South African law firm, Cox Yeats has been recognised in the Chambers and Partners 2026 rankings as a leading firm, reflecting the firm’s continued strength across key practice areas and its growing standing in the local and regional legal market. The ranking strengthens the firm’s vision to be Southern Africa’s most profitable law firm, locally sought-after, and globally recognised by 2030.

Definitive mark of excellence

Chambers rankings are the definitive mark of excellence across the legal industry. A ranking from Chambers shows that firms like Cox Yeats have stood out in the most rigorous, independent, and in-depth research process of any legal directory on the market and have emerged as the best in their field. Law firms and individual lawyers are ranked in bands from 1 (highest) to 6 (lowest). Being ranked in any band is a significant achievement.

Improved rankings in Insurance, Restructuring, and Insolvency

The 2026 results include improved firm rankings in both Insurance and Restructuring and Insolvency, alongside continued recognition for the firm’s established Shipping practice. Chambers’ rankings are based on independent research and in-depth client interviews, making the results a strong endorsement of the firm’s technical expertise, commercial approach, client service, professional conduct, diligence, and commitment.

Specialist insurance capability

In Insurance, Cox Yeats has moved up to Band 3, improving on its Band 4 ranking in 2025. The practice is recognised for its specialist insurance capability across marine, construction, engineering, and professional indemnity matters, acting for insurers, reinsurers, and brokers on complex claims, and regulatory issues. The improved ranking reflects consistent delivery of practical, commercially focused advice in a highly technical area of law.

Band 2 recognition for Restructuring and Insolvency

The firm’s Restructuring and Insolvency practice achieved a Band 2 firm ranking in 2026, marking a significant step forward from the previous year, when the firm did not hold a departmental ranking. The practice is known for advising on business rescue processes, restructuring, expedited debt recovery mechanisms, liquidation matters, and commercial disputes, often involving distressed assets, cross-border considerations, and high-stakes commercial outcomes.

Trusted adviser in maritime, transport and international trade law

Cox Yeats’ long-standing Shipping practice retained its Band 3 ranking, reinforcing the firm’s position as a trusted adviser in maritime, transport and international trade law. The practice advises on ship arrests, marine insurance, charterparty disputes, casualties and cross-border trade matters for local and international clients.

Depth of expertise recognised

Individual recognition in the 2026 rankings further highlights the depth of expertise within the firm. Andrew Clark, Managing Partner, is ranked Band 2 for Shipping and has also been recognised in Band 3 for Insurance, reflecting his leadership across both sectors. Clark is the team leader of the Maritime, Insurance, and International Trade Law Practice of the firm. He was appointed as the Managing Partner of the firm in 2021. Clark’s insurance practice and expertise spans over 25 years with particular focus in marine and transport insurance. In more recent years, his insurance practice has expanded to include general insurance claims, fire and other complex claims, liability claims, and casualty response.

Richard Hoal is ranked Band 4 for Construction, recognising his work on major construction, engineering, and infrastructure matters across the project lifecycle. Hoal is a lead partner in the construction and insurance law teams. He has practised as an admitted attorney in South Africa for over 25 years and has an extensive litigation and business law experience. He has developed a unique speciality in construction and project work, as well as complex insurance casualty claims. 

Gareth Cremen is ranked Band 3 for Restructuring and Insolvency, acknowledging his experience in guiding clients through complex financial distress and turnaround situations. Cremen is a Partner in the Business Rescue, Restructuring, Insolvency, and Insurance team at Cox Yeats in Johannesburg. He specialises in debt recovery, business restructuring, business rescue, insolvency, and insurance, and has acted for multinational corporations, banks, business rescue practitioners, liquidators, creditors, and listed companies. Cremen advises on expedited debt recovery mechanisms, business rescue processes, liquidations, and commercial disputes.

“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,” commented Andrew Clark, Managing Partner.

The full Chambers and Partners 2026 rankings are available here: https://chambers.com/law-firm/cox-yeats-global-2:3734