Practice areas at Cape Chambers
Cape Chambers is a group of advocates in Cape Town whose members accept briefs across civil litigation, criminal law, administrative and public law, property, company and insolvency law, and family and children's law. Each advocate practises independently and is instructed by an attorney, in keeping with the divided profession in South Africa.
An advocate is a specialist litigator: counsel who drafts pleadings, prepares written opinions, settles papers and appears in court on behalf of a client. Attorneys brief counsel when a matter requires specialist argument, advocacy in the High Court, or an independent view on the strengths of a case. To instruct a member of these chambers, an attorney contacts the advocate directly, setting out the nature of the matter, the relief sought and any relevant deadlines.
Civil litigation and urgent applications
Members act in High Court and magistrate's court proceedings, including trials, motions, urgent interdicts, restraint of trade disputes and monetary claims for damages. Urgent matters such as evictions and enforcement applications are accepted where the circumstances require immediate relief.
Criminal law
Advocates at Cape Chambers appear in bail applications, criminal trials and appeals, and provide advice on the conduct of a defence from the first appearance through to sentence.
Administrative and public law
Members advise on judicial review of administrative decisions, including Home Affairs and immigration matters, municipal by-laws and decisions of regulatory bodies, and on the lawful exercise of public power.
Property, company and insolvency law
Work in this field includes commercial and residential evictions, property disputes, corporate governance questions, liquidations, business rescue, sequestration and insolvency enquiries.
Family and children's law
Members appear in care and contact disputes, maintenance matters, domestic violence and harassment protection order applications, and matters concerning the best interests of the child.
The experience behind each of these areas sits with individual members. Their profiles set out their areas of practice, particular specialisations, dates of admission and direct contact details.