Christine Rodrigues
Partner | Johannesburg
Contact
T: +27 11 669 9531
Overview
Christine Rodrigues is a partner in our Johannesburg office Banking and Finance department and a member of the Financial Services Regulatory practice.
Christine is an insurance and re-insurance expert (life and non-life) dealing in both disputes and non-disputes matters. She has worked with major insurers and brokers (both locally and internationally based) as well as industry associations. Christine spent time working for one of South Africa’s leading privately owned insurance groups as well as the group’s Mozambican insurance licensed entity. Her wealth of experience means she is also able to advise on a cross-border basis as well.
Christine has a good relationship with the insurance regulators and her practical knowledge and understanding of the insurance industry ensures she provides strategic and commercially orientated advice.
She is passionate about the insurance industry in Africa and is a regular contributor to thought leadership pieces and speaks at various seminars and conferences.
Experience
Transactions and Advisory
Christine’s transaction advisory experience includes advising:
- Advised on the regulatory aspects to Alexander Forbes Limited on Mercer Africa Limited’s sale of shares to African Rainbow Capital Financial Services Holdings Proprietary Limited.
- Advised on the regulatory aspects to Alexander Forbes Group Holdings Limited relating to the disposal of 100% shareholding in Alexander Forbes Insurance Company Namibia Limited to Momentum Short Term Insurance (Namibia) Limited.
- Advised on the regulatory aspects Alexander Forbes Life Limited in the disposal of its life business to Sanlam Life Insurance Limited and attended to the section 50 application.
- Advised various (re)insurers and insureds in South Africa and in Namibia in relation to business interruption claims, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Advised on the regulatory aspects to MTN (Dubai) Limited in relation to the sale of 50% of the issued shares held in aYo Holdings Limited to Sanlam Emerging Markets Proprietary Limited.
- Advised Old Mutual Limited on its 100% acquisition of GENRIC Insurance Company Limited.
- Advised Allianz X GmbH’s on the insurance regulatory aspects relating to its acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Innovation Group Holdings Limited.
- Advised the Standard Bank Group on the regulatory aspects of its acquisition of the remaining shares of Liberty Holdings.
- Advised Deloitte Consulting Proprietary Limited in respect of its role as a curator of Constantia Insurance Company Limited. Currently advising both creditors and debtors on their rights in terms of the insolvent estate.
- Advised Old Mutual Limited on the insurance regulatory aspects relating to its issue of approximately 4.36% of OML shares to increase BBBEE ownership.
- Advised Pineapple Tech Proprietary Limited on its cell captive arrangement with Mutual & Federal Risk Financing which is part of the Old Mutual Group as a consequence of Pineapple concluding a R400 million funding round, which is the largest Insurtech fundraiser ever in Africa as at the end of 2023.
Disputes
Christine has been involved in the following disputes:
- Acted on behalf of a life insurer in legal proceedings against a global re-insurer. We were able to negotiate a favorable settlement for the life insurer.
- Advising a leading insurance company in Mozambique in relation to a claim it has brought against its reinsurers in relation to damages to various plant and equipment with an insured value of approximately USD 9,5 million.
- Acting on behalf of a major financial services provider in South Africa in relation to a Directors & Officers liability claim against former directors for losses suffered due to various loans being advanced. The claim is in excess of ZAR150 million.
- Acting for a major South African insurance brokerage against an application by a life insurer for business rescue.
Awards
- Chambers Global ranked Christine in Band 2 for her work in Insurance (2025-2026), and in Band 3 (2023-2024) and as Up and Coming for the same category for two consecutive years (2021-2022).
‘Christine Rodrigues’ approach is both thorough and innovative, ensuring that all aspects of the issue are addressed effectively.’ – Chambers Global, 2026
‘She has an in-depth understanding of our market and needs, solving many business problems for us.’ – Chambers Global, 2026
‘Christine Rodrigues’ knowledge of the insurance and reinsurance market in South Africa is exceptional. She is available and responsive and has a great team working with her and supporting her.’ – Chambers Global, 2026
‘She understands the needs and challenges businesses face and her advice is practical and concise.’ – Chambers Global, 2026
” Top 10 Powerhouse Insurance Lawyers Shaping South Africa’s Scene in 2023″ – Business Today
AREA OF EXPERTISE
Qualifications
- B.Com and B.Com (Hons) (first class with majors in Insurance and Risk Management) degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand.
- LLB from the University of South Africa (UNISA).
INSIGHTS
Overview
Christine Rodrigues is a partner in our Johannesburg office Banking and Finance department and a member of the Financial Services Regulatory practice.
Christine is an insurance and re-insurance expert (life and non-life) dealing in both disputes and non-disputes matters. She has worked with major insurers and brokers (both locally and internationally based) as well as industry associations. Christine spent time working for one of South Africa’s leading privately owned insurance groups as well as the group’s Mozambican insurance licensed entity. Her wealth of experience means she is also able to advise on a cross-border basis as well.
Christine has a good relationship with the insurance regulators and her practical knowledge and understanding of the insurance industry ensures she provides strategic and commercially orientated advice.
She is passionate about the insurance industry in Africa and is a regular contributor to thought leadership pieces and speaks at various seminars and conferences.
Experience
Transactions and Advisory
Christine’s transaction advisory experience includes advising:
- Advised on the regulatory aspects to Alexander Forbes Limited on Mercer Africa Limited’s sale of shares to African Rainbow Capital Financial Services Holdings Proprietary Limited.
- Advised on the regulatory aspects to Alexander Forbes Group Holdings Limited relating to the disposal of 100% shareholding in Alexander Forbes Insurance Company Namibia Limited to Momentum Short Term Insurance (Namibia) Limited.
- Advised on the regulatory aspects Alexander Forbes Life Limited in the disposal of its life business to Sanlam Life Insurance Limited and attended to the section 50 application.
- Advised various (re)insurers and insureds in South Africa and in Namibia in relation to business interruption claims, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Advised on the regulatory aspects to MTN (Dubai) Limited in relation to the sale of 50% of the issued shares held in aYo Holdings Limited to Sanlam Emerging Markets Proprietary Limited.
- Advised Old Mutual Limited on its 100% acquisition of GENRIC Insurance Company Limited.
- Advised Allianz X GmbH’s on the insurance regulatory aspects relating to its acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Innovation Group Holdings Limited.
- Advised the Standard Bank Group on the regulatory aspects of its acquisition of the remaining shares of Liberty Holdings.
- Advised Deloitte Consulting Proprietary Limited in respect of its role as a curator of Constantia Insurance Company Limited. Currently advising both creditors and debtors on their rights in terms of the insolvent estate.
- Advised Old Mutual Limited on the insurance regulatory aspects relating to its issue of approximately 4.36% of OML shares to increase BBBEE ownership.
- Advised Pineapple Tech Proprietary Limited on its cell captive arrangement with Mutual & Federal Risk Financing which is part of the Old Mutual Group as a consequence of Pineapple concluding a R400 million funding round, which is the largest Insurtech fundraiser ever in Africa as at the end of 2023.
Disputes
Christine has been involved in the following disputes:
- Acted on behalf of a life insurer in legal proceedings against a global re-insurer. We were able to negotiate a favorable settlement for the life insurer.
- Advising a leading insurance company in Mozambique in relation to a claim it has brought against its reinsurers in relation to damages to various plant and equipment with an insured value of approximately USD 9,5 million.
- Acting on behalf of a major financial services provider in South Africa in relation to a Directors & Officers liability claim against former directors for losses suffered due to various loans being advanced. The claim is in excess of ZAR150 million.
- Acting for a major South African insurance brokerage against an application by a life insurer for business rescue.
Awards
- Chambers Global ranked Christine in Band 2 for her work in Insurance (2025-2026), and in Band 3 (2023-2024) and as Up and Coming for the same category for two consecutive years (2021-2022).
‘Christine Rodrigues’ approach is both thorough and innovative, ensuring that all aspects of the issue are addressed effectively.’ – Chambers Global, 2026
‘She has an in-depth understanding of our market and needs, solving many business problems for us.’ – Chambers Global, 2026
‘Christine Rodrigues’ knowledge of the insurance and reinsurance market in South Africa is exceptional. She is available and responsive and has a great team working with her and supporting her.’ – Chambers Global, 2026
‘She understands the needs and challenges businesses face and her advice is practical and concise.’ – Chambers Global, 2026
” Top 10 Powerhouse Insurance Lawyers Shaping South Africa’s Scene in 2023″ – Business Today
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