About Us
At Guthrie & Theron, we believe that the foundation of our success lies in our unwavering commitment to honesty, integrity and trustworthiness. We understand that legal matters can be complex and stressful, which is why we approach each case with empathy, understanding, and a personal touch. Our goal is to make the legal process as smooth and stress-free as possible for you.
The Overberg law firm of Guthrie & Theron was established in 1896 when CJF (Charlie) Theron and FAC (Frank) Guthrie entered into a partnership and registered with the Cape Law Society. Charlie also farmed in the Caledon district whilst Frank came from Scotland. Charlie and Frank were brothers in law. Despite of its years, Guthrie & Theron is an energetic and dynamic legal firm at the forefront of its industry and young at heart. Guthrie & Theron has offices at Hermanus, Caledon, Greyton, Gansbaai and Riviersonderend and has been attending to the legal needs of the Overberg community beyond for countless years.
The firms current partners are Johan van Rooyen, Jacques du Toit, Charl Cilliers and André du Toit.
We are competent in most disciplines of law, but focus on conveyancing, commercial law, estate planning, estate administration, property development and High Magistrate Court litigation. We are on the panels of ABSA Bank, Standard Bank, Nedbank and First National Bank as far as the registration of mortgage bonds are concerned.
We also train candidate attorneys and employ law students during university holidays to ensure that they undergo the necessary experience. During 2006 Guthrie & Theron started an estate agency which presently operates under the name and style of Guthrie & Theron Properties. The said agency has eleven branches and twenty-five agents in the Overberg region. All the partners, consultants and professional assistants of Guthrie & Theron are sport orientated and therefore we have, with reference to the lovely game of cricket adopted as our motto …. “more than 100 years of undefeated service.”
Our Team
Charl Cilliers
Senior Partner
Biography
Charl attended Durbanville High School and went on to obtain a BA LLB degree from the University of Stellenbosch. After completing his degree he filled the position of State Prosecutor and also District Prosecutor in Vryburg and was founded as an attorney in 1997.
He joined Guthrie & Theron in 1998 and became a partner in 2005. He was founded as a Conveyancer in 2006 and an Appraiser in 2009. Charl manages the Gansbaai and Caledon Offices. His areas of expertise are: General Practice, Property and Conveyancing and estates. He spends his free time in Nature. He is a member of the Hermanus Yacht Club and a member of the Gansbaai Business Chamber.
Johan v Rooyen
Senior Partner
Biography
Johan obtained a BLC degree in 1985, the LLB degree in 1987 from the University of Pretoria and was admitted as an attorney in 1992. He joined the Guthrie & Theron team in 1990 as an articled clerk and became a partner in 1995.
He is a conveyancer and notary and oversees the conveyancing and deceased estates departments in the Hermanus branch of the firm, after the retirement of mentor and partner Andrè du Toit. He holds an LLM in Property Law (UNISA), an Advanced Diploma in Labour Law RAU), and a Certificate in Deceased Estates (UNISA).
Like most of the partners in Guthrie & Theron, Johan is deeply involved in the community, having served a term as Chairman of the Hermanus Chamber of Commerce and did stints on the governing bodies of SOFCA, Hermanus Pre-Primary School, Hermanus Primary School and Hermanus High School. Johan is a member of the Hermanus Golf Club (12 handicap), the Walker Bay Ski-Boat and Angling Club and the Hermanus Old Boys Club. Johan currently serves as the firm’s Senior Partner.
Areas of Practice: Property & Conveyancing, Commercial Law, Deceased Estates, General Practice, Notarial Law, Liquor Licences, Tax law
André du Toit (Jnr)
Senior Partner
Biography
Andre du Toit (Jnr) obtained a BA law degree in 1998 and the LLB degree in 2000 from the University of Stellenbosch and was admitted as an attorney in 2003. He is studying part time at Unisa for a LLM degree.
During his studies at Stellenbosch University he played for Wilgenhof’s First Rugby and Cricket Team. André did his articles at Jan S de Villiers Attorneys now incorporated by Werksmans and joined Guthrie and Theron during 2002 where he became a partner during 2007 André oversees the firm’s Property Law and Conveyancing Department at the Kleinmond branch and specialises in all aspects of property law, contracts, trusts, estates and civil litigation.
André plays golf, cricket, tennis and squash and also enjoys mountain biking and fishing. He is also the chairman of The Kleinmond Cricket Club. And serves on the Kleinmond Primary School Governing Body.
Jacques du Toit
Senior Partner
Biography
Jacques Du Toit was educated at Hermanus High School and the University of Stellenbosch BA LLB. He did his articles with Werksmans Attorneys whom was at that stage known as Jan S De Villiers Attorneys. He was admitted as an attorney in 2001. He joined Guthrie & Theron with his late older brother, Julian Du Toit, and father André Du Toit in 2001 as a PA and became a partner in 2005. Jacques oversees the firm’s commercial, civil and criminal litigation, family law, third party claims and evictions.
Being a true bred local, Jacques is involved in various fields of the community having served on the Cricket Club Committee, Golf Club Committee, NGK Onrus Council, Hermanus Business Chamber, Hermanus Round Table (Chairman in 2005).
He is a current member of the Hermanus Golf Club (15), Hermanus Tennis & Squash Club and Hermanus Round Table. Jacques currently serves as partner with Johan Van Rooyen in Hermanus.
Areas of Practice: Commercial Law, Civil and Criminal Litigation, Family Law, Third Party Claims, Evictions