Durban legal firm Cox Yeats has announced a merger with Halstead Paola, a specialist property law firm, resulting in the establishment of one of the largest and most experienced property law departments in KwaZulu-Natal. Started in 1964, Cox Yeats provides legal solutions across a wide range of industry areas and disciplines including commercial, construction, property, maritime, labour, insolvency and mining and minerals law and litigation.

Founded 10 years ago, Halstead Paola is a niche firm providing an integrated and focused range of property services. Halstead Paola has closed its offices in Umhlanga and Ballito. It has joined Cox Yeats at its Umhlanga head office and at its newly opened office at the Simbithi Home Owners Association in Ballito. The head of the Cox Yeats property team, Robin Westley, said the firm intended strategically focusing on the North Coast where more than R2 billion worth of property transfers were recorded last year. “It is already the province’s most prominent property investment destination as well as the residential location of choice,” he said. “With significant development set to continue with upcoming residential developments at Sibaya among others, massive infrastructure upgrades and continued investment at the Dube TradePort, we envisage significant returns on investment in this region.” Tina Halstead and Lazelle Paola, now partners at Cox Yeats, bring more than 46 years of combined legal experience. From the Cox Yeats side, Westley offers more than 20 years’ experience, Roger Green has enjoyed a career of 40 years-plus with Carol McDonald and associates, Thabo Vilakazi and Kim Edwards adding to the mix.