Herbert Smith Freehills grows alternative Legal services with JHB appointments

3 JUNE 2019

Herbert Smith Freehills has appointed Jacquie Hodgson as its Head of Alternative Legal Services (ALT), Johannesburg in South Africa. Hodgson will provide support to further expand on the successful foundation laid by the existing Johannesburg-based team over the past two years.

ALT combines legal expertise, process efficiency and the latest technology to handle high-volume or document-intensive work more efficiently and cost effectively for clients. The ALT team comprises over 350 lawyers, technologists and legal analysts, across 11 international hubs including New York, Belfast, London, Johannesburg, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. The global ALT team provides a seamless round the clock global service across all key industry sectors.

“We are delighted to welcome Jacquie to lead the Johannesburg ALT team,” says Edward Baring, Managing Partner in the Johannesburg office. “We are confident that Jacquie’s varied experience across private practice and in-house, combined with her specialist knowledge of alternative legal services, will equip her to lead ALT Johannesburg during the next phase of its growth and evolution. A combination of global expertise and local knowledge and talent is what we believe sets us apart.”

Lisa McLaughlin, Director of our Alternative Legal Services business in UK, US & EMEA, says, “The demand for our services continues to grow exponentially, not only in South Africa but across  our global network. The firm’s decision to invest skills and resources to develop an ALT capability in South Africa has been a resounding success in terms of our global offering, and, as we begin to work more closely with South African clients, our ALT team is increasingly being viewed as a key differentiator for us in the local market.”

Hodgson is a qualified attorney who has held a variety of legal roles prior to joining Herbert Smith Freehills, most notably at Webber Wentzel, where she trained and then practiced in the corporate team, and at Exigent, where she was instrumental in expanding access to innovative legal services into the local South African market as VP of Legal Solutions.

About Us

The Northern Business Review is a business community newspaper that provides a platform for businesses to market their products and services, as well as build their brand, but equally important the publication provides information, advice and topics of interest, including business, entrepreneurial, economic reviews and simple ideas to grow your business. The publication has a primary objective to “uniquely” represent businesses to a wide audience across the community as well as provide a media platform of business articles and information that affect, influence and uplift the business environment within our defined geographical and cultural community.

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Intellectual property creators to be recognised

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Top intellectual property (IP) creators will be rewarded for their contribution to an innovation agenda intended to address South Africa’s triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment.

The National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) which falls under the Department of Science and Technology is set to issue award grants to institutions for research and development that resulted in IP with commercial and/or social impact potential

NIPMO is responsible for implementing the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act, 2008, which intends to ensure that IP emanating from publicly financed research and development are identified, protected, utilised and commercialised for the benefit the country.

The grants called Intellectual Property Creators’ Incentives – are to be used by institutions to advance the IP disclosures for the next stage in the innovation value chain.

The grants and certificates will be presented by Science and Technology Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane during a dinner tonight. – SAnews.gov.za

About Us

The Northern Business Review is a business community newspaper that provides a platform for businesses to market their products and services, as well as build their brand, but equally important the publication provides information, advice and topics of interest, including business, entrepreneurial, economic reviews and simple ideas to grow your business. The publication has a primary objective to “uniquely” represent businesses to a wide audience across the community as well as provide a media platform of business articles and information that affect, influence and uplift the business environment within our defined geographical and cultural community.

@NsabasiNBR

Designed by Nsabasi Publishing©2020

Your last word when you die

Death is an unpleasant topic that people would rather avoid. However, by planning for your death, you are giving life to the wellbeing of your family and dependents when you are no longer around. It can be seen as a final act of love and is not just for people with vast estates.   South Africa’s National Wills Week 2018 takes place between September 17-21 to emphasise the importance of drafting a will as part of a comprehensive estate planning process. As a participant, Ecsponent is not only offering information, but also the opportunity for you to have your will drawn up for free.   Importance of a will   A will can take a lot of pressure off a bereaved family during the difficult time of a death. It removes the uncertainty and chaos by providing certainty about how your assets should be distributed. However, a will cannot be a mechanism to rule from the grave.   Floris Slabbert, Director at Ecsponent Financial Services says that a will allows you some control over your assets after death instead of leaving the decision to the state. “A will can name an executor, distribute property, designate guardians and provisions for your children, stipulate how to settle debts and have a clearly defined plan to minimise the tax burden, among more.   Dying without a will   Dying without a will, or without a valid will, means your estate will be administered in terms of the Intestate Succession Act. The most obvious, most unsettling, aspect dying without a valid will is that you forfeit the freedom of deciding what should happen to your estate, which will then be allocated in terms of pre-determined legislated guidelines. This is also a risk when people fail to update their beneficiaries following important life events, like a death or birth in the family or a divorce.   ” If you are married and pass away, your assets will be awarded to your spouse in terms of the Act. If you have children, your estate will be divided and shared between your spouse and children. The state, however, decides on this split,” says Slabbert.   Without a will, it may also take a much longer time for an executor to be appointed by the state. An executor is responsible for making sure that all your debts have been settled and all remaining assets are distributed according to your wishes. “Without a will, you will have no say in choosing the right person to carry out this crucial role of ensuring your loved ones are treated fairly,” he adds.   Slabbert adds that there may also be additional costs associated with distributing your belongings in the absence of a will. Without your clear instructions as a guide, conflict among loved ones is also more likely.     What is a will?   A will is a signed and witnessed legal document that specifies how your estate is distributed, names an executor and appoints guardians for your children.   To be considered valid and legal, it needs to meet certain minimum requirements. For a will to be considered valid it must:
  • be a written document
  • contain a clause revoking all your previous wills
  • be signed by you, the testator, on each page.
  • witnessed by two competent witnesses over the age of 14 who are not beneficiaries in the will.
  A Living Will is a separate document from a standard will and does not refer to the distribution of the estate after your death. Instead a living will stipulates your wishes in the event that you are incapacitated and unable to make decisions. These include what type of medical care and interventions you want to receive, such as decisions around life support, and how your affairs are to be handled in this time.   A will cannot be drawn up if no estate planning is conducted   In addition to creating confusion, dying intestate can also create tax implications that reduce your loved ones’ inheritance.   Slabbert says that professional estate planning is essential before compiling your will.   “There are many considerations to take into account. For example, many people specify that their assets must be preserved for their children in a testamentary trust. However, they do not take the cost of maintaining such a trust into consideration. This can amount to significant figures and is best addressed during the estate planning phase.”   Tax It is often said the only two certainties in life are death and taxes. In this case, we can go one step further and say that Sars follows you to the grave.   Without the proper planning, your estate may attract unnecessary taxes and fees.   Some tax implications upon death include: estate duty, which is a tax on your net assets, capital gains tax, in which the death is considered a capital gains event (there are exemptions, to be described below), and income tax on your taxable income before you die as well as income generated by assets in your estate after you die.   Many of these costly taxes can be minimised or even avoided through proper planning within the rules of the Tax and Wills Act.   Exemptions Neither estate duty nor capital gains tax is payable on any part of an estate bequeathed to a living spouse. There are also further capital gains tax exemptions if you do not leave your estate to a living partner (surviving Spouse). A rebate of R 300 000 is provided to a natural person in the year of their death.   “Also, there are very clear rules and conditions governing the tax implications of annuities, pay-outs from life assurance policies and lump sums from retirement funds. There are also deductible expenses, such as the funeral cost, and deductible liabilities, such as certain debts. Navigating this terrain requires a clear planning process underpinned by a thorough understanding of estate duty tax and holistic financial planning,” says Slabbert.   An estate planning professional will point out the finer details of these exemptions that apply to you.     After you die   It is important to keep your nominated beneficiaries informed about your wishes and ensure the nominees on all your policies are up to date and where to access copies of your will and other important documents. Not only will it minimise conflict, but also will ensure speedy pay-outs from life insurance policies. Funeral costs and living expenses that your family will have before they have access to your investments can add up very fast.   While the process may seem daunting and one that you would rather deal with another day, it is very important to face the task head-on. With professional help and advice, the entire process becomes manageable and you can have peace of mind that your loved ones will be looked after in a way befitting your wishes.   To celebrate National Wills Week, Ecsponent will be offering the drafting of free wills during September. Do not hesitate to contact us to have your will drawn up free of charge.   For further information please contact: Sandra Greaves-Campbell Cell: +27 83 408 3373 sandy@changetc.co.za  

About Us

The Northern Business Review is a business community newspaper that provides a platform for businesses to market their products and services, as well as build their brand, but equally important the publication provides information, advice and topics of interest, including business, entrepreneurial, economic reviews and simple ideas to grow your business. The publication has a primary objective to “uniquely” represent businesses to a wide audience across the community as well as provide a media platform of business articles and information that affect, influence and uplift the business environment within our defined geographical and cultural community.

@NsabasiNBR

Designed by Nsabasi Publishing©2020

BusinessLawyers

A look at legal services in our business – can we afford them? Today, one of the key and/or focus area/s of business revolves around legal compliance, albeit legal litigation or the drafting of contacts. There has been a significant increase in legal regulation in the past decade which has made it increasingly more difficult and expensive for businesses to comply.  In business, we are constantly engaged with transactions, deals, preparing documents and the drafting of contracts, all of which, have some underlying legal implication, requirement or compliance obligation. Most business owners will testify to the value that a commercial lawyer will bring to their business, but for the majority of small to medium businesses, having a full-time commercial lawyer on call or employed is expensive. What is a possible solution to this ever present requirement in your business?  Well, like so many services today, such as human resources, tax and information technology, legal service requirements can also be outsourced. is an Underwriting Management Agency that provides a legal service insurance product which has specifically been formulated for the needs of small and medium business with between 1 and 50 employees.  The product is underwritten by GENRIC Insurance Company Limited. So what does this legal insurance product offer you as a business owner? Well, amongst others, BusinessLawyers will assist your business with the:
  • Drafting of contracts;
  • Legal opinions and advice;
  • Reviewing of agreements;
  • Employment and/or labour issues; and
  • Criminal and Civil matters with expenses up to R500 000 per annum.
More importantly, the value that BusinessLawyers brings to your business is a comprehensive and powerful legal insurance product.  This hassle free legal insurance product ensures that your daily legal issues are covered, such as: contracts, disciplinary proceedings, CCMA support and representation in the High and Magistrates Courts nationwide. BusinessLawyers have lawyers who are specialists in their field of expertise and have more than 5 years’ practical experience.  We are admitted and/or practicing attorneys, with no paralegals used to provide advice and/or services, and, finally, no excess or hidden costs – only your monthly premium. These premiums are based on the size of your business and the 3 premium levels are:
  • R495 p/m (1 to 10 employees);
  • R650 p/m (11 to 30 employees); or
  • R785 p/m (31 to 50 employees)*.
Should you have more than 50 employees, we would be able to accommodate you as well.  However, this will be done as a separate proposal. *To be adjusted in line with pending VAT amendments from 1 April 2018. BusinessLawyers provide a comprehensive array of legal services as an insurance product designed to take care of your legal requirements, while you take care of business! Cover provided under the policy is subject to the terms and conditions of the insurance policy.  The above is a brief overview of the product offered and should not be construed as advice. Should you be interested in the product offering please ask your insurance broker to contact us for more information. Alternatively, you can contact Acorn Brokers (Pty) Ltd through Neil MacArthur at 082 444 4040 for further queries.   Web: www.bizlawyers.co.za General Enquiries: info@bizlawyers.co.za Contact Number: 087 820 1691   BusinessLawyers is a product of Business Lawyers (Pty) Ltd an authorised financial service provider (FSP No: 46227)   Underwritten by Genric Insurance Company Ltd an authorised financial services provider (FSP No: 43638 and registered short term insurance company.)   Acorn Brokers (Pty) Ltd is an authorised financial services provider (FSP No: 47433) Acorn Brokers is an independent intermediary.

About Us

The Northern Business Review is a business community newspaper that provides a platform for businesses to market their products and services, as well as build their brand, but equally important the publication provides information, advice and topics of interest, including business, entrepreneurial, economic reviews and simple ideas to grow your business. The publication has a primary objective to “uniquely” represent businesses to a wide audience across the community as well as provide a media platform of business articles and information that affect, influence and uplift the business environment within our defined geographical and cultural community.

@NsabasiNBR

Designed by Nsabasi Publishing©2020

Law firm Pinsent Masons appoints George Sibanda as Head of Johannesburg Office

International law firm Pinsent Masons has appointed George Sibanda as head of the firm’s Johannesburg office.

Sibanda, who joined the firm when it launched its inaugural Africa presence in 2017, is a highly skilled corporate specialist. He has worked on numerous capital raisings, including on the largest ever IPO on the JSE Ltd.

Over the last year Sibanda has also played a lead role in ‘Project Naledi’ a programme initiated by the firm aimed at aiding the educational and sporting development of children in Soweto. 

He will be supported by Deputy Office Head, Apicksha Patel.

Since the opening of its Johannesburg office in February 2017, Pinsent Masons’ Africa practice has continued to provide a full spectrum of legal advice to infrastructure and energy clients across the African continent.  Over the past 12 months, the firm has been appointed as legal counsel to the project company on the 500km long Lamu-Garissa-Isiolo road in Kenya, advised West Africa’s largest industrial conglomerate on one of the most significant energy infrastructure projects in Sub-Saharan Africa and been appointed to the regional panel for one of the largest development finance institutions operating in Africa.

The Johannesburg office is fully integrated into the wider group of some 24 offices, which has enabled the successful awarding of significant African mandates where a multi-discipline, multi-language and multi-jurisdictional team was required.

John Cleland, Managing Partner of Pinsent Masons says: “Africa is a crucial market for the infrastructure, energy and technology sectors. Our Johannesburg office is a thriving base for our connectivity to the region and has enabled us to scale our service to clients operating within and into all of Africa. George is well connected in the Zimbabwean market and I’m pleased that he will continue to build on the great achievements of the office since its launch.” 

About Us

The Northern Business Review is a business community newspaper that provides a platform for businesses to market their products and services, as well as build their brand, but equally important the publication provides information, advice and topics of interest, including business, entrepreneurial, economic reviews and simple ideas to grow your business. The publication has a primary objective to “uniquely” represent businesses to a wide audience across the community as well as provide a media platform of business articles and information that affect, influence and uplift the business environment within our defined geographical and cultural community.

@NsabasiNBR

Designed by Nsabasi Publishing©2020