Exclusive Membership Renewal: Mark Leathers to Continue Leading South African Commercial Property Matters

Membership Renewal Announcement

Global Law Experts is pleased to announce the renewal of the membership of Mark Leathers of Mc Naught & Co. Mark will continue as our Exclusive Member for Commercial and Property Law in South Africa for the next 12 months. This renewal reflects a careful assessment of expertise, jurisdictional fit and client needs, and underscores our confidence that Mark and Mc Naught & Co are well positioned to support the network and its clients across commercial and cross border property matters. We are thrilled to have the member onboard for an additional term and look forward to deepening collaboration on complex matters affecting investors, developers and corporates with interests in South Africa.

Why this renewal makes strategic sense for the network

The decision to renew Mark Leathers as the Exclusive Member for Commercial,  Property Law in South Africa rests on several practical and verifiable strengths. Mark serves in a senior leadership role at Mc Naught & Co, a firm with established practice in property law and conveyancing in South Africa. His professional qualifications include admission as an attorney together with conveyancing and notarial practice, and he brings demonstrable experience in transactional property work, sectional title and community scheme disputes, and commercial law matters. These core skills align directly with the needs of Global Law Experts clients who require local legal certainty when structuring investments, negotiating property contracts and resolving cross border disputes.

• Deep property law focus that matches the membership category
• Practical conveyancing and notarial expertise needed for executed transactions
• Commercial law experience that supports deal structuring and contractual negotiation
• Track record of involvement in arbitration and dispute resolution in sectional title and property related disputes
• Leadership role within a firm that operates across South African commercial centres, enabling both local and national coverage

How clients benefit from ongoing membership

Clients and partners working through Global Law Experts will continue to gain direct access to a lawyer whose practice is focused on the precise intersection of commercial and international property law. That alignment produces several tangible benefits. For international investors and corporates entering or expanding in South Africa, access to a member with conveyancing and notarial competence reduces transactional friction and improves risk management. For parties facing sectional title, commercial lease or property development disputes, the combination of arbitration experience and local legal insight supports early dispute containment and effective resolution strategies. For referring counsel and multinational in-house teams, the renewed membership provides a dependable local resource familiar with regulatory requirements, title issues, due diligence protocols and cross border transaction mechanics.

Practice areas covered during the renewed term

Mark Leathers and Mc Naught & Co will continue to cover a suite of practice areas that are central to the network category. Each area is supported by day to day professional experience and by the firm infrastructure required to handle transactional and dispute matters efficiently.

• Commercial Law
  • Drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, supply and distribution arrangements, and transactional documentation for corporate clients and investors.
• International Property Law
  • Cross border property transactions and investment structuring that require coordination of foreign investor needs with South African title, tax and regulatory considerations.
• Conveyancing and Notarial Services
  • Execution and registration of transfers, mortgages and bond documentation together with notarial attestation where required for enforceability and recordation.
• Sectional Title and Community Scheme Disputes
  • Advising on sectional title governance, levy disputes, architectural and development compliance and arbitration processes specific to community scheme frameworks.
• Property Transactions and Due Diligence
  • Comprehensive title and statutory due diligence, drafting of sale agreements, escrow and escrow-like arrangements, and advice on regulatory permits and approvals.
• Dispute Resolution and Arbitration
  • Representation and advisory work in alternative dispute resolution, including arbitrations and tribunals commonly used in property and commercial conflicts.
• Regulatory Compliance and Licensing
  • Guidance on local regulatory regimes impacting property use, development approvals, environmental permissions and municipal compliance.
• Cross border Investment Structuring
  • Coordinating with foreign counsel on tax efficient acquisition structures, joint venture agreements and cross border property holding entities.

Reasons the member is a perfect fit for the jurisdiction and category

A jurisdictional fit is more than a label. It requires local knowledge, procedural experience and a demonstrable capacity to manage the practical steps that determine deal outcomes. The membership renewal recognises the following strengths that position Mark as a practical and reliable partner for the Global Law Experts network.

• Local roots and practical experience in South African property and commercial law that reduce execution risk for international clients.
• Operational capability across both Durban and Sandton markets, supporting matters in major commercial hubs.
• Experience in conveyancing, notarial practice and property dispute forums that aligns with the legal lifecycle of most property investments.
• Familiarity with sectional title systems and arbitration pathways used in property and community scheme disputes.
• A record of external professional recognition and engagement that indicates sustained peer acknowledgement within relevant practice areas.

What partners and clients should expect in the next 12 months

With the renewal confirmed, stakeholders can expect continued responsiveness to cross border mandates, contributor input to the network knowledge base and active participation in referral matters that require South African law expertise. Mark will operate as the Exclusive Member for the category, which means the network will route commercial and international property enquiries to a member whose practice is dedicated to these areas. This arrangement supports consistent client experiences and efficient handoffs for multinational transactions, property due diligence and dispute resolution.

During the renewed term, the member is positioned to support:

• Timely legal assessments for investor due diligence and property acquisition checklists
• Practical drafting and negotiation support for commercial and property related contracts
• Pre-litigation strategies and arbitration advocacy for sectional title and property disputes
• Coordination with foreign counsel on cross border structures and closing logistics

Closing message

Global Law Experts is delighted to confirm the renewal of Mark Leathers as our Exclusive Member for Commercial, International Property Law in South Africa for the next 12 months. The renewal reflects a clear alignment between client needs and the member’s professional strengths in property, conveyancing, commercial law and dispute resolution. We are thrilled to have the member onboard for an additional term and look forward to supporting clients, colleagues and partners with reliable South African expertise throughout the year ahead.