Product liability and product recall
Dispute Resolution - South Africa
Firm Ranking: Band 1
Individual Rankings: Michael Hart - Band 1, Jeffrey Kron - Band 1, John Neaves - Band 2, Rob Otty - Band 2, Donald Dinnie - Band 2, Aslam Moosajee - Band 3, Marelise van der Westhuizen - Band U, Chambers Global 2011
“While the insurance sector continues to form a mainstay of this firm’s work, clients are keen to stress the practice’s ‘very broad expertise and extensive range of skills’.” Chambers Global 2011
“The highly experienced Michael Hart is the national head of the dispute resolution and litigation practice. Donald Dinnie successfully represented both Renasa Insurance and the Garrun Group before the FAIS Ombud, and is valued by clients for his ‘efficiency and amazing level of experience.” Chambers Global 2011
“John Neaves is a seasoned insurance litigator whom sources describe as ‘very highly regarded’." Chambers Global 2011
Our clients especially in insurance, manufacturing, imports, distribution and retail look to us for expert advice on product liability and product recall in view of South Africa’s Consumer Protection Act that commenced 1 April 2011.
Our services
- Representing litigants and their insurers in product liability claims
- Advising on risk exposure to product liability and product recall claims
- Advising on product liability and product recall insurance cover, including liability wordings and risk control and management.
- Identifying and briefing the best experts
- Advice on strategies for re-assessment of product liability risk under the Consumer Protection Act
- Liaison with our Africa Legal network of dispute resolution practitioners
- Advice on development of class actions in this jurisdiction
We offer
- Lawyers who have lectured and published on product liability and product recall.
Michael Hart and Donald Dinnie co-authored the South African chapter on product liability in International Product Liability Law: Gregory L. Fowler, 2004 and, more recently, the South African Product Liability chapter in Getting the Deal Through: Product Liability 2009. The latter publication provides a useful review of South African product liability law and the changes to product liability and product recall exposure brought about by the Consumer Protection Act. - Lawyers who litigate regularly, on product liability matters primarily for defendants.
- Lawyers experienced in handling multiple plaintiff product and industrial disease claims.
- Lawyers experienced in handling occupational health and safety enquiries and claims.
- Access to counsel and expert witnesses experienced in the field.
Awards and accolades
Donald Dinnie – Insurance, Recommended Lawyers, PLC Private Equity Cross-border Handbook, 2010
Michael Hart - Arbitration and Mediation, Construction, Insurance and Litigation, Best Lawyers International, 2008