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

Briefing31 October 2025

King V: A Fresh Chapter for South African Governance

King V replaces King IV for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2026, with simplified language, refreshed standards and a new Disclosure Framework.

King V: A Fresh Chapter for South African Governance

South Africa has entered a new era of corporate governance with the release of King V, a step up from King IV, the latest update from the Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA) and the King Committee.

Coming into effect for financial years starting on or after 1st January 2026, King V replaces King IV and sets a refreshed standard for how organisations are governed.

So, what's new in King V?

Firstly, the Code has been updated to align with new laws and global governance trends. Over the past decade, the regulatory landscape has evolved considerably and King V brings South Africa in step with international best practice, while still grounded in our local context.

Secondly, the language and structure have been simplified. King V is designed to be clearer and more practical, making it easier for all types of organisations, from listed companies to NGOs and public bodies, to understand and apply.

Another major change is the introduction of a Disclosure Framework. This aims to create more consistency and comparability in governance reporting, helping stakeholders better assess how organisations live up to the principles of good governance.

Read further: The Institute of Directors South Africa NPC

GovernanceCompliance