Sidebar is led by two founders with a rare blend of expertise. One is a registered Professional Civil Engineer with a decade of project experience, an international master’s degree in construction law, and seven years spent as in‑house counsel to a multi‑disciplinary engineering group. The other brings four decades in the legal profession – including years in practice as an attorney and advocate – together with 18 years specialising in the commercial and contractual side of the engineering and construction industry.

Both have worked as in‑house legal counsel for international, multi‑disciplinary engineering companies, giving Sidebar extensive international experience alongside deep knowledge of the South African construction sector. Our background spans public procurement matters; as well as construct-only, design‑build, EPC and public‑private partnership projects – so our advice is practical and informed by global best practice.

Our slogan, “Unrelenting Advocacy,” reflects how we work: tirelessly, and firmly on your side. We collaborate closely with your team, managing your contracts and claims with precision and care.  Our advice is authentic, practical, and free of unnecessary jargon. We embrace artificial intelligence (AI) to boost our productivity, but never to source advice or shortcut our research – every recommendation rests on our own expertise and careful analysis.