Goussard Coetzee & Otto Inc.
Practical, trusted legal advice for individuals and businesses in the Helderberg. Litigation in the High Court and Magistrate’s Court, commercial work, family law, estates and more.
A local firm with a broad practice.
GCO Attorneys provides legal services to residents and businesses in Somerset West, Stellenbosch, Strand and the surrounding areas, as well as to clients in Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs.
Our work covers civil and commercial litigation, criminal matters, family law, labour law, evictions and rental disputes, wills and estates, and drafting contracts for sale and lease, both residential and commercial.
Our mission
To be a preferred provider of legal services in the Helderberg, especially in civil litigation, commercial law, conveyancing and family law.
Our vision
To treat clients and colleagues with integrity, dignity and respect in every mandate, while upholding the Constitution, the laws of South Africa and the courts and their processes.
How we can help
Advice and representation for individuals and businesses, in and out of court, across the Western Cape.
Litigation & arbitration
Our attorneys are well established and practise in both the higher and lower courts throughout the Western Cape. Our clients include companies and individuals in all fields.
Labour law
We guide employers and employees through retrenchment procedures, chair disciplinary hearings, assist with unfair dismissal disputes and draft employment contracts.
Commercial
We assist with all aspects of commercial law: drafting lease and sale agreements, transferring immovable property, applying for liquor licences and resolving building disputes.
Collections & evictions
We recover arrear rental, sectional title levies and other amounts owed under an agreement, and attend to the eviction of commercial and residential tenants.
Wills & estates
Our wills and estates department drafts wills and codicils and handles the administration of deceased estates from start to finish.
Family law
We draft antenuptial contracts and attend to divorces, maintenance claims and domestic violence matters with care and discretion.
Criminal law
Contact us for representation in criminal matters, including drunk-driving cases and other charges in the Magistrate’s and Regional Courts.
Correspondent work
Our offices are close to the Somerset West and Strand Magistrate’s Courts and the Somerset West Regional Court, which makes us ideally placed to act as correspondent attorneys.
A clear process, from first call to final outcome
We listen
You meet with a director, explain your situation and share your documents.
We explain your options
You get clear, practical advice on your rights, the possible routes and what to expect.
We act for you
We draft, negotiate, litigate or settle, and keep you informed at every step.
We see it through
We follow your matter through to the end, with diligence and integrity.
Meet the team
You work directly with an experienced director, from the first consultation to the final outcome.
Wehan Goussard
Wehan graduated from Stellenbosch University with B.Comm (Law) and LLB degrees in 2005 and 2007, and was admitted as an attorney on 16 April 2010. He specialises in High Court and Magistrate’s Court litigation of both a civil and criminal nature, as well as commercial matters.
Iaan Coetzee
Iaan graduated from the University of the Free State in 2003 with a BA in Media Studies, and then completed his LLB through Unisa. He was admitted as an attorney on 13 July 2013. He heads the commercial department (conveyancing and estates) and also handles civil litigation.
Gerhard Otto
Gerhard graduated from Stellenbosch University with B.Comm (Law) and LLB degrees in 2005 and 2007, and was admitted as an attorney on 16 April 2010. He practises in litigation, commercial, contract and family law, and debt collection, in both the High Court and Magistrate’s Court.
Frequently asked questions
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Call us on 021 035 0317 and we’ll gladly help.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes, we recommend booking an appointment before visiting so that an attorney can set aside dedicated time for your matter. Call 021 035 0317 or send us a message below.
Which areas do you serve?
We are based in Somerset West and act for clients in Somerset West, Strand, Stellenbosch and the wider Helderberg, as well as Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs.
In which courts do you appear?
Our attorneys litigate in both the High Court and the Magistrate’s Courts throughout the Western Cape, in civil, commercial and criminal matters.
Can you act as our correspondent attorneys?
Yes. Our offices are close to the Somerset West and Strand Magistrate’s Courts and the Somerset West Regional Court, so we regularly act as correspondents for other firms.
What should I bring to my first consultation?
Bring your ID and any documents related to your matter, such as contracts, letters, court papers, emails or messages. A short timeline of what happened is also very helpful.
Visit or call the office
Unit 14B, First Floor, Fairview Centre
Caledon Street, Somerset West, 7130
Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00
Closed on weekends and public holidays
Send us a message
Tell us briefly about your matter and we’ll get back to you.