Fiona Leppan

Director

Fiona Leppan is a Director in our Employment Law practice. She has extensive experience in the field of employee relations both from a litigation perspective and in terms of strategic planning. Training and development in this field has been a focal point. Fiona has actively trained clients on how to deal with internal disputes and to conduct enquiries and arbitrations. Fiona previously served as Joint Head of the Mining & Minerals sector. She has also established entire dispute resolution processes for a number of mining houses where disputes were dealt with by way of private conciliation and arbitration. Fiona works in various industries including mining, metals, engineering, retail, broadcasting, financial services and the commercial distributive trade. She has also been involved in occupational health and safety work.

Fiona's sector specialities include Employment litigation, individual labour law, collective bargaining law and strategic planning and Occupational Health & Safety in Mining & Minerals.

Fiona Leppan

About Fiona

About Fiona

Fiona began her career as registrar to Mr Justice Margo in the then Supreme Court. In 1983 Fiona joined Webber Wentzel as a Candidate Attorney where she was later promoted to Partner. She subsequently joined Deneys Reitz as a Partner. In 1998, she left Deneys Reitz to establish the law firm Leppan Beech Attorneys. In 2007 Fiona joined Cliffe Dekker (now Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr) as a Director.

Credentials

Credentials

Education

  • BA LLB, University of Witwatersrand
  • LLM (with distinction), University of the Witwatersrand
  • HDip (Advanced Company Law), University of the Witwatersrand
  • Certificate course (Mining and Prospecting Law) with distinction, Mandela School of Law, University of Witwatersrand
  • Year of admission as an attorney: 1986
  • Registered with the Legal Practice Council

Memberships

  • Member of the SAEFA Industrial Relations Forum in the Metals' Industry
  • SASLAW

Languages

Languages

  • English

About Fiona

Fiona began her career as registrar to Mr Justice Margo in the then Supreme Court. In 1983 Fiona joined Webber Wentzel as a Candidate Attorney where she was later promoted to Partner. She subsequently joined Deneys Reitz as a Partner. In 1998, she left Deneys Reitz to establish the law firm Leppan Beech Attorneys. In 2007 Fiona joined Cliffe Dekker (now Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr) as a Director.

Credentials

Education

  • BA LLB, University of Witwatersrand
  • LLM (with distinction), University of the Witwatersrand
  • HDip (Advanced Company Law), University of the Witwatersrand
  • Certificate course (Mining and Prospecting Law) with distinction, Mandela School of Law, University of Witwatersrand
  • Year of admission as an attorney: 1986
  • Registered with the Legal Practice Council

Memberships

  • Member of the SAEFA Industrial Relations Forum in the Metals' Industry
  • SASLAW

Languages

  • English

News

Mental illness as a compensatable disease under COIDA: Key lessons from Urquhart v Compensation Commissioner
Employment Law

Mental illness as a compensatable disease under COIDA: Key lessons from Urquhart v Compensation Commissioner

In Urquhart v Compensation Commissioner 27 ILJ 96 (E), the High Court addressed whether post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) qualifies as a compensatable illness under section 91...

Mental health and workplace safety: Evolving employer responsibilities under occupational health and safety
Employment Law

Mental health and workplace safety: Evolving employer responsibilities under occupational health and safety

Mental health is increasingly recognised as integral to workplace safety. While physical health has traditionally been a focal point for health and safety practitioners, key legislation...

Guidance Note for the Management of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in the South African Mining Industry

Guidance Note for the Management of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in the South African Mining Industry

On 11 October 2024, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) released the Guidance Note for the Management of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) in the South African...

Guidelines released by the Department of Employment and Labour: What every employer and worker should know about workplace safety
Employment Law

Guidelines released by the Department of Employment and Labour: What every employer and worker should know about workplace safety

On 3 October 2024, the Department of Employment and Labour published a critical guide titled: What every worker and employer should know about health and safety in the workplace ....

Strict liability and employers’ approach to the Occupational Health and Safety Act: Lessons from Joubert v Buscor Proprietary Limited
Employment Law

Strict liability and employers’ approach to the Occupational Health and Safety Act: Lessons from Joubert v Buscor Proprietary Limited

In Joubert v Buscor Joubert v Buscor Proprietary Limited (2013/13116) ZAGPPHC 1024, the application of strict liability under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 (OHSA)...

Market recognition

  • Chambers Global 2018–2024 ranked Fiona Leppan in Band 2 for employment.
  • The Legal 500 EMEA 2022–2024 recommend Fiona for mining.
  • The Legal 500 EMEA 2019–2024 recommended her as a leading individual for employment, and recommended her from 2012–2018.

Market recognition

  • Chambers Global 2018–2024 ranked Fiona Leppan in Band 2 for employment.
  • The Legal 500 EMEA 2022–2024 recommend Fiona for mining.
  • The Legal 500 EMEA 2019–2024 recommended her as a leading individual for employment, and recommended her from 2012–2018.