Walking the Journey of Property Law: An Interview with Belinda Lewis of STBB
At the heart of every property transaction is more than paperwork — it’s people, life changes, and milestones. Few understand this better than Belinda Lewis, solicitor, conveyancer, notary public, and director at STBB Attorneys. With nearly 30 years at the firm, Belinda has built her career around guiding buyers and sellers through one of the most significant financial and emotional decisions of their lives.
🎥 Watch the full interview with Belinda Lewis on YouTube → https://youtu.be/PONXFPIY7-E
A Career in Property Law
Belinda began her journey in January 1997 as a young law graduate, joining what was then known as Buchanan Boyes, Thompson & Smithers. The firm was already well established in property law, and she quickly found her place in the conveyancing department — an area of practice she has never left.
“I was like a sponge learning from the conveyancers who were my principals,” Belinda recalls. “Conveyancing is a start-to-finish transaction with clear milestones, and I loved the structure as much as I loved working with people from every background.”
By the age of 29, Belinda was appointed a director — one of her proudest achievements. Today, she remains passionate about mentoring the next generation of candidate attorneys and ensuring her team delivers excellence for clients.
Property and People
For Belinda, conveyancing is more than contracts. It’s about understanding the people involved:
- First-time buyers taking their first step on the property ladder
- Elderly couples transitioning to retirement living
- Families upscaling or downscaling
- Investors and speculators navigating the market
Each transaction is unique, but all require clear communication, fairness, and prevention of disputes.
“Prevention is better than cure. My role is to ensure that both parties meet their obligations so that buyers and sellers don’t end up in conflict,” she explains.
Legal Insights Every Buyer and Seller Should Know
Despite advances in technology, some fundamentals of South African property law remain unchanged. A key example is the Alienation of Land Act of 1981. As Belinda notes:
- An agreement of sale cannot be signed electronically. It still requires a handwritten, wet-ink signature — even in 2025.
This is a crucial detail for anyone entering into a property transaction, underscoring the importance of professional legal guidance.
Women in Law: Progress at STBB
As the legal industry evolves, so too has STBB. From just one female director in 1997, the firm now proudly counts:
- 45% female directors
- 60% female attorneys (out of 121 in total)
Belinda highlights this as a significant and positive shift, showing how the profession continues to embrace inclusivity and equity.
Looking Ahead
STBB recently celebrated its 125th anniversary, a milestone that gave Belinda a moment to reflect on the firm’s journey and future. With technology — including artificial intelligence — shaping the profession, she remains confident that the core values of communication, fairness, and teamwork will continue to underpin successful conveyancing.
“For me, it’s about property, people, and the puzzle pieces that have to fit together under pressure. It’s still something I’m deeply passionate about, nearly three decades on.”
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, seasoned investor, or preparing to sell your family home, conveyancing is about more than transferring ownership. It’s about walking a journey — one that Belinda Lewis and her team at STBB continue to navigate with skill, fairness, and care.
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