Eben Smit

Eben Smit is a Director in our Corporate & Commercial practice. He is a specialist in insurance and financial-services law, with extensive expertise spanning the Insurance Act, FAIS Act, Policyholder Protection Rules, Long- and Short-term Insurance Acts, FICA and the broader regulatory framework governing South Africa’s financial sector. Eben's practice focuses on regulatory compliance, licensing, product structuring, governance, distribution, and prudential and conduct requirements affecting insurers, reinsurers, underwriting managers / binder holders, intermediaries and other commercial entities with insurance interests or products. He also advises on how these frameworks interact with related corporate and commercial legislation, including the Companies Act and other statutes that shape the structuring and governance of regulated entities. His strength lies in translating complex legislative requirements into practical, business-aligned strategies - supporting clients in achieving both regulatory certainty and commercial agility. · Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr

South AfricaCorporate / M&A, InsuranceEnglish

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About

Director in the Corporate & Commercial practice at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, specialising in insurance and financial-services law with over 13 years’ industry experience. Focuses on regulatory compliance, licensing, product structuring, governance, distribution and prudential and conduct requirements for insurers, reinsurers, underwriting managers/binder holders and intermediaries; joined CDH as a Director in November 2025.

Practice areas

Corporate / M&AInsuranceFinancial Services RegulationRegulatory & ComplianceCorporate GovernanceReinsurance

Office

South Africa

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr · Eben Smit is a Director in our Corporate & Commercial practice. He is a specialist in insurance and financial-services law, with extensive expertise spanning the Insurance Act, FAIS Act, Policyholder Protection Rules, Long- and Short-term Insurance Acts, FICA and the broader regulatory framework governing South Africa’s financial sector. Eben's practice focuses on regulatory compliance, licensing, product structuring, governance, distribution, and prudential and conduct requirements affecting insurers, reinsurers, underwriting managers / binder holders, intermediaries and other commercial entities with insurance interests or products. He also advises on how these frameworks interact with related corporate and commercial legislation, including the Companies Act and other statutes that shape the structuring and governance of regulated entities. His strength lies in translating complex legislative requirements into practical, business-aligned strategies - supporting clients in achieving both regulatory certainty and commercial agility.

South Africa

Expertise

Insurance & ReinsuranceUnderwriting Managers / Binder HoldersIntermediariesLicensed Insurers and Financial Services ProvidersProduct Structuring and LicensingRegulatory Compliance and Governance

Education

LLB (NWU)
Post Graduate Diploma in Insolvency Law and Administration (UP) (Cum Laude)
Post Graduate Diploma in Contract Drafting and Interpretation (UJ)
RE 5 Regulatory Examination (Moonstone)

Admissions

Admitted Attorney (North-Gauteng High Court)

Languages

English