Hugo Pienaar
Professor Hugo Pienaar is a Director in our Employment Law practice and Head of the Infrastructure, Transport & Logistics sector. He has vast experience in employment law and litigation and dispute resolution matters and represents most of the major corporations in South Africa. Hugo publishes on a regular basis on various employment law topics and has done a number of television and radio interviews.

About Hugo
About Hugo
Hugo Pienaar acted as a judge in the Labour Court, lectures part time in employment law subject to post-graduates at various tertiary institutions, the Da Vinci Institute, and similarly, for the Law Society of South Africa. He has contributed to textbooks and served on the government task team established to compile labour legislation for the State. Hugo has lead a study group to Malaysia and Australia to research the application of affirmative action. He has also advised on and helped to develop a labour framework for a major institution in the United Arab Emirates. In addition, Hugo has advised on labour framework for a Japanese based motor manufacturing company and visited the Jakarta, Bangkok and other international plants for such purpose.
Credentials
Credentials
Education
- BJuris Cum Laude, LLB, North West University
- Extraordinary Professor, North West University, Visiting Professor, University of the Free State
- Admission as an attorney: 1983
- Enrolled with the Legal Practice Council
Membership
- The South African Society for Labour Law (SASLAW)
- A member of the Board of the Road Freight Association
About Hugo
Hugo Pienaar acted as a judge in the Labour Court, lectures part time in employment law subject to post-graduates at various tertiary institutions, the Da Vinci Institute, and similarly, for the Law Society of South Africa. He has contributed to textbooks and served on the government task team established to compile labour legislation for the State. Hugo has lead a study group to Malaysia and Australia to research the application of affirmative action. He has also advised on and helped to develop a labour framework for a major institution in the United Arab Emirates. In addition, Hugo has advised on labour framework for a Japanese based motor manufacturing company and visited the Jakarta, Bangkok and other international plants for such purpose.
Credentials
Education
- BJuris Cum Laude, LLB, North West University
- Extraordinary Professor, North West University, Visiting Professor, University of the Free State
- Admission as an attorney: 1983
- Enrolled with the Legal Practice Council
Membership
- The South African Society for Labour Law (SASLAW)
- A member of the Board of the Road Freight Association
Experience
Legal principles in labour law
Establishing new legal principles in labour law with regard to strikes and enforcing of restraint applications.
Mergers and acquisitions
Advising on mergers and acquisitions as well as restructuring of companies.
bargaining and facilitating
Collective bargaining and facilitating negotiations.
Employment
Employment equity, equal pay and discrimination disputes.
Affirmative action
Implementation of affirmative action programmes.
Mediating disputes
Facilitating and mediating disputes.
Strike related actions
Handling and interdicting of strikes and strike related actions.
Labour court, labour appeal court and CCMA appearances.
Retrenchments
Managing retrenchments and redundancies.
Employment related matters
Strategising on all employment related matters.
News

Are the establishment of picketing rules a requirement for lawful strike action
On 21 April 2023, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) published amended Rules for the Conduct of Proceedings Before the CCMA (Rules). One of these amended...

Scab labour - Yes or no?
On 18 April 2023, the Constitutional Court (CC) handed down a unanimous judgment in National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa v Trenstar (Pty) Ltd (CCT 105/22) ZACC 11 (Trenstar)...

A change to working hours in South Africa: The Department of Employment and Labour weighs in
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many were shocked at discussions around the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the digitization of work, and the creation of ‘gig’ platforms, citing these...

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.

The economic outlook for 2023 and Employment Law: What to expect?
The growth of the global economy is projected to decline in 2023 affecting emerging markets and developing economies negatively.

Productivity in the workplace during major sporting events.
Employment Law Director, Hugo Pienaar joined Newzroom Africa to discuss productivity in the workplace during major sporting events.

The possibility of compulsory COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace
Hugo Pienaar, Director in our Employment Law practice joined eNCA to discuss the NEDLAC agreement and the possibility of compulsory COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace. He explains...

Vaccinations policy in the workplace
Hugo Pienaar, Director in the Employment Law practice featured on an eNCA interview discussing the vaccinations policy in the workplace and the ten legal principles that should be...

COSATU Nationwide Strike
Hugo Pienaar, Director in the Employment Law practice joined CNBC Africa to discuss the federation union's strike on 7 October 2020. He unpacks the legislative framework and the impact...

COVID-19 and safety in the workplace
Hugo Pienaar, Director in our Employment practice joined eNCA to discuss COVID-19 and safety in the workplace.

Preparing for the Department
Prof Hugo Pienaar and Leila Moosa discuss employment policy and procedure requirements that employers should have front of mind when considering how the employment equity amendments...

An effort to fast-track transformation – The proposed Amendments to the Employment Equity Act and their implications on industry
In this episode of CDH Conversations, Professor Hugo Pienaar and Abigail Butcher discuss the Employment Equity Amendment Bill, which is likely to be promulgated in late 2023, and the...

Tattoos in the workplace
Are your employees tattoos visible when they wear a suit and tie? And is it even relevant if they are? Hugo Pienaar, Director in our Employment Law practice discussed the topic with...

Work from home becoming a legal right
On the other side of the sea, the Dutch parliament has approved to make work-from-home a legal right. Hugo Pienaar, Director in our Employment Law practice, discusses the likeness...

New rules say COVID-19 vaccines can be made mandatory in South Africa
Hugo Pienaar joined Radio Sonder Grense to discuss the new rules that say COVID-19 vaccines can be made mandatory in South Africa in the workplace.
Market recognition
- Chambers Global 2014-2023 ranked Hugo in Band 2 in Employment.
- The Legal 500 EMEA series 2014-2023 recommended Hugo for employment.
- He was the exclusive South African winner of the ILO Client Choice Awards 2017 and 2019 in the employment and benefits category.

Market recognition
- Chambers Global 2014-2023 ranked Hugo in Band 2 in Employment.
- The Legal 500 EMEA series 2014-2023 recommended Hugo for employment.
- He was the exclusive South African winner of the ILO Client Choice Awards 2017 and 2019 in the employment and benefits category.
Expertise

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

Agriculture, Aquaculture & Fishing
We use our expertise across our disciplines to support our clients' growth and sustainability in the agriculture, aquaculture, and fishing sectors.