South Africa's Leading Specialized

Property & Development Law Firm

Where legal complexity meets specialized clarity. For 35 years, we have provided comprehensive solutions across property law, development planning, and environmental compliance.

 

35+

Years of Specialized Experience

65+

Expert Team Members

Level 1

B-BBEE Contributor

National

Government Partnerships

Practice Areas Practice Areas Practice Areas

True expertise lies not in breadth, but in the depth of specialization. Our practice areas reflect decades of focused legal excellence.

Property & Conveyancing Solutions

Comprehensive property law services including general and project-related conveyancing, property management, and notarial services for complex transactions.

  • General & Project-related Conveyancing
  • Property Law & Management
  • Notarial Services

Development & Planning

Navigate complex development regulations with SPLUMA compliance, environmental law expertise, and comprehensive planning solutions.

  • General & Project-related Conveyancing
  • Property Law & Management
  • Notarial Services

Specialized Legal Services

Advanced legal solutions for land tenure resolution, energy law compliance, and complex property litigation matters.

  • Land-Legal Solutions
  • Petrol & Energy Law
  • Property Litigation

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Qualified and accredited mediation and arbitration services for commercial, civil, and construction disputes.

  • Mediation Services
  • Arbitration
  • Construction Dispute Resolution

The intersection of property law and development reality demands precision, experience, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Specialized Specialized Specialized Specialized

Expertise Expertise Expertise Expertise

We have exclusively focused on property and development law since 1990, providing unmatched depth of knowledge.

Government Government Government Government

Partnerships Partnerships Partnerships

We are trusted by SANRAL, municipalities, and provincial government entities for complex legal matters.

Comprehensive Comprehensive Comprehensive Comprehensive

Solutions Solutions Solutions Solutions

From land acquisition to final transfer, we handle the entire property development process.

Notable Appointments Notable Appointments Notable Appointments

Our track record speaks to the complexity and significance of matters entrusted to our expertise.

HSG founded
Hornby, Smyly, Glavovic Inc., the first specialist environmental law firm in South Africa, is established by Peter Glavovic, David Smyly, and Jeremy Ridl.
Shaun Hornby joins
Academic leadership
1990
1991
2000s
Present
Shaun Hornby joins
Becomes the fourth founding partner in the firm.
Expert Leadership
The firm is now led by directors Jacques De Villiers, Odwa Dilizo, Karl Hoffmann, Fuad Davids, and Tess Coetzee.

Leadership Team Leadership Team Leadership Team Leadership Team Leadership Team

Our directors combine academic excellence with practical expertise, ensuring every matter receives the highest level of professional attention.

Matthew Bremner

Matthew Bremner

BS Sci. (Politics, Law & Philosophy), LLB, LLM, (Environmental Law), Legal Education and Development

Tess Coetzee

LLB, Legal Costs (LEAD), Conveyancer
Fuad Davids

Fuad Davids

LLB, LLM (Environmental Law), ADR, Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) Representative, PG.Dip Climate Change and Energy Law
Fuad currently serves as Legal Advisor on the panels of the KZN Department of Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs (“EDTEA”), Transnet, Dube Tradeport Corporation and various other local authorities in KZN and the Western Cape. Fuad also assists private developers with their environmental compliance and litigation needs.
Jacques de Villiers

Jacques de Villiers

BA, LLB, LLM (Planning, Development & Environmental Law), Certificate in Government Contracts & Procurement Law, Remote Mediation Foundation Training
Jacques currently serves as Legal Advisor for the PropSol JV, PropWatch JV and for KwaDukuza Municipality's Ease of Doing Business project. Additionally, Jacques has served on various Municipal Planning Tribunals and Appeal Panels throughout KZN.

Karl Hoffmann

BA, LLB, Conveyancer, Mediation Foundation Training
Karl is presently the Project Conveyancer for Royal Palm Property Holdings estate and for First Group. Karl provides developmental legal advice to our public and private clients. Additionally, Karl serves on Conveyancing panels for various Municipalities throughout KZN and the Western Cape.
HSG Attorneys - Odwa Dilizo

Odwa Dilizo

LLB, Certificate in Advanced Corporate Law and Securities Law, Certificate in Compliance Management, PGD BA
Odwa currently serves as the Project Representative and Legal Advisor to the PropWatch JV and the PropSol JV.

Professional Resources Professional Resources Professional Resources Professional Resources

Where specialized knowledge meets practical application. Access our comprehensive suite of legal tools, industry insights, and professional resources designed for sophisticated property and development matters.
HSG Attorneys Mediation and Planning

Avoiding “A winner who might tend to crow with disdain”: Mediation In Planning
HSG Attorneys - How Mediation Services Can Help You Resolve Disputes-min

How Mediation Services Can Help You Resolve Disputes
HSG Attorneys KZN norms and standards for electronic communication facilities

Electronic Communication Facilities

The use of an Information and Document Repository in terms of Section 30(10) of NEMA

Get in Touch Get in Touch Get in Touch Get in Touch

Our team works closely with clients and built environment specialists to offer holistic solutions for property development, including community facilitation. 

KWA-ZULU NATAL

Durban

15 Acacia Avenue, Westville, 3629

  • +27 31 266 7751
  • legal@hsginc.co.za
WESTERN CAPE

Cape Town

Unit No. FO309, 3rd Floor, Mariendahl House, Newlands On Main, Newlands, 7700

  • +27 21 271 0900
  • legal@hsginc.co.za
Contact Form Demo
HSG Attorneys a division of GeoAfrika Group
Specialized property and development law solutions since 1990.

Practice Areas

  • Property & Conveyancing
  • Development & Planning
  • Environmental Law
  • Dispute Resolution

Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Team
  • Resouces
  • Contact Us

Contact Info

  • +27 31 266 7751
  • +27 21 271 0900
  • legal@hsginc.co.za