Richard Hoal

Richard is a lead partner in the construction and insurance law teams. He has practised as an admitted attorney in South Africa for over 25 years and has an extensive litigation and business law experience. He has developed a unique speciality in construction and project work, as well as complex insurance casualty claims. 

He has advised clients on a range of project development, construction and engineering contracts, including major infrastructural projects undertaken in Southern Africa.  He has represented clients in litigation and arbitration proceedings relating to building, engineering and commercial contracts and insurance contracts.  He has also represented and assisted main contractors and subcontractors in putting together tenders, reviewing contractual conditions, contract risk assessments and claims formulation, as well as contract and project negotiations with employers. He has also advised a range of clients on commercial transactions and acquisitions. 

As a result of this expertise in the construction industry, Richard has been appointed by national insurance companies to advise on issues relating to Occupational Health and Safety investigations, large casualty claims and professional indemnity claims.   He has investigated a number of structural collapses and appeared in formal Inquiries.

His insurance practice includes professional indemnity work in the built environment as well as general professions and director and officer liability. He also deals with complex indemnity and recovery claims.

He is a committee member of the Association of Arbitrators Southern Africa and conducts adjudications and arbitrations in the field of construction and engineering law as well as insurance law and professional indemnity claims.  He is a member of the International Bar Association Committee on International Construction Projects.  He is also a Commissioner in the Small Claims Court.