The Definitive Guide For Attorneys In South Africa
The Definitive Guide For Attorneys In South Africa
De Oliveira Serrão Attorneys embraces the highest standards of professionalism and integrity and as such can be trusted to do the right thing for each and every client.
We guide our clients through difficult issues, bringing our insight and judgment to each situation. Our innovative approaches create original solutions for our clients’ most complex domestic and multi-jurisdictional deals and disputes.
By thinking on behalf of our clients every day, we anticipate what they want, provide what they need, and build lasting relationships. We do what it takes to help our clients achieve their ambitions and goals. De Oliveira Serrão Attorneys combination of quality, efficiency, and “outside of the box” thinking – from dispute resolution to fee structures – is unsurpassed.
We are a multi-specialty law firm serving individuals and business entities throughout Pretoria, other areas of South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
Business Hours:
Mondays to Thursdays: 8:00 am to 16:30pm
Fridays: 8:00 am to 15:30pm
Services
Commercial & Corporate Law: Structuring Business Success
We ensure your corporate identity and structure are concisely recorded and compliant. We set up tax-efficient company structures, manage B-BBEE structuring, and handle complex Mergers, Acquisitions, and disposals. Our services include commercial risk assessment, contract drafting, corporate governance, Information Technology (IT) law, International Trade law, escrow services, and domestic/international arbitration.
Conveyancing, Real Estate & Correspondent Services: Securing Your Assets
We ensure your ownership of immovable property is unchallenged. We manage full and sectional title property transfers, bond registrations, consolidations, sub-divisions, and township/sectional title developments. We expertly draft commercial and residential deeds of sale, rental agreements, and development agreements. Additionally, we act as reliable Correspondent Attorneys for urgent applications, trials, and filings in the Pretoria CCMA, Pretoria High Court, and the Pretoria Central and Hatfield Magistrates Courts.
Criminal Law: 24/7 Defense & Bail Assistance
We minimize the trauma of criminal disruptions with a dedicated 24/7 bail emergency line (+27 84 805 5369). We handle after-hours bail applications, trial litigation, appeals, and review applications. We also expertly manage unlawful arrest claims, the expungement of criminal records, asset forfeiture proceedings, setting aside search/arrest warrants, and assisting corporations in initiating criminal prosecutions.
International Law, Immigration & DSA Translators: Cross-Border Solutions
We offer highly specialized niche services for jurisdictions including Portugal, Mozambique, Angola, and the UK. DSA Translators assists with Apostilling and notarizing documents (DIRCO), obtaining foreign tax numbers, and registering births, marriages, deaths, and divorces abroad. We provide certified translations (English/Portuguese/Afrikaans), handle Portuguese citizenship and Golden Visa applications, structure offshore entities, and manage financial emigration, critical skills visas, and international property transfers.
Debt Recovery, Insolvency & Business Rescue: Financial Restructuring
When your business faces severe financial issues, we successfully resolve debt-related matters through strategic mediation and debt restructuring. We expertly manage business rescue proceedings, liquidations, sequestrations, and formal rehabilitations.
Employment & Labour Law: Navigating Industrial Relations
We manage the complex relationship between employers, employees, and trade unions. We draft employment contracts, codes of conduct, and restraints of trade. Our formidable representation covers internal disciplinary/grievance hearings, CCMA and Bargaining Council appearances, wage negotiations, retrenchments, strike action, lockouts, and complex Labour Court review and trial procedures.
Family Law & Mediation: Navigating Sensitive Domestic Matters
We offer strict confidentiality and expert mediation (in the RSA and UK) to minimize hostility in family disputes. We litigate across Maintenance, Domestic Violence, Children’s, and High Courts. Our comprehensive services cover Divorces, Rule 43/58 applications, Antenuptial Contracts, division of joint estates, care and contact disputes, child abduction (Hague Convention matters), surrogacy agreements, and securing Protection Orders.
Intellectual Property (IP) Law: Protecting Your Innovations
We secure and enforce your IP rights across Patents, Trademarks, Registered Designs, and Copyrights. We assist start-ups and global corporates with licensing, franchising, non-disclosure agreements, and litigating against IP infringement and unlawful competition.
General Litigation & Public Law: Formidable Courtroom Advocacy
We are highly experienced litigators representing clients in the Magistrates, High, Equality, and Appeal Courts, as well as the Human Rights Commission. We vigorously litigate issues including defamation, evictions, interdicts, building disputes, delictual claims, spoliation, and unjustified enrichment. Our general practice also encompasses Administrative, Constitutional, Environmental, Local Government, and Tax Law.
Wills, Trusts, Estates & Notarial Services: Legacy Preservation
We act as independent trustees and manage the setup/amendment of Family, Business, B-BBEE, and Testamentary Trusts. We provide precise estate planning, draft Wills and Living Wills, and seamlessly administer deceased estates (from Section 18(3) to high-net-worth). Our Notary Public authenticates documents for use inside/outside SA and registers Antenuptial, pre-civil union, and notarial co-habitation contracts.
Personal Injury & Third-Party Claims: Pursuing Negligence Compensation
We aggressively pursue justice for negligence victims to ensure full compensation for medical costs, loss of income, pain, and trauma. We handle Road Accident Fund (RAF) claims, medical negligence, slip and fall incidents, dog bites, and specialized claims against municipalities (such as injuries caused by uncovered utility holes or potholes).
Fluent in Portuguese
Firm Profile last updated: 13 April 2026
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