JJ van der Walt
JJ van der Walt is Counsel in our Employment Law practice. He advises both local- and multi-national clients in a diverse range of employment law issues.
About JJ
About JJ
JJ joined CDH as a Senior Associate in October 2022. He left CDH in 2024 and rejoined in 2025 as Counsel in the Employment Law Practice.
Credentials
Credentials
Education
- BCom Law (cum laude): University of Pretoria (2013)
- LL.B (cum laude): University of Pretoria (2015)
- LL.D: University of Pretoria (2018)
- Registered legal practitioner (attorney) with the Legal Practice Council
Memberships
- The South African Society for Labour Law
Languages
Languages
- English
About JJ
JJ joined CDH as a Senior Associate in October 2022. He left CDH in 2024 and rejoined in 2025 as Counsel in the Employment Law Practice.
Credentials
Education
- BCom Law (cum laude): University of Pretoria (2013)
- LL.B (cum laude): University of Pretoria (2015)
- LL.D: University of Pretoria (2018)
- Registered legal practitioner (attorney) with the Legal Practice Council
Memberships
- The South African Society for Labour Law
Languages
- English
Experience
On a broad spectrum of employment law issues
JJ advises clients on a broad spectrum of employment law issues and regularly represents clients in, and guide clients through, complex and important employment disputes, including, for example, urgent injunctive proceedings (e.g., executive disputes, disputes with organized labour, etc.) as well as restraint of trade, confidentiality, and unlawful competition proceedings.
Sensitive Investigations
Extensive experience in conducting sensitive investigations (e.g., sexual harassment, unfair discrimination (inclining allegations of structural or systemic inequality) in a professional, pragmatic, and timeous manner whilst offering pragmatic recommendations and solutions beyond merely stipulating the legal position.
Bargaining Councils and Collective Agreements
He also has gained experience over the years in guiding clients in respect of complying with the collective agreements of, becoming exempt from, or engaging in disputes with, bargaining councils.
Business Re-organisation
Advises clients on re-organisation of their business (i.e., employee or employment (human capital) re-organisations) as well as small- and large scale retrenchments. Importantly, he can manage a client's implementation of large-scale human capital re-organisations beyond dispensing of advice on the legal position and associated risks.
Compliance and Regulatory Engagement
Regularly advises clients on, and guides clients in respect of, employment equity and basic conditions of employment compliance issues and disputes with the Department of Employment and Labour.
Presiding Officer
JJ is often approached by clients to preside over disputes.
News
The decriminalised approach to workplace discipline and ghost employees
In Gauteng Department of Education v General Public Service Sectoral Bargaining Council and Others (JA141/2022) ZALAC 2 (22 January 2025) the Labour Appeal Court (LAC) recently confirmed...
The Constitutional Court, retirement age and uncertainty: Employers be aware
The recent judgment of the Constitutional Court in MISA and Another v Great South Autobody CC t/a Great South Panelbeaters ; Solidarity o.b.o. Strydom and Others v SITA SOC Limited...
Boardrooms are not courts: The decriminalised approach to workplace discipline
Misconduct is inevitable in every workplace, but not each instance of misconduct is always addressed as the disciplinary process can feel overwhelming.
What happens when there are no employee/employment contracts transferred? Is the business still transferred as a going concern?
The Labour Court recently had to decide whether the termination of a service agreement and the concluding of another service agreement with a new service provider to render the same...
The protection against self-help: Employers be aware
The Labour Appeal Court recently confirmed that an employer may not deduct or withhold any amount from an employee’s remuneration if the employee participated in an unlawful strike...
Remote working in South Africa: The tax and employment law implications
Decriminalised approach to conducting disciplinary enquiries
JJ van der Walt and Taryn York discuss the fact that in South African labour law there is no place for formal disciplinary procedures that incorporate all the accoutrements of a criminal...
The EEA Amendments & Draft Regulations: The impact and why employers must submit representations
Imraan Mahomed led the discussion with JJ van der Walt on the expected, yet rather uncertain, impact of the imminent promulgation of the EEA amendments and the recently published draft...
Expertise
Employment Law
CDH offers support to clients engaging in the complex and constantly evolving people management space.
Corporate & White Collar Investigations
CDH’s Corporate & White Collar Investigations team can help clients navigate local and international corporate risk management requirements.