Swanepoel & Partners was established by the late Mr. P C Swanepoel in 1977. The firm was converted to an incorporated company in 2001 and has grown, since inception to one of the leading legal practices in Mpumalanga, based in Nelspruit.
We have a program in place working to be fully BEE compliant and to meet all employment equity expectations, which we actively support.
The Company has already seen 12 black attorneys through articles to the stage where they became professional assistants to the Company, 3 of which later established their own legal practices in Nelspruit, 4 appointed as judges in the Consumer Court, 1 a high ranking official in the legal department of the Mbombela Local Municipality and another a legal advisor in a large private commercial company.
THE COMPANY
Swanepoel & Partners Inc. (est. 1977) has grown to one of the most prominent legal practices in Mpumalanga.
We have seven qualified attorneys with right of appearance, of which four are directors, and more than twenty permanent staff members.
The company enjoys the support of all major banks, various large businesses, parastatals, government and major role players in the property market, as well as a loyal individual client base.
MISSION
Our mission is to provide a quality service that exceeds the expectations of our esteemed clients and in order to achieve this, we undertake to deliver on our policy, and furthermore to train and equip our staff to reach their full potential at all times.
POLICY
We strive to build long term relationships with our clients and provide exceptional customer service by delivering the highest possible standard of legal service at a reasonable and acceptable cost, and are able to provide effective solutions in all areas of law.
We have embraced a policy of equality amongst all races, as well as non - discrimination on sexual orientation and actively work towards full gender equality amongst our professional contingent. We aspire to create and promote BEE partnerships in the communities where we work.
The joint professional experience of the qualified attorneys, more than seventy five years in total, coupled with the commitment to professional service excellence, enables the Company to handle all aspects normally associated with a legal practice.
Our services include, inter alia, the following:
CONVEYANCING
The conveyancing department is headed by one of our senior directors, Dave Bennett, a qualified conveyancer and notary, and another director, Christelle de Wet, also a qualified conveyancer, who ably assists him. They attend to the transfer of residential and other fixed properties, mortgage bonds for all the major banks, opening of township registers, sectional title registers, certificates of title and all other conveyancing matters, as well as the drafting and registration of notarial bonds, servitudes and other notarial documents.
Dave is well known in property circles within the legal fraternity, as he is an active member of the Standing Committees on Property Law of both the Law Society of South Africa and the Law Society of the Northern Provinces.
The Mpumalanga Deeds Office opened in Nelspruit in September 2007. We pride ourselves on an active correspondent practice. We strive to provide excellent service and quality advice as we understand that in order to register transactions in Mpumalanga, our correspondents, the banks and clients will be dependant on the quality and speed of the services that we are able to supply.
COMMERCIAL
We provide a broad range of commercial contracting support, combining professional, commercial and business skills and expertise when negotiating agreements to fit the specific needs and requirements of each client. Commercial matters are dealt with include a wide range of services and agreements relating to companies, close corporations, trusts, partnerships, joint ventures as well as liquor license applications.As commercial work forms a considerable part of the activities of our Company, the practice works in close relationship with an international accounting firm whose services, experience and advice is frequently used in concluding agreements relating to companies, close corporations, trusts or other legal entities.
WILLS AND ESTATES
Formulating and implementing strategies to transfer resources and protect your capital for the benefit of your loved ones after your death, requires proactive actions and clear and precise legal advise.
We offer a full range of estate planning and fiduciary services to clients.
CIVIL LITIGATION
We pride ourselves on active civil litigation departments dealing with High Court, Regional Court and Magistrate Court litigation and also the Supreme Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court as well as Land Claims Court.
COLLECTIONS
Debt Collection has become a highly specialized field as credit and consumer laws necessitates expert advice to clients regarding the process of collecting arrear debt.We provide a comprehensive debt collection service in order to ensure that the individual interests of each client and company is attended to. This include collections for Homeowner Associations and Body Corporates in respect of outstanding levies.
FAMILY LAW
We provide expert advice relating to all aspects of Family Law. Divorces and maintenance matters are handled with utmost professionalism and confidentiality. We deal with these matters in the High Court, Regional Court and also Maintanance Courts throughout the country.
CRIMINAL CASES
Criminal Law involves a system of legal rules designed to keep the public safe and deter wrongful conduct. We handle a diverse spectrum of criminal cases, specializing in the defense of individuals and companies charged with criminal conduct.
LABOUR LAW
Labour Law has been a growing field of expertise in the last decade or more, and is continuously affected by ever changing legislative dynamics and the constitution. This is a dynamic and complex area of law, in which we mainly act for employees in negotiations and appearances.
LEGAL OPINIONS
Whereas the Company consists of a number of people with experience in every aspect of the Law, legal opinions (verbal or extensive written opinions) are regularly supplied to clients. It has been found that a legal opinion is indeed a practical and inexpensive manner of taking stock of all aspects of a case right at the outset thereof, enabling both the client and the Practitioner involved to be aware of the strenghts and weaknesses of the case and to properly assess the risk or possibility of the success thereof. The Company therefore propegates the practice of obtaining legal opinions, and as we have an extensive and up to date legal library, we are able to provide these opinions quickly and without unnecessary delay.
LIQUOR LICENSES, LAND CLAIMS, ENVIRONMENTAL AND GAMBLING LAWS
We actively practice in all land related matters, including land claims and matters that resort under the Prevention of Illegal Eviction and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (19 of 1998), Extension of Security of Tenure Act (62 of 1997) and Restitution of Land Rights Act (22 of 1994), as well as a wide range of matters pertaining to Environmental and Gambling Laws and obtaining Liquor Licenses.
GENERAL
Each of the departments dealing with a certain category of law, is headed by a director who is largely entrusted with the organization of that department. The Company actively encourages all staff members, including non-professional staff, to participate in and give input to the organizational structure of the Company with the ultimate goal of enhancing our professional service.
The Company continuously updates its legal computer software and office equipment to maintain the capacity and quality of our professional services and to create a pleasant working environment for all our staff members.
We have internet and modem access to the Deeds office, enabling us to obtain up to date information regarding property registrations, mortgage bonds and other matters related to conveyancing. We are also able to obtain copies for information of any deed registered in the Deeds Office, and of any Surveyor General Diagram within one hour from reque