Lakeen Kowlas

Lakeen has been involved in multiple high-profile matters involving High Court proceedings, adjudications, and arbitrations in construction and engineering disputes, as well as developing contracts for various engineering projects throughout Africa.

• Lakeen has been involved in multiple high-profile matters involving High Court proceedings, adjudications and arbitrations in construction and engineering disputes as well as developing contracts for various engineering projects throughout Africa.

• Representing the contractor successfully against extension of time claims which involved designing and constructing coal-fired powerplants in South Africa.

• Representing the developer in settling a defects dispute involving the defective welding in the construction of furnaces at a coal-fired powerplant in South Africa.

• Representing the employer in a defects claim for corrosion on a ship at bay on the coast of the USA.

• Representing the contractor in calling up a construction guarantee for the construction of a bank in Namibia.

• Representing a renewable energy developer of a photovoltaic farm, in process of bidding to the Department of Energy's REIPP Programme.

• Represented the developer in the drafting and implementation of an Operation & Maintenance Contract, Engineering & Procurement Contract and Professional Services Agreements for the construction of a hydro-electric dam in Swaziland.

• Representing the employer in defending a defects claim on a fluorspar mine in South Africa.

• Representing the contractor on claims for breach of contract under JBCC Series 2000 form of contract related to the construction and non-payment for works completed against a state entity in the Eastern Cape.

• Representing the contractor in a successful defence against a standardisation of wages claim for the construction on a powerplant.

• Representing a contractor in a defence against disruption claims due to striking workers on a powerplant.

• Representing a property developer in the development of contracting services in terms of FIDIC, for the installation of internal fittings in an office block in Johannesburg.

• Represented a state entity in the development of a RFQ and RFP for the development of a university student housing project.

• Drafting and negotiating terms of an EPCM contract on behalf of the developer for the development of a solar farm in Limpopo.

• Represented the developer in putting together tender documentation for the storage of gas facilities on the coast of Richards Bay.

• Representing the funder in a construction-related forensic audit of the construction of schools across South Africa.

• Represented both the borrower and lender on various successful project financing deals across multi-national jurisdictions, inter alia, the development of an oil refinery, yogurt factory, paint storage facilities; funding of various South African banks; construction of a hotel; construction of a housing project.

• Represented the employer (which include, mining houses, banks and financial/investment houses) across various labour disputes, including restraints of trade, dismissals and retrenchments.