A Johannesburg law firm for divorce, family, property and business.
Legal difficulties can affect your family, finances or business all at once. At Hugh Raichlin Attorneys, we listen carefully, explain the options plainly and help you decide what needs attention first. Established in Norwood in 1993, our full-service Johannesburg practice combines divorce and family-law experience with mediation, commercial, property, estate and other legal services.
The initial telephone discussion is free and helps us understand whether the firm can assist. A paid consultation is arranged where appropriate. We aim to respond within one working day after receiving your enquiry.
Established 1993 · Norwood, Johannesburg
Principal attorney Hugh Raichlin brings 40 years of legal experience across South African family, property and commercial law.
Meet the teamFirm credentials at a glance
Established in 1993
A longstanding Johannesburg practice.
40 years of legal experience
Principal attorney Hugh Raichlin.
More than 500 divorce matters handled
Experience with contested and agreed matters.
Accredited mediation
Rule 86(2) mediator; international credentials held by Hugh.
Find the right help for your divorce.
You do not need to have every answer before you speak to us. Whether you are considering divorce, have received papers or are reviewing a settlement, we can help you understand the next step.
Contested divorce
Steady guidance to help you understand your options when finances, children or other divorce terms remain unresolved.
Contested divorce guidanceUncontested divorce
Support to put agreed divorce terms into clear arrangements and understand what happens next.
Uncontested divorce guidanceDivorce costs
Understand what affects legal costs and what to prepare, so you can make informed decisions.
Understand divorce costsInterim relief
Guidance on temporary support and arrangements that may need attention while your divorce proceeds.
Explore interim reliefStart with the issue you need to resolve.
You do not need to know the legal category before contacting us. Choose the situation closest to yours, or ask the firm to help route your enquiry.
Divorce and family matters
Advice on separation, children, maintenance and marriage contracts.
View services →Property, wills or an estate
Buying, selling, leasing, estate planning or administering a deceased estate.
View services →A business or workplace issue
Contracts, company disputes, employment decisions or financial distress.
View services →A dispute that needs a way forward
Explore advice, negotiation, mediation, arbitration or court proceedings.
View services →Full-service legal support, with a clear route to the right team.
Family Law
Practical, considered assistance with divorce, children's care and contact, maintenance, marriage contracts and protection-order enquiries.
Property Law & Conveyancing
Advice for property purchases, sales, transfers, leases and disputes, with a particular focus on owners, landlords and managing agents.
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Plan your affairs, prepare a will, establish or administer a trust, or get assistance with a deceased estate and concerns about its administration.
Mediation & Arbitration
Explore a structured way to address disagreement with an experienced mediator. Independent neutral appointments are distinct from representing one side.
Commercial & Corporate Law
Commercial agreements, company arrangements, transactions and disputes for owners, directors, shareholders and businesses.
Insolvency Law & Business Rescue
Legal options for individuals, directors and creditors facing financial distress, including sequestration, liquidation, rehabilitation and business-rescue advice.
Labour Law
Labour-law advice primarily for employers and selected executive-level employees, from contracts and disciplinary processes to workplace disputes.
Lithuanian Citizenship by Descent
A focused service for clients exploring Lithuanian citizenship through family ancestry, from eligibility and records to applications, appeals and liaison.
Hugh Raichlin
Principal Attorney & Accredited Mediator
An experienced mediator when a dispute needs a different conversation.
Litigation is not the only way to address a dispute. Hugh Raichlin is accredited as a mediator in terms of Rule 86(2) of the Court-Annexed Mediation Rules and is approved for appointment in Rule 41A Court-Annexed matters. He also holds international mediation accreditation. The firm can help you explore whether mediation is appropriate for your dispute.
Clear advice, backed by relevant experience.
Straightforward or complex, your matter needs both careful listening and a clear legal assessment. HRA draws on its family, commercial, property and estate practice to explain the options, practical implications and next steps.
Divorce and connected financial issues
The firm has handled more than 500 divorce matters. Where company interests, trusts or property complicate a separation, relevant family and commercial questions can be considered together.
Divorce involving business interestsCommercial and property disputes
HRA assesses contractual rights, evidence, business risks and the practical outcome sought. Hugh's reported litigation experience includes the Knight Frank commission dispute in Nach Investments.
Estates and contested administration
HRA assists with estate planning, administration and disputes about an executor's conduct. Its reported estate work includes the Shorkend/Setton proceedings.
Executor and estate-dispute guidanceSelected client reviews and recommendations
Selected feedback shared about HRA. Excerpts are labelled. Every matter is different.
“They were very supportive efficient and reliable during my divorce. They went beyond what they needed to do and it really helped me in a lot of ways. I would highly recommend them.”
Chaya Zelda Eljarrat
Google review · 5 out of 5 · Excerpt
“I would like to thank Hugh for his excellent mediation services. He handled the session with so much patience, humility, integrity and professionalism. Everything, from helping us understand the process to facilitating through to a joint agreement, was well managed and kept us at ease throughout the process. Thank you Hugh.”
Angela Lundie
Facebook recommendation
“They are incredibly professional and I have always been given honest and sound advise along with very efficient and thorough service. I would not hesitate in recommending him and his team for any legal requirements.”
Chris Pepper
Google review · 5 out of 5 · Excerpt
What clients say about HRA
Read feedback shared about Hugh Raichlin Attorneys. Every matter is different.
Client reviews appear here when this section comes into view.
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A straightforward first step.
Tell us what you need
Send a short enquiry or use WhatsApp. Avoid sending sensitive documents at this stage.
Have an initial telephone discussion
The firm clarifies the issue and whether it may be able to assist.
Arrange a paid consultation
If appropriate, a consultation is scheduled and the next steps and fees are discussed.
Agree the way forward
Any work proceeds after the necessary checks and engagement arrangements.
Attorney follow-up is ordinarily within one working day after receipt. Attorney responses occur during office hours. Our AI-assisted WhatsApp enquiry service can capture your enquiry at any time; it does not provide legal advice.
Practical guidance before your next divorce decision
Explore questions about legal costs, agreed terms and contested proceedings. For advice on your circumstances, speak to our Johannesburg family-law team.
Can your spouse contribute to your divorce legal costs?
Understand contribution-to-costs applications, the financial information to prepare and practical next steps when your spouse can outspend you.
Considering a DIY divorce? Check the risks before you file
An agreed divorce can still involve property, pensions and children. Use this checklist to decide where legal review could prevent lasting mistakes.
Divorce delays and repeated applications: responding to litigation abuse
Repeated divorce applications can drain time and money. Learn how to document the pattern, distinguish legitimate disputes and discuss proportionate remedies.
Speak to a Johannesburg firm with a broad view of your matter.
Visit Hugh Raichlin Attorneys at 1 The Avenue, Norwood, Johannesburg. Start with a confidential enquiry so the firm can identify the appropriate attorney and explain the next step. Our Norwood office also assists clients from Rosebank, Sandton and Bedfordview by arrangement.