What companies bring to South Africa’s Companies Tribunal

Name disputes made up just over half the adjudication count

The tribunal reported 201 name disputes in 2025/26, up from 178 the year before and 163 in 2021/22. They accounted for 51.5% of the latest adjudication total. Director disputes climbed from 41 to 79 over the five-year span. Source 1

Social and ethics committee cases declined from the year before

Applications under section 72(5) were recorded at 37, down from 50 in 2024/25. Extensions to convene annual general meetings fell from 32 to 25. Reviews of decisions by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission rose from 12 to 22. Source 1

Adjudication and alternative dispute resolution follow different routes

The tribunal can issue orders on matters within its adjudication jurisdiction. Its other route covers mediation, conciliation and arbitration. The report counted 38 alternative dispute resolution cases in 2025/26, up from 28 in 2024/25. These cases are shown separately from the adjudication categories. Source 1 Source 2

A filing count does not give an outcome

The tribunal’s performance section describes the 390 adjudication cases and 38 alternative dispute resolution cases as new cases during the year. It discusses turnaround and finalization separately. The case totals show the matters brought to the tribunal, without identifying which applications were granted, refused or settled. Source 1

Sources

• Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Companies Tribunal Annual Report 2025/26, table 2
• Companies Tribunal, adjudication and dispute resolution guidance