Full Profile
Athol's primary area of interest for the last two decades has been in the field of medical negligence. In this capacity he has represented hundreds of medical and related practitioners in relation to all aspects of professional practice, including claims, disciplinary proceedings, inquests and professional conduct matters.
Athol also has considerable general litigation and advisory experience across most sectors. This is particularly so in relation to the oil and petroleum industry. In recent years Athol has also provided litigation advice to clients engaged in the growing sustainable energy generation sector in South Africa. In addition to this Athol has acted in disputes arising in the tourism sector, between hotel operators and owners and leisure activity operators and their customers. Athol has also represented contractors and employers in construction industry disputes.
Aside from his general corporate and commercial litigation practice, Athol has litigated and provided advice in the area of sports and entertainment law to top international and local acts and sports stars, authors, film producers and musicians.
Athol obtained a BA LLB from the University of Cape Town and was admitted as an Attorney of the Supreme Court of South Africa (now the High Court) in 1995. He is also a member of the Western Cape Steering Committee of AFSA.
Experience
Athol's experience includes:
- Acting for an international mutual indemnity association in defending one of the longest running medical negligence claims in South Africa.
- Advising an international mutual indemnity association in relation to the joinder of a litigation funder to proceedings as a party at risk for an adverse costs award.
- Advising an international oil company in relation to the contractual methodology employed in the calculation of the sale price of certain product flowing from the refinery of oil into fuel, thus avoiding litigation.
- Advising the authors and publisher of "Oscar: An accident waiting to happen". This work was on the shelves the day after Oscar Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide.
- Advising the producers and directors of the documentary "Blood Lions".
- Representing a chain of international fast food restaurants in relation to all its public liability and related insurance claims.
- Acting in various litigation matters flowing from the implementation of the first EPC contract in De Aar in Bid Round 1.
- Previously acted for the sole South African Importer of a well-known brand of desirable Italian motor vehicles in relation to all aspects of its business.
- Regularly engaged by various clients to act for them in relation to all aspects of commercial litigation.
- Engaged by the V & A Waterfront in successfully resisting an attempt to interdict its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
- Previously and currently engaged in litigation on behalf of a chain of international fast food restaurants to clarify the extent of protection provided by commonly-employed disclaimer signs in South Africa.
