Wihan Meintjes

Wihan Meintjes

Senior Associate

Email

wihan.meintjes@aoshearman.com

Phone

+27 10 597 9881

Offices

Johannesburg

V-CARD
Wihan specialises in complex and high-value disputes in the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors, with a strong focus on international arbitration and contentious construction mandates.

He has extensive experience in handling multi-jurisdictional matters, both within Africa and globally. He has worked on several landmark cases involving enforcement of arbitration awards and investment treaty claims for sovereign clients and investors.

Wihan has a deep understanding of the African legal landscape and works closely with local counsel across the continent and globally on a variety of disputes. He is also active in the arbitration and construction communities and serves as the regional editor of the Africa Construction Law Blog for the Southern Africa region and a co-chairperson of Young AFSA. He holds an Advanced post graduate Certificate in Construction Contracts from the University of Pretoria.

Experience

Representative matters

A sovereign client in the middle east in a bilateral investment treaty dispute in an ICSID arbitration premised on several complex construction claims, value c. USD 194 mil.
 
A sovereign on a large hospital project against its PPP operator, value ZAR 3bn.
 
On the enforcement of, and a series of ancillary actions before multiple courts in several jurisdictions in relation to, a high value Swedish seated arbitration award.
 
A major refinery in the Middle East on several complex construction claims.
 
A local private power producer in a high value UNCITRAL arbitration in relation to the concession use of certain State infrastructure, value c. ZAR 500 mil.
 
Representing a listed South African contractor in multiple arbitrations and litigation across Africa, including in Ghana, arising from several construction, restructuring and joint venture disputes.

Published Work

  • Meintjes. W. and Porter-Wright. M (2023) “Confidentiality of arbitrations in South Africa – Towards (or away from) implied confidentiality?”, The Paris Journal of International Arbitration

Speaking Engagements

  • Panellist, Harmonisation and diversity of legal frameworks and standards in construction law and disputes resolution in Africa, Africa Construction Law Conference, June 2023.
  • Moderator, Challenges and Strategies for Enforcing Awards in and Against African States and State Owned Entities, Johannesburg Arbitration Week, April 2024.

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Regional Editor for the ACL Blog, Southern African region, Africa Construction Law
  • Co-Chairperson, Young AFSA (est. 2023)
  • Ambassador for the EMEA Cross-Examination Course 2024, Delos Dispute Resolution
Recognition
“Wihan Meintjes acts on large-scale contentious construction matters” and is “always available and ready to go the extra mile”
Legal 500, 2024

Awards

  • Winner of the Delos EMEA Cross-Examination Course, 2023

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as an Attorney, South Africa, 2018

Academic

BCom (Law) with distinction, University of Pretoria. 2013

LLB with distinction, University of Pretoria, 2015

Advanced Post Graduate Certificate in Construction Contracts with distinction, University of Pretoria, 2018

Languages

English, Afrikaans
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.