What can I do for you?
I help clients who operate in the building and construction industries (including civil, heavy engineering, power processing and oil and gas) to resolve their disputes in the most cost effective manner. As a specialist in all aspects of dispute resolution I offer a one stop, tenacious lawyering approach that means value for money and being by my client’s side from start to finish.
Supporting my clients’ objectives
I have a wealth of experience in litigation, arbitration (domestic and international), adjudication and ADR of sizeable complex disputes (whether under the standard forms of contract or bespoke EPC contracts) and have acted for major corporates, local authorities, NHS trusts, universities, contractors, subcontractors and consultants in some of the defining construction and engineering projects of the last 15 years. As such, I am able to bring this experience to bear at both a strategic and tactical level, to achieve my clients' objectives. By standing in my clients' shoes from day one and understanding the real issues in dispute, I am able to advise them as to likely costs of resolution, as well as when to fight and when not to.
What do others say about me?
I am individually ranked in the upper tiers of the legal directories. Chambers UK 2011 says "clients value [my] in-depth industry knowledge and responsiveness." Legal 500 2011 describes me as "erudite". Previous editions have rated me for my "disputes acumen", being "first-class" and "competent and personable". Over my career, I have been praised by clients and third parties for my enthusiasm, commerciality and rigorous legal skills. My overall focus on client service is key.
What else should you know?
As a dually qualified lawyer (both a barrister from Keating Chambers and a solicitor-advocate), I have the project management skills of conducting cases as well as the forensic and analytical skills of presenting cases before tribunals where necessary. I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the Society of Construction Law, the Technology & Construction Solicitors' Association, the Society of Higher Court Advocates, the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, the Lord Denning Society and current chair of the Birmingham Technology and Construction Court Users' Committee. I have had numerous construction law articles published and regularly provide seminars and lectures to the wider construction industry including a major global consultancy. I hold a first class honours degree, am a double scholar of Lincoln’s Inn and was the best advocate of my year. I have in-house legal experience (I spent one year working for a FTSE 50 UK company) and international experience, having worked for a major law firm in China.