Timothy Baker
Timothy Baker is a Director in our Dispute Resolution practice and in the International Arbitration sector. He has experience in construction, infrastructure, energy disputes, commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution (mediation/arbitration), insurance, insolvency proceedings (including business rescue) and Africa/English law disputes.
About Timothy
About Timothy
Timothy specialises in high-end, complex, contractual and commercial disputes. He is adept in all forms of litigation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including arbitration and mediation.
Timothy has considerable experience in the construction/infrastructure/energy space. He also handles disputes and enforcement of claims in African jurisdictions, in particular where the contracts in question are subject to English law. He is experienced in all aspects of insolvency, in particular liquidations and business rescues, and insurance claims (with a focus on subrogated claims/third party recoveries).
In addition, Timothy has experience negotiating and advising on various forms of construction contracts, including NEC, GCC, JBCC and FIDIC-based EPC and O&M contracts, in particular in relation to infrastructure/energy projects. His disputes experience is invaluable in assessing and negotiating key terms and risk items relating to such projects.
Timothy is dual qualified (South African attorney; solicitor of England & Wales), and has experience in the English courts.
Timothy joined Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr as a Director in 2017.
Credentials
Credentials
Education
- LLB, University of Cape Town
- Year of admission as an attorney: 2003
- Year of enrolment as a solicitor of England & Wales: 2008
Languages
Languages
- English
About Timothy
Timothy specialises in high-end, complex, contractual and commercial disputes. He is adept in all forms of litigation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including arbitration and mediation.
Timothy has considerable experience in the construction/infrastructure/energy space. He also handles disputes and enforcement of claims in African jurisdictions, in particular where the contracts in question are subject to English law. He is experienced in all aspects of insolvency, in particular liquidations and business rescues, and insurance claims (with a focus on subrogated claims/third party recoveries).
In addition, Timothy has experience negotiating and advising on various forms of construction contracts, including NEC, GCC, JBCC and FIDIC-based EPC and O&M contracts, in particular in relation to infrastructure/energy projects. His disputes experience is invaluable in assessing and negotiating key terms and risk items relating to such projects.
Timothy is dual qualified (South African attorney; solicitor of England & Wales), and has experience in the English courts.
Timothy joined Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr as a Director in 2017.
Credentials
Education
- LLB, University of Cape Town
- Year of admission as an attorney: 2003
- Year of enrolment as a solicitor of England & Wales: 2008
Languages
- English
Experience
Multiple disputes
Advising and representing in multiple disputes relating to two solar photovoltaic projects in South Africa, including: resisting claim under Parent Company Guarantee; settlement of a claim under a counter indemnity; settling claim by sub-contractor for payment under a guarantee; advising on project and finance documents and ancillary contracts; cross-border advice; shareholder disputes and claims.
Independent solar energy provider
Representing a leading international independent solar energy provider in a dispute with the main Contractor in relation to two solar photovoltaic projects in South Africa. Matter involved: urgent High Court applications relating to on-demand guarantees and irrevocable standby letters of credit (LC’s); attachment of LC monies in Japan; successful representation in an arbitration relating to termination (and termination notices) under the EPC (FIDIC) contracts, “recovery plans”, delay and cross-default provisions between the two projects; claims against the Contractor's parent company in Germany (under Parent Company Guarantee); cross-border insolvency advice.
Availability Liquidated Damages
Advising the Employer on a claim for Availability Liquidated Damages (ALD's) against the Contractor under an EPC contract, relating to an Event at a Wind Farm, giving rise to a loss of multi-million Rand loss. Complex issues relating to calculation of ALD's and insurance deductible liability. The Wind Farm is one of the largest wind-farms in Southern Africa. The project cost R2.7 billion (US$199 million). At the time of its completion it was the largest wind-farm in the Western Cape.
Contractual term
Representing the Main Contractor in a dispute with two of its sub-contractors relating to payment for additional works on wind projects. Complex issues relating to scope of works and contractual terms under EPC contract. The Main Contractor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of one of the largest wind power developers in the world.
Regulatory Accounting System
Advising an Oil Major in South Africa in regard to the Regulatory Accounting System (RAS) pricing for petroleum and representing in contractual disputes with franchisees.
Development rights under a lease agreement
Representing a listed infrastructure company in a dispute relating to development rights under a lease agreement (energy generating facility inclusive of wind energy, solar energy, hydro-electrical energy or biomass energy facilities), objections and related Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Business rescue
Acting for a global logistics and international transport company in a claim against a company in business rescue relating to a project in Togo. Matter involved setting aside the business rescue plan and removal of the business recue practitioner, and advising on various contingencies.
Collateral Management Finance Agreement
Acting for a major bank in recovery proceedings pursuant to a Collateral Management Finance Agreement and a Collateral Finance Agreement relating to goods in Liberia. Insurance and cross-border considerations. Agreements governed by English law.
Marine and offshore engineering company
Representing a marine and offshore engineering company in a dispute relating to acid tanks at the Tsumeb plant in Namibia.
Share Sale and Purchase Agreements
Advising companies in Botswana regarding Share Sale and Purchase Agreements governed by English law.
Mining and oil & gas company
Acting for an Australian mining and oil & gas company in a contractual dispute relating to the Tormin mineral sands project on the West coast of South Africa – referral to oral evidence and complex contractual interpretation issues.
Investment bank
Acting for a major investment bank in recovery and business rescue proceedings. Complex contractual/recovery issues involving fraud, threatened court proceedings by creditors and the overseas holding company being under administration. Matter settled and recovery made.
International consultancy JV
Settled dispute for an international consultancy JV in a matter against the Government of Lesotho in relation to the USA Millennium Project.
Shareholder and mining rights
Acting for Khazakstani company in contractual dispute relating to shareholder rights, mining rights and operation in Kenya.
Insurer
Representing Insurer in subrogated third party recovery claim following fire event at the Mitchells Plain hospital.
Renewable energy project developer
Representing a French sponsor/developer of two 75MW solar PV projects in the South African renewable energy procurement programme - negotiation and conclusion of EPC and O&M detailed heads of terms.
Renewable energy project developer
Advising a renewable energy project developer on compliance with the provisions of the RFP, bid development and the conclusion of EPC and O&M detailed heads of terms for two 75MW solar PV projects; subsequent advice on EPC/O&M/operational issues/disputes.
News
To institute or not to institute liquidation proceedings (that is the question)
It is a well-established principle in our law that insolvency/liquidation proceedings are not meant to be used for the recovery of a debt – the courts regard this as an abuse of (legal)...
Ignore sequestration proceedings at your peril
Parties who agree to be personally liable for a debt, for example by way of signing a suretyship or a guarantee, should take heed of the potentially dire consequences for them if they...
Early Detection of Fraud and/or Corruption in Arbitrations: Lessons from the Recent English Court Decisions?
Two recent English Commercial Court decisions serve as a warning to dishonest parties hoping to exploit the arbitral process to obtain or enforce fraudulent or corrupt arbitration...
Business rescue with an ulterior purpose
A financially distressed company facing a liquidation application may be tempted to try and avoid or delay the inevitable by launching a business rescue application in order to suspend...
Pipped at the post? (the pitfall of instituting a claim in the wrong forum and how this relates to the relevant arbitration clause and underlying agreement)
As a result of court backlogs and delays, and the public nature of court hearings, it has become common place for commercial contracts to include an arbitration clause. Arbitrations...
Market recognition
- Legal 500 EMEA 2020 - 2024 recommended Timothy in construction.
- Legal 500 EMEA inaugural Arbitration Powerlist – Africa 2020.
Market recognition
- Legal 500 EMEA 2020 - 2024 recommended Timothy in construction.
- Legal 500 EMEA inaugural Arbitration Powerlist – Africa 2020.
Expertise
Dispute Resolution
Our lawyers work together with clients to find business-oriented dispute resolution solutions.
Corporate Debt, Turnaround & Restructuring
We have an experience team that can balance our clients' needs with the pragmatic realities they face.
Construction & Engineering
We support our clients in developing the built environment and we understand the importance of completing projects on time and within budget.
International Arbitration
We guide our clients through the complexities of international arbitration.
Oil & Gas
Our Oil and Gas team has substantial legal expertise across the value chain.
Projects & Energy
We have an excellent understanding of the sector and use this to help clients maximise value and mitigate their risk.