- Cox Yeats has secured improved rankings in Insurance and Restructuring and Insolvency in the Chambers and Partners 2026 rankings, reinforcing its technical expertise and client confidence across high-stakes commercial sectors.
- The firm achieved Band 3 in Insurance and Band 2 in Restructuring and Insolvency, alongside retaining Band 3 in Shipping, marking measurable upward momentum in the Chambers and Partners 2026 rankings.
- Individual partners Andrew Clark, Richard Hoal and Gareth Cremen received personal recognition, reflecting the depth of leadership and specialist capability within the firm.
Cox Yeats has been recognised in the Chambers and Partners 2026 rankings as a leading South African law firm, marking a significant milestone in its growth trajectory within the regional and international legal market.
The latest Chambers and Partners 2026 rankings affirm the firm’s strengthening position across core commercial practice areas and align with its stated ambition to become Southern Africa’s most profitable law firm, locally sought after and globally recognised by 2030.
Chambers rankings are widely regarded as a definitive mark of excellence in the legal profession. Firms and practitioners are ranked from Band 1, the highest tier, to Band 6. Achieving a ranking in any band reflects success in a rigorous independent research process that includes in depth client interviews and peer feedback.
Improved rankings in key commercial sectors
The Chambers and Partners 2026 rankings reflect upward movement in two strategically important departments. Cox Yeats improved its Insurance practice from Band 4 in 2025 to Band 3 in 2026. The team is recognised for specialist insurance capability across marine, construction, engineering and professional indemnity matters. It acts for insurers, reinsurers and brokers on complex claims and regulatory issues, an area where precision and commercial judgment are critical.
The firm’s Restructuring and Insolvency practice achieved a Band 2 ranking in 2026, representing a substantial step forward from the previous year, when the department did not hold a ranking. The practice advises on business rescue processes, restructuring strategies, expedited debt recovery mechanisms, liquidation matters and commercial disputes. Many of these mandates involve distressed assets, cross-border considerations and high-value commercial consequences, placing the department at the centre of complex financial recovery work.
Cox Yeats also retained its Band 3 ranking in Shipping. The firm’s long-standing maritime team continues to advise on ship arrests, marine insurance disputes, charterparty conflicts, casualties and international trade matters. The sustained recognition in Shipping confirms its standing as a trusted adviser in maritime, transport and international trade law.
Individual leadership recognised
The Chambers and Partners 2026 rankings also highlight individual excellence within the firm.
Andrew Clark, Managing Partner of Cox Yeats, is ranked Band 2 for Shipping and Band 3 for Insurance. Clark leads the Maritime, Insurance and International Trade Law Practice and was appointed Managing Partner in 2021. With more than 25 years of insurance experience, his practice spans marine and transport insurance as well as general insurance claims, fire losses, liability matters and complex casualty response work.
Richard Hoal is ranked Band 4 for Construction, recognising his involvement in major construction, engineering and infrastructure matters across the full project lifecycle. Hoal is a lead partner in both the construction and insurance law teams and has practised as an admitted attorney in South Africa for over 25 years. His work includes complex litigation, business law matters and specialised construction and project related insurance casualty claims.
Gareth Cremen is ranked Band 3 for Restructuring and Insolvency. A partner in the Business Rescue, Restructuring, Insolvency and Insurance team based in Johannesburg, Cremen advises on debt recovery, business restructuring, business rescue, insolvency and insurance matters. He has acted for multinational corporations, banks, business rescue practitioners, liquidators, creditors and listed companies in high pressure turnaround environments.
Commenting on the results, Clark said, “These rankings reflect the strength and expertise of our teams and the trust our clients place in us in line with our purpose of putting people in charge of their own future. We are encouraged by the progress in Insurance and the recognition of our Restructuring and Insolvency practice, which speaks to the quality of our people and our focus on practical, commercially sound advice.”
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