Clyde & Co is set to open its South African offices today (1 August) after delaying its launch due to local regulatory restrictions.

Legal Week understands that the firm was initially blocked from operating under its own name as local rules require firm names to include that of a current or former partner from the jurisdiction. 

But is it understood that Clydes can now open after Eversheds brought a successful application in the High Court against the Law Society of South Africa contesting the regulation.

A group of Clydes partners who left Webber Wentzel to join the firm in March this year, have been working under the name of the lead partner Daniel Le Roux in both Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Following todays launch under its own flag, Clydes will move into permanent premises in both cities in the coming months.

As a result of Eversheds application, the Law Society of the Northern Provinces in South Africa has proposed an amendment to its regulation allowing firms to put an application to use its name before the council of the Law Society.

"It is necessary to allow genuine assocations between local law firms and international firms," said director of the Law Society Thinus Grobler.

One local source familiar with the matter said that the society was "effectively turning a blind eye" to new firms in the meantime until the amednement is introduced.

Legal Week was unable to reach the Law Society of Cape Town for comment.

Clyde & Co declined to comment.

Clyde & Co is set to open its South African offices today (1 August) after delaying its launch due to local regulatory restrictions.

Legal Week understands that the firm was initially blocked from operating under its own name as local rules require firm names to include that of a current or former partner from the jurisdiction. 

But is it understood that Clydes can now open after Eversheds brought a successful application in the High Court against the Law Society of South Africa contesting the regulation.

A group of Clydes partners who left Webber Wentzel to join the firm in March this year, have been working under the name of the lead partner Daniel Le Roux in both Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Following todays launch under its own flag, Clydes will move into permanent premises in both cities in the coming months.

As a result of Eversheds application, the Law Society of the Northern Provinces in South Africa has proposed an amendment to its regulation allowing firms to put an application to use its name before the council of the Law Society.

"It is necessary to allow genuine assocations between local law firms and international firms," said director of the Law Society Thinus Grobler.

One local source familiar with the matter said that the society was "effectively turning a blind eye" to new firms in the meantime until the amednement is introduced.

Legal Week was unable to reach the Law Society of Cape Town for comment.

Clyde & Co declined to comment.