A trusted and traditional law firm offering
comprehensive legal services across conveyancing, commercial, litigation and curatorship related matters.
ABOUT US
Basson Blackburn Inc. is an established law firm with offices in Paarl and Durbanville, serving individuals, families, businesses and trusts across the Western Cape.
Led by managing director Deon Blackburn, our team brings extensive experience and considered guidance to every matter. As a medium-sized firm, we combine personal, consistent service with the resources and capabilities of a well-established practice.
DEPARTMENTS & SERVICES
Our experienced team offers expertise across a range of legal disciplines.
DEPARTMENTS
SERVICES
COMMERCIAL
- Commercial Agreements
- Company formation and secretarial services
- Mergers, acquisitions and restructurings
- Property development and related agreements
- Cross-border transactions
- General commercial legal advice
- Additional related commercial legal services tailored to your needs
CONVEYANCING
- Property Transfers
- Residential, Commercial and Notarial Bond Registrations
- Subdivisions and Consolidations of Property
- Registration of Servitudes and other Notarial Deeds/Agreements
- Sectional Title and Freehold Property Developments and all matters relating thereto
- Cancellation of Mortgage Bonds and Notarial Bonds
- Additional related property law and conveyancing services tailored to your needs
LITIGATION
- Commercial Litigation
- Dispute Resolution & Mediation
- Debt Recovery & Enforcement
- Insolvency & Liquidation
- Contractual & Business Disputes
- Additional related dispute resolution and litigation services tailored to your needs
CURATORSHIP
- Curator appointment applications
- Administration of curatorship estates
- Legal advice on curatorship matters
- Additional related curatorship and estate administration services tailored to your needs
TEAM
Directors
DEON BLACKBURN
Managing Director
Qualifications: BA LLB PGDip (Labour Law)
Department: Commercial
Deon is one of the original members of Basson Blackburn Inc. Having completed his articles with Fourie Basson and Veldtman in the northern suburbs, his friend Hennie Basson invited him to join his burgeoning practice, which led to the establishment of Basson Blackburn Inc. After Hennie’s premature death in 2003, Deon became the managing and only director of the firm. Through his constancy, creativity, and tenacity, he managed not only to preserve the firm but to build it into the leading legal practice it is today, and went on to establish Blackburn Inc.
Deon initially focused on labor law and related litigation but subsequently specialized in all aspects pertaining to property and commercial law. In advising his clients, he is particularly relationship-orientated and dedicated to service. As a result and specifically utilizing his legal skills he serves as trustee on a large number of trusts. His work exhibits the ability to combine expedience, diligence, and commercial acumen without compromising client expectations or business interests. As a leader, Deon embodies what he expects from his colleagues, both regarding inter-personal relations and performance. As to personal philosophy, Deon stands by the notion that an open hand is never empty.
Deon also serves as a director of Basson Blackburn Fiduciary Services, where he provides commercial services.
LINKA SLABBER
Director
Qualifications: LLB
Department: Conveyancing
Linka obtained her LLB degree in 2007 and was admitted as an attorney, conveyancer, and notary in 2008, 2009 and 2011 respectively. She has over twenty years’ experience in conveyancing and property law and has been involved in a number of large property developments in the Western and Eastern Cape. She heads up the conveyancing department of Basson Blackburn Inc. and Blackburn Inc. and specializes in all areas of property law and conveyancing.
Her expertise includes commercial and residential transfers (conventional and sectional title), mortgage bonds (commercial and residential), notarial bonds, developments (sectional title and own title) and various other property transactions (servitudes, consolidations, subdivisions, and notarial contracts).
Linka also serves as a director of Basson Blackburn Fiduciary Services, where she provides commercial services.
MAGDA NÖTHNAGEL
Director
Qualifications: LLB
Department: Curatorship | Litigation
Magda Nöthnagel obtained her LLB degree at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in 2006. She completed her articles at Honey Attorneys, Cape Town and was appointed as an Associate after being admitted as an Attorney with right of appearance in the High Court in May 2008. Magda joined Basson Blackburn Inc. and Blackburn Inc. in 2010 and was appointed director in both entities in September 2018. Magda leads the curatorship and litigation departments and specializes in commercial litigation and insolvency.
Magda is a dedicated professional who embraces any challenge, striving to ensure that her clients receive professional service of the highest standards etched with a personal touch.
Magda also serves as a director of Basson Blackburn Fiduciary Services, where she provides commercial services.
Our Team
RYAN TUTT
Senior Associate
Qualifications: LLB; LLM in Commercial Law
Department: Commercial
Ryan first built and operated a business in the hospitality industry before pursuing law. He obtained his LLB and then a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice in 2009, was admitted as an attorney in 2010, and went on to complete an LLM in Commercial Law at the University of Cape Town in 2016, the latter while practising full time. His LLM specialisations in cyberlaw, advanced contract law and advanced company law have remained central to his practice. A further UCT diploma in Legal Compliance Management, obtained in 2017, rounded out his focus on legal, regulatory, and enterprise-wide risk management.
Ryan’s experience spans complex litigation, estates and fiduciary matters, and a broad range of commercial work. His core expertise lies in corporate and commercial law including the interpretation and application of the Companies Act, company secretarial services, business structuring and restructuring, the drafting of commercial agreements and company formation documents, and legislative and regulatory compliance. He has developed particular depth in shareholder disputes, cross-border transactions and the governance of private companies and HOAs.
Outside of practice, Ryan is an avid reader with a particular interest in history, economics, and technology. He values time with his family, occasional running and the outdoors. He will readily admit that his most reliable weaknesses are good food and good wine.
CARYN RUTGERS
Associate
Qualifications: BA LLB
Department: Compliance | Collections
Caryn completed her BA(LLB) degrees at Stellenbosch University in 2015 and 2017 respectively, while being actively involved in extracurriculars such as her residence House Committee and working as a library assistant. She joined the Basson Blackburn Inc. and Blackburn Inc. teams in 2020, now heading the Compliance and Debt Collection departments.
Caryn strives to give 110% to each matter, making every effort to ensure that those who enlist the services of the firm are treated as more than just a file number. She believes that passion, drive and going the extra mile make a foolproof recipe for excellence.
NATALIE MARITZ
Associate
Qualifications: BCom LLB
Department: Commercial
Natalie obtained her BCom (Law) and LLB degrees in 2017 and 2019 respectively. During her BCom (Law) studies, she majored in accounting and financial management, which established a strong commercial and financial foundation for her practice in commercial law.
Following the completion of her articles and admission as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa, Natalie joined the commercial department of Basson Blackburn Inc. in 2022, where she has developed a focused practice in commercial law.
Natalie advises clients on a broad range of commercial matters, including the drafting and negotiation of commercial agreements, corporate and business restructurings, transactional matters, company secretarial matters and general commercial advisory work.
Having completed her articles in a litigation-focused environment with exposure to both High Court and Magistrates’ Court matters, Natalie approaches commercial transactions and contractual arrangements with a practical and risk-conscious mindset, enabling her to provide clear, commercially pragmatic, and solution-driven advice tailored to her clients’ objectives.
JOHN-DANIËL BORNMAN
Associate
Qualifications: LLB
Department: Litigation
John-Daniël (“JD”) Bornman obtained his LLB degree from the University of the Western Cape in 2019. He commenced his articles at BDP Attorneys in July of the same year, where he completed his practical vocational training in the Litigation Department.
Following his admission as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa in March 2022, JD remained with BDP Attorneys as a Professional Assistant. During his tenure at the firm, he practiced primarily in the field of general civil litigation, gaining extensive experience in both Magistrates’ Court and High Court proceedings across a broad range of civil and commercial disputes.
In June 2026, JD joined Basson Blackburn Inc. as a Professional Assistant in the Litigation Department. Having dedicated his legal career to litigation, he has developed a practical and solution-oriented approach to dispute resolution, with a strong emphasis on thorough preparation and attention to detail.
JD values professionalism, integrity and open communication with his clients. He strives to provide clear and practical legal advice and approaches each matter with diligence and a commitment to finding effective solutions to the challenges faced by his clients.
ANNA-MARIE MARITZ
Associate
Qualifications: BCom; MBA; LLB cum laude
Department: Curatorship | Trusts and Estates
Anna-Marie Maritz obtained her BCom and MBA degrees from the University of Stellenbosch and Stellenbosch Business School in 1992 and 2001 respectively. After a decade in accounting and financial management, she dedicated several years to raising her four sons, while continuing to work part-time. During this time, she pursued her longstanding interest in the law and completed her LLB degree cum laude through UNISA.
She joined the firm as a candidate attorney in 2022 and, after gaining experience across a range of practice areas, became a dedicated member of the Estates Department in 2023.
Her combined legal, financial, and business background allows her to balance legal requirements with the personal and financial realities involved.
Anna-Marie is known for her calm, considered approach and meticulous attention to detail. She is deeply committed to administering each estate with integrity and care, recognising it as the final expression of a person’s wishes and responsibilities towards their loved ones. She enables clients to navigate the process with confidence, while ensuring that estates are administered efficiently, professionally, and with compassion.
HENCO KOTZÉ
Associate
Qualifications: LLB
Department: Litigation
Henco Kotze obtained his LLB degree at the University of the Free State in 2022. He completed his articles at Basson Blackburn Inc. from 2023 to 2024 and was admitted as an Attorney in 2025, after which he remained with the firm’s litigation and dispute resolution department as professional assistant. Henco has a passion for complex commercial and civil litigation.
Henco approaches every matter with energy and commitment, ensuring that his clients receive thorough, professional service. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and their two dogs, playing golf, and staying active.
VERONAY DAVIDS
Associate
Qualifications: LLB
Department: Conveyancing
Veronay obtained her LLB degree in 2023 and was admitted as an attorney in 2025. She is a member of the conveyancing department, where she assists with various aspects of property transactions and liaises with clients, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to facilitate the registration process.
Veronay is dedicated to delivering professional and efficient service, with a strong focus on accuracy, attention to detail, and client satisfaction.
JEANNE-MARIE ROUSSEAU
Associate
Qualifications: BCom LLB
Department: Commercial
Jeanne-Marie obtained her BCom degree in 2021 and her LLB in 2024. She served as a candidate attorney at Basson Blackburn Inc. from 2024 to 2026 and was admitted as an attorney in April 2026.
Following her articles, she stayed on with Basson Blackburn in the commercial department. Jeanne-Marie assists clients across a wide range of commercial work, including drafting and negotiating agreements, company restructurings, company secretarial matters and day-to-day commercial matters.
SADÉ GOLIATH
Candidate Attorney
ROBERT BOTHMA
Candidate Attorney
SCHALK DE WET
Consultant
Qualifications: BProc
Department: Curatorship
Schalk was admitted as an attorney in 1979 and practised in the Free State until 1989, where he was a partner with the then Naude’s in Bloemfontein. In 1989 he opened a new practice for Naude’s Ross & Jacobsz in Pretoria, where he focused exclusively on insolvent estates and companies in liquidation, in which he was appointed as trustee or liquidator. In 1995 he moved to Cape Town and opened an insolvency practice under the name SW Trustees. This practice was subsequently taken over by Antrust Johannesburg, a division of the then Arthur Andersen Group.
Schalk has been practising as an attorney in Durbanville since 2007, concentrating on deceased estates, curatorships and commercial litigation related to those two fields. He is currently appointed as the curator bonis in numerous estates, as well as the executor in various deceased estates.