Responsible for identifying and progressing residential planning opportunities having regard to the planning provisions and restrictions imposed by the planning system and local authorities in the UK.General responsibilities included:Researching and advising on planning policies and advising senior management on relevant restrictions and requirements.Advising on interpretation of policies. Appraisal of land and sites for potential development and planning opportunities.Reviewing and advising on covenant and encumbrance issues attached to the sites.Preparation, submission and monitoring of planning applications, including managing pre-application matters with focus on ensuring compliance with local planning restrictions to ensure favourable outcomes.Remaining abreast of the myriad of changes made to local planning systems and ensuring that management are kept updated in this regard.Lobbying local/metropolitan/district authorities as required on Albright Dene and their clients' behalf.Preparing paperwork and submissions for planning appeal matters.Appearing at appeals to represent Albright Dene and their clients or, for particularly complex matters, instructing counsel to appear at appeal, and providing them with the required paperwork and information in regards to the matter.Attending to the preparation of legally enforceable contracts for our clients and developers handling the properties in question.

Completed pupillage and successfully sat the National Bar Examination (February 1998 – July 1998). Took up chambers at the Cape Bar and practised as an advocate for 15 years.Primary responsibilities: to protect and advance the interests of clients with due regard to the sanctity of the law and the duty of care owed to the court.Focus of duties: represented, advised and assisted clients in litigious and non-litigious settings in accordance with attorneys' instructions. Accepted briefs in various fields of law, including contract, insolvency, unlawful competition, insurance, labour law, family law, delict (tort) and criminal law, and regularly acted for plaintiffs in personal injury and medical negligence matters.As a practising advocate, I attended to the following:Representing and assisting clients on diverse legal matters.Ongoing legal research and reading of legal publications.Drafting and advising on business contracts.Consulting with and advising clients and attorneys on legal issues.Drafting of pleadings, notices, arguments for appeals, opinions and reports.Guiding and coordinating the preparation of matters for litigation.Representing clients at hearings, and appearing in proceedings before judges, magistrates and arbitrators.Preparing and arguing appeals before judges.Advising clients and attorneys on quantum of claims.Drafting of formal settlement proposals and negotiating settlements with opposing legal teams.Acting as arbitrator.Acting as curator ad litem for minors and persons under disability, and writing reports to the Court.Practice administration and book keeping.Pro bono work.

Key responsibilities included:Prosecutorial duties in the High Court.Perusal and consideration of trial records, judgments and notices of appeal and review.Legal research and drafting of heads of argument, opinions for judges and written directives to prosecutors.Arguing appeals and reviews on behalf of the State before judges in the High Court.Coordinating and directing a task group investigation and resultant prosecutions.

I started my legal career as a prosecutor in the magistrates’ court for the district of Randburg near Johannesburg, in the financial centre of South Africa. From prosecuting accused offenders in the District Courts for minor offences, I progressed to the Regional Court where more serious offences were tried. Key responsibilities included:Organizing the court roll, directing court proceedings, managing supportive personnel. Legal research, preparation for hearings and consulting with and managing witnesses.Administrative duties, including writing of regular reports to seniors and preparing inquests for magistrates.Liaising with investigating officers, defence attorneys/advocates, witnesses and complainants. As control prosecutor: evaluating evidence, allocating new cases to prosecutors, hearing representations, assisting and guiding inexperienced prosecutors in court, handling public enquiries and complaints.