ATTORNEY
ABOUT US
We are a specialised law firm that focuses primarily on land use-, water, and environmental law. Our clients are typically involved in the property development- and agricultural sectors and come from all corners of the country. Our objective is to consistently provide our clients with a service of outstanding quality, applying the highest level of professionalism and work ethic.
ATTORNEY
CAREL HOFMEYR
Carel has been specialising in the field of land use- and property-related administrative law since his admission as an attorney in 2001. That remains his field of expertise with specific focus on town planning-, environmental-, water-, and heritage law. He has extensive experience in various spheres of land use- and development industries as he has, apart from practicing as a specialist attorney, acted as the legal advisor for the South African Heritage Resources Agency and as the in-house legal advisor for a commercial property development company. He has served for several years on the board of a prominent industry body that was formed to promote development in the Western Cape through, amongst other things, liaison with the various spheres of government, industry bodies and other stakeholders in the development industry.
His exposure to all sectors of the industries that he works in, allows him to provide clients with informed advice backed up by extensive practical experience.
​
Carel's clients include large and small property developers, commercial- and family-run farming enterprises, landowners, municipalities, homeowners' associations, and a wide range of persons that are involved in- and affected by the laws that regulate, amongst others, the property development-, agricultural-, and energy industries.
​
Carel holds BA- and LLB degrees from the University of Stellenbosch, an LLM from the Humboldt University in Berlin and an LLM (Public Law) from the University of Cape Town. He is an admitted attorney, conveyancer and notary public.
OUR PRACTICE AREAS
LAND USE AND TOWN PLANNING LAW
The regulatory framework that governs land use management- and town planning is multi-layered and notoriously complex. Expert legal support has become essential to everyone with an interest in property development, whether they are seasoned developers, organs of state or members of the public that are affected by development.
WATER LAW
The use and exploitation of South Africa's scarce water resources is controlled by various pieces of legislation enacted by national, provincial and local government. These laws regulate a wide range of water-related matters, including the granting of entitlements to construct dams and store water, the taking or abstraction of water from surface- and subterranean resources, measures to prevent pollution and negative impacts on the flow and integrity of rivers and other watercourses.
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
South Africa has substantial a legislative- and policy framework that governs and guides environmental management and decision-making. Whilst environmental impact assessment processes and the prevention and mitigation of pollution are some of the matters that are regulated by this framework, its scope is much wider and more intricate.
LAND EXPROPRIATION & COMPENSATION CLAIMS
When private land is required by organs of state for public purposes, such as public roads and other engineering services, the steps that the state must take to acquire such land and to compensate the owners, are regulated by a well-developed body of law. We assist landowners whose property is earmarked for state acquisition to enforce and protect their rights.
HERITAGE LAW
South Africa has a rich treasure of cultural resources that are protected and managed by legislation adopted by all three spheres of government. Whilst our focus is primarily on those regulatory measures that impact on land use- and property development, we also advise clients on the management and protection of movable and intangible heritage resources.
