Adv. Herman Kriel

Herman Kriel is an advocate of the High Court of South Africa (admitted February 1996) and an accredited mediator with extensive experience in personal injury, medical malpractice, and High Court appointments as curator ad litem. He practised as a member of the Johannesburg Bar until the advent of COVID-19 and has since continued his practice from the West Rand.

A key area of Herman’s legal work is his long-standing service as curator ad litem. He has been appointed in several hundred matters, assisting patients who are considered incapable of managing their own affairs in litigation. In this role, he provides the court with independent recommendations on appropriate fiduciary and protective measures to safeguard the interests of vulnerable individuals.

Herman is an accredited mediator through Conflict Dynamics and the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR, London), and is an affiliate member of MiMM. His mediation practice includes commercial disputes, medical malpractice matters, and personal injury (RAF) mediations, bringing a practical, legally grounded approach to complex and high-stakes conflicts.

He has also held pro bono appointments as an acting judge of the High Court of South Africa (Johannesburg). Herman holds an LLB from the former Rand Afrikaans University, as well as B.Med.Sci and MSc (Physiology) degrees from the University of Pretoria—an academic foundation that supports his work in medically complex litigation and mediation.

Outside of practice, Herman is married to Olivia and is a father of two daughters and a grandfather to twin granddaughters. Raised as a farmer’s son, he is an enthusiastic part-time cattle farmer. He also enjoys shooting sports and serves as vice-chairperson of the Transvaal Branch of the SA Hunters and Game Conservation Association. His other interests include crafting bespoke leather cases and bags.