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Lize-Meré Ludick

Partner | Johannesburg

Lize-Meré-Ludick

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T: +27 11 669 9473

Overview

As a dedicated partner at our Johannesburg office, Lize-Meré is a part of a team of specialised lawyers with a focus on construction and engineering law, primarily within the infrastructure and energy sectors. With a solid track record of representing key players in mining, construction, energy, engineering and infrastructure industries on both domestic and international fronts, she is committed to delivering strategic legal solutions tailored to the unique needs of each client.

Lize-Meré specializes in providing strategic advisory services on construction-related, and project-related matters, with a strong emphasis on dispute avoidance and alternative dispute resolution, including devising comprehensive strategies in contract management and claims management, proactively addressing potential disputes, mitigating risks associated with complex contracts and representing clients in adjudications and arbitrations.  Her key areas of expertise include handling matters under a range of standard form contracts (NEC, FIDIC, GCC, JBCC), bespoke agreements (EPC, O&M, PPA), and professional services agreements such as PROCSA.  She also has extensive experience advising on significant renewable energy projects, including Solar PV plants, Wind Farms, and Hydroelectric power projects, including the energy projects under South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP).  She has extensive knowledge in conducting thorough due diligence on projects, from Sponsor and Lender perspective, ensuring that all aspects of a project comply with legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements, with a focus on identifying and managing potential market-related risks through sound contractual structuring.

She is particularly knowledgeable on security packages, including on-demand guarantees and has helped clients drafting appropriate guarantees and  in calling for payment under on-demand guarantees as well as instituting or defending interdict applications against calls for payment under on-demand guarantees.

Lize-Meré is experienced in professional liability, product liability and other insurance disputes and has advised on various administrative, public and regulatory law matters within the construction sector. 

Understanding clients’ business needs is paramount to Lize-Meré. She fosters strong relationships, allowing her to build rapport as a trusted advisor to her clients, and she often works closely with in-house legal teams to provide insightful guidance and effective implementation of legal strategies and, where necessary, transferring skills.

Experience

Her experience includes the following notable matters:

Renewable Energy

  • Advising a prominent Chinese contractor, as EPC contractor, on various types of main- and sub-contracts, claims management and dispute management in relation to various large-scale Wind Farm Projects in South Africa. These projects include complex advice on management and interfacing of PPAs, EPCs, subcontracts and employer contractors, including flow-down provisions related to claims processes and market related issues.
  • Advising Renewable Energy Investments on an O&M contract and disputes related to contract interpretation of benchmarking provisions related to a solar plant project as part of the REIPPPP.
  • Advising Scatec Solar Construction on the terms of an EPC and O&M contracts for a solar power project as part of the REIPPPP.
  • Advising on the project documents for the expansion of the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectric Complex in Mozambique.
  • Advising Caledonia Corporation plc in regards claims and disputes with an international EPC Contractor on a solar power plant project in Zimbabwe, including defending injunction proceedings instituted in France in relation to a performance bond.
  • Advised Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd in defending numerous claims made by a contractor under an NEC3 contract on the Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme power project in South Africa.
  • Advising Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure in regards disputes with their EPC Contractor on a solar power plant project in the Northern Cape, including advising on defects and performance bond issues.

Construction

  • Advising Siemens Mobility on a dispute related to termination with a sub-contractor on a flagship railway project in Gauteng.
  • Advising Palabora Mining Company on disputes, contract management and claims management, as well as ancillary project advice such as drafting and negotiation of the novel NEC4 Alliance Contracts in South Africa.
  • Advised Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd under the FIDIC Yellow Book in defending numerous claims made by various contractors on the Medupi and Kusile Power Projects.
  • Assisting ELB Engineering Services (Pty) Ltd in successfully claiming against its employer in relation to process design works done on the Sishen and Kolomela Iron Ore mines through alternative dispute resolution.
  • Assisting ELB Engineering Services (Pty) Ltd in defending claims from its subcontractor, in arbitration proceedings, related to works done on the Gamsberg Zinc Concentrator Project under the FIDIC Red Book.
  • Advised Sasol Chemical Industries Ltd in successfully defending a multi-million Rand claim by its contractor for alleged delay and disruption on the Fisher Tropsch Wax Expansion Project as contracted under the NEC3.
  • Assisting TMMSA in making claims against a main contractor under the NEC3 in relation to certain design works on the upgrading of an existing railway yard and coal offloading facility at Majuba Power Station.
  • Advised Airports Company of South Africa SOC Ltd in a claim against its contractor and professional engineer relating to defective design / workmanship on a project for an additional bulk fuel storage facility at the O R Tambo Airport.
  • Assisted Nestle (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd in defending a claim from its contractor, and ultimately facilitating settlement thereof, in relation to alleged delay and disruption on the construction of an Egron Building at the existing Nestle facility in Estcourt; the contract was based on the JBCC Principal Building Agreement.

Infrastructure and other

  • Advising Babcock Ntuthuko Engineering on large-scale disputes with an electricity public utility related to tenders for boiler maintenance services on coal-fired power stations as well as resolution of disputes related to early termination of an NEC3 Term Services Agreement.
  • Assisting Thales South Africa Systems (Pty) Ltd in alternative dispute resolution processes to claim against its employer for delays incurred on a large railway signaling project in the Western Cape, including providing strategic advice in dispute avoidance.
  • Assisting TMMSA (Pty) Ltd (previously known as Tenova Mining and Minerals South Africa) in making claims against its employer on a major infrastructure project (Wemmershoek Waste Water Treatment Plant), including defending its performance bond, through adjudication, arbitration and High Court processes under the FIDIC Yellow Book.
  • Assisted Mobile Telephone Networks (Pty) Ltd, Neotel (Pty) Ltd and Vodacom (Pty) Ltd in instituting dispute resolution process and successfully negotiating a settlement with its contractor to a claim for an extension of time and additional compensation in relation to the installation of a National Long Distance Fibre Optic Network between Johannesburg and Durban.
  • Assisting American company PIC Group Inc in making and successfully settling a claim against its main contractor in relation to professional and consultancy services provided on the Kpone Power Plant in Ghana; the matter was dealt with in arbitration under a FIDIC Green Book.

Awards

  • Chambers Global ranked Lize-Meré in Band 4 for her work in Construction in South Africa (2025-2026) and prior to that and as Up and Coming for the same category (2023- 2024).
  • Lize-Meré has been honored by Africa Construction Law (ACL) as the recipient of the prestigious ACL Rising Star Award in 2023, which celebrates the most promising and talented young professional in the African construction sector.
  • Legal 500 ranked Lize-Meré as a Leading Partner for Construction in South Africa (2026) and prior, as a Next Generation Partner for the same category (2024-2025).
    Lize-Meré is recognized in the 2024 (15th) Edition, and the 2025 (16th) Edition of The Best Lawyers in South Africa™ for her work in Construction Law.
  • She was named as a Thomson Reuters Stand-Out Lawyer in 2024 and 2025.
  • Her team won the Property and Construction Team of the Year at the prestigious Africa Legal Awards, 2024 for a transaction related to a ZAR 4 billion project to develop what is expected to become the largest hybrid renewable energy facility in South Africa.

‘Lize-Meré Ludick plays a very good role in supervising her team. She’s cost-conscious and good at balancing the complex matters.’ – Chambers Global, 2026

AREA OF EXPERTISE

Qualifications

Education

  • LLB from the North-West University, member of the Golden Key Honour Society.
  • Qualified mediator (Conflict Dynamics).

Professional Memberships

  • Lize-Meré is an Associate of the Association of Arbitrators.
  • She holds memberships with the International Chamber of Commerce’s Young Arbitrator & ADR Forum, the Society for Construction Law, the Construction Adjudication Association of South Africa, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and the International Bar Association.
  • She is a developer and presenter for the Law Society of South Africa / Legal Education and Development of three online courses in Construction and Engineering Law.
  • She is the Faculty Director with the Chartered Institute of Professional Certifications (part of the Clariden Global Group), responsible for developing and delivering training on South African Construction Law and Building Regulations Compliance.
  • Lize-Meré regularly provides training to prospective adjudicators as part of courses presented by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and Construction Adjudication Association of South Africa.
  • She has also been an examiner of the Competency Based Examinations for attorneys of the Legal Practice Council.

INSIGHTS

Overview

As a dedicated partner at our Johannesburg office, Lize-Meré is a part of a team of specialised lawyers with a focus on construction and engineering law, primarily within the infrastructure and energy sectors. With a solid track record of representing key players in mining, construction, energy, engineering and infrastructure industries on both domestic and international fronts, she is committed to delivering strategic legal solutions tailored to the unique needs of each client.

Lize-Meré specializes in providing strategic advisory services on construction-related, and project-related matters, with a strong emphasis on dispute avoidance and alternative dispute resolution, including devising comprehensive strategies in contract management and claims management, proactively addressing potential disputes, mitigating risks associated with complex contracts and representing clients in adjudications and arbitrations.  Her key areas of expertise include handling matters under a range of standard form contracts (NEC, FIDIC, GCC, JBCC), bespoke agreements (EPC, O&M, PPA), and professional services agreements such as PROCSA.  She also has extensive experience advising on significant renewable energy projects, including Solar PV plants, Wind Farms, and Hydroelectric power projects, including the energy projects under South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP).  She has extensive knowledge in conducting thorough due diligence on projects, from Sponsor and Lender perspective, ensuring that all aspects of a project comply with legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements, with a focus on identifying and managing potential market-related risks through sound contractual structuring.

She is particularly knowledgeable on security packages, including on-demand guarantees and has helped clients drafting appropriate guarantees and  in calling for payment under on-demand guarantees as well as instituting or defending interdict applications against calls for payment under on-demand guarantees.

Lize-Meré is experienced in professional liability, product liability and other insurance disputes and has advised on various administrative, public and regulatory law matters within the construction sector. 

Understanding clients’ business needs is paramount to Lize-Meré. She fosters strong relationships, allowing her to build rapport as a trusted advisor to her clients, and she often works closely with in-house legal teams to provide insightful guidance and effective implementation of legal strategies and, where necessary, transferring skills.

Experience

Her experience includes the following notable matters:

Renewable Energy

  • Advising a prominent Chinese contractor, as EPC contractor, on various types of main- and sub-contracts, claims management and dispute management in relation to various large-scale Wind Farm Projects in South Africa. These projects include complex advice on management and interfacing of PPAs, EPCs, subcontracts and employer contractors, including flow-down provisions related to claims processes and market related issues.
  • Advising Renewable Energy Investments on an O&M contract and disputes related to contract interpretation of benchmarking provisions related to a solar plant project as part of the REIPPPP.
  • Advising Scatec Solar Construction on the terms of an EPC and O&M contracts for a solar power project as part of the REIPPPP.
  • Advising on the project documents for the expansion of the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectric Complex in Mozambique.
  • Advising Caledonia Corporation plc in regards claims and disputes with an international EPC Contractor on a solar power plant project in Zimbabwe, including defending injunction proceedings instituted in France in relation to a performance bond.
  • Advised Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd in defending numerous claims made by a contractor under an NEC3 contract on the Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme power project in South Africa.
  • Advising Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure in regards disputes with their EPC Contractor on a solar power plant project in the Northern Cape, including advising on defects and performance bond issues.

Construction

  • Advising Siemens Mobility on a dispute related to termination with a sub-contractor on a flagship railway project in Gauteng.
  • Advising Palabora Mining Company on disputes, contract management and claims management, as well as ancillary project advice such as drafting and negotiation of the novel NEC4 Alliance Contracts in South Africa.
  • Advised Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd under the FIDIC Yellow Book in defending numerous claims made by various contractors on the Medupi and Kusile Power Projects.
  • Assisting ELB Engineering Services (Pty) Ltd in successfully claiming against its employer in relation to process design works done on the Sishen and Kolomela Iron Ore mines through alternative dispute resolution.
  • Assisting ELB Engineering Services (Pty) Ltd in defending claims from its subcontractor, in arbitration proceedings, related to works done on the Gamsberg Zinc Concentrator Project under the FIDIC Red Book.
  • Advised Sasol Chemical Industries Ltd in successfully defending a multi-million Rand claim by its contractor for alleged delay and disruption on the Fisher Tropsch Wax Expansion Project as contracted under the NEC3.
  • Assisting TMMSA in making claims against a main contractor under the NEC3 in relation to certain design works on the upgrading of an existing railway yard and coal offloading facility at Majuba Power Station.
  • Advised Airports Company of South Africa SOC Ltd in a claim against its contractor and professional engineer relating to defective design / workmanship on a project for an additional bulk fuel storage facility at the O R Tambo Airport.
  • Assisted Nestle (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd in defending a claim from its contractor, and ultimately facilitating settlement thereof, in relation to alleged delay and disruption on the construction of an Egron Building at the existing Nestle facility in Estcourt; the contract was based on the JBCC Principal Building Agreement.

Infrastructure and other

  • Advising Babcock Ntuthuko Engineering on large-scale disputes with an electricity public utility related to tenders for boiler maintenance services on coal-fired power stations as well as resolution of disputes related to early termination of an NEC3 Term Services Agreement.
  • Assisting Thales South Africa Systems (Pty) Ltd in alternative dispute resolution processes to claim against its employer for delays incurred on a large railway signaling project in the Western Cape, including providing strategic advice in dispute avoidance.
  • Assisting TMMSA (Pty) Ltd (previously known as Tenova Mining and Minerals South Africa) in making claims against its employer on a major infrastructure project (Wemmershoek Waste Water Treatment Plant), including defending its performance bond, through adjudication, arbitration and High Court processes under the FIDIC Yellow Book.
  • Assisted Mobile Telephone Networks (Pty) Ltd, Neotel (Pty) Ltd and Vodacom (Pty) Ltd in instituting dispute resolution process and successfully negotiating a settlement with its contractor to a claim for an extension of time and additional compensation in relation to the installation of a National Long Distance Fibre Optic Network between Johannesburg and Durban.
  • Assisting American company PIC Group Inc in making and successfully settling a claim against its main contractor in relation to professional and consultancy services provided on the Kpone Power Plant in Ghana; the matter was dealt with in arbitration under a FIDIC Green Book.

Awards

  • Chambers Global ranked Lize-Meré in Band 4 for her work in Construction in South Africa (2025-2026) and prior to that and as Up and Coming for the same category (2023- 2024).
  • Lize-Meré has been honored by Africa Construction Law (ACL) as the recipient of the prestigious ACL Rising Star Award in 2023, which celebrates the most promising and talented young professional in the African construction sector.
  • Legal 500 ranked Lize-Meré as a Leading Partner for Construction in South Africa (2026) and prior, as a Next Generation Partner for the same category (2024-2025).
    Lize-Meré is recognized in the 2024 (15th) Edition, and the 2025 (16th) Edition of The Best Lawyers in South Africa™ for her work in Construction Law.
  • She was named as a Thomson Reuters Stand-Out Lawyer in 2024 and 2025.
  • Her team won the Property and Construction Team of the Year at the prestigious Africa Legal Awards, 2024 for a transaction related to a ZAR 4 billion project to develop what is expected to become the largest hybrid renewable energy facility in South Africa.

‘Lize-Meré Ludick plays a very good role in supervising her team. She’s cost-conscious and good at balancing the complex matters.’ – Chambers Global, 2026

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Flight and Transfer Information

Departing flight to King Shaka Airport
SAA SA539 26 March 2026 09:20-10:30 OR Tambo to Durban
Transfer details: A shuttle has been arranged to transport you to the hotel, look out for the Bowmans welcome upon arrival.

Return flight
SAA SA546 28 March 2026 11:00-12:10 Durban to OR Tambo
Transfer details: A shuttle has been arranged to transport you to the airport from the hotel reception.