What does the monthly fee actually cover?

The scope set out in your chosen tier, executed by senior commercial attorneys. The fee covers our time, our judgement and our availability. It is not a deposit against hours. Disbursements (CIPC fees, sheriff and court fees, briefing of counsel where required) are billed at cost. VAT applies.

What happens if a matter falls outside the retainer scope?

We will tell you before any work begins, with an estimate and a clear basis for the fee. Typical examples include contested litigation, complex tax structuring or significant M&A execution. Embedded clients receive discounted rates on overflow work; Essential and Advisory clients are quoted at our standard commercial rate.

How long do I have to commit?

A one-month notice period after an initial three-month engagement. We are not interested in retaining a client who is not getting value, and the retainer is built to prove itself in the first quarter.

Who actually does the work?

A named primary attorney is allocated to your business and is your single point of contact. From Advisory upwards, a secondary attorney is named to provide continuity for leave, capacity and conflict cover. Junior support is used for administration only, never for advice.

How do you handle conflicts of interest?

We run a full conflict check before the engagement letter is signed. Where we act for businesses in the same sector, we will tell you upfront so you can decide whether to proceed. We will not act against a current retainer client, and we ringfence sensitive matters internally where appropriate.

Can I move between tiers?

At any time, with one month's notice. Most clients start at Essential or Advisory and move up as the business scales. We will also tell you when we think you are paying for more than you need - the retainer should match your business, not the other way around.

What is not included?

Court appearances, formal litigation, heads of argument, complex tax opinions, BEE verification audits and forensic investigations are not included. These are quoted separately or, for Embedded clients, managed at the discounted overflow rate.

Insights

Analysis23 October 2025

Lawyers in the Age of AI

AI is reshaping legal work, but it changes how lawyers work rather than replacing them. Judgement, negotiation insight and accountability remain firmly human.

Lawyers in the Age of AI

Artificial intelligence is reshaping legal work in South Africa and globally. In fast paced sectors such as technology, finance and the creative industries, AI tools now review contracts, summarise due diligence and organise large data sets within minutes.

These tools bring efficiency, but they do not replace lawyers. They change how lawyers work.

AI can quickly identify risk clauses, flag ownership gaps, and compare contract versions, helping teams move faster in competitive deals. However, it cannot interpret context, strategy, or commercial pressure.

A venture capital deal often demands flexibility on liability to secure investment speed. A fintech business must interpret evolving regulation. A production company needs to secure future revenue through clear rights management.

AI can highlight wording, but it cannot decide what is acceptable in a live negotiation. It cannot align legal recommendations with business goals.

There is also the issue of accountability. AI produces content but does not take responsibility for it. Lawyers do. Matters still end with a professional signing off advice and standing behind it.

Recent examples of AI creating incorrect case law remind us that legal work needs human verification.

The future of legal services is therefore a combined model. AI improves speed and consistency. Lawyers bring judgement, negotiation insight and commercial relevance. Together, they produce legal work that is both efficient and strategic.

AI will transform legal delivery, but clients still rely on trusted human guidance. In deal work and advisory matters, someone must interpret the law, understand the business and steer the outcome. That role remains firmly human.

AI & TechnologyOperations