The firm was started in Empangeni by Dudley Haines in 1956. The current senior partner Christopher James joined him in 1974 and took over the practice in 1977 when Dudley Haines retired. In 1978 Chris linked up with Heander De Ridder and Gerald Truter, two young practitioners formerly working for Frans Slabbert in both Empangeni and Richards Bay. Since 1978 the practice has operated under the name Truter James De Ridder in both Richards Bay and Empangeni.
The current partners are Chris James and Clive Kelly, who has deep roots in Zululand.
The practice has always enjoyed considerable support from both private and institutional clients and has over the years acted for the local municipalities, commercial clients and the farming community. The firm has always strived to be leaders in the legal field in Zululand and have kept abreast of changes in both national and local legislation of significance to clients.
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