
Stephanie McDonald
Senior Consultant- Overview
- Experience
- Publications & Insights
Overview
Stephanie is an English law qualified, construction lawyer with over 18 years’ experience advising clients on the structuring, negotiation and delivery of construction, engineering and technology projects across the energy, waste, mining, transport, ports and petrochemical industries. Stephanie has advised investors, contractors and operators on projects in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Previously a partner in the London office of an international law firm and head of that firm’s Africa desk, Stephanie moved to South Africa in 2015 to focus on African infrastructure deals.
Stephanie also has a passion for capacity building. In partnership with the University of Queensland (Australia), Stephanie has provided various training courses over the last 6 years for ‘rising stars’ of public and private sector organisations across Africa. This has included capacity building on legal, commercial and procurement issues relating to infrastructure projects and PPPs, as well as negotiation skills training. She also champions our efforts to train the younger associates in the team, recognising the importance of building technically strong and confident lawyers at all levels.
Specialist Services
Relevant Experience
Stephanie’s recent deal highlights include advising:
- a global LPG trading and supply company in respect of (i) the construction aspects of an agreement for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of facilities for the storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in South Africa and (ii) an EPCM contract for an LPG import and storage facility in East Africa;
- on a project involving the relocation of a port offloading and hydrocarbon liquid bulk storage facility from the port of Port Elizabeth to the Special Economic Zone of Coega, including drafting and negotiating the construction and operational agreements with various stakeholders;
- on a long-term concession to develop a new world class cruise terminal facility and related marine infrastructure at the Port of Durban, acting for the terminal operator on all construction matters relating to the project;
- a mining company in respect of a build, own, operate contract for minerals infrastructure in South Africa;
- a mining company in respect of a build, own, operate contract involving a sorting solution for waste rock in South Africa;
- investors in respect of the EPC arrangements relating to a mini hydro project in Kenya;
- investors in respect of the EPC and O&M arrangements relating to a geothermal project in Kenya;
- in relation to a significant proposed affordable housing project in Kenya for a major Qatari investment fund;
- the IFC in respect of a project for the build/refurbishment and operation of 5 laboratories in Sierra Leone;
- a retail client in respect of a major refurbishment and fit out works programme in East Africa;
- a global fintech company on a major fit out project for office accommodation in Johannesburg;
- a global data centre solutions provider in relation to a project for the development of a data centre in South Africa;
- a contractor in relation to EPC and O&M contracts relating to a major rural roads PPP programme in Kenya; a project company in relation to EPC and O&M contracts relating to lot 3 of the Kenyan roads PPP programme; the lenders in relation to EPC and O&M contracts relating to lots 15 and 18 of the Kenyan roads PPP programme;
- investors in respect of EPC and O&M contracts relating to various solar projects within the South African REIPPP programme;
- multiple project companies in relation to various on-going contractual matters involving the construction and operational phases of solar and wind projects within the South African REIPPP programme;
- a global player in the drinks industry regarding the calling of on-demand guarantees following a contractor default under a FIDIC construction contract;
- the Employer in respect of various FIDIC and JBCC construction contracts and professional team appointments relating to the development of manufacturing facilities across various sites in South Africa; and
- a mining company in respect of EPC and O&M arrangements for a solar plant to power a gold mine in Zimbabwe.
Signature Matters
Publications & Insights
- South Africa: My contractor is in liquidation…what now?
- South Africa: Security for construction projects when the usual avenues are closed
- South Africa: The risks of paying construction subcontractors directly
- COVID-19: The Impact of a prolonged lockdown under FIDIC contracts – be wary of 18 June 2020
- FIDIC Africa Conference delivers practical insights
- Concurrent delay disputes and clear contractual provisions
- SA perspectives on risk allocation under the new FIDIC
- New FIDIC contracts will be launched in the next two days
- Highlights from the NEC4 Conference held in London today