Hugh Raichlin
Principal Attorney & Accredited Mediator
BA, LLB · University of the Witwatersrand
Hugh Raichlin
Principal Attorney & Accredited Mediator
Hugh Raichlin is HRA's founder and principal attorney, with 40 years of legal experience. His work includes contested and agreed divorces, family-law litigation and independent mediation, alongside commercial, property and deceased-estate matters. The firm was established in 1993.
Practice Areas
Divorce advice and independent mediation are different roles
Hugh's family-law work includes advising on divorce issues, litigation and the negotiation of practical terms. Where property, company interests or estate planning affect the matter, the firm's wider practice can help those issues be considered together.
Hugh also accepts independent mediation enquiries. A neutral mediator does not act as either spouse's attorney or grant a divorce. The appropriate role, any conflict and the proposed scope must be clear before an appointment is arranged.
Practical experience across contested and negotiated matters
Hugh's work includes High Court and Magistrates' Court litigation, contract disputes, property-broker commission claims, lease disputes and matrimonial matters. He helps clients assess the legal issue, consider the available process and decide what professional assistance is needed.
The firm's broad practice also allows related issues - such as company interests in a divorce, estate disputes or business premises - to be considered in context rather than in isolation.
Independent mediation appointments
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 is also internationally accredited through the Society of Mediators (UK). His mediation work covers appropriate commercial, workplace and family disputes.
Hugh's professional contributions include a video on mediation in divorce and family disputes, hosted by Conflict Dynamics.
Hugh Raichlin: mediation in divorce and family disputesQualifications and professional credentials
- Bachelor of Arts, University of the Witwatersrand: 1982.
- Bachelor of Laws, University of the Witwatersrand: 1985.
- Admitted as an attorney: 1987.
- Court-Annexed Mediation Certificate of Competence: Association of Arbitrators (Southern Africa) NPC, 2025.
- Mediator accreditation under Rule 86(2) of the Court-Annexed Mediation Rules.
- Approved for appointment in Rule 41A Court-Annexed matters.
- Internationally Accredited Mediator: Society of Mediators (UK).
- Associate Member (AAArb): Association of Arbitrators (Southern Africa) NPC; membership number 3630.
- Member: South African Association of Mediators.
Career
Corporate training
Hugh has also provided legal training for businesses, property professionals and managing agents on legal process, lease-related issues and dispute management.
Selected reported matters
Nach Investments (Pty) Ltd v Knight Frank South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Supreme Court of Appeal · 16 March 2001
[2001] ZASCA 13
Hugh Raichlin was the attorney of record for the successful Knight Frank party in a property-broker commission dispute. The Supreme Court of Appeal upheld the decision in Knight Frank's favour, finding that the offer it produced was the effective cause of the sale and that commission was payable.
Label: Property broker commission and effective cause. These are selected matters, not a prediction of the outcome of any future case. Advice and results depend on the facts, evidence and applicable law.
Sector Five Trading 46 (Pty) Ltd v Villa Nosa Homeowners Association
South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg · 16 October 2012
[2012] ZAGPJHC 192
HRA acted for the homeowners association in an appeal arising from four default judgments. The appeal was dismissed with costs, with additional costs awarded to the association in relation to procedural applications.
Label: Homeowners association litigation. These are selected matters, not a prediction of the outcome of any future case. Advice and results depend on the facts, evidence and applicable law.
Shorkend N.O. and Others v Setton N.O. and Others
Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg · Reasons 8 September 2025
[2025] ZAGPJHC 912; Leave to Appeal [2026] ZAGPJHC 153
HRA acted for the successful applicants in deceased-estate litigation. The court ordered an executor's removal, the appointment of an independent senior legal practitioner and the return of specified estate assets. A subsequent application for leave to appeal was refused in February 2026.
Label: Executor removal and estate administration. These are selected matters, not a prediction of the outcome of any future case. Advice and results depend on the facts, evidence and applicable law.
Selected client reviews and recommendations
Selected feedback shared about HRA. Excerpts are labelled. Every matter is different.
“Hugh was extremely caring, sensitive and professional in the way he dealt with my matter.”
Adam Davis
Google review · 5 out of 5
“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
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