Boutique law firm Spoor & Fisher scooped major legal laurels in 2013, receiving top honours both locally and internationally. The awards, instituted by respected publications and research organisations recognise excellence in the legal profession and celebrate luminaries.

The firm took top honours in the categories of Specialist Legal Services Practices (PMR Africa), The Legal 500 EMEA IP Rankings, End of the Year Country Award (InterContinental Finance Magazine) and Band 1 for IP in South Africa by Chambers and Partners.

In its national survey of legal firms in South Africa, PMR.africa canvassed over 300 respondents including in-house legal advisors, MDs, CEOs, financial directors, company secretaries and senior managers of large and listed companies in the country.  Based on their responses, Spoor & Fisher received the highest rating in the category: Specialist Legal Services Practices – Intellectual Property.   Based on this, S&F was awarded the prestigious Diamond Arrow Award.

The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa 2013 ranked Spoor & Fisher as a “Top Tier” firm for Intellectual Property in South Africa. Over two decades old, the Legal 500 Series provides the most comprehensive worldwide coverage on legal services providers, in over 100 countries.

Spoor & Fisher was awarded the End of the Year Country Award by the revered InterContinental Finance Magazine. The publication’s readership cast votes for their preferred specialist service providers. Industry peers and an in-house panel also cast ballots to select the annual award-winners. 

This is the third consecutive year that S&F has received ICFM honours and was the only South African firm to be mentioned in 2012.

Chambers and Partners publish authoritative guides to the legal profession worldwide and have established a reputation for objective and detailed research.  The Chambers Global 2013 report has placed Spoor & Fisher in Band 1 for IP in South Africa, with the firm being described as being “in a class of their own”.      

Nolwazi Gcaba, Partner & Chairperson of the Partnership says, “Spoor & Fisher is honoured to receive these acknowledgements – and will strive to maintain and wherever possible surpass these benchmarks.”

“While criticism is always given careful consideration as part of our efforts to ensure the best possible client experience, it is gratifying when the firm receives plaudits in the form of awards and premium-quality ratings by respected business journals” says Gcaba.