Big Five law firms (South Africa)
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The Big Five law firms is a term informally used in
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
to refer to those law firms which, collectively, are perceived to be the leading law firms based in South Africa. The following firms are usually seen as comprising the "Big Five" (listed alphabetically): Note1: Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr was formerly allied with DLA Piper. Its affiliation with DLA Piper ended at the end of August 2015. Note2: On 1 February 2013, the firm entered into a collaborative alliance with global law firm Linklaters. Note3:
Deneys Reitz Inc Deneys Reitz was a large South African law firm based in Sandton, Johannesburg with offices in Cape Town and Durban. It was one of the "Big Five law firms (South Africa), Big Five" law firms in South Africa. On 1 June 2011 Deneys Reitz Inc joined ...
, and then Norton Rose Fulbright, was formerly considered to form part of the big five law firms. Due to its decline, Werksmans, which was not part of the big five law firms, took its place.


Rankings


Chambers and Partners Global rankings

Chambers and Partners Global Rankings of the number of departments recognised as leaders in their respective fields in South Africa in 2020. This list is non-exhaustive. Note1: Based on Band 1 rankings.


Who's Who Legal Global 100

Law firms included in the Global 100 aren't assigned a specific ranking. Note3: firms listed alphabetically


Who's Who Legal South African Law firm of the year


Midsized law firms

Firms with more than 50 attorneys are generally viewed as midsize law firms. Note1: On 1 June 2011,
Deneys Reitz Inc Deneys Reitz was a large South African law firm based in Sandton, Johannesburg with offices in Cape Town and Durban. It was one of the "Big Five law firms (South Africa), Big Five" law firms in South Africa. On 1 June 2011 Deneys Reitz Inc joined ...
joined UK based firm Norton Rose. Ogilvy Renault and Deneys Reitz to join Norton Rose Group Retrieved 31 December 2010 Deneis Reitz, and then Norton Rose Fulbright, was formerly considered to form part of the big five law firms. Due to its decline, Werksmans, which was formerly outside of the big five law firms, took its place.


See also

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Magic Circle (law) The Magic Circle is an informal term describing the five most prestigious London-headquartered multinational law firms, which generally outperform the rest of the London law firms on profitability. The term has also been used to describe the most ...
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Silver Circle (law) The Silver Circle is a group of elite corporate law firms headquartered in London that has evolved significantly as the UK legal market has been affected by globalisation and mergers. The law firms generally described by ''The Lawyer'' magazine ...
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Big Six law firms The term ''Big Six'' law firms referred, prior to 2012, to the six largest - by lawyer head count - Australian law firms. In 2012, four merged or formed association relationships with firms from other countries (the United Kingdom for three of th ...


References

{{Law firms of South Africa
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
Law firms of Africa