Finalists: AFGRI • Clifford Chance • Gabinete Legal de Mocambique/PLMJ • Hogan Lovells • Miranda Correia Amendoeira/Solege • Webber Wentzel • Werksmans

Bowman Gilfillan stood out in the judges' eyes for establishing a network of like-minded groups dedicated to helping fledgling businesses and black entrepreneurships.

In 2003 Bowman Gilfillan Africa Group (BGAG) adopted a pro bono policy, central to the firm's CSR programme, which commits BGAG to assist in the resolution of legal matters in the public interest and in the provision of legal advice to protect or enhance the rights of individuals, communities, groups or organisations.

Each of the firm's lawyers aims for a minimum of 50 pro bono hours per year, equating to a firmwide average of 13.5m rand (£0.76m) in hours each year since 2009.

In 2013, 10 years after adopting the pro bono policy, BGAG pioneered a sector-specific project, Ishishini Lethu (our business), to address the legal requirements of commercially based organisations, non-profit entities and small and micro enterprises with fledgling businesses and black entrepreneurships.

Through this programme, BGAG has collaborated with non-profit organisations including Business Information Centre of South Africa, Enablis, Alexandra Chambers of Commerce and Shape eKasi Entrepreneurs.

Examples of the difference the pro bono programme has made include referrals to assist the co-founder and director of a clothing company in safeguarding their business when negotiating with a large brand name, and advising the founder of an e-learning company on commercial issues relating to protecting his interests in the business.

"What an achievement," said the judges. "Well done."