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BEN GROOT
Ben obtained the degrees B.Proc (2000) and LL.B (2004) from the Rand Afrikaans University. In 2000, he commenced articles with a firm in Randburg. Ben was admitted as an attorney in September 2002, in the then Transvaal, and was admitted to appear in the Transvaal High Court in 2006. In 2007, he was admitted to practice in the Western Cape, and in 2009, he was granted the right to appear in the Western Cape High Court.
Ben became a director of his previous firm in 2007, and at that time he started up their branch office in the Western Cape. After two years, in May 2009, he decided to take the plunge and set up his own firm.
Ben obtained a Diploma in Insolvency Law and Practice from the University of Pretoria in 2010, and also completed an MBA degree at the University of Stellenbosch Business School in 2014.
Ben has in the past lectured at the Law Society of South Africa’s Practice Management Course, a compulsory course for attorneys who practice at management level for the first time, whether on their own or in partnership. In this course they are taught some practical skills to manage their legal practices. Ben also sits as a Commissioner of the Small Claims Court.
Ben has been appointed to the panel of commercial arbitrators of AFSA, the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa, and is also on the panels of approved arbitrators of the Law Society of South Africa and the Western Cape Provincial Council of the Legal Practice Council. In this capacity, he has sat as arbitrator in commercial disputes.
Besides working, Ben enjoys spending time with his family, comprised of his wife and three children, and going camping. When time allows, he will be found reading a book, or perhaps going sea-fishing on his kayak. He is also an active member of the Gereformeerde Kerk Bellville.
He lives by the words of John Calvin:
“Let this be our rule for goodwill and helpfulness, that whenever we are able to assist others we should behave as stewards who must someday give an account of ourselves.”
ALBERT VAN ZYL
Albert obtained the degree LL.B from the University of Stellenbosch in 2009. In 2010, he commenced articles with a firm in the Northern suburbs of Cape Town and was admitted as an attorney in 2012 with the right to appear in the Western Cape High Court.
Before joining GVS in 2013, Albert practised at his previous firm as a commercial attorney with emphasis on Commercial Dispute Resolution. Since being admitted as an Attorney in 2012, Albert has worked and focused on the Corporate and Commercial spheres of the law.
During March 2017 Albert became a director at GVS and ever since has played a crucial role in the firm’s executive committee.
If Albert is not spending quality time with his family, namely his wife and daughter, he enjoys spending time outdoors while mountain biking.
His motto in life is based on the words of Lucille Ball, who said:
If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do, the more you can do.
EMILE HAUGHTON
Emile obtained his LL.B degree at the University of South Africa and was admitted as attorney in September 2015, after serving Articles at the De Abreu and Cohen Attorneys in Cape Town and concluding his articles thereafter in the Northern Suburbs. Emile thereafter practised for his own account until June 2017, where a more inclusive environment was sought to practice law, which prompted him to join GVS. He became a director of GVS in 2022.
Emile specialises in Civil Litigation and Debt Collection / Execution and has extensive practical knowledge in all fields of collection related matters including but not limited to arear rental, arear levy accounts and eviction / execution proceedings ancillary to the aforementioned.
Emile enjoys spending time away from the office with his wife of over 15 years and two daughters Mieke and Mia, to which camping and outdoor activities are at the forefront of enjoyment.
YOLANDIE BRITZ
Yolandie obtained the degree LL.B through the University of Pretoria in 2005. During 2005 she also commenced articles at a Pretoria law firm and during 2008 she was admitted as an attorney with Right of Appearance in the High Court. Yolandie became a director at her previous firm during 2016.
Yolandie’s expertise includes civil and commercial litigation, collections, family law and conveyancing.
Yolandie officially joined the GVS team during 2022 with the establishing of a branch office in Pretoria, Gauteng. She is the director at the Pretoria office.
Yolandie enjoys spending time with her family, comprised of her husband and son, and likes taking long walks to relax and unwind.
She is inspired by the words of John F. Kennedy, who said:
“Life is never easy. There is work to be done and obligations to be met – obligations to truth, to justice, and to liberty.”
THEUNIS KOTZE
Theunis obtained the degrees BComm. LLB at the University of Stellenbosch in the year 2000 whereafter he served his articles at a commercial law firm in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town and was admitted as attorney with right to appear in the Western Cape High Court in 2003.
Theunis thereafter practiced at previous firms, first as a general practitioner in amongst others, personal injury law, and thereafter as commercial attorney, specialising, but not limited to, civil litigation and collections in the field of banking.
Since joining GVS in 2021, Theunis now applies his experience in civil litigation, in greater part, to the Law of Landlord and Tenant and the contracts, disputes and evictions arising therefrom, both for commercial and private clients.
When not at the office, Theunis enjoys spending time with his wife Carol and son Willem and when possible, breaks away to the family farm in the Northern Cape.
TAYLA PAGE
Tayla obtained the degree LL.B from the University of Stellenbosch in 2021. She joined GVS SA in 2022 as a Candidate Attorney and is eager to learn, grow and gain valuable experience within the firm. She was admitted as an attorney early in 2024, and has since remained with the firm as an associate.
Tayla has a great interest in commercial law, labour law and anti-corruption measures. She believes her dedication and tenacity for hard work will lead her to a meaningful and impactful career within the field of law.
Outside of the office, Tayla enjoys being active outdoors, spending time with her friends and family and is an avid supporter of rugby.
She is guided by the quote by Thuli Madonsela:
“Through life I have learned that the most important critic whose judgment of my actions matter is my conscience”