On 12 November 2025, global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright and its South African leadership team announced that the firm’s South African business will become an independent law firm on 31 March 2026, after a carefully structured transition.
This development effectively means that Norton Rose Fulbright will no longer have a presence in South Africa once the transition is complete.
This separation marks another growing trending of international law firms scaling back or exiting the South African market. Since 2024 several international firms have scaled back or closed South African offices. Notable examples include the closure of A&O Shearman’s and Hogan Lovells and other global firms that have reduced or restructured their South African presence.
The new independent law firm will continue to be led by Brent Botha, the current Chief Executive Officer of Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa.
Given the structured nature of the transition, client relationships, ongoing matters, and legal teams are expected to continue seamlessly under the new local governance model rather than ending abruptly.
