Trevor is a partner in the Dispute Resolution Practice of Webber Wentzel and holds the degrees BA LLB from the University of the Witwatersrand. He is also a member of the firm's Talent Management Committee.
Areas of expertise
Corporate and commercial litigation, arbitration and case management of complex disputes
Advice and litigation in general commercial matters, constitutional and administrative law matters and in the area of pensions law
Top matters
Representing and advising the Chemical Industries National Provident Fund in an arbitration relating to the recovery of damages of some ZAR530 million plus interest arising out of a 2002 transaction linked to the purchase of 15% of the issued share capital of Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited. The claim involved a number of difficult and novel issues of fact and law. The matter was widely reported in the print and electronic media, including Noseweek and Business Report. The arbitration award of ZAR506 million, together with interest thereon represents a major victory for the client.
Representing and advising the Royal Family of the Bakubung Ba-Ratheo, a traditional community resident near Rustenburg, in relation to various governance issues and, in particular, the handling of the Community's stake of approximately 22% of Wesizwe Platinum Ltd. As the matter progressed it be became apparent that the fundamental issue at stake was the handling of over ZAR700 million which had been raised by disposal of the Community's shares in Wesizwe. At this point, a forensic investigation was launched by KPMG, and Webber Wentzel was instructed by KPMG to provide litigation support to the forensic investigation.
Representing and advising ABSA Capital regarding the recovery of over R1 billion arising out of various single stock future contracts and defaults under such contracts by investors. ABSA, as clearing member of the JSE was ultimately responsible for closing out the positions of the defaulting investors and accordingly suffered losses in this regard during 2008 and 2009. The matter involves the close-out procedure contained in the derivatives rules of the JSE as well as various aspects of the client/broker relationship. It is obviously of tremendous significance to ABSA Capital given their position as a clearing member of the JSE.
Representing and advising CEPPWAWU in relation to the removal of an individual as the sole remaining de facto trustee of the CEPPWAWU Development Trust, the only shareholder in CEPPWAWU's investment company, CEPPWAWU Investments (Proprietary) Limited. The primary grounds of the removal of this individual relates to various conflicts of interest, as well as a failure to account to the beneficiaries of the CEPPWAWU Development Trust, being the Trade Union. The matter raises complex areas of trust law and, in particular, the duties of a trustee. At stake are assets worth over ZAR1 billion controlled by CEPPWAWU Investments.
Representing Randgold & Exploration Company Limited (RG&E) in an action against Tlotlisa Securities (T-Sec), its holding company and two of its officers. The matter was factually based on events surrounding the disposal of almost 300,000 Randgold resources Limited shares belonging to RG&E but fraudulently dealt with and sold by, amongst others, Brett Kebble. T-Sec was the broker that processed the trades. This matter has recently been settled with T-Sec on a favourable basis. This cause of action against the former T-Sec CEO continues to run.
Accolades
Endorsed as a Dispute Resolution Lawyer by PLC Which Lawyer? 2008-2012
Listed by Legal Experts EMEA 2012 -2013 as an expert in his field
Trevor is listed as a leading lawyer in the field of Dispute Resolution by Chambers Global 2010, 2011 and 2012.
