97 Financial Law jobs in South Africa
Legal Advisor
Posted today
Job Viewed
Job Description
Recruiter:
Profession Hub
Job Ref:
Date posted:
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Location:
Cape Town, South Africa
SUMMARY:
POSITION INFO:
Our client is searching for a Legal Advisor / Commercial Lawyer to join their team in Cape Town
Responsibilities:
We are looking for a person who will be able to fulfil the following requirements:
- Managing the implementation and deal administration functions with regard to the advancing of the funds of approved investments, changes of conditions of approved transactions and the responsibility of all security files for the West Coast Region.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate should have:
- A legal degree and admission as an attorney
Requirements:
The ideal candidate should have:
- 2 – 3 years' post-articles experience in a law firm or as an in-house corporate counsel
- Demonstrable and proven experience of supporting commercial transactions as legal counsel and drafting experience.
- Proven relevant post-qualification experience, predominantly supporting commercial transactions.
- Excellent organisational skills.
- The ability to work well with minimal or no supervision; on own initiative and meet deadlines.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- The ability to effectively manage working relationships with team members and internal and external clients.
Competencies:
- Deciding and initiating action
- Leading and supervising
- Adhering to principles and value people
- Writing and reporting
- Applying expertise and technology
Legal Advisor
Posted today
Job Viewed
Job Description
At Smollan, we're on an evolutionary journey where we're shifting our story. We're looking for truly unique people who believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. Where our people are cared for, happy, and inspired in building an extraordinary place to work.
Our organization is looking for a
Group Legal Advisor
to review commercial agreements, provide legal and business-focused advice, and identify legal risks. This role will support the Group General Counsel and/or Assistant General Counsel.
As a Group Legal Advisor, you will be responsible for:
- Statutory and Regulatory Administration:
Ensuring compliance with the Companies Act and CIPC, advising on corporate governance best practices, and staying up to date on changes in relevant laws. - Contract Drafting and Negotiation:
Drafting and amending commercial contracts, negotiating with clients and suppliers, and tracking and reporting on contractual issues to Exco. - Legal Advisory and Compliance:
Providing support on general legal issues, interpreting laws and regulations, and coordinating with external legal assistance. You will also engage with the Board, business executives, and regulatory bodies as needed.
What are we looking for?
To qualify for this role, you should have:
- An admitted attorney of the High Court with a Degree/NQF level 7.
- Approximately six years of overall experience in a top-tier law firm or multi-national corporation, with required experience in contract drafting and negotiation.
- Desirable experience includes financial services, corporate/company secretarial work, or mergers and acquisitions.
- Strong skills in critical thinking, commercial acumen, communication, and problem-solving.
Legal Advisor
Posted today
Job Viewed
Job Description
Role Summary
To provide sound legal support as part of the deal structuring team. To fulfil all statutory, reporting and legal advisory services in accordance with business requirements as well as provide legal solutions that minimize risk for transactions like franchise, contract finance, etc.
Output
• To provide prompt and sound legal advice and support to the organization in particular the Fund Management Division.
• Form part of the investment team and consult regularly with team on proposed structure and developments and legal implications thereof.
• Attend due diligence assessment relating to the
organization
's investments.
• Performing legal due diligence assessment on deals.
• Identify legal risks and recommend mitigation methods for the risks relating to the
organization
's investments.
• Provide legal input to submission papers prepared for Investment Committee (s).
• Drafting, vetting and negotiating a range of commercial agreements e.g. loan agreements, sale of shares, sale of business, security documents etc. in line with the
organization
's funding terms and conditions.
• Ensure agreements are legally accurate and in accordance with the term sheet and Investment Committee approval.
• Ensure agreements are in line with latest legal developments.
• Manage costs/budget for work carried out externally.
Experience / Skills Required
• At least 3 – 5 years job related corporate and commercial law and banking and finance principles.
• Working knowledge of various computer programmes including Power Point, MS Word, Excel and Outlook.
• In depth knowledge of laws and legal processes in respect of NEF core business (primarily relating to Corporate Finance, Structured Finance and Investment Banking).
• Working knowledge of other areas of law e.g. Tax, Companies Act, Insolvency, Labour Law.
• Experience in legal due diligence.
• Working knowledge of finance.
• Ability to work on your own and within a team.
• Ability to work on own initiative.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Highly effective communication skills – both written and verbal.
• Attention to detail.
• Articulate and detail conscious.
• Negotiation skills.
• Strong decision making and problem-solving skills.
• Legal drafting skills.
• Professional and courteous to all clients (internal and external).
• Accuracy in preparing legal documentation.
• Ability to advice on legal issues related to the organization business.
• Ability to convey legal opinion and argue legally.
Qualifications
• LLB – admitted attorney with at least 3 years post article experience.
Legal Advisor
Posted today
Job Viewed
Job Description
Requisition Details & Talent Acquisition Consultant
REQ Thembi Mtshali
Location: Johannesburg
Closing Date: 24 October 2025
Job Family
Risk, Audit and Compliance
Career Stream
Legal
Leadership Pipeline
Manage Self: Professional
Job Purpose
To provide legal advise to business unit to mitigate risk to Nedbank.
Job Responsibilities
• Manage the whole value chain of Nedbank's court processes.
• Assist to prepare all legal reports.
• Assist senior legal advisors with all litigation matters.
• Manage all litigation invoices.
• Ensure continued satisfaction of stakeholders by meeting turnaround times for requests and identifying and addressing issues or concerns through the provision of risk advice.
• Contribute to a culture conducive to the achievement of transformation goals by participating in Nedbank Culture building initiatives (e.g. staff surveys etc.).
• Legal Research
• Seek opportunities to improve business processes; models and systems by identifying and recommending effective ways to operate and adding value to Nedbank.
• Optimize the risk management performance of Nedbank Group by assisting business to identify; recommend (through reporting; insights and risk analytics) and execute risk management strategies within the Group's defined risk appetite.
• Provide risk advice to assist and enable business to achieve its risk objectives by developing; managing and executing policies; procedures; practices of a risk nature.
• Meet internal stakeholder requirements by providing governance, policy and advisory services.
• Report on the risk management process and litigation matters by generating and presenting risk reports.
• Provide advice by responding to ad hoc risk requests and queries.
• Improve personal capability and stay abreast of developments in field of expertise by identifying training courses and career progression for self through input and feedback from managers.
• Ensure personal growth and enable effectiveness in performance of roles and responsibilities by ensuring all learning activities are completed; experience practiced and certifications obtained and/or maintained within specified time frames.
• Enable skilling and required corrective action to take place by sharing knowledge and industry trends with team and stakeholders during formal and informal interaction. Obtain buy-in for developing new and/or enhanced processes (e.g. operational processes) that will improve the functioning of stakeholders' businesses by highlighting benefits in support of the implementation of recommendations.
Essential Qualification
- Relevant Law Degree
Minimum Experience Level
- 2 - 4 years post articles experience
Technical / Professional Knowledge
• Business principles
• Business writing
• Governance, Risk and Controls
• Nedbank culture and values
• Nedbank policies and procedures
• Nedbank vision and strategy
• Relevant regulatory knowledge
• Relevant software and systems knowledge
• Stakeholder management
• Management information and reporting principles, tools and mechanisms
Behavioural Competencies
- Communication
- Decision Making
- Managing Work
- Technical/Professional Knowledge and Skills
- Continuous Learning
- Innovation
Disclaimer
Preference Recruiting Team at will be given to candidates from the underrepresented groups
Please contact the Nedbank.
Legal Advisor
Posted today
Job Viewed
Job Description
Job Description
To provide leadership in the delivery of reliable, accurate, timely and well-informed advice on complex legal issues/matters and to identify and assess the potential legal implications for the Bank/Business Brand/business area.
The Legal Advisor provides in context specialist sound legal advice to the business on complex legal matters relating to business products and services and the execution of the activities related to this, with the intention of enabling strategic outcomes for the business area and the effective and efficient management of legal risk.
Hello future Legal Advisor
Welcome to FNB, the home of the #changeables. We design for the shapeshifters and deliver products and services that make us incredibly proud of people that make it happen.
As part of our Cash Investments Team, you will be surrounded by unique talents, diverse minds, and an adaptable environment that lives up to the promise of staying curious. Now's the time to imagine your potential in a team where experts come together and ignite effective change.
You will be an ideal candidate if you have:
- LLB Degree - Admitted Attorney
- 8-10 years' experience as a Legal Advisor
- Strong technical contract drafting and vetting skills essential
- Ability to deal with Senior stakeholders
- Ability to deal with complex matters essential
- Commercial background essential
- GDPL exposure essential
Are you someone who can:
- Provide timeous, professional advice and solutions in respect of legal matters to persons within. FNB, on request or initiated, resulting in business sustainability and risk mitigation
- Maintain a constantly updated 'library' of advice that has been requested and given in FNB, including updates relating to legislation.
- Establishment, alignment and management of target and budget goals whilst ensuring effective control of costs the function to increase cost efficiency.
- Draft, review / update and re-negotiate legal agreements, including Service Level Agreements and other legal documentation to adequately manage legal risks.
- Monitor relevance of legal documentation to ensure consistency across business, identify risks and within legal standards.
- Identify room for improvement or 'loopholes' in the current mandates space and provide general legal advice.
- Monitor, analyse and evaluate the impact and legal implications of developments in the financial services industry and related areas, including the activities of competitors, and pro-actively recommend effective courses of action so that either a stance may be adopted or potential threats may be averted by FNB.
- Identify report and mitigate legal risk at a product, process and/or channel level within the business unit
- Benchmark current practices against the FRB legal risk management framework and adjust practices as and when necessary
- Ensure legally compliant best business practices and policies in order to protect the organisation from legal action.
- Identify and communicate current and anticipated Legal issues/risks.
- Deal with litigation matters involving the business to manage legal risk and liaise with Ombudsman when necessary
- Proactively resolves disputes to avoid litigation and ombudsman referrals.
- Ensures optimal performance of both individuals and teams in order to achieve business objectives through effective development interventions.
- Manage own development to increase own competencies.
- Cultivate and manage objective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders including external attorneys, FirstRand Group Legal Services, FNB Legal Services, business and external stakeholders and industry bodies to ensure business is in the position to obtain expert opinion on specialist areas of law.
You will have access to:
- Opportunity to work in a leading financial services company.
- Challenging Working
- Opportunities to innovate
- Collaborative and inclusive work environment.
- Continuous learning and professional development opportunities
FNB
LI-LK1
Job Details
Take note that applications will not be accepted on the below date and onwards, kindly submit applications ahead of the closing date indicated below.
21/10/25
All appointments will be made in line with FirstRand Group's Employment Equity plan. The Bank supports the recruitment and advancement of individuals with disabilities. In order for us to fulfill this purpose, candidates can disclose their disability information on a voluntary basis. The Bank will keep this information confidential unless we are required by law to disclose this information to other parties.
Legal Advisor
Posted today
Job Viewed
Job Description
Lexdan Select is assisting a Financial Services company with their search for a Legal Advisor, based in Johannesburg.
The salary range on offer is between R550k - R700k p/a.
Responsibilities:
- Drafting of commercial contracts.
- Review and vet all legal agreements received from third parties, service providers, and clients.
- Provide advice and support on a variety of business transactions, including acquisitions, as well as commercial and legal structuring.
- Provide occasional support to the business on litigious matters.
Requirements:
- LLB and an Admitted Attorney.
- Minimum of 2 years' post-articles experience, either at a law firm or in-house, with a strong background in commercial drafting
Legal Advisor
Posted today
Job Viewed
Job Description
Are you a detail-oriented Legal Advisor with a passion for contracts, compliance, and supporting strategic business decisions?
We're looking for a skilled and proactive Legal Advisor to join our team and provide expert legal guidance across contract management, tenders, compliance, and policy development. This role plays a key part in protecting the organization's interests and ensuring we operate with integrity and within the law.
Contract Management
- Draft, review, and prepare a range of contracts including commercial agreements, service agreements, and vendor contracts.
- Conduct thorough vetting to ensure all contracts meet legal and commercial standards and align with organizational goals.
- Negotiate contract terms with internal and external stakeholders to achieve favorable outcomes while minimizing risk.
- Communicate effectively with relevant teams and partners to ensure smooth contract execution.
Tenders
- Review and assess tender documents to ensure compliance with legal and procedural requirements.
- Assist in preparing and compiling tender submissions, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
Risk & Compliance
- Identify and assess potential legal or commercial risks in contracts, tenders, and business activities.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards.
Policy Development
- Draft, update, and implement policies to support compliance, governance, and risk management across the business.
Business Partnership
- Apply strong commercial understanding to align legal strategies with business objectives.
- Develop a working knowledge of the organization's operations and industry to deliver practical and informed legal advice.
General Legal Support
- Provide clear, practical, and timely legal guidance to management and business units.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation of contracts, tenders, and compliance activities.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external legal advisors to achieve organizational goals.
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- Admission as an Attorney or Advocate.
- Minimum of 4 years' experience in a corporate legal advisory role, with exposure to contracts and compliance.
- Strong knowledge of contract law, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance.
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills.
- High attention to detail, with the ability to balance legal risk and commercial priorities.
Be The First To Know
About the latest Financial law Jobs in South Africa !
Legal Advisor
Posted today
Job Viewed
Job Description
Crescent Star (Pty) Ltd is a privately held property and investment company with a diverse portfolio that includes real estate and business interests. The company operates through a select team of highly qualified professionals who provide strategic advisory and management expertise to advance its objectives.
We are seeking an experienced Legal Advisor with a strong business mindset to provide both legal and strategic direction to the company. The successful candidate will work closely with the CEO and management team, guiding day-to-day legal matters while supporting broader business operations.
Duties & Responsibilities
- An Experienced Attorney, with extensive term served at Legal Offices, offering a wide variety of legal advice and skills, who would provide direction to the company on matters, on a day to day basis.
- Provide legal advice and counsel to the company, reporting directly to the CEO.
- Develop, implement, and maintain policies and procedures for internal operation, management, and organization.
- Advise the company on legal matters involving legal definition, regulations and legislation.
- Prepare legal documents, such as contracts and agreements.
- Execute necessary legal documents and records.
- Perform independent legal research, analysis, and report writing.
- Maintain constant communication with management, staff and vendors to ensure proper operations of the organization within the relevant legal and business framework
- Interpret legal implications, regulations and legislation.
- Assist in the protection of company assets.
- Ensure legal protection of organizational assets.
- Providing expert business advisory and directly engaging with service providers or companies in this regard.
- Document management and administration of all internal items.
Requirements:
- Minimum of 5 years post-candidacy legal experience.
- LLB / LLM / BCom Legal, MBA, Master's degree, or equivalent qualification required.
- Open to self-employed practitioners.
- Professional experience as an Attorney, Advocate, Legal Advisor, Corporate Lawyer, or Legal Counsel.
- Valid attorney's license or equivalent demonstrable experience.
- Extensive experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts and agreements.
- Excellent knowledge of regulatory and corporate law.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Self-motivated, with strong analytical and managerial abilities.
- Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
- Critical thinker with excellent problem-solving skills.
- Strong time management and multitasking abilities.
- Outstanding drafting and negotiation skills, particularly in contracts.
- Ability to work independently or collaboratively within a team.
- In-depth knowledge of Islamic Shariah Law (business and private contexts) is essential.
What We Offer:
- Fantastic working environment within a forward-looking business.
- Opportunity to work alongside a highly qualified and experienced team.
- Exposure to complex corporate and commercial contracts in both conventional and Shariah-compliant contexts.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: R20 000,00 - R50 000,00 per month
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Education:
- Bachelors (Required)
Experience:
- Post-candidacy legal: 5 years (Required)
Language:
- English (Required)
Work Location: In person
Legal Advisor
Posted today
Job Viewed
Job Description
Who are we?
Sanlam Fintech is a newly established digital first business within the Sanlam Group on a mission to democratize financial advice and solutions for everyone across the African continent. We exist to pioneer inclusive financial confidence helping people build strong foundations to bridge the gap in generational wealth. Our culture us that of agility and constant deployment, we believe in learning fast, learning cheap and learning forward. Our aim is to provide a work environment where knowledge workers can accelerate the development of their ideas and bring innovation to market, at the same time provide compelling career and development proposition that will enable them to realize their dreams.
What will you do?
Responsible for assisting in a variety of assigned legal projects. Acts as counsel on basic issues involving company compliance with governmental and regulatory standards. Reviews legal documentation and provides professional advice on appropriate action in a variety of legal matters, including criminal, labour and/or civil litigation. This service may include telephonic consulting in a call centre environment and might be required to be conducted in any of the relevant country's languages. Reviews legal documentation and provides advice on appropriate action. May coordinate legal matters requiring external legal assistance.
What will make you successful in this role?
The successful candidate will be responsible for the following:
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, ensuring alignment with business objectives and legal requirements.
- Manage a variety of moderately complex legal projects, providing practical solutions and strategic support.
- Conduct legal reviews of marketing materials and documentation to ensure compliance with applicable laws and internal policies.
- Examine legal documentation and recommend appropriate courses of action.
- Coordinate legal matters requiring the engagement of external legal counsel, managing these relationships to achieve effective outcomes.
- Undertake thorough legal research and prepare well-reasoned legal opinions.
- Monitor and disseminate regulatory updates relevant to the business, supporting proactive compliance.
- Serve as the liaison between Real Futures and internal or external stakeholders on legal matters, fostering constructive relationships.
- Ensure active participation in regulatory projects and task teams hosted by the Sanlam Group, representing the company's interests effectively at these forums.
- Provide timely assistance with ad hoc legal queries across the organisation.
- Oversee contract management processes, including drafting, tracking, and renewals.
- Maintain robust legal records, monitoring outcomes, documenting breaches, and tracking courses of action to ensure organisational accountability.
Qualification and Experience
Registered Attorney with 5 years related experience.
Knowledge & Skills
- In-depth understanding of the financial regulatory environment and its impact on the business, with a particular focus on South African legislation and compliance frameworks.
- Strong knowledge of the South African financial services industry, including its key role players, market dynamics, and evolving regulatory landscape.
- Solid grounding in contract law principles, with practical experience in applying these to draft, negotiate, and interpret a wide range of commercial agreements.
Core Competencies
- Self-starter and ability to work independently
- Creative problem solver and Pragmatic
- Analysis and Analytical ability
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Display ethics and a high degree of professionalism and integrity
Build a successful career with us
We're all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.
Turnaround time
The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.
Our commitment to transformation
The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa. The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.
Legal Advisor
Posted today
Job Viewed
Job Description
Legal Advisor
South Africa
Who We Are
We are the market leader in commercial real estate services and investments and provide an integrated suite of high-quality real estate services to our clients across Africa and the Middle East, including facilities management, advisory & transaction services, project management.
We support predominantly corporate clients who buy services on a contracted basis all across the Middle East and Africa - even globally, depending on their portfolio.
Why choose us
Imagine more than just the future of work; with CBRE Excellerate, you can create it. As part of our global powerhouse, you'll find a culture that fosters an entrepreneurial mindset, where your best work is not just encouraged but celebrated. Collaborate with talented individuals, harness the support of unparalleled resources, and enjoy the journey as you grow both personally and professionally.
About The Role
We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented
Legal Advisor
to manage all legal matters within our property portfolio. In this role, you will provide expert legal advisory services, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and safeguarding the interests of both the company and our clients.
What You Will Bring
- LLB degree.
- Admitted Attorney with a minimum of 7 years post-admission experience
- Experience in corporate/commercial law, preferably in landlord/tenant litigation
- Strong commercial legal drafting skills
- A minimum of 5 years' experience in a large corporate environment with broad generalist legal knowledge
- General business acumen
- Contract management and contract drafting
- Negotiation skills
- Litigation experience
Understanding of relevant legal frameworks, including:
Companies Act
- POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act)
- FICA (Financial Intelligence Centre Act)
- PPRA (Property Practitioner's Regulatory Authority)
- General property and commercial legislation
- Strong communication skills (written & verbal)
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving ability
- Client relationship management
- Productivity-driven with a strong work ethic
What You Will Be Doing
Legal Advisory & Compliance:
- Provide legal advice, guidance, and support to internal teams and clients
- Ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations in the property industry
- Assist in the development of policies and procedures to manage legal risks
Contract & Document Management
- Draft, review, and vet lease agreements, utility contracts, and commercial storage agreements
- Prepare and manage breach notices, letters of demand, and acknowledgment of debt agreements
- Oversee contract negotiations to protect the company's interests
Stakeholder & Risk Management
- Liaise with internal teams (Portfolio Executives, Leasing Managers, Finance Managers, and Administrators)
- Manage relationships with external stakeholders, including clients and a panel of Attorneys
- Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks affecting the business
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Provide support on landlord/tenant litigation and other property-related legal disputes
- Work with legal counsel to ensure effective resolution of legal matters
Reporting & Monitoring
- Track and report on legal risks, compliance, and contractual obligations
- Monitor industry regulations and legislative changes affecting the business
Insurance Reporting and case management:
- Notify insurer of events that may give rise to possible claims and of any claims instituted
- Liaise with business unit to obtain information and documentation requested from brokers in order to process notification or claim
- Receive feedback and updates from insurer regarding insurance claims and discuss with business unit
- Liaise with brokers to obtain advice regarding insurance clauses and the effect thereof contained in agreements
- Ensure that insurance clauses in agreements are in line with insurance cover
- Ensure that limitation of liability – and other clauses are not in conflict with policy wording and cover provided
Company Secretarial:
- Draft resolutions
- Statutory Documentation Compliance
Corporate Legal Advising/Assistance / Deals and Ad Hoc Legal Advice:
- Intercompany Deals – drafting/instructing attorneys and assist with execution and implementation of: Shareholders agreements
- MOI's
- Sale of business agreements
- Sale of shares agreements
- External Deals/Transactions – liaise and consult with external attorneys and management to assist with review, execution and implementation of:
- JV deals
- Partnerships
- BBBEE transactions
- Affiliation Agreements
- Section 197 agreements
- Any other deals / projects
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Review NDA's, LOI's, and draft agreements
- Liaise and consult with external attorneys and executives to assist with execution and implementation of deals
Ad Hoc Legal Advice
- Ad hoc requests on legal issues
- Identifying risk
- Provide ad hoc advice on legal agreements
- Preparation of advice based on research
- Drafting of legal view and way forward
- Resolving issues through correspondence, telephonic discussions, verbal advice, etc.
Other: Trademarks, Fraud and Compliance:
- Regular communication / feedback with Attorneys
- Monitor performance, based on instructions provided and output delivered
- Sign-off on Attorney invoices
- Keep updated Trademark Register
- Trademarks
Fraud and Compliance
Review / draft standard documents (i.e. policies / terms of reference) as and when required
This role offers an exciting opportunity for a skilled legal professional to make a meaningful impact within a dynamic and fast-paced property environment. If you have a keen eye for detail, strong commercial acumen, and a passion for navigating complex legal landscapes, we encourage you to apply. Join us and be part of a team that values expertise, collaboration, and innovative legal solutions.
CBRE Excellerate is committed to striving for diversity and equitable representation in our workforce. Preference may thus be given to suitably qualified candidates as identified in our employment equity plan. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.