Vanessa is an Associate in the Construction team. She began her legal career at NSDV Law where she discovered her passion for construction law, alternative dispute resolution and litigation. She has a particular interest in drafting, reviewing and negotiating construction contracts such the NEC and FIDIC suite of standard form construction contracts, as well as bespoke contracts for various infrastructure and renewable energy projects.

Vanessa adopts a practical approach to contract drafting to ensure that the risks and responsibilities associated with high-value, high-risk construction projects are adequately distributed between the parties to ensure successful project completion. She is also experienced in construction disputes, particularly adjudications and High Court litigation.

Prior to pursuing a career in law, Vanessa worked in asset finance where she gained extensive experience in contract drafting, debtor management and legal recoveries. She obtained her LLB cum laude from UNISA in 2022.

Vanessa’s experience includes:

• Drafting a series of bespoke subcontracts for a global renewable energy company for a 100MW solar PV project in South Africa;

• Drafting a series of bespoke subcontracts for a South African alternative renewable energy company;

• Drafting a 1999 FIDIC Silver Book EPC/Turnkey contract for the construction of a road in Botswana;

• Drafting a 2021 FIDIC Green Book construction contract for the construction of a sediment retention pond in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa;

• Successfully referring and defending adjudication proceedings in a dispute between the parties regarding alleged design defects stemming from a NEC3 professional services contract;

• Instituting action proceedings in the High Court for the client, a subcontractor, for recovery of monies owed to it by the main contractor in excess of R25 million; and

• Adjudication proceedings in a quantum dispute following termination of a NEC4 ECSC contract between the parties.