Aadil Patel
Aadil Patel is the Head of our Employment Law practice. A thought leader in his field, he is recognised for his in-depth expertise in employment law and has acted extensively for various employers in both the public and private sector.
Aadil has worked across multiple jurisdictions in Africa and globally. He has presented on a wide array of legal topics to different audiences and is featured regularly in published articles.
Recognised by both his peers and his clients for his proficiency in employment law, Aadil's track record includes having successfully advised and represented a number of state-owned enterprises as well as companies listed on the JSE and other employers.

About Aadil
About Aadil
Aadil joined Cliffe Dekker (now Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr) as a Director in 2006.
Credentials
Credentials
Education
- B Proc LLB LLM and H Dip (Company Law), University of the Witwatersrand
- Year of admission as an attorney: 1999
- Diploma in Pension Funds, University of the Witwatersrand (2012)
- Completed the DLA Piper Harvard Leadership Programme from the Harvard Business School in 2012
- Registered with the Legal Practice Council
Memberships
- The South African Society for Labour Law (SASLAW)
About Aadil
Aadil joined Cliffe Dekker (now Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr) as a Director in 2006.
Credentials
Education
- B Proc LLB LLM and H Dip (Company Law), University of the Witwatersrand
- Year of admission as an attorney: 1999
- Diploma in Pension Funds, University of the Witwatersrand (2012)
- Completed the DLA Piper Harvard Leadership Programme from the Harvard Business School in 2012
- Registered with the Legal Practice Council
Memberships
- The South African Society for Labour Law (SASLAW)
Experience
Independent chairperson in internal disciplinary proceedings
Aadil has extensive experience in acting as independent chairperson in internal disciplinary proceedings against junior and senior employees for clients in the various economic sectors where charges against the employee range from misconduct, incompatibility, poor performance and incapacity.
ArcelorMittal
Represented ArcelorMittal in a dispute involving s197 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) (relating to transfers of businesses) which was the first case interpreting the Constitutional Court case on the same section (which, in turn, was also a case in which our employment team represented one of the involved parties).
Herholdt v Nedbank Ltd (2012) 33 ILJ 1789 (LAC)
Appeared in the ground-breaking case of Herholdt v Nedbank Ltd (2012) 33 ILJ 1789 (LAC), for the successful party, in which the principles applicable to review applications were re-examined, and which case has since had great impact in the area of review applications.
Eskom
- Successfully represented Eskom at the Supreme Court of Appeal (as well as in the courts a quo), in a far-reaching essential services dispute [ESKOM Holdings Ltd v NUM 2012 (2) SA 197 (SCA)].
- Represented Eskom in Eskom v Marshall and Others [2003] 1 BLLR 12 (LC). This case dealt with the issue of what a benefit is.
- Representing Eskom Holdings SOC Limited and the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) at the essential services committee regarding the conclusion of minimum services agreement.
- Advised Eskom for a considerable period of time in respect of the Central Bargaining Forum
Restructuring
Assisted SAA, ArcelorMittal, Murray and Roberts Cementation with their restructuring.
Outsourcing transactions
Advised various clients on their outsourcing transactions and in developing optimal staffing models with regard to the recent amendments to various pieces of labour legislation.
Absa
Assisted Absa with its various outsourcing transactions.
SAP
Acted for SAP regarding the application of several HR and employee policies in use in SA and in other African countries. The project covered the following jurisdictions: Angola, Nigeria, Kenya, and Morocco.
Total
Acted for Total regarding the application of several HR and employee policies in SA and in other African countries. The project covered the following jurisdictions: Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana and Lesotho.
Coca-Cola
Advised Coca-Cola on 'localising' their HR policies and employment contracts in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Angola.
MacMillan
Advised MacMillan on 'localising' their HR policies and employment contracts in Botswana and Namibia.
Dell Computers
Advising and assisting Dell Computers (Pty) Ltd on internal disciplinary proceedings instituted against an employee in Nigeria on charges of misconduct including appointment of Nigerian correspondents and acting as liaison between client and correspondent.
Standard Bank of South Africa
Advising and assisting Standard Bank of South Africa Limited with issues around the commencement of business and the employment and remuneration of staff in Ivory Coast.
Total South Africa
Assisting and advising Total South Africa in its dealings with the Employment Equity Commission following charges instituted against it by the Commission including the appointment of a Namibia correspondent to assist client and acting as liaison and facilitator between client and correspondent.
News

Corporate Investigations and compliance with POPIA
The right to privacy must be upheld when corporate and workplace investigations are conducted.

Webinar - Employment impact: State of national disaster: Electricity
Employers need to consider the impact that loadshedding and increased disruptions in electricity supply may have on the workplace.

Order for Reinstatement: Can an employer be held in contempt for failing to effect back pay for reinstated employees?
In Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union obo the AMCU Members v T.W. Civils and Earthmoving (PTY) Ltd and Another (J 1066/2020) ZALCJHB 223(T.W. Civils) the Labour Court...

Webinar Recording | Essential Services Webinar
The CDH Employment Law practice hosted a webinar titled Industrial Conflict: Private Arbitrations and lessons from the essential services.

Do employers need to retrench fixed-term employees at the end of their contracts?
In Dumisani Yeko v Red Mining South Deep ( Pty ) Ltd (LC) JS633/18 , the employer dismissed the fixed-term employee following the termination of the tender rail contract awarded to...

Employment Equity Amendment Act updates
On 14 April 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Employment Equity Amendment Act 4 of 2022 into law.

Public health strike action
Aadil Patel, Practice Head in our Employment Law practice, spoke to SABC News regarding SA's healthcare services being disrupted due to the NEHAWU wage strike.

Aadil Patel discusses the four day week
Whilst a four-day work week is attractive, South Africa needs to move to a productivity-based work model, in order to achieve success; this according to Aadil Patel, Director and Practice...

Employees not taking leave during the lockdown
Aadil Patel, Director in our Employment practice joined eNews Channel African to discuss the challenge companies are faced with due to employees not taking leave during the lockdown

Rights of workers when it comes to the threat of the coronavirus
Aadil Patel, Director and National Head of the Employment practice joined eNCA to talk about the rights of workers when it comes to the threat of the coronavirus.

Part 1 - The Employment Equity Act
This is the first episode of a series of short podcasts where our Employment Law experts unpack the implications of the recent Employment Equity Amendments on employers. This episode...

Healthcare services disrupted as Nehawu wage strike
Aadil Patel, Head of our Employment Law Practice, speaks to 702 regarding SA's healthcare services disrupted due to Nehawu wage strike.

The next steps for employers, following the repeal of Regulations 16A, 16B and 16C
Aadil Patel, our Practice Head in the Employment Law Practice discussed the next steps for employers, following the repeal of Regulations 16A, 16B and 16C relating to the Surveillance...

Wearing of masks may be a thing of the past
With a steady decline in infection rates, hospitalisations and deaths related to COVID-19, the Minister of Health has recommended a reconsideration of the COVID-19 regulations pertaining...

Reflecting on 2021 and navigating 2022
Our Employment Law team hosted their first webinar where they reflected on 2021 and identified key themes for 2022.
Recognition
2023
Chambers Global
Chambers Global ranked Aadil in Band 2 for Employment from 2015 - 2023
2021-2022
Legal 500 EMEA
The Legal 500 EMEA ranked Aadil as a leading individual for employment. From 2012–2020 Aadil was recommended in labour and employment.
2017-2018
Who's Who Legal
Who's Who Legal: Labour & Employment 2018 named Aadil as a leading lawyer. Who's Who Legal 2017 recommends Aadil as a leading Management Labour and Employment practitioner. Who's Who Legal - International Who's Who of Management Labour and Employment 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015 identified him as being among the world’s leading Management Labour and Employment lawyers.

Chambers Global
Chambers Global ranked Aadil in Band 2 for Employment from 2015 - 2023
Legal 500 EMEA
The Legal 500 EMEA ranked Aadil as a leading individual for employment. From 2012–2020 Aadil was recommended in labour and employment.
Who's Who Legal
Who's Who Legal: Labour & Employment 2018 named Aadil as a leading lawyer. Who's Who Legal 2017 recommends Aadil as a leading Management Labour and Employment practitioner. Who's Who Legal - International Who's Who of Management Labour and Employment 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015 identified him as being among the world’s leading Management Labour and Employment lawyers.
Expertise

Employment Law
CDH offers support to clients engaging in the complex and constantly evolving people management space.

Corporate & White Collar Investigations
CDH’s Corporate & White Collar Investigations team can help clients navigate local and international corporate risk management requirements.

Pensions & Employee Benefits
Our Pensions & Employee Benefits team works with skilled lawyers from across the firm to provide expert advice and solutions.

Government and State-Owned Entities
We provide a comprehensive service that can be applied to all aspects of public law.

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
Our multidisciplinary team develops creative strategies and integrated solutions for this important healthcare sector.

Industrials, Manufacturing & Trade
We provide a multidisciplinary approach to legal and commercial matters across Africa.

Mining & Minerals
We help our clients navigate legal and administrative complexities in this key economic sector.

Public Law
We have experience across key areas of public law and understand the relevant legal and policy frameworks.

Technology & Communications
Our team offers advice on a wide range of functions and sector-related issues.