Adjudicators

ADJUDICATORS

The SAIIPL is committed to broadening its Panel of Adjudicators to non-members of the SAIIPL.

Foreign Adjudicators: The SAIIPL will not in principle prohibit suitably qualified foreigners from being part of its Panel of Adjudicators, but preference will however be given to South African citizens. The SAIIPL is committed to promoting domain name ADR skills within South Africa and will as a result ensure that its Panel of Adjudicators remains representative of South African woman, disabled and historically disadvantaged individuals.

Commitment to Adjudicator Freedom: The SAIIPL is committed to the freedom of its members to serve as Adjudicators on the Panels of other Providers. The SAIIPL will not discourage or prohibit its members or Adjudicators from taking up positions, or serving on the Adjudication Panels of other Providers.

BEE: Although the initial Panel of Adjudicators (the Panel) will include members from previously disadvantaged communities, the SAIIPL remains committed to an active and responsible program of procuring further skilled black candidates to its Panel. The institute will not prescribe absolute criteria for qualification as an Adjudicator for its Panel, but will rather assess each application on its own merits. Applicants should however have a good understanding of the intellectual property issues involved in domain name disputes and be familiar with the Regulations. In broadening the representation of various interest groups on its Panel, the SAIIPL appreciates that first-hand practical training and guidance will be a pre-requisite.

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found: 49 Adjudicators

Lisa Thornton
	Lisa Thornton Inc QUALIFICATIONSLLB, 1999, Wits; Juris Doctor, 1989, Georgetown University Law Centre, USA; Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude, 1985, Georgetown College, USA MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSAdmitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia and District of Columbia, USA and in South Africa EXPERIENCEDirector, Lisa Thornton Inc, the leading law firm in South Africa specializing in electronic communications and information law TRAINEE


Gugulethu Gail Zonke
	Island Group of Advocates - Johannesburg QUALIFICATIONSLLB BTech Information Technology MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSMember of the Johannesburg Society of advocates. EXPERIENCEIP Law - Correcting a patent IT Law Data Privacy TRAINEE


Debbie Marriott
	Adams & Adams QUALIFICATIONSBSc (Chemistry) LLB (Wits) Attorney of the High Court of South Africa Solicitor of the High Court of England & Wales (non-practising) Trade Mark Practitioner MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSFellow and former President of SAIIPL EXPERIENCEOver 20 years IP experience Local and international protection and enforcement of trade mark rights and copyright, including domain name disputes, advertising disputes and clearances, oppositions, and infringement matters TRAINEE


Vanessa Ferguson
	Ferguson Attorneys QUALIFICATIONSB.Juris LL.B MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSLPC, SAIIPL; INTA EXPERIENCEAdmitted as an attorney in June 1999, Over 27 years experience in intellectual property matters, including trade mark prosecution and litigation, anti-counterfeiting, copyright and domain name disputes SENIOR ADJUDICATOR


Reinard Michau
	Counsel QUALIFICATIONSB.Com LL.B H.Dip. Tax MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSPast member of South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law. Currently a member of Pretoria Bar EXPERIENCE1992- 1997, Attorney and partner at Spoor and Fisher. 1998 to present at Pretoria Bar practising as an advocate, mainly in all aspects of Intellectual Property Law. ADJUDICATOR


Waldo Steyn
	Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs QUALIFICATIONSBA(Law) LLB LLM MBA MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSCape Law Society; INTA EXPERIENCETen years (post articles) in intellectual property law, in particular trade mark protection and enforcement, passing off and unlawful competition. TRAINEE


Tammi Lea Pretorius
	KISCH IP QUALIFICATIONSBachelor of Laws(LL.B) MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSSAIIPL Law Society of the Northern Provinces EXPERIENCEIntellectual property law including trade mark prosecution and litigation, copyright and domain name disputes. TRAINEE


Whitney Govender-Williams
	Adams & Adams QUALIFICATIONSLLB (cum laude), registered Trade Mark Practitioner and admitted Attorney. MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSLegal Practice Council (LPC) – Member, Pretoria Attorneys Association (PAA) – Member and South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL) – Fellow EXPERIENCEAll aspects of trade mark litigation, including company and close corporation name objections, passing-off and trade mark infringement, domain name registrations and objections and copyright. TRAINEE


Mariette du Plessis
	Adams & Adams QUALIFICATIONSBLC, LLB, Admitted attorney (1989), Qualified Trade Mark Practitioner (1991) MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSPresident of SAIIPL, Director of INTA(International Trade Mark Association) Board, Law Society of the Northern Provinces, ISOC (SA Chapter), BWA Association of Pretoria Attorneys, CLASA, Served on Standing Advisory Committee of Minister of Trade& Industry EXPERIENCE18 years: All aspects of trade mark litigation, including company and close corporation name objections, passing off and trade mark infringement, domain name registrations and objections and copyright SENIOR ADJUDICATOR


Somayya Khan
	Adams & Adams QUALIFICATIONSIP MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSN/A EXPERIENCEPartner - Trademark Litigation. 5 years IP experience including filing many domain disputes. TRAINEE


Natasha Wright
	Adams & Adams QUALIFICATIONSQualifications MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSMem EXPERIENCEExp TRAINEE


Mike du Toit
	Mike du Toit Attorneys QUALIFICATIONSBCOM LLB Trade Mark Practitioner MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSSAIIPL,member of INTA, member of LES EXPERIENCE23 years of which 21 years are in intellectual property. SENIOR ADJUDICATOR


Stuart James Hayward
	Johannesburg Society of Advocates QUALIFICATIONSBcom LLB (Stellenbosch University) MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSPractising Advocate of the High Court; Member of the Johannesburg Society of Advocates ("Joburg Bar"); Associate member of SAIIPL EXPERIENCESix years of practical experience as an advocate: arbitrations and trial work ; Stuart has performed commercial and IP related work for a well-known IP attorney in Johannesburg. TRAINEE


Derek Momberg
	KISCH-IP QUALIFICATIONSBA LLB - Attorney & Notary Public MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSSAIIPL, INTA EXPERIENCE28 years IP experience. In charge of the conduct of a wide variety of Trade Mark, Copyright, Trade Secret and Licensing matters with over 30 reported judgements. SENIOR ADJUDICATOR


Rachel Sikwane
	RNMS Inc QUALIFICATIONSLLB (Law), Admitted Attorney, Trade Mark Practitioner, Certified Licensing Professional MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSFellow (SA Institute of Intellectual Property Law), SAIIPL Copyright Committee, Certified Licensing Professionals, Inc EXPERIENCERachel Sikwane is a director of RNMS Inc. She specialises in commercial and transactional IP matters, and in contentious IP matters. ADJUDICATOR


Nicole Krige
	Counsel QUALIFICATIONSLLB Degree MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSMember of the Pretoria Society of Advocates and Circle Chambers. Associate member of SAIIPL EXPERIENCESix years of litigation and arbitration experience as counsel. Completed the Intellectual Property Law Course 2017 presented by the Pretoria Bar in conjunction with various expert members of SAIIPL. TRAINEE


Emmanuel Okeke
	Wolmarans & Susan Intellectual Property Attorneys QUALIFICATIONSLLB (cum laude), MSc (Biochemistry), BSc Hons (Biochemistry), BSc (Microbiology) (cum laude). MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSAdmitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL), Southern Africa Research & Innovation Management Association (SARIMA), Golden Key International Honour Society. EXPERIENCETrade mark prosecution and litigation, Patent prosecution, Registered design prosecution, Anti-counterfeiting, Copyright, Commercial law including drafting of contracts, license agreements, labour & employment law. TRAINEE


Deon Bouwer
	Bouwers Inc. QUALIFICATIONSB.Juris; LLB; LLM; Diploma in Labour Law MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSSAIIPL, INTA EXPERIENCE20 years of which 17 years are in intellectual property SENIOR ADJUDICATOR


Victor Williams
	Hahn & Hahn Inc QUALIFICATIONSB.Sc (Eng); B.Proc MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSPatgot EXPERIENCE31 years SENIOR ADJUDICATOR


Vicky Stilwell
	Kisch-IP QUALIFICATIONSBA LLB Trade Mark Practitioner MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSFellow of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law EXPERIENCETrade mark searching. Filing and prosecution of trade mark applications. Administration and management of trade mark portfolios and giving advice in relation thereto. Trade mark assignments including drafting of assignment agreements and attending to assi ADJUDICATOR


Zama Buthelezi
	Spoor & Fisher QUALIFICATIONSLLB, LLB (Business Law) MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSSAIIPL Law Society of Kwazulu Natal Province Law Society of Northern Province EXPERIENCETrade Mark Prosecution and Trade Mark Litigation. TRAINEE


Janusz Luterek
	Hahn & Hahn Inc QUALIFICATIONSB.Eng (1989); B.Proc (1995), Attorney at Law (1997), Patent Attorney (2000), Pr.Eng. (1993) MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSSAIIPL, AIPPI (Council member), ECSA (Pr.Eng), FICPI, MAIChE, SAAFoST (Custodian Member), and LES EXPERIENCE16 Years in Intellectual Property Law specialising in Copyright, Trademark and Patent matters, as well as the ECT Act, 7 years in Engineering. Director of Hahn & Hahn Inc, past Director and Consultant to Routledge Modise. SENIOR ADJUDICATOR


Vanessa Lawrance
	HAHN & HAHN QUALIFICATIONSB.Comm, LLB (1997) Admitted attorney (2000), Qualified Trade Mark Practitioner (2003), Notary (2006) MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSSAIIPL, Law Society of the Northern Provinces, EXPERIENCE12 years intellectual property experience, particularly litigious matters involving Trade Marks, Copyright, Unlawful Competition, Domain name disputes and Anti-counterfeiting. Prosecution of Trade Marks. Commercial Law SENIOR ADJUDICATOR


Hermanus Blignaut
	Spoor & Fisher QUALIFICATIONSLLB (admitted attorney and notary) and SAIIPL Trade Mark Practitioner MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSFellow of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law, Member of the Centurion Business Forum EXPERIENCE4 Years with Spoor & Fisher, specialising in the fields of trade mark and copyright litigation TRAINEE


Jani Cronje
	Adams & Adams QUALIFICATIONSAttorney (2009) Trade Mark Practitioner (2009) SAIIPL MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSLaw Society of the Northern Provinces - Member South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL) - Fellow EXPERIENCELitigation relating to trade marks, copyright, unlawful competition, domain names, company and close corporation name objections and advertising disputes. TRAINEE


Gerard Du Plessis
	Adams & Adams QUALIFICATIONS"BLC, LLB: Admitted attorney (1995), Qualified Trade Mark Practitioner (1998), " MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONS"SAIIPL, Pretoria Attorneys' Association, CLASA, Law Society of the Northern Provinces " EXPERIENCE18 years: Trade Marks, Copyright, Designs, Unlawful Competition, Domain names, Anti-counterfeiting, Litigation in the above areas, UDRP Training with WIPO (2003) SENIOR ADJUDICATOR


Fiona Southwood
	advocate QUALIFICATIONSBA (Law); LLB; Trade Mark Practitioner MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSJohannesburg Bar EXPERIENCEAdmitted as an attorney in 2001. Practiced at Adams & Adams where she was exposed to trade mark, copyright, design and domain name disputes. Called to the Bar in 2003 and continued dealing with IP disputes. TRAINEE


Sizwe Snail
	Snail Attorneys at Law QUALIFICATIONSLLB (UP) Admitted Attorney ( 2007 ) LLM (UNISA) currently registered MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSICTLA.za, Black Lawyers Ass. , Zadna, Lex Informatica, WASPA adjudicator, Co-Editor Cyberlaw @ SA 3, Member of LSSA E-law Committee EXPERIENCEPresenting papers for local and international conferences on cyberlaw. Published articles as well in both accredited and non-accredited journals. specialises in civil litigation and cyberlaw matters. TRAINEE


Marco van der Merwe
	Spoor & Fisher QUALIFICATIONSBLC LLB, certificate in Cobol and Xgen programming (TDF Associates whilst employed as Computer Scientist at UNISA), certificate in labour relations, passed SAIIPL trade marks practitioner exams. MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSAdmitted attorney, Fellow and Council member of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law, Member of Marques, AIPPI and PTMG, former vice chair of the Domain Name Committee of the American Bar Association, former Treasurer of the Associatio EXPERIENCEAdmitted as an Attorney in 1991, worked as trade mark and copyright attorney for 15 years, involved in a number of domain name related disputes, Awarded De Rebus book prize for the best article written by an Attorney for a Domain name related article. ADJUDICATOR


Francois Landman
	Advocate - Cape Bar QUALIFICATIONSBAcc., LLB (Stellenbosch University) (2011) Certificate in Advanced Short Course in Business Rescue Practice (2013) PG Dip in Tax Law (University of Cape Town) (2017) Executive MBA (Quantic) (2023) MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSSAIIPL (2014 to date) Member of the Cape Bar (2016 to date) Law Society of Scotland (2023 to date) Law Society of England and Wales (2023 to date) WIPO Neutral (2024 to date) EXPERIENCE12 years: Litigation experience relating to trade mark, copyright, unlawful competition, domain name, patent, advertising and company name disputes. TRAINEE


Robin Kieron Richardson
	KISCH-IP QUALIFICATIONSQualification MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSMembership EXPERIENCEExperience ADJUDICATOR


GAELYN SCOTT
	Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs (ENS) QUALIFICATIONSBA, LLB MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSAIPPI, INTA, ECTA, LES, SAIIPL EXPERIENCEAdmitted attorney: 1997; 16 years post admission; 15 years experience in Intellectual Property law, particularly litigation/enforcement including trade marks, copyright & passing-off; Advertising Standards Authority & domain name & corporate name disputes TRAINEE


Paola Cirone
	Bowman Gilfillan QUALIFICATIONSBProc, LLB MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSStudent Member of SAIIPL EXPERIENCEExperience gained in Trade Mark practise - in excess of seven years includes, inter alia: � Protection and maintenance of Intellectual Property rights in Africa. � Conducting commercial Intellectual Property Due Diligence investigations and preparing ADJUDICATOR


Jeremy Speres
	Spoor & Fisher QUALIFICATIONSMaster of Law (LLM) in Intellectual Property Law and Technology Law Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Bachelors of Arts (BA), majoring in Media and Writing MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSWIPO Domain Name Dispute Panelist SAIIPL Trade Mark Practitioner EXPERIENCE11 years in contentious, commercial and prosecution aspects of IP and IT law. SENIOR ADJUDICATOR


LiÃ©zal Mostert
	Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs QUALIFICATIONSBA (Value & Policy Studies), LLB, Trade Mark Practitioner MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSLaw Society of the Northern Provinces - Member, South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL) –Fellow EXPERIENCELitigation relating to trade marks, copyright, unlawful competition, domain names, company and close corporation name objections and ASA disputes TRAINEE


CHRISTIAAN J STEYN
	STEYN IP QUALIFICATIONSBaccalaureus Legum - LLB (NWU) MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSSouth African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL); Intellectual Property and Innovation Researchers in Africa (IPIRA); Worldwide Independent Lawyers League (WILL); International Trademark Association (INTA); ICANN Intellectual Property Con EXPERIENCE15+ years experience in IP Law, specifically Trade Marks, Copyright and Domain Disputes; including prosecution, litigation, portfolio administration, legislative drafting and lecturing. SENIOR ADJUDICATOR


Werina Griffiths
	Adams & Adams QUALIFICATIONSLLB Qualified Trade Mark Practitioner MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSFellow - South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law EXPERIENCEExp TRAINEE


Kelly Thompson
	Adams & Adams QUALIFICATIONSBA LLB, Admitted attorney (2001), Trade Mark Practitioner (2001) MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSLaw Society of the Northern Provinces, BWA, SAIIPL, Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance, member of the SAIIPL ADR Committee, Convenor of the SAIIPL Copyright Law Committee EXPERIENCE19 years: Trade mark and passing-off litigation, Copyright litigation, Domain name litigation, IP litigation in Africa, Advertising law, Company name objections, domain name objections. SENIOR ADJUDICATOR


Muhammad Patel
	KapdiTwala Inc. trading as Dentons South Africa QUALIFICATIONSUniversity of Witwatersrand, 2015, Postgraduate Diploma in Law, HDip in Corporate Law University of Witwatersrand, 2014, LLB Law MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSAttorney , Law Society of the Northern Provinces, 2017 EXPERIENCEAbsa Bank Limited: Acting for this national bank in relation to drafting and lodging domain name complaints against local domains, where such domain names "take unfair advantage of the rights (abusive registrations)" of Absa Bank Limited. Confidential TRAINEE


Bianca Mynhardt
	Hahn & Hahn Inc. QUALIFICATIONSLA (Law), LLB, LLM (IP Law) MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSSAIIPL Fellow EXPERIENCE TRAINEE


Gerald Clive Bourne
	KISCH-IP QUALIFICATIONSLLB, Diploma in Management in Marketing, Bachelor Degree in Social Science MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSFellow of SAIIPL EXPERIENCEAttorney June 2015 to present, Candidate attorney for 2 years 6 months, TRAINEE


Christiaan Reinard Kruger
	Spoor & Fisher QUALIFICATIONSLLM Degree (Notary Public) MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSFellow of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property and Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa EXPERIENCEReinard specialises in the enforcement of intellectual property rights, including trade mark infringement and prosecution; unlawful competition matters; trade mark oppositions; copyright and litigation; company name objections; domain name disputes. TRAINEE


Adriaan Heyns
	Von Seidels QUALIFICATIONSLLB - University of Pretoria (2018); Trade Mark Practitioner. MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSLegal Practice Council (LPC) - Member; Attorney of the High Court of South Africa; Notary Public; South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL) - Fellow. EXPERIENCEA wide range of trade mark litigation matters and IP enforcement. TRAINEE


Jeanette Visagie
	Adams & Adams QUALIFICATIONSLLB - NWU (Potchefstroom Campus) LLM in Import & Export Law - NWU (Potchefstroom Campus) MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSMember of SAIIPL EXPERIENCEI was admitted as an attorney in 2013. My main areas of practice include trade mark litigation and related aspects, advertising law and regulatory compliance. TRAINEE


Chris Brand
	Swart Attorneys QUALIFICATIONSBComm (Law) (2010), LLB (2012), LLM (IP) (2018), Trade Mark Practitioner MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSSAIIPL (Fellow) (2017), AIPPI, LES EXPERIENCEAdmitted attorney (2015), practical experience in Trade Mark prosecution and litigation, commercial matters TRAINEE


Jessica Axelson
	Adams & Adams QUALIFICATIONSQualification MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSMem EXPERIENCEExp TRAINEE


Owen Salmon
	Advocate - Maisels Group. (www.maiselsgroup.com) QUALIFICATIONSBA LLB LLM Trade Mark Practitioner Advocate of High Court MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSFellow of SAIIPL; Member of Johannesburg Bar; Writers Guild of SA; PAT-GOT. EXPERIENCE30 years experience litigating in intellectual property matters. SENIOR ADJUDICATOR


Andrew Papadopoulos
	KISCH-IP QUALIFICATIONSB Comm.(Law); LL.B Attorney of the Supreme Court of South Africa Fellow of the Institute of Intellectual Property of South Africa MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSIntellectual Property of South Africa EXPERIENCE10 Years Experience in Intellectual Property Law and, in particular, law relating to trade marks, copyright, domain names, advertising, licensing, company name objections SENIOR ADJUDICATOR


Tana Pistorius
	Department of Mercantile Law, UNISA QUALIFICATIONSBA LLB LLM LLD Admitted attorney and notary (1989) MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONSINATA: ARTIPS: SAIPL; Association of Law Teachers of South Africa; International Association of IT Lawyers (IAITL) EXPERIENCE2 years experience in trade mark practice; 15 years experience in teaching IP at undergraduate and post graduate level, including LLM courses on the use of trade marks on the Internet, domain names and ADR; Member of research team that drafted the ECT Act SENIOR ADJUDICATOR