Everything you need to know about working with Fisher NCC
Fisher NCC is a specialist commercial legal consultancy based in Johannesburg. We provide senior-level commercial legal advice and transactional support to businesses, private equity houses, corporate decision-makers, and entrepreneurs across South Africa. Our core areas include M&A, private equity, corporate restructuring, competition law, commercial contracts, and business rescue.
No. Fisher NCC is a commercial legal consultancy, not a law firm. We do not act as attorneys of record in court proceedings. Where a client requires representation in litigation, we will refer the client to an appropriate law firm and, where requested, coordinate with that firm on the client's behalf. This structure allows us to focus exclusively on what we do best — commercial advisory and transactional work without the overhead and regulatory constraints of a traditional law practice.
Fisher NCC was founded by Ryan Fisher, an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa with over 20 years of commercial legal experience and cumulative deal values exceeding R20 billion. Ryan holds a BA and LLB from the University of the Witwatersrand, is a CIPC-certified Business Rescue Practitioner, and holds the Right of Appearance in the High Court. He was recognised as DealMaker of the Year in 2016 and 2017 for unlisted transactions.
Our core practice areas include: Mergers and acquisitions (share purchases, asset acquisitions, sale of business), Private equity transactions (subscription agreements, shareholders' agreements, capital raises), Corporate restructuring (share reorganisations, capital restructures, group rationalisations), Competition law (merger notifications, compliance advisory), Commercial contracts (technology agreements, SLAs, supply agreements, joint ventures), IPO preparation and JSE listing compliance, Business rescue (viability assessments, affected party advisory, practitioner appointments), Regulatory compliance (FSCA, POPIA, FAIS, AML/FICA), and Commercial property transactions (acquisitions, disposals, sale of letting enterprises).
Our deal profile typically ranges from R5 million to R2 billion+. We are comfortable with both small, focused mandates (such as a single contract review) and large, complex multi-party transactions. Our headline transactions include the Dis-Chem IPO restructure and Bidvest's R1.8 billion acquisition of B.I.C.
If a matter falls outside our expertise, we will tell you — and where appropriate, refer you to a specialist who can help. We would rather be honest about the boundaries of our capability than take on work we cannot do well.
Yes, regularly. We frequently work alongside large law firms in a coordinated advisory structure — typically leading the commercial and transactional work while the firm handles a specialist element such as tax, employment law, or regulatory approval. We also accept referrals from law firms seeking specialist commercial capacity on specific transactions.
We charge a flat hourly rate of R3,000 per hour (exclusive of VAT, if applicable), billed in six-minute increments. There are no hidden charges, no leverage model, and no team of juniors billing time alongside the principal. When you instruct Fisher NCC, the person who does the work is the person you briefed.
The standard rate is generally non-negotiable for new and once-off clients. In limited cases, a reduced rate may be agreed where the engagement involves a bulk reservation of hours for a large matter. For repeat and long-standing clients, a reduced rate may be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
New clients may be required to pay an upfront cover equivalent to 2 hours (R6,000 at the standard rate). This amount is fully refundable — it is set off against invoiced fees, and any unused balance is returned at the conclusion of the engagement.
Invoices are due within 7 days of issue.
Disbursements (out-of-pocket expenses such as regulatory filing fees, company search fees, counsel's fees, courier charges, and travel) are charged separately at cost, with no mark-up, and are itemised on each invoice.
Before we can commence an engagement, we require: Signed Standard Terms and Conditions (incorporating the Data Processing Agreement and Privacy Policy), Completed FICA Client Identification Form (Individual or Juristic Person, as applicable), Supporting FICA documentation (certified ID, proof of address, company registration documents), and Upfront Cover payment (if applicable). We will provide all the necessary forms when you contact us. The process is straightforward and designed to be completed quickly so that we can get to work.
Fisher NCC is an accountable institution under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA). We are required by law to verify the identity of all clients before establishing a business relationship. This is a standard requirement that applies to all legal practitioners and commercial service providers in South Africa. It is not optional and cannot be waived.
If you provide complete documentation, onboarding can typically be completed within 24 to 48 hours. We will acknowledge receipt of your initial instruction within 24 hours and will advise if any additional information is required.
Yes. All information provided to Fisher NCC is treated as confidential. Our Standard Terms and Conditions include comprehensive confidentiality provisions. We do not disclose client information to third parties without consent, except where required by law (for example, FICA reporting obligations).
We process personal information in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Our Data Processing Agreement and Privacy Policy set out in detail how we collect, use, store, and protect personal information. Both documents are available on our website and are incorporated into our Standard Terms and Conditions.
Contact Ryan Fisher directly for personalized assistance
Made with Emergent