Expert Corporate & Commercial Legal Counsel Across Three Continents
At Thapelo & Sullivan Partners, our Business Law practice is one of the cornerstones of the firm. With over five decades of corporate and commercial legal experience spanning South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Malta, we provide businesses of all sizes with the strategic legal counsel they need to operate, grow, and protect their interests across borders. Whether you are a startup seeking foundational legal structure, an established corporation navigating a complex merger, or an international investor entering a new market, our business law team has the expertise and the global reach to guide you every step of the way.
Our attorneys bring together deep knowledge of South African commercial law, English company law, and Maltese corporate regulations, giving our clients a rare and powerful multi-jurisdictional advantage that few law firms on the continent can match.
What We Offer
Company Formation & Structuring
We advise clients on the most appropriate legal structures for their businesses across all three jurisdictions, including private companies, public companies, partnerships, trusts, and joint ventures. Whether you are incorporating a new entity in Johannesburg, registering a company at Companies House in the United Kingdom, or establishing a corporate presence in Malta under Maltese law, our team handles the entire process from start to finish with precision and efficiency.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Our team has extensive experience advising both buyers and sellers in domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions. We conduct comprehensive due diligence, structure transactions to minimise legal and financial risk, draft and negotiate all transaction documents, and manage all regulatory filings and approvals required across each relevant jurisdiction. We have successfully facilitated transactions ranging from small business acquisitions to multimillion-dollar cross-continental corporate mergers.
Commercial Contracts & Agreements
A business is only as strong as its contracts. Our attorneys draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements including supply agreements, service contracts, distribution agreements, licensing arrangements, shareholder agreements, and partnership deeds. We ensure that every contract our clients enter into is legally sound, commercially balanced, and fully enforceable across the applicable jurisdiction.
Corporate Governance & Compliance
Navigating the regulatory landscape across three jurisdictions requires expert guidance. Our business law team advises boards of directors, executive teams, and company secretaries on their legal obligations under South African company law, the UK Companies Act, and Maltese corporate regulations. We assist with board resolutions, statutory compliance, regulatory filings, and the implementation of sound governance frameworks that protect both the company and its stakeholders.
Business Disputes & Litigation
When business relationships break down, swift and decisive legal action is essential. Our litigation team represents clients in commercial disputes including breach of contract claims, shareholder disputes, partnership dissolutions, and enforcement of judgments across multiple jurisdictions. Where possible, we pursue cost-effective resolution through negotiation and mediation before proceeding to litigation, always keeping our clients’ commercial interests at the forefront of our strategy.
Cross-Border Trade & Investment
With offices in Johannesburg, London, and Malta, Thapelo & Sullivan Partners is uniquely positioned to advise businesses on cross-border trade, foreign direct investment, and international market entry strategies. We assist clients in understanding the legal and regulatory requirements of doing business across Africa and Europe, including exchange control regulations, foreign investment frameworks, and bilateral trade agreement implications.
Why Choose Thapelo & Sullivan Partners for Business Law
With over 55 years of experience, a presence across three jurisdictions, and a team of internationally qualified corporate attorneys, Thapelo & Sullivan Partners offers businesses a level of cross-border legal expertise that is truly unmatched. We do not just provide legal advice — we become a strategic partner in your business, committed to protecting your interests and supporting your growth at every stage of your commercial journey.
FAQ's
Yes. With offices in Johannesburg, London, and Malta, we are fully equipped to handle business law matters across all three jurisdictions simultaneously. Our attorneys are qualified and experienced in South African commercial law, English company law, and Maltese corporate regulations, making us one of the few firms on the continent capable of providing truly integrated cross-border corporate legal services.
Absolutely. Our business law team handles company formation and registration across all three jurisdictions. Whether you are incorporating a private company in South Africa, registering at Companies House in the United Kingdom, or setting up a corporate entity under Maltese law, we manage the entire process on your behalf from initial structure advice through to full registration and compliance.
If another party has breached a contract with your business, it is important to seek legal advice as quickly as possible to protect your rights and preserve your legal options. Our business law team will review the contract, assess the nature and extent of the breach, and advise you on the most effective course of action, whether that is through negotiation, mediation, or formal litigation proceedings across the relevant jurisdiction.
The timeline for a merger or acquisition varies depending on the complexity of the transaction, the number of jurisdictions involved, and the regulatory approvals required. A straightforward domestic transaction can be completed within six to eight weeks, while a complex cross-border merger involving multiple regulatory bodies may take several months. Our team works efficiently to meet your commercial deadlines without compromising the legal integrity of the transaction.
We advise businesses at every stage of their journey, from early-stage startups requiring foundational legal structures and shareholder agreements to established multinational corporations managing complex cross-border transactions. At Thapelo & Sullivan Partners, we believe that sound legal counsel from the very beginning is one of the most valuable investments any business can make, and we are committed to supporting our clients at every stage of their commercial growth.