Directors
Kirstie Haslam (B.A., LL.B.)
Director
After obtaining both her B.A. (Law) and LL.B. degrees from Stellenbosch University in 1994 and 1996 respectively, Kirstie went on to…
Cliff Timms (B. Proc.)
Director
Soon after being admitted as an attorney in 1999, Cliff established the Cape Town office of De Vries Inc., where he built up a recognized legal practice.
Read More
Chris Smit (B. Iuris, LL.B.)
Director
After graduating in 1994, Chris took up a position with the Department of Justice in Mpumalanga as a prosecutor.
Kirstie Haslam (B.A., LL.B.)
After obtaining both her B.A. (Law) and LL.B. degrees from Stellenbosch University in 1994 and 1996 respectively, Kirstie went on to complete her articles at Mostert and Bosman (Cape Town Partnership) and was admitted as an attorney in 1999 whereafter she was invited to stay on as a professional assistant in the general litigation department. She joined Henry Shields Chiat, a specialist personal injury law firm, in 2000 and was promoted to associate in 2002. Kirstie became a director of DSC Attorneys after the merger on 1 May 2004, in which capacity she was inter alia responsible for the oversight of all litigation within the firm. Kirstie was appointed as managing director of DSC Attorneys on 1 December 2010.
Kirstie specializes in insurance and personal injury law, where she has had extensive experience conducting both High Court litigation and arbitrations in various jurisdictions, relating to actions against the Road Accident Fund as well as other common law personal injury claims, including medical malpractice litigation. Kirstie frequently receives international referrals and has represented a number of clients from the United Kingdom as well as clients from Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Australia, Canada and the United States.
Kirstie has been heavily engaged for a number of years with the ongoing parliamentary process surrounding proposed amendments to the Road Accident Fund legislation. A copy of her submission to parliament in 2017 with regards to the Road Accident Benefit Scheme can be found here.
In September of 2023, the Road Accident Fund Amendment Bill was published for comment, and Kirstie once again contributed to submissions to parliament, a copy of which can be found here.
Kirstie also serves on the Executive of the South African Medical Malpractice Lawyers Association. In 2018 she was invited to address the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Development, following a written submission regarding the proposed State Liability Amendment Bill. A copy of this submission can be found here.
In March 2025 Kirstie submitted joint comments on a paper on the development of standard formulae for calculation of loss of earnings, loss of support and general damages for the Road Accident Fund. A copy of this submission can be found here.
Legal Practice Council Member #: M83733
Cliff Timms (B. Proc.)
Cliff was admitted as an attorney in 1999 and soon thereafter established the Cape Town office of De Vries Inc., where he built up a recognized legal practice specializing in personal injury and property law. Prior to his admission Cliff had already gained vast experience in the field of personal injury law, initially whilst he was employed at the Road Accident Fund and thereafter upon joining De Vries (Sandton) Inc. in 1997 whereafter he continued to act as a panel attorney on behalf of the Road Accident Fund.
Since 1999 Cliff has acted on behalf of the victims of road accidents against the Road Accident Fund and generally on behalf of Plaintiffs against other tortfeasors in personal injury matters.
Cliff concentrates on litigation and specializes in personal injury and insurance law and has extensive experience in High Court litigation and arbitration.
Cliff was appointed as managing director of DSC Attorneys after the merger on 1 May 2004 and subsequently as chairman on 1 December 2010.
Legal Practice Council Member #: M84006
Chris Smit (B. Iuris, LL.B.)
After graduating in 1994, Chris took up a position with the Department of Justice in Mpumalanga as a prosecutor in the Regional Courts. In 1997 he relocated to Cape Town and completed his articles with Van der Maas & Associates in 1998, whereafter he was admitted as attorney.
Chris joined DSC Attorneys in 2006 and shortly thereafter he was promoted to associate and was appointed as a senior associate in 2012. On March 1st 2020 Chris was appointed as a director of DSC Attorneys.
Chris specializes in personal injury law and has extensive experience in civil and criminal litigation as well as family law. In addition to acting on behalf of victims of road accidents against the Road Accident Fund, Chris has acted in matters relating to police assaults, unlawful arrests and unlawful detentions, as well as medical malpractice matters.
Legal Practice Council Member #: M83576
Chris Smit’s Team
Cecilia Qashani: Administrative Assistant
Layla Majiet: Attorney
Nelia Palmer: Secretary
Aphiwe Dlamini: Candidate Legal Practitioner
Moira van Wyk: Claims Enquiry Administrator
Euodia Smith: Secretary
Jan Potgieter (B.Comm., LL.B., H.Dip. Tax)
Director
After completing his studies at the University of Stellenbosch in 2010, Jan secured articles at DSC Attorneys
Daneil Botha (LL.B.)
Director
After completing his studies at the University of Stellenbosch in 2010, Daneil secured articles at DSC Attorneys.
Jan Potgieter (B.Comm., LL.B., H.Dip. Tax)
After completing his studies at the University of Stellenbosch in 2010, Jan secured articles at DSC Attorneys where he rapidly gained extensive experience in all areas of personal injury litigation.
Jan was invited to stay on at DSC as a professional assistant in 2013 after his admission as an attorney. He was promoted to associate in 2015 and later that year obtained a Higher Diploma in Tax from the University of Stellenbosch. In 2018, Jan was promoted to senior associate and, with effect from 1 March 2021, he was appointed as a Director of DSC Attorneys.
Jan continues to specialise in personal injury law and has a specific interest in motor vehicle accidents as well as train related incidents. He has extensive experience in High Court litigation in all the jurisdictions in South Africa, including appeals to the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Jan has been involved in numerous successful appeals to the Full Bench of the High Court as well as the Supreme Court of Appeal, which includes matters involving PRASA and the Road Accident Fund.
Legal Practice Council Member #: M91806
Jan Potgieter’s Team
Robyn Conradie: Attorney
Aphelele Mabanga: Attorney
Carin Webber: Secretary
Tonél Rautenbach: Secretary
Carmen Cornelius: Administrative Assistant
Siphosethu Mgolombane: Candidate Legal Practitioner
Daneil Botha (LL.B.)
After completing his studies at the University of Stellenbosch in 2010, Daneil secured articles at DSC Attorneys. He soon gained experience in Road Accident Fund matters, “slip & trip ” claims as well as all other areas of personal injury litigation.
Daneil was invited to stay on at DSC as a professional assistant after his admission as an attorney in December 2012 and was thereafter promoted to associate and senior associate in 2015 and 2018 respectively. With effect from 1 March 2021, Daneil was appointed as a Director of DSC Attorneys.
Legal Practice Council Member #: M92064
Daneil Botha’s Team
Thea Nel: Candidate Legal Practitioner
Franco Rheeder: Attorney
Willbur Jasson: Candidate Legal Practitione
Annelize Hattingh: Secretary
Jodi Mampa: Secretary
Carmen Cornelius: Administrative Assistant
