Finalists: AB & David; Aelex Partners; Ashitiva Advocates; Couto, Graca e Associados; DLA Piper; ENSafrica (highly commended); Hogan Lovells; Pinsent Masons; PLMJ, Law Firm; White & Case.

Bowmans emerged victorious in the crowded Energy and Natural Resources Team of the Year category, for its work helping Harmony Gold acquire mining assets from AngloGold Ashanti in a deal that changed the structure of South Africa's gold mining industry.

The complex $300m acquisition of the Moab Khotsong mine, the Great Noligwa mine and related infrastructure required managing a number of demanding and overlapping workflows, including a carve-out of the individual assets; the transfer, amendment and reapplication of the various government permits needed to run the mines; and maintaining service agreements with suppliers so the mines could continue to operate.

The intricate nature of the deal meant Bowmans' transaction and specialist teams had to collaborate more closely than usual, such as working on documents simultaneously to increase efficiency. That multidisciplinary team included partners from its corporate, banking and finance, competition, employment and regulatory practices. The deal was all the more remarkable given the fragile state of South Africa's mining sector, which has been dogged by political, regulatory and commercial uncertainty.

"Excellent execution of an exceptionally large-scale and complicated transaction – displays the team's in-depth knowledge and understanding of mining assets, and how an acquisition of this nature should be approached," commended a judge.

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