A bit about me…

A Scotsman with permanent residency in Italy (and freedom to work across the Schengen Area and UK), I am a construction professional with a background founded in M.E.P. Quantity Surveying (back when SMM7 ruled the roost) with practical project management experience managing tradespeople who actually ‘build’ projects. I have worked in civil law and common law jurisdictions and now focus my efforts on contracts, the law pertaining to those contracts and the resolution of disputes under those contracts and the law.

Still reading?..

I am not an engineer; but I can challenge their design assumptions and calculations without fear of the ‘bridge falling down’.

I am not a lawyer; but I see the legal issues outside of the ‘4 corners’ and write in plain language for the concepts on the page.

I am not (currently) a project manager; but I have lived the complexities, uncertainty and daily challenges of the role.

I am not (currently) a commercial manager; but I have spent more time on Excel than most!

I am in the unique position of having a multi-disciplinary skill-set that crosses paths with all of the above roles.

I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) and CEDR accredited mediator who specialises in contract management and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for the construction industry.

University of Reading

Robert Gordon University

CIARB

London School of Economics and Political Science

CEDR Limited

Claims Class

My training and education

Throughout my 15+ years in the Construction Industry I have worked in commercial, project management and contract roles for subcontractors, main-contractors and employers in projects in ranging from the RIBA 0 to RIBA 7 stages. I have developed an interest in dispute avoidance and resolution within distressed projects/contracts.

During that period, I have undertaken a BSc with Honours degree in Building Services Quantity Surveying from the College of Estate Management at the University of Reading. I am currently undertaking a Master of Laws (LLM) in Construction Law, Adjudication and Arbitration from the Robert Gordon University. My area of self-study has seen me deep dive into mediation of construction disputes within the context of UK laws with a comparative law study from other legal systems.

To supplement the practical and formal education, I have continued to professionally develop myself; I have undertaken a negotiation training programme from the London School of Economics and ‘construction claims writing’ and ‘practical use of FIDIC contracts’ courses from acclaimed author and industry expert Andy Hewitt, founder of Claims Class.

I have applied these teachings and other areas of study to become an accredited mediator from the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb)

What else?..

I believe in sharing information and am acutely aware that the effectiveness of any construction industry professional will largely be driven by ‘knowledge’ yet most employers have very poor training and development for Employees. So, I have sought to develop a ‘construction & contract law and ADR’ video podcast to share brief insights into various aspects of this industry, in a format that suits the professional with a spare 20 minutes on their commute.

I also share articles on similar matters for those who wish to read rather than listen. If you have a similar interest in the law surrounding construction and dispute resolution and would be happy to share your insights then please get in touch about appearing on a video podcast. The more the merrier!