Have you been injured in an accident? Do you have a family law matter that requires legal representation? Maybe you just want to ensure that your estate plan is in order. Whatever your legal needs, we are ready to assist you.
Over the years, we have helped countless individuals and businesses prepare for the future, obtain justice, and recover from personal injury. Our background and experience provide our clients with a unique perspective on their case.
We possess a strong litigation department having frequent appearances before the Magistrates’ Courts, Regional Courts, and the High Courts.
Whether you are facing a criminal charge or have been harmed by someone else's actions, our litigation team is here to help you. We offer support for a wide range of matters, including common assault, driving under the influence, and maintenance.
We handle divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, and division of marital assets as well as other family matters. Let us help you achieve the justice you deserve.
Are you facing a difficult situation at work? Well, you have more legal rights in the workplace than you might think. But knowing your rights and enforcing them are two different things. That’s why we’re here to assist you. We provide labour law advice, including the drafting of employment contracts; disciplinary codes; and representation at internal disciplinary hearings, the CCMA, and labour courts.
An experienced legal team is essential to any business owner, so why not get one that will work for you? Whether you’re trying to start your own business, need your legal rights protected, are having problems with your business partners, or are looking for a good corporate attorney that can help you with contracts or trademarks, we’ve got you covered.
An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but what can an attorney do to keep the taxman at bay? We attend to rates, taxes, and valuation disputes; SPLUMA applications and town-planning disputes, including zoning issues and the procedures for obtaining permits for building, demolition, and other works.
Property Law is vital to business and development in South Africa.
PP Smit Attorneys has a long-standing presence in the field of Property Law and is constantly at the forefront of the latest developments. Our qualified and experienced attorneys have been involved in many high-profile cases throughout South Africa, including rezoning challenges and subdivision applications.
We specialise in township establishment, commercial property development, conventional property development, retirement villages, Homeowners’ Association registrations, opening of sectional title schemes, subdivisions and consolidations, as well as rezoning applications.
Tired of being overcharged by conveyancing firms?
Our experienced, trustworthy, and reliable conveyancing department will help you navigate through the complex laws and regulations regarding the transfer of properties at a reasonable fee.
We assist with all aspects of conveyancing, including the drafting and reviewing of agreements, the transfer of properties, the transfer of sectional title units, preparation and registration of mortgage bonds, attending to required procedures, and liaising with relevant stakeholders.
We take care of your transaction from start to finish, ensuring that all documentation is in order and that all parties are kept informed at all times. With us, you can be assured that your sale or purchase goes through without any hitches and that no legal loopholes are left unturned.
PP Smit Attorneys has also partnered with Chas Everitt, one of the leading Estate Agencies in South Africa.
Did you know that trying to draft an estate plan yourself or relying on a document you found online may result in unintentional mistakes that can have serious consequences?
Our team of lawyers can help you navigate this process, ensuring that your estate planning documents meet both your goals and all legal requirements. We will help you organise your plan by outlining all the possible scenarios that may come up while you are alive or after your death and will help provide you with the best methods of dealing with these scenarios, so that your loved ones do not have to worry about paying off any loans or legal proceedings against them after your death.
Want to ensure that you have the necessary documents on record in case of any future disputes?
We have a notarial offering that includes the drafting and registration of antenuptial contracts, Notarial Deeds and Agreements, Notarial Authentication, and the certification of documents.
Antenuptial Contracts: Thinking about tying the knot? We have the necessary expertise to help you create and register an antenuptial agreement that is tailored to your needs and matches your wishes as closely as possible, taking into account all potential future circumstances that may affect your relationship.
Notarial Authentication: Some companies may require that your documents be certified before they can be used for legal purposes – our attorneys can assist you with this process.
Notarial Deeds and Agreements: Many companies will require deeds or agreements from their employees as well as oneself in order to purchase property. Our professionals are able to prepare these documents for you or your company.
Certification of Documents: If you’re having trouble getting a document certified yourself, we can help. We’re able to provide you with the necessary certifications needed for important official documents, such as loan applications or travel visas.
Is your family trust being properly implemented and maintained?
We specialise in the drafting and registration of trusts, and if you already have one, we can help you with amendments if there are any changes in your circumstances, including:
Want to ensure that your family is looked after and that your wishes are carried out?
At the end of the day, we all want to be sure that the most important people in our lives are taken care of. We can assist you by preparing a customised Will and also provide safe storage for any documents you may want kept with us until you decide what to do with them. This allows you to keep these important documents in one place and ensures that they stay in pristine condition.
Have you found yourself in a situation where you are named as the executor of an estate or trustee of a trust?
When a loved one passes away, the last thing most people expect is having to deal with the deceased person’s legal and financial affairs. However, it’s important to plan ahead and know what you’ll do in the face of an unfortunate event. From the moment you contact us, we will take care of everything for you. Our legal professionals will collect all information about the deceased, including assets and debts, and do everything we can to make sure that the estate is settled as quickly as possible and with as little stress as possible.
Treating our clients as individuals is at the heart of everything we do. We believe in working closely with you to ensure that your affairs are properly arranged to achieve your individual wishes and objectives.
Partner | Attorney, Conveyancer & Notary | LLB
Carla obtained her LLB at the North West University, Potchefstroom Campus in 2015. She completed her articles in 2017 with Brits Dreyer Inc in Bellville. She is an admitted Attorney, Notary and Conveyancer. After her articles she relocated to Kimberley where she worked as a professional assistant in the Conveyancing department of Van de Wall Inc. Coming back to her Western Cape roots, she now joins the PP Smit team as a professional assistant.
Attorney & Notary | LLB
Carien grew up and matriculated in the picturesque town of Ceres, whereafter she furthered her studies at the University of Stellenbosch and obtained her LLB degree in 2015. She completed her articles at VanderSpuy Cape Town in 2017 and stayed on as an associate litigant after being admitted as an attorney during early 2018. Carien loves the countryside and thus ventured back to Ceres where she joined Joubert Van Vuuren Inc. for a year. However, when she was presented with the opportunity to enjoy both the country- and the seaside, she couldn’t resist and joined PP Smit Attorneys at the beginning of 2022 as an avid litigator. When she is not at the office, Carien enjoys long walks, wine tasting, and exploring the area with her family and friends.
Attorney | LLB | NQF 7
Harmann graduated in 2018 with an LLB degree from the North-West University’s Potchefstroom Campus. He went on to study and grow in various fields, including doing a course on the Consumer Protection Act and a course at the University of South Africa where he obtained his NQF 7 Certificate in the Administration of Deceased Estates.
Harmann completed his articles of clerkship at Swemmer & Levin under the supervision of Mr Richard Phillips. After being admitted as an attorney in 2020, Harmann continued with PP Smit Attorneys as a professional assistant in the deceased estates department as well as the litigation department. He loves to study, possesses a deep curiosity about the world, and is dedicated to giving back to the community.
Partner | Attorney | LLB
Andre graduated in 2015 with an LLB degree from the University of Pretoria. He later went on to obtain his NQF 7 Certificate in the Administration of Deceased Estates from the University of South Africa, which allowed him to further his career in deceased estates and the drafting of wills and trusts. Andre served his articles at Barnard & Patel Attorneys under the supervision of Mr YAS Patel. After being admitted as an attorney in 2016, he continued working at Barnard & Patel Attorneys as a professional assistant in the deceased estates department.
Andre joined Van Rensburg Attorneys in 2019 and was head of the deceased estates department until 2021. He then received the opportunity to move to the West Coast, where he joined Swemmer & Levin Attorneys, and not too long after that, he grabbed the opportunity to work at PP Smit Attorneys. Andre loves travelling and enjoys the beauty that our country has to offer with his friends, family, and loved ones.
Partner | Attorney | LLB
Jandré grew up and matriculated in the small Klein Karoo town of Oudtshoorn. He furthered his studies at the North-West University in Potchefstroom, obtaining his LLB degree during 2015. He completed his articles at Swemmer & Levin in 2017 and was subsequently appointed as a professional assistant. In 2020, Jandré was promoted to the position of director of the firm, where he practices in the Litigation department. Jandré additionally joined the partnership of PP Smit Attorneys during the same year. When not practising law, Jandré is an avid sports fan. He has a passion for nature and enjoys camping, trail running, and mountain biking with his family.
Partner | Attorney | Bcom & BProc
After matriculating at Paarl Boys’ High School, Richard completed his BCom and BProc degrees at the University of Port Elizabeth. He served his articles with Van Wyk Fouchee in Paarl and quickly developed an affinity for litigation. Richard has always had a deep love for the ocean and when he was presented with an opportunity he joined the partnership of PP Smit Attorneys during 2006. Richard specialises in general litigation and divorces. When he is not in the office or with his family, he tries to spend as much time as possible in or on the water.
Partner | Attorney | BA. LLB
Johann matriculated at Oudtshoorn High School and attended Stellenbosch University, where he obtained his BA Law and LLB degrees. Following his studies, he worked for three years as State Prosecutor at the Magistrate’s Court in Cape Town. Johann completed his legal training with the State Attorney in Pretoria and then moved to his hometown, Oudtshoorn, where he worked as a lawyer for a year. In 1983, he moved to Vredenburg and joined Swemmer & Levin, where after he joined the partnership of PP Smit Attorneys during 2006.. When he is not in the office, Johann enjoys cycling and in his earlier days, he used to be a long-distance junkie.
Partner | Attorney & Conveyancer | BA. LLB
Pieter obtained his BA Law degree from Stellenbosch University in 1995 and his LLB degree from the North-West University in Potchefstroom in 1998. He served his articles at Marais Muller Attorneys from 1998 to 1999 and was admitted as an attorney in 2000 and as a conveyancer in 2002. Pieter is the founder of PP Smit Attorneys, which opened its doors in 2004. He also became a director of Swemmer & Levin in 2006. Pieter loves the outdoors and participating in all forms of sport, including tennis, golf, fishing, spearfishing, scuba diving, and hiking.
Partner | Attorney, Notary & Conveyancer | BA. LLB
Jan graduated in 1974 with a five-year BA LLB degree from the University of Stellenbosch, whereafter he was admitted as an advocate and prosecuted as such in the Cape Town and Wynberg Courts. In 1974, he joined Swemmer & Levin as the Candidate Attorney of Mr Levin (founding member) and was admitted as an attorney on 7 April 1976, as a conveyancer on 11 January 1978, and as a Notary on 19 December 1984. Since 1974, he has served in various committees, including the West Coast Chamber of Commerce, the Vredenburg School Committee, and the Malgas Lions Club. In 2004, he also joined the partnership of PP Smit Attorneys.
Furthermore, Jan was the author of the first bilingual law book, The New Debt Collecting Procedures (Die Nuwe Skuldinvorderingsprosedures), which was used by all the Magistrate Courts throughout South Africa. With the founding of the Small Claims Court in Vredenburg, Jan served as one of the first Commissioners.