Adv. Nokulunga Makopo

Advocate Nokulunga Makopo is a South African practising advocate with more than 25 years’ experience at the Bar, having practised since July 1999. She is known for her ethical approach, strong confidentiality, integrity, and calm, assertive leadership—qualities that serve her well in both litigation and dispute resolution settings.

Her legal expertise spans civil law, divorce and family matters, labour law, litigation, personal injury claims, immigration law, and housing/property disputes. Over the course of her career, she has worked with and alongside senior counsel including Adv Vas Soni SC, Adv Peter Pauw SC, and Adv Modise Khoza SC, and has led junior counsel in complex matters, including cases involving government departments such as the MEC for Health.

Adv. Makopo has also served with distinction on the Bench, acting as a judge in the Johannesburg High Court and the Labour Court (including appointments in 2014, 2015, and 2024). During her time as an Acting Judge, she presided over a range of matters and delivered rulings and judgments—none of which had been taken on appeal as of June 2024. Her litigation experience includes appearing in the Constitutional Court in S v Tilly & Others on behalf of the Applicant, and she has authored reportable judgments including Mashinini v MEC Health and Motubatse v MEC Health.

In addition to her advocacy and judicial work, Adv. Makopo contributes extensively to governance and oversight through board and committee roles. These include serving as Chairperson of the Legal Claims Committee (Dec 2021 – Jun 2024), and as a Board Director of the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (Nov 2021 – Nov 2024), alongside ongoing committee work in social ethics, transformation, HR and remuneration, and audit/legal risk. She also serves in roles connected to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and independent tribunals in the social development sector.

Adv. Makopo’s academic background includes a BJuris (University of Fort Hare) and LLB (University of Natal), with early training in Alternative Dispute Resolution through AFSA. In 2022, she further strengthened her dispute resolution skillset through Civil and Divorce Mediation training (10-day online programme) via Legal Education & Development (L.E.A.D), reflecting her commitment to practical, resolution-focused outcomes.

With a rare blend of courtroom excellence, judicial insight, mediation training, and governance leadership, Adv. Nokulunga Makopo brings authority, clarity, and fairness to every professional engagement—particularly in high-stakes disputes where sound process and balanced judgment matter most.