On 6 November 2025, Fairbridges Wertheim Becker celebrated 213 years of continuous legal practice since John Merrington established the firm in Cape Town on 6 November 1812.
This milestone makes Fairbridges not only the oldest law firm in South Africa but also one of the oldest law firms in the world.
The present firm was formed through the merger of two longstanding and respected firms: Fairbridges, founded in 1812 in Cape Town, and Wertheim Becker, established in 1904 in Johannesburg. The merger united over two centuries of legal tradition, making Fairbridges Wertheim Becker the oldest law firm in Africa.
Over its distinguished history, the firm has been home to several notable figures. Charles Fairbridge served as a Member of Parliament and became the first President of the Law Society of the Cape of Good Hope. Thomas Scanlonwas a partner at the firm when he became Prime Minister of the Cape, and Henry Arderne served twice as Chairman of Old Mutual. Among those who completed their articles at the firm were William Bell, founder of the South African Law Journal; J.W. Sauer, former Minister of Justice of South Africa; Ted Sceales, Chairman of SA Breweries; and Norman Price, who went on to become an Appeal Court Judge.
Today, Fairbridges Wertheim Becker maintains a strong local and international client base, offering a full range of sophisticated legal services. The firm has established deep connections across the public, private, financial, industrial, and corporate sectors.
The firm’s Managing Director, Adela Petersen, continues to uphold its legacy of excellence, guided by values of integrity, accountability, and collaboration.
In a profession defined by constant change, whether through regulatory reform, technological disruption, or globalisation, the survival and continued success of a law firm for over two centuries is a remarkable achievement.
