Riaan coaches and assesses participants on the Conflict Dynamics mediator skills training course. He was accredited as a commercial mediator by Conflict Dynamics in 2014 and by the UK-based Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) in 2015, and he completed the Advanced Mediation Workshop on mediating complex disputes at the Harvard Negotiation Institute, Harvard Law School (2016). Since then, he has built an extensive mediation practice, including numerous Rule 41A mediations. This experience underpins his practical, experience-based approach to training.

Riaan serves on the faculty of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (ciarb) for mediation and arbitration. He has co-presented mediation courses with ciarb’s Zambian Branch and provided introductory mediation training to the National Association of Democratic Lawyers. He also mentors junior advocates in mediation practice, including through pro bono co-mediation.

Riaan is a practising advocate and Chartered Arbitrator (C.Arb) who specialises in construction, engineering and infrastructure disputes. He joined the Bar in 2006 and is a member of the Johannesburg Society of Advocates and the Protea Group of Advocates. Previously, he worked in banking and practised as an attorney and notary public, having been admitted in 1999. He holds BCom (Law) and LLB degrees from the University of Pretoria, as well as a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration. A Fellow of ciarb, he chaired its South African Branch from 2021 to 2024. He also served as an Acting Judge of the South Gauteng High Court in 2021 and 2023.

Riaan delivers training in both English and Afrikaans.