Paul Cleland is a Director in the Competition practice area. He specialises in all aspects of competition law, including contested and uncontested merger approvals; cartel; abuse of dominance and other prohibited practices investigations; interim relief proceedings; and compliance. Paul has significant experience in advising clients in the media sector in relation to competition issues and advises firms across a range of other sectors and industries on competition issues, including mining; distribution and logistics; motor vehicle; chemical and industrial; forestry and agriculture; beverages; banking, insurance and financial services; regulated and electronic payments. He provides advice regarding merger filing requirements in African jurisdictions outside of South Africa, including the regional COMESA competition regime.
Competition
Technology & Innovation
All aspects of competition law, including contested and uncontested merger approvals; cartel, abuse of dominance and other prohibited practices investigations; interim relief proceedings; and advisory and compliance.
Paul has significant experience in advising clients in the media sector in relation to competition issues and advised firms across a range of sectors and industries, including mining; distribution and logistics; motor vehicle; chemical and industrial; forestry and agriculture; beverages; banking, insurance and financial services; regulated and electronic payments.
Paul is able to provide advice regarding merger filing requirements in African jurisdictions outside of South Africa, including the regional COMESA competition regime.
BA LLB (University of the Witwatersrand)
2009: Director, Werksmans
Named as:
Ranked leading lawyer (Band 5) by Chambers Global | Competition/Antitrust | 2025
Ranked lawyer (Band 4) by Chambers Global | 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021 and 2022, 2024 | Competition/Antitrust
a recommended lawyer in Competition by the Legal500 (2012, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021);
a leading practitioner in Competition & Antitrust by Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business (2018, 2019 and 2020).
Lecturer
Commercial Contracts, Attorneys Admission Courses (2003 2004) (Law Society of the Northern Provinces)
Commercial Contracts, Practical Legal Training (2003 2004) (Law Society of the Northern Provinces)
Skills Transfer Project, Practical Competition Law Programme (2008 and 2010) (Law Society of South Africa, LEAD & SASSETA)
Johannesburg 
+27 11 535 8239 
