Ulrich Grobler
Associate | Johannesburg
Contact
T: +27 11 669 9383
E: ulrich.grobler@bowmanslaw.com
Overview
Ulrich focuses on dispute resolution, with developing experience in complex litigation and arbitration. Particularly in the construction, infrastructure, and energy sectors. He works closely with senior practitioners in advising domestic and multinational clients on high‑value, complex and often multi‑disciplinary disputes across South Africa.
Ulrich has exposure to construction and renewable‑energy‑related matters, supporting disputes and advisory work arising from large‑scale infrastructure, wind and solar projects, including issues relating to contractual performance, delay and disruption, regulatory frameworks and public‑law considerations. His work frequently sits at the intersection of commercial disputes, regulatory compliance and administrative law, reflecting the heavily regulated environments in which these projects operate.
Ulrich also assists on sensitive corporate and financial crime matters, including confidential internal investigations, regulatory inquiries and compliance‑related reviews.
He is valued for his discretion, strong analytical skills and clear drafting, and is known for being dependable, highly responsive and able to integrate seamlessly into client‑facing teams handling complex, sensitive and time‑critical matters.
Experience
* Indicates experience gained prior to joining Bowmans.
Some of Ulrich’s experience in dispute resolution includes:
- Urgent High Court proceedings concerning the enforcement of USD 21 million in on‑demand performance guarantees arising from a major cross‑border EPC project procured under the FIDIC Silver Book.
- Supported in drafting and strategy on complex construction and banking law issues, including the fraud exception to the autonomy principle, in a matter involving South African financial institutions and international coordination.
- ICC arbitration proceedings on behalf of the O&M contractor of a large‑scale solar PV facility in the Northern Cape, concerning the non‑payment of approximately R30.5 million for certified remedial and additional works. Supporting the arbitration on issues relating to payment certification, set‑off, contractual interpretation and recovery for instructed works in the context of renewable‑energy operations.
- An independent power producer in urgent High Court proceedings opposing successive attempts by an EPC contractor and supplier to recover equipment from a solar PV facility through spoliation and vindicatory relief. Supporting defences relating to urgency, possession, ownership, non‑disclosure and the legal competence of the relief sought. Following the conclusion of those proceedings, assisting with further enforcement steps, including supporting the preparation of provisional sentence proceedings to call on an on‑demand performance bond, arising from the contractor’s failure to maintain required security.
- An ongoing arbitration proceeding arising from the sale and cession of insurance‑related recovery claims. Supporting the arbitration through focused legal research and intensive factual analysis, including detailed reviews of underlying insurance claims and recoveries, and research on issues of subrogation, tacit and implied contractual terms, prescription, and the insured’s duties of co‑operation and non‑prejudice.
Investigations
- Assisting a major South African financial institution in relation to its position on certain historical financing arrangements and related financial instruments. The matter involves a review of complex transactional structures, counterparty engagements and associated regulatory exposure, including interactions with multiple regulatory and enforcement authorities.
AREA OF EXPERTISE
Qualifications
Education
- LLB, Stellenbosch University.
- Com (Law), Pearson Instituted of Higher Education (now Eduvos).
Overview
Ulrich focuses on dispute resolution, with developing experience in complex litigation and arbitration. Particularly in the construction, infrastructure, and energy sectors. He works closely with senior practitioners in advising domestic and multinational clients on high‑value, complex and often multi‑disciplinary disputes across South Africa.
Ulrich has exposure to construction and renewable‑energy‑related matters, supporting disputes and advisory work arising from large‑scale infrastructure, wind and solar projects, including issues relating to contractual performance, delay and disruption, regulatory frameworks and public‑law considerations. His work frequently sits at the intersection of commercial disputes, regulatory compliance and administrative law, reflecting the heavily regulated environments in which these projects operate.
Ulrich also assists on sensitive corporate and financial crime matters, including confidential internal investigations, regulatory inquiries and compliance‑related reviews.
He is valued for his discretion, strong analytical skills and clear drafting, and is known for being dependable, highly responsive and able to integrate seamlessly into client‑facing teams handling complex, sensitive and time‑critical matters.
Experience
* Indicates experience gained prior to joining Bowmans.
Some of Ulrich’s experience in dispute resolution includes:
- Urgent High Court proceedings concerning the enforcement of USD 21 million in on‑demand performance guarantees arising from a major cross‑border EPC project procured under the FIDIC Silver Book.
- Supported in drafting and strategy on complex construction and banking law issues, including the fraud exception to the autonomy principle, in a matter involving South African financial institutions and international coordination.
- ICC arbitration proceedings on behalf of the O&M contractor of a large‑scale solar PV facility in the Northern Cape, concerning the non‑payment of approximately R30.5 million for certified remedial and additional works. Supporting the arbitration on issues relating to payment certification, set‑off, contractual interpretation and recovery for instructed works in the context of renewable‑energy operations.
- An independent power producer in urgent High Court proceedings opposing successive attempts by an EPC contractor and supplier to recover equipment from a solar PV facility through spoliation and vindicatory relief. Supporting defences relating to urgency, possession, ownership, non‑disclosure and the legal competence of the relief sought. Following the conclusion of those proceedings, assisting with further enforcement steps, including supporting the preparation of provisional sentence proceedings to call on an on‑demand performance bond, arising from the contractor’s failure to maintain required security.
- An ongoing arbitration proceeding arising from the sale and cession of insurance‑related recovery claims. Supporting the arbitration through focused legal research and intensive factual analysis, including detailed reviews of underlying insurance claims and recoveries, and research on issues of subrogation, tacit and implied contractual terms, prescription, and the insured’s duties of co‑operation and non‑prejudice.
Investigations
- Assisting a major South African financial institution in relation to its position on certain historical financing arrangements and related financial instruments. The matter involves a review of complex transactional structures, counterparty engagements and associated regulatory exposure, including interactions with multiple regulatory and enforcement authorities.
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