Sidebar is led by professionals with a unique blend of expertise. One of our founders is a registered professional civil engineer with ten years of project experience, an international master’s degree in construction law, and seven years as an in‑house counsel. The other brings over 40 years of experience, including practice as an attorney and advocate of the High Court of South Africa, together with 18 years as an in‑house lawyer in the construction industry.
Together, we have served as in‑house counsels for international multi‑disciplinary engineering companies, giving us extensive international experience alongside deep knowledge of the South African construction sector. Our background includes design‑build, EPC, and public‑private partnership projects, enabling us to provide advice that is practical and informed by global best practice.
Our slogan, “Unrelenting Advocacy,” reflects our dedication to tirelessly advocating for our clients. We collaborate closely with you, ensuring that your contracts and claims are managed with precision and care. Our advice is authentic, practical, and free from unnecessary jargon. We do not rely on AI‑generated research — we provide real, informed counsel.
Contract Drafting
We draft contracts that are clear, enforceable, and aligned with industry standards..
Contract Review and Negotiation
We review and negotiate consulting engineering and construction works contracts to protect your interests and ensure compliance with statutory and project requirements.
Claims Preparation
We assist in preparing claims that are accurate, well‑structured, and aligned with the requirements of your project‑specific contract.
Claims Defense
We support you in defending claims brought against your business, applying both legal and engineering expertise to safeguard your position.
Tender and RFP Review
We review tender Requests for Proposals and supporting contracts to help you identify risks and opportunities before you commit.
Training and Capacity Building
We strengthen teams with practical, jargon free training that goes beyond construction contracts.
Require a FIDIC Engineer?
We can provide a dedicated resource to fulfil the role of contract administrator for your project.