MAISELS GROUP
Attorneys in Sandton

At the time of his retirement in 1992, he was a leader of the Bar. Issy Maisels first emerged into prominence in 1932 as junior counsel to the great Harry Morris KC in the notorious case of Daisy de Melker who was charged with poisoning two husbands and her son. During his illustrious career, Issy Maisels appeared in many high profile trials, the best known of which was probably The Treason Trial which commenced in 1958 before a Special Criminal Court in Pretoria. The accused, all of whom were acquitted, included many prominent South Africans some of whom emerged as leaders in the post-1994 democracy. Issy Maisels was not only an outstanding advocate but also prominent in Bar affairs. He was chairman of the Johannesburg Bar Council on four separate occasions. He was not alone in Advocates Group 836 as a prominent advocate and leader in Bar affairs. With the decision of the majority of the Johannesburg Bar to move to Sandton, a number of senior members of Advocates Group 836 established one of the pioneer groups (under the leadership of Louis Serrurier SC) which, in 2006, merged with another of the pioneer groups (under the leadership of Patrick Lane SC) to establish The Maisels Group. In its last years at Innes Chambers, the Group was lead by David Osborne SC, who is still a door member. However, we are aware of the present needs of our legal system and in particular the necessity for transformation which dictates that previously disadvantaged practitioners of merit be included within our ranks. A transformation programme with this goal is currently being pursued by The Maisels Group. The Group is committed to the highest degree of professionalism in the practice of law. We are a group of advocates of the High Court of South Africa, who are members of the Johannesburg Bar (Society of Advocates, Witwatersrand Local Division). The members of The Maisels Group are independent sole practitioners intently following in the footsteps of great and remarkable advocates. The group, and the building in which it is housed, is named after Israel (Issy/Issie) Aaron Maisels QC, one of the great advocates of the Bar. Practising from their chambers in Maisels Chambers, in the Sandton CBD in close proximity to the offices of the Johannesburg Bar and many law firms, the advocates of The Maisels Group provide a professional and valuable service to their attorneys and their clients. Through the pursuit of excellence, the encouragement of transformation and the respect of individualism we endeavour to provide services of the highest standard. Throughout the group we also ensure that young advocates develop to become outstanding advocates. Feel free to browse our site and find more information about The Maisels Group and the outstanding quality of advocates we have under our roof. In addition to immersing themselves in practice, pupils undergo a rigorous academic programme which culminates in their preliminary and final exams in July and August of every year. We have no doubt they will work hard in acquitting themselves that will make them, their mentors, and the Group, proud of their achievements. This is in addition to his numerous academic achievements around the world, all while maintaining a busy Senior Counsel’s practice in Johannesburg and beyond. This is the highest honour a university can confer on an individual and is a richly-deserved personal achievement for Joubert SC. Daniels SC continues the tradition of senior practitioners of the Group taking up permanent and acting judicial appointments. We congratulate him on this show of faith in his skill and capacity by the Judge President of this Division and look forward to welcoming him back to the Group in early June.