications, adding qualitatively to the debates.

These have included property in all its diverse fields, estate planning, new business ventures to boost the economy and add to South Africa’s GDP and legal vehicles for fulfilment of statutory requirements.