Experienced arbitrator specialising in complex commercial disputes, with a particular focus on the construction and infrastructure sectors

In addition to 5 years in the UK (London & Glasgow), I spent 28 years practising law in Asia and the Middle East, including:

11 years in Hong Kong

12 years in Dubai

2 years in Japan and

2 years in Malaysia

I was Head of Disputes for the Middle East, and Global Head of Construction and Infrastructure Disputes, for Herbert Smith Freehills LLP.

I have served as an arbitrator on tribunals under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC-LCIA), the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association (JCAA), the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), and in ad hoc proceedings. My experience includes being a party-appointed arbitrator, the President/Chair of the tribunal, a sole arbitrator and a sole emergency arbitrator. I have heard cases in a wide range of commercial sectors including major construction and engineering projects, oil and gas disputes, and shareholder and joint venture disputes.

Background

I began my legal career in the UK, relocating to Hong Kong in 1995 where I became a partner in Herbert Smith (as it then was) in 2000. I then worked in London, Dubai, Tokyo, and Kuala Lumpur.  I retired as a partner in 2024, having advised on many hundreds of disputes and gained extensive international arbitration experience. My cases as counsel include disputes:

Power sector : under Power Purchase Agreements, EPC Contracts, LTSAs and Supply Agreements for thermal, nuclear and renewable generating plants in the Middle East, East Asia and Africa;

Transport : under EPC Contracts, BOT Contracts and Concession Agreements for high-speed rail, urban metro (underground and overground) and tram projects concerning stations, track, signalling and rollingstock, and under contracts for the design and construction of harbours, bridges and airports;

Telecoms : under contracts for the construction of data centres and for the development and the sale (and privatisation) of mobile networks;

Plant and oil & gas construction : under contracts for the design, construction and commissioning of refineries, offshore platforms, SPMs, pipelines, aluminium smelters, fertiliser plants and district cooling plants;

Finance : under a wide range of finance documents, including Bonds and Sukuks;

Leisure : under Hotel Operating Agreements, and contracts for the construction of hotels and shopping centres;

Trade : under Distributorship Agreements, Concession Agreements, Franchise Agreements and Insurance Policies.

Qualifications and Education

Admission:

  - Solicitor (Scotland), 1993

  - Solicitor (England and Wales), 1995

  - Solicitor (Hong Kong), 1998

Degree

- LLB (First Class Honours), University of Aberdeen, 1990