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Profile of the Month – Frank Holland

Dec 3, 2025

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Looking back on your career, do you have a funny story to share?

While property law often involves serious, high-value transactions, more often than not human nature is a deciding factor in the way a property transfer will unfold.

Early in my career, I was handling a transfer for a lovely, but extremely particular young man from Russia buying a home in the Southern Suburbs. The sale and transfer processes in South Africa were so foreign to him that he just couldn’t understand the way in which the transfer of ownership would work and became anxious and sceptical of the entire transaction.

After many consultations and efforts to explain how transfer processes, payments and investment of funds pending transfer work in South Africa the buyer called me in a panic, still uncertain of how the purchase price would be released to the seller if he didn’t yet have possession of the property. He was incredibly tense, so I called him back to my office to try to calm his nerves.

To break the ice, I solemnly placed a bottle of Russian vodka on the table, and using Google Translate, said in my best Russian accent “Sir, let me explain.”

The young man burst out laughing. It completely diffused the situation. I had carefully prepared a diagrammatic representation of how things would work and he seemed to grasp what was about to happen. It taught me that sometimes, a lawyer’s greatest tool isn’t a legal precedent, but a good dose of perspective and humour.

What exciting trends do you see in the property industry?

The Cape Town property market is exceptionally dynamic, and it’s an exciting time to be practising as a property lawyer. Two areas, in particular, are driving our practice and shaping the future of property:

  • Semigration and Foreign Investment: The Western Cape continues to be a national and international investment hotspot. This sustained demand has been pushing property prices, especially in prime areas like the Atlantic Seaboard and the Southern Suburbs. For a property attorney, this means advising on increasingly complex transactions involving international funds, exchange control regulations, and non-resident tax implications, keeping the local market buoyant.
  • Densification and The Rise of Mixed-Use and Urban Regeneration: Cape Town’s CBD and surrounding suburbs are seeing a huge push toward densification and mixed-use developments. These projects, which blend residential, commercial, and retail spaces, cater to the post-pandemic desire for convenience and shorter commutes. Our work involves navigating the complex legal frameworks for sectional title schemes to cater for this densification, both for large-scale developers and for the property-owner looking to unlock value in their existing residential property.

What advice would you give to someone starting out?

My advice boils down to three core principles for an aspiring property attorney in South Africa:

  • Master the Conveyancing Process First, Then Specialise: Your foundational knowledge must be flawless. Spend your early years mastering the Deeds Registries Act, the Alienation of Land Act, and the intricacies of FICA and the Property Practitioners Act (PPA). Once you have a firm grasp on the conveyancing process, then move to specialise in areas that interest you.
  • Technology is Your Partner: The property sector is becoming increasingly digitised. Embrace legal tech and practice management software. Efficiency gains from technology are essential for profitability and superior client service. 
  • Focus on the “Why” of the Deal: A transaction isn’t just a mountain of documents; it’s a monumental life event for your client. Understand the emotional and financial reasons behind their move—whether it’s a first home, a retirement sale, or a major commercial investment. Being a brilliant lawyer is not enough; you must be an empathetic communicator and a calm problem-solver. It’s about managing people and expectations as much as it is about managing documents.