Associate

Charlene Ferns

Languages

English
Afrikaans

Social media

Charlene is an Associate in the Dispute Resolution team.

She has assisted clients with a variety of dispute resolution and litigation services, with a focus in areas such as arbitration, ESG, banking and commercial disputes. She has experience in Magistrates Court, High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal matters.

During her Articles of Clerkship, Charlene rotated in various teams including corporate and commercial, tax and funds and regulatory and employment and labour.

Charlene first obtained her BA Law degree in 2018, which was subsequently followed by an LL.B degree from the University of the Pretoria in 2020, in which she was part of the Dean’s Merit List in her final year. Charlene was part of the International Golden Key Academic Honor Society and represented the University of Pretoria at the Salzburg Summer School program (European Private law).

She has a keen interest in large scale commercial disputes, as well as ESG related disputes, Charlene is a formidable, ambitious and conscientious individual who is always willing to assist clients in the most time efficient and cost effective manner.

Relevant experience

A development finance institution – assisting with a shareholder’s dispute in relation to an Irish company, which is company that mass-produces mechanical trees which are more efficient than actual trees at removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
A multinational bank - with a variety of dispute resolution services regarding the recoveries of monies, including but not limited assisting in the representation of client in High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal Proceedings.
A major asset management company - in confidential arbitration proceedings against a global advisory and administration firm for damages claims in the region of ZAR321 million, excluding interest.
A major intelligent transport solutions company - on various disputes arising out of FIDIC contractual agreements with the City of Cape Town, and National Treasury
African Parks Network - assisted with a last-minute ‘lifeline’ in a major purchase and rhino rewilding project for 2,000 African rhinos.
Laboratory equipment supplier – assisting with defending a claim instituted against it by national Pet Nutrition company. This dispute centres around two instruments used in the production of a popular dog food brand.
A national development finance institution – assisting with a number of litigation matters with a view to settling these matters expeditiously on their behalf.
A South African state-owned entity – advising on its exposure as a shareholder to a large listed agro-processing company in business rescue.
A fibre and mobile network construction solutions provider - assisting in numerous litigation matters.
Multinational motor vehicle parts manufacturer – assisted in a dispute between two major luxury vehicle parts manufacturers.
A development finance institution – in relation to a dispute on the non-payment of the construction loan provided by our client for a construction of hospital.
A national mobility equipment supplier - assisted in the removal of a director and launching of proceedings for the recovery monies illegal withdrawn from their business account. Further assisted in a PAIA application regarding this misappropriation of company property.

Publications

Memberships & Roles

Admitted Attorney, High Court of South Africa
Member of the Legal Practice Council, South Africa

Education

2020 - LL. B, University of Pretoria
2019 - Certificate of completion for summer school program in European Private Law
2018 - Bachelor of Arts in Law, University of Pretoria

Practice Areas

Dispute resolution

Insights

Global Reach