About
The Namibian Bar Association (NBA) is a voluntary, non-profit organisation established to provide a professional home for advocates in Namibia. We are dedicated to advancing the practice of law, fostering the exchange of legal knowledge, and contributing positively to the administration of justice across the country.
Membership is open to admitted legal practitioners who practise—or intend to practise—exclusively as advocates for their own account, and who are exempt from holding a Fidelity Fund Certificate. To uphold the highest standards of the profession, the NBA oversees comprehensive pupillage and ongoing professional development programs.
Depending on their background, applicants may be required to complete practical training, gain relevant experience, or pass an examination, subject to exemptions granted by the Association. Within the NBA, members operate independently; while they may share practice-related expenses and infrastructure with colleagues, the sharing of professional fees is strictly prohibited.
As a growing institution, the NBA actively strengthens cooperation and engagement with key stakeholders in the legal sector. Recognizing the evolving needs of the legal landscape, the Association has also established a dedicated arbitration facility to support efficient and effective alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
Driven by a commitment to professional excellence, collaboration, and innovative thinking, the NBA empowers its members to deliver independent, high-quality legal services that uphold the rule of law and serve the broader interests of Namibian society.
Constitution
The Constitution of the Namibian Bar Association (NBA) was drafted by founding member Herman Steyn and formally adopted alongside fellow founding members Marius Boonzaier and Apie Small.
As the foundation of the Association, the Constitution establishes its guiding principles and governance framework, upholding the highest standards of professionalism, independence, objectivity and legal expertise.
It reflects the values and principles enshrined in the Namibian Constitution and reinforces the NBA’s commitment to integrity and excellence in the legal profession.
Chambers
Windhoek Schanzen Chambers:
No 124, Corner of Schanzenweg & Robert Mugabe Avenue | Windhoek
Swakopmund Chambers:
No 301, Corner of Sam Nujoma Street & Otavi Avenue | Swakopmund
Members
Advocates and staff of the Namibian Bar Association.
Adv Marius Boonzaier
Esteemed legal practitioner and Chairman of the Namibian Bar Association. Admitted as an advocate in both South Africa and Namibia, he brings 20 years of professional experience to his practice, which focuses on complex litigation and alternative dispute resolution.
His specific areas of expertise encompass contractual and construction disputes, insurance law, delictual claims (such as medical negligence and motor vehicle accidents), private arbitrations, administrative law, and labour matters.
He holds an LLB from the University of Pretoria (2006) and commenced his practice at the Pretoria Bar in 2008. In 2012, he joined the Government Attorney's Office in Windhoek, broadening his practice to encompass high-level public sector litigation and advisory work.
In 2018, he returned to independent practice at the Bar in Namibia. With a career defined by his dual background in private practice and government representation, he brings comprehensive strategic insight to legal matters across the Namibian jurisdiction.
Adv Herman Steyn SC
Advocate, mediator, and arbitrator based at the Namibian Bar Association’s Swakopmund Chambers.
Practising across both South Africa and Namibia, he brings over four decades of distinguished legal experience to his practice, which centres on complex litigation, commercial disputes, and alternative dispute resolution.
His specific areas of expertise encompass commercial law, property law, procurement law, construction and engineering law, insolvency law, and private arbitrations and mediations.
He holds a BCom (Law) and an LLB from the Rand Afrikaans University, as well as an LLM in Banking and Stock Exchange Law from the University of Johannesburg. Having grown up and attended school in Keetmanshoop, he completed his tertiary education in Johannesburg and commenced his career by practising as an attorney for four years before joining the Johannesburg Bar in 1984.
In 2014, he expanded his practice to the Bar in Namibia. With a career defined by decades of cross-border advocacy, arbitration, and mediation, he brings deep strategic insight and seasoned dispute resolution expertise across both South African and Namibian jurisdictions.
Adv Abraham Small
A senior junior advocate with close to two decades of practice in the Namibian legal landscape. Admitted as a legal practitioner in 2007 and called to the Bar in 2010, he is a founding member of the Namibian Bar Association and maintains a broad, high-volume civil and commercial practice.
He regularly acts for institutional clients, corporations, statutory bodies, and private litigants. His trial and appellate experience spans appearances in the High Court and Supreme Court of Namibia, alongside domestic arbitrations and mediation proceedings.
His commercial focus encompasses complex breach of contract disputes, corporate governance, banking and financial regulation, insurance claims, and insolvency proceedings. In the infrastructure and development sectors, he advises employers, contractors, and developers on building, construction, and property litigation.
Beyond commercial matters, he has extensive experience in administrative review applications, delictual litigation, unjustified enrichment claims, criminal defense, and private client affairs, including high-net-worth family disputes, estates, and trusts.
Adv Willem Grobbelaar
Admitted as a legal practitioner of the High Court of Namibia on 8 December 2023, he spent his first year in legal practice working closely with members of the Namibian Bar Association (NBA). This experience led him to answer the call to the Bar and commence formal advocacy and pupillage training.
Notably, he holds the distinction of being the first pupil to undertake pupillage training with the Namibian Bar Association. Now a full member of the NBA, he maintains a broad general practice, accepting briefs across all areas of law in both trial and appellate advocacy.
Elize Viljoen (Staff | Non-Member)
Dedicated Administrator for the Namibian Bar Association (NBA). She manages all day-to-day administrative operations and ensures the smooth functioning of the Association.
As the primary point of contact for the NBA, all general communication, administrative requests, and queries should be addressed directly to her.