Personal bio
Robert has over 35 years’ experience of the construction industry with particular emphasis on all forms of alternative dispute resolution. After 12 years as a quantity surveyor Robert entered the Bar dealing with civil, landlord & tenant, property and construction law issues whilst also undertaking arbitration and adjudication disputes as the neutral. He practices from SWL Chambers and ArbDB Chambers in London. Robert additionally practices in the GGC Region as Counsel based in Dubai as well as undertaking appointments as arbitrator, adjudicator, expert determiner, mediator, and dispute board member. As an arbitrator Robert has been involved in cases in both the UK and internationally concerning professional negligence, property, landlord & tenant, delay analysis, costs, variations, defects, interpretation of contracts, repudiation, and many other aspects of contract in the areas of building, civil engineering, mechanical & electrical, waste-water treatment, process engineering and commercial. Robert has been appointed as arbitrator (both sole and three-member Tribunals) by ICC, LCIA, DIAC, CIArb and by party appointment. In the field of UK adjudication Robert has received over 400 appointments from the CIArb, CIC, AICA, CEDR, RICS and by private appointment. The disputes referred have covered all aspects of construction including professional negligence, delay analysis, costs, defects, interpretation of contracts, repudiation, and all other aspects of contract in the areas of building, civil engineering, mechanical & electrical, wastewater and process engineering. Robert’s work as an expert determiner has included final account, cost and variation disputes for projects including hospitals, office developments as well as mechanical & electrical services, civil engineering, development agreements and partnership agreements. In mediation, Robert has acted as party representative as well as Mediator in a wide range of issues including construction, professional negligence, contract, development agreements and landlord & tenant. Robert is also qualified and trained as a dispute board member and has a thorough knowledge of the FIDIC and ICC provisions. He is a professional member of the Dispute Board Federation. Robert has been appointed by FIDIC and is able to undertake dispute board appointments throughout the world Robert has decided disputes covering large numbers of complex issues and works closely with the parties and/or their experts so that a suitable process can be utilised in the dispute before him. Robert’s work as a neutral dispute resolver has taken him across the world including the Middle East (Dubai & Kuwait), the USA and Caribbean, Europe, and Cyprus. He also has knowledge and experience of the contracting and dispute processes within the United Arab Emirates, Africa, and the Far East (Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia).