Michael is a litigation lawyer based in Johannesburg. He focusses on litigation and the insurance industry with emphasis on liability and, in particular, professional liability insurance, directors and officers liability, corporate governance, and construction and engineering.
Over the past 50 years he has acted as advisor to, and attorney for, auditors,lawyers, engineers, architects, financial and insurance brokers and other professionals. He acted as advisor to the regulatory bodies in respect of many of these professions. He served as a member of the Ministerial Short Term Insurance Advisory Committee for a number of years and has acted as a Commissioner in a Government appointed Commission of Enquiry into regional low-cost housing. He has acted as lead or consulting partner in major litigation cases and infrastructural project disputes.
Michael has consistently been ranked Band 1 in dispute resolution and insurance by Chambers Global and other legal directories and is presently recognised as a Senior Statesperson by Chambers.
Chambers Global 2020 states that “Michael Hart is an eminent figure in the market with a resounding reputation as an insurance litigator. As a consultant at the firm he provides assistance in matters of professional as well as directors’ and officers’ liability.”
He holds a BA, LLB (WITS) and is a CEDR Accredited Mediator. He joined the practice in 1968 and was admitted as an attorney in February 1970. He was made a partner in 1971 and was appointed Chairman in 1999. He retired as chairman in April 2011 but remains in the firm as a consultant.
