Joe Whittle
Joe Whittle is a Director in our Dispute Resolution practice and a member of our Construction and Engineering sector. Joe specialises in construction dispute resolution including mediation, adjudication, arbitration and litigation, and has experience in FIDIC, NEC 3, JBCC Series 2000, GCC and other forms of construction and engineering contracts, both in representing parties to disputes involving such contracts and in the negotiation of the terms thereof. Joe also has a wide range of experience in general commercial litigation, litigation pertaining to medical aid schemes and insolvencies.

Credentials
Credentials
Education
- BCom LLB, University of KwaZulu-Natal
- Year of admission as an attorney: 1985
Credentials
Education
- BCom LLB, University of KwaZulu-Natal
- Year of admission as an attorney: 1985
Experience
Representing a party to a joint venture involved in an EPCM services contract relating to the construction of a uranium processing plant in Namibia.
Representing the developer and landlord of a hospital in KwaZulu Natal in a dispute with its tenant regarding the condition of the operating theatres and assisting the client with the settlement of a claim against the mechanical engineers relating to defective design.
Representing the owners of a shopping centre upgrade project in disputes with its contractor, the termination of the relevant contracts and the successful calling up of the construction guarantees.
Representing the developer of a renewable energy project under the Department of Energy's REIPPP Programme in High Court and arbitration proceedings.
Representing a state-owned entity in multiple adjudications, arbitrations and High Court proceedings under the NEC 3 form of contract relating to a pipeline project joining KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng provinces for the supply of liquid fuel products.
Representing the owner and lenders regarding claims made under a bespoke EPC contract based on the FIDIC Yellow Book relating to the construction of a gas fired power station being constructed in Mozambique.
Representing the infrastructure development arm of a major local municipality in dispute adjudication proceedings relating to disputes under several JBCC Series 2000 principal building agreements.
Representing a state-owned entity in dispute adjudication proceedings under the NEC 3 form of contract relating to the widening and deepening of the Durban Harbour entrance
Advised the Curators of the Fidentia Group (under curatorship) in various legal proceedings for the recovery of misappropriated funds.
Advised the Curators of Medicover Medical Aid Scheme (under curatorship) in claims against various insurers and former management companies for the recovery of funds.
Advised a development corporation in various litigious matters including the urgent winding up of several companies in a hospital group.
Represented a jewellery company in the enquiry into the affairs of Retail Apparel Group (in liquidation) (RAG).
Represented an airline company in urgent proceedings brought against it relating to its newly issued credit card.
Represented a banking institution in legal proceedings brought against it by former employees for the recovery of various claims.
News

Termination for convenience: Traversing the termination tightrope in NEC 3 contracts
Enforcing the contractual right to terminate a construction contract is a serious choice and must always be approached with caution. This is especially so in the case of the widely...

While the world wars on, contracts without an escalation clause could leave contractors embattled, high and dry
In recent times, construction contractors in South Africa have experienced severe financial constraints as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the construction industry,...

Climate change, keeping construction evergreen in the race to net zero
In this series, CDH’s Construction & Engineering experts address key issues facing the South African construction industry and provide insights into its future. Part 2 reviews the...

Building Information Modelling: The future is here, and it’s #digital
In this series, CDH’s Construction & Engineering experts will address key issues facing the South African construction industry and provide insights into its future. Part 1 looks at...

Employers’ direct payments to subcontractors in times of financial distress: A penniless pursuit
Subcontracting portions of a construction project is a well-established practice in South Africa and is an important and effective means of involving small-, medium- and micro-sized...
Recognition
2021-2023
Chambers Global
Chambers Global 2021 - 2023 ranked Joe in Band 3 for Construction and from 2016-2019 he was ranked in Band 4 for Construction. In 2020 he was ranked in Band 3.
2017-2023
Legal 500 EMEA
The Legal 500 EMEA 2017-2022 recommended Joe for construction.

Chambers Global
Chambers Global 2021 - 2023 ranked Joe in Band 3 for Construction and from 2016-2019 he was ranked in Band 4 for Construction. In 2020 he was ranked in Band 3.
Legal 500 EMEA
The Legal 500 EMEA 2017-2022 recommended Joe for construction.