VAN DER WESTHUIZEN WJ ATTORNEY
Attorneys in Rustenburg

The firm provides general legal services, with special departments established in the sectors of conveyancing, administration of deceased estates, estate planning, commercial law, litigation, criminal law, and debt collection. It is the undertaking of the firm to provide the finest, tailor-made solution to the unique problem experienced by individual clients. At the time, the practice established a rather stable, traditional-based clientele, and offered a rigid day-to-day range of legal services. In 2003 Ruurd van der Wal joined the firm and with their combined efforts the firm progressed to a flexible all inclusive and innovative service provider. However, in order to regulate the demand of services in certain areas of law, the firm has established several departments that deal primarily with those matters. The table below depicts the various departments that are in operation, and the respective attorneys that head them. Indirect empowerment through preferential procurement policies aimed at ensuring that black persons benefit from government and private sector procurement and through the development of black-owned and controlled enterprises. This is the enabling legislation for broad-based BEE and provides for the development of sector-specific Transformation Charters and Codes which apply BEE specific requirements to specific sectors of the economy using a scorecard approach for establishing an entity’s level of BEE compliance. Extensive specialization in BEE as well as a close working relationship with many of the SANAS and ABVA accredited BEE verification agencies allows group professionals to advise on the structuring of transactions to achieve maximum BEE compliance as well as advise on the implications and impact of sector charters that may apply to a client or transaction. 71 of 2008 (Companies Act) has, in line with international trends, introduced business rescue as an option for South African companies which are financially distressed or which trade in insolvent circumstances to reorganise and restructure, including debt restructuring. This has far reaching effects on creditors, financial institutions, shareholders and employees. Business rescue aims to maximise the likelihood of a company remaining in existence on a solvent basis, with the development of a business rescue plan, if approved by creditors, being vital to rescue the company by restructuring its affairs, business, property, debt, other liabilities and equity, or at least, result in a better return for the company’s creditors or shareholders than would result from an immediate liquidation of the company. Advise on duties and liabilities of all parties involved in the business rescue process. Provide guidance to creditors in respect of strategic decisions.