Education

1992-1996 University College, Oxford - Law
Law Moderations - Distinction
Finals - First
BCL - First
Eldon scholar

1997-1998 ICSL, London - BVC
Queen Mother Fox scholar and Harmsworth exhibitioner (Middle Temple)
7th overall (Outstanding)

Expertise

Principally in construction (including shipbuilding), engineering, energy, technology and related matters. Particular interest in conflict of laws. Also bonds/guarantees; and IT.

General Construction and Engineering

Familiar with the standard forms of contract.

Experience in defect claims, loss and expense claims and delay claims.

Experience across a spectrum of cases of different sizes, complexity and type including:
Junior Counsel in major international arbitration between Panamanian, Swiss and Singaporean companies concerning conversion of bulk-carrier into pipe-laying vessel (seat in London; sums claimed c350m). Involved at all stages of preparation for, and conduct of, quantum hearing (lasting in excess of 80 days), including undertaking cross-examination of a range of factual and expert witnesses.

Sole Counsel for M&E sub-contractor in successful mediation (issues included EOT, L&E and variations; sum claimed c250,000).

Junior Counsel in international arbitration concerning construction of luxury yacht (200 passengers) (seat in London; sums claimed c10m).

Sole Counsel in various trials and arbitrations encompassing, for example, claims in respect of tree root nuisance, a pub refurbishment, construction of a nursing home, painting and decorating contracts, works on domestic properties.

Sole Counsel in variety of interlocutory applications, including application for permission to amend and defending strike out application (sum claimed c250,000) in High Court (won and successfully resisted appeal); application for specific disclosure in TCC; applications for security for costs; various case management conferences.

General experience of Adjudication including enforcement

Appeared for Defendant at first instance in C&B Scene v Isobars and successfully resisted application for summary judgment to enforce adjudicator's award. (Defendant was unrepresented on appeal.)

Junior Counsel for Defendant in summary judgment application arising out of adjudicator's award in TCC, London (sum claimed c5m).

Drafted various written submissions.

Professional Negligence

Experience in cases involving professional negligence claims against architects, project managers and engineers.

Energy

Involved in pleading stage of arbitration on power station.

Other Areas

Insurance/re-insurance

Junior Counsel in arbitration between American and Bermudan companies concerning re-insurance (seat in Bermuda; sum claimed cUS$200m).

Partnership

sole Counsel in arbitration (settled) concerning partnership governed by Jersey law and with German law elements (sum claimed cDEM16m).

Other

Tutor of law (full-time) at Wadham College, Oxford (1996-1997) and (part-time) at LSE (1997-1998).

Judicial assistant to Lord Woolf MR (as he then was) at the Court of Appeal (January-April 2000).

Publishing

Author of various headnotes and commentaries in the Building Law Reports (from 1999 onwards); editor (from 2002 onwards).