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Apart from offering expert legal consultancy for local jurisdictions, CMS partners up with you to effectively navigate the complexities of global business and legal environments.

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CMS lawyers can provide future-facing advice for your business across a variety of specialisms and industries, worldwide.

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Global Reach

Apart from offering expert legal consultancy for local jurisdictions, CMS partners up with you to effectively navigate the complexities of global business and legal environments.

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CMS South Africa
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Artificial Intelligence

Cutting-edge AI Legal Expertise for today’s digital frontier.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides a whole range of new opportunities but also includes new and unique risks for companies, governments and individuals within society. These opportunities and legal risks involve ethical, legal and regulatory challenges.

In an ever-evolving digital sphere, incorporating AI into various sectors is not merely a distant prospect but a present reality. With this unparalleled progress emerges a multifaceted array of legal complexities that only experts can navigate. This is where our expertise becomes invaluable.

At CMS, we are eager to contribute our insights to the ongoing discourse surrounding AI and to add to the wider AI debate. With a longstanding track record of advising businesses, both large and small, on harnessing the advantages of new technologies, including advancements in AI, we strive to provide advice to our clients on how they can mitigate potential legal risks.

The AI Group is a team of lawyers who are passionate about innovation and specialized in new technologies, data protection, legislative developments, corporate governance and cybersecurity.

Leading Legal GenAI Vendor Harvey 

CMS has entered a global partnership with Harvey, one of the world’s leading generative AI (GenAI) platforms. This partnership puts CMS, operating in over 85 countries, at the forefront in using GenAI to enhance the delivery of legal services to clients.

CMS has a strong track record of using AI technology in its legal service delivery in transaction, litigation and advisory practice groups. Adding GenAI technology to support clients around the globe is the next evolutionary step. CMS has been looking at the potential of AI for several years and at generative AI since before ChatGPT hit the news.

Backed by OpenAI, Harvey augments productivity and streamlines workflows across different parts of legal work, such as contract analysis, due diligence, litigation and regulatory compliance. Harvey’s capabilities include the production of insights, assisting with the preparation of initial drafts, suggestions and forecasts from large amounts of data, which are used to create final deliverables. This is beneficial to clients as it fosters quicker turnaround times and more affordable solutions to clients.

Our AI expertise and profile includes:

  • Genes: The establishment of the AI Group highlights CMS's innate commitment to innovation, solidifying its position as the pioneering law firm to introduce an artificial intelligence group in Belgium.
  • Local media: We are committed to raising our visibility within the local community and engaging with the media to provide expert legal insights and commentary. Our attorneys are frequently featured in local publications and media outlets, providing valuable legal guidance to the public.
  • Trailblazers in the field: CMS has led the charge in AI law since its inception. Recognizing early on the potential societal impact of AI, we made a deliberate choice to specialize in this domain.
  • Unrivalled expertise: Our legal team consists of highly proficient professionals with profound knowledge in AI, technology law, data protection, and related fields. Our unparalleled expertise ensures that our clients receive top-tier legal counsel.
  • Holistic solutions: Covering all aspects of AI law, from data privacy to ethical considerations, CMS offers comprehensive legal services tailored to the specific needs of startups as well as multinational corporations.
  • Global acclaim: In collaboration with IBM and the University of Cape Town, we organized Africa's inaugural AI and the Law conference. Read more here.
  • Client-focused approach: Our clients are the cornerstone of our practice. Our solutions are meticulously crafted to align with each client's distinct requirements, guaranteeing a responsive, streamlined, and efficient legal service.
  • Shaping the future collaboratively: Through seminars, workshops, webinars, collaborations and partnerships, we actively engage with the tech community and governmental bodies to influence policies and regulations that foster a secure and innovative AI ecosystem in South Africa.
Awards & Recognitions
01
  • Quote
    At CMS, deliverables are delivered on time and the quality of work is unmatched. Above everything, the team is calm and provides assurance through the entire process.
    Chambers & Partners, 2026
  • Quote
    CMS's South African corporate department is a robust team which is adept at handling a wide range of corporate transactions. The firm counts a whole host of recognised client names under its belt, including entities from the mining, retail and telecoms industries, in addition to further strength in the shipping, financial services and energy sectors. Alongside its activity advising on acquisitions and disposals, the team leverages its transactional experience to act on fund formation and black economic empowerment (BEE) transactions.
    Chambers & Partners, 2026
  • Quote
    My overall impression of CMS is that their commercial awareness is really strong and the team works really well to meet deadlines. They are very good at keeping on top of things.
    Chambers & Partners, 2026
  • Quote
    The team at CMS is readily available and very accommodative in terms of what we need. I am also very impressed with the manner the lawyers conduct themselves, as they are very responsive.
    Chambers & Partners, 2026
  • Quote
    CMS is technically very strong on complex cross-border M&A deals. The law firm is a great partner to work with and understands the needs of the client and the commercial drivers.
    Chambers & Partners, 2026
  • Quote
    What I really like about CMS is their deep knowledge of our business and the option to tailor the approach to what we really like.
    Chambers & Partners, 2026

Events

  • South Africa
    24 Feb 2026

    CMS Perceiving the world of patents with Emotional Perception

  • South Africa
    03 Mar 2026

    IP Insights webinar series 2026

  • South Africa
    23 Mar 2026

    CMS at PTMG Spring 2026

  • South Africa
    21 Apr 2026

    On the Pulse webinar series 2026 - Spring

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