Professional background and experience:

Siham Boda is an admitted Advocate of the High Court of South Africa and has practiced both locally and internationally, specializing in Constitutional and Public International Law. Siham served as a clerk both at the Constitutional Court of South Africa and the Land Claims Court. After being called to the Bar, Siham graduated with an MBA and has practiced as a corporate consultant where she gained experience in dispute management and forensic investigations in a wide range of industries. Siham is an independent practitioner and has mediated many disputes and chaired disciplinary hearings drawing upon her legal, corporate and investigative experience to deliver effective mediation processes. Siham enjoys training and provides services to the Law Society of South Africa's Legal and Education Development (LEAD) division, as well as clients in the corporate and education sectors. Siham is a member of the Association of Independent Mediators (AIM), which raises awareness of mediation as a dispute resolution mechanism to the public. In her spare time, Siham volunteers her mediation services to the Wynberg Magistrates Court as well as Rotary District 9350's clubs and projects.

Mediation experience and style:

Siham has undertaken key assignments for clients in a variety of sectors including Education, Financial Services, Insurance, Law Enforcement, Medical Insurance, Mining, Manufacturing, Public Transportation and Retail. She has facilitated processes that has resulted in clients obtaining meaningful outcomes to disputes, reducing their exposure to otherwise costly litigation or arbitration. When mediating processes, Siham draws upon her experience in the corporate and public sectors to analyse opportunities, constraints and pressures facing clients so that they can reach a sustainable resolution to their disputes. Siham mediates processes both face to face and over online platforms to enable participation of the parties from any geographical location, reducing travel costs and otherwise unnecessary delays.

Facilitation experience and style:

In addition to mediation, Siham is experienced in leading both small and large group facilitation processes for organisations that are experiencing conflict or change. Siham draws on her training as a Depth Facilitator by using depth techniques to contain groups by managing boundaries through the introduction of structure such as setting agendas and objectives whilst managing participation and time.

Whether small or large, the aim is the same: to enhance performance in the workplace through a relationship-building process by unpacking underlying interests within groups. 

Chairing enquiries and investigations experience and style:

Siham is an experienced chair of disciplinary enquiries for more than a decade. Siham practiced as a forensic investigator building upon her initial training within the Directorate of Special Operations and State and is able to engage with aspects of the disciplinary process. Siham has developed specialist experience in investigating or chairing disciplinary matters involving sensitive topics such as bullying, sexual harassment and diversity and inclusion.

Comments from clients:

"All parties involved with the mediation were very impressed with how Siham handled the proceedings and professional manner in which she engaged with the parties." - HR Manager.

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with you and I know that all parties felt that they were being held in a safe and supportive space which validated their experiences and enabled them to find a resolution.” – Head of Education Institution.

"Siham managed to keep focus very effectively throughout a day-long process in which there were many red-herrings and distractions. Her ability to summarise and reframe insightfully frequently opened up spaces for useful conversation. I was also impressed at her ability to name uncomfortable dynamics fearlessly."

“I found Siham superbly competent and most professional. Any qualification that I have registered above is not a reflection on her, but on the seeming unwillingness of the other party to engage with good faith.”