Jonathan J. M. Ely is a seasoned arbitrator, adjudicator, and commercial consultant with a distinguished career bridging civil engineering and legal expertise. Born in South Africa in 1945, he has established himself as a respected figure in alternative dispute resolution, particularly within large-scale engineering and construction projects.

Ely holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand, and has supplemented this technical foundation with legal and dispute resolution qualifications, including an LLB and advanced certificates in construction law and adjudication. Through his dual training in engineering and law, he offers a rare combination of technical insight and legal acumen — making him particularly effective in resolving complex contractual disputes.

With over forty-five years of experience, Ely has worked across the full spectrum of construction and engineering environments, serving clients, consultants, contractors, and project management firms. His professional practice spans major sectors such as power, mining, and infrastructure, both locally in South Africa and internationally.

As an accredited arbitrator and adjudicator, Ely is regularly appointed to panels dealing with contractual disputes under industry standard forms of contract, offering impartial decision-making and dispute management services. He is actively involved with professional bodies supporting alternative dispute resolution and is recognized for his contributions to maintaining high standards in arbitration and adjudication practice.