Professor Doug Jones AO

Doug has arbitration experience in both ad hoc and institutional commercial arbitrations under the AAA, ACICA, AMINZ, DIAC, HKIAC, Resolution Institute, ICC, ICDR, KLRCA, LCIA, SCC, SIAC, UNCITRAL and other institutional rules. He is the Australian government nominee on the ICSID panel of arbitrators, He sits regularly as arbitrator in many jurisdictions, including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, USA, Canada, UAE, Qatar, India, UK, Austria, France, and Korea.

Doug’s appointments as Arbitrator include disputes relating to:

• Energy, including:
  • power purchase agreements;
  • construction of power stations/generators;
  • construction of offshore wind farms;
  • construction of petro-chemical plants; and
  • commodity Joint Ventures and trading
• Oil & Gas, including:
  • oil explorations;
  • offshore oil production projects;
  • construction of onshore and offshore gas pipelines and platforms; and
  • construction of oil infrastructure;
• Major projects, including:
  • mining;
  • construction of roads;
  • transport Public Private Partnerships;
  • construction of rail and tunnel infrastructure;
  • construction of sewerage plants; and
  • telecommunications;
• General commercial matters, including:
  • share sale agreements;
  • intellectual property and licensing; and
  • manufacturing licenses.

Doug’s appointments have also included 17 matters in which a sovereign party has been involved.

Doug’s experience as Arbitrator includes:

Doug has sat as Arbitrator in Arbitrations seated in Ankara, Abu Dhabi, Brisbane, Dubai, Geneva, Ghana, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, New Delhi, New York City, Paris, Qatar, Reykjavik, Seoul, Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney, Toronto, Vienna, Vietnam, Washington DC, and Zambia.

His country experience has also included projects practice in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ghana, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, People’s Republic of China, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vietnam, and Zambia.

Doug has applied the laws of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Canada (Ontario and British Columbia), El Salvador, England and Wales, Ghana, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States of America (New York and California), Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

1976 – date      Institute of Arbitrators & Mediators Australia (now Resolution Institute)

• Foundation Fellow (1976)
• Graded Arbitrator (1985 – date)
• Hon Secretary & Committee Member, Qld Branch (1979-1990) Member, National Council (1991-1995)
• Committee Member, NSW Chapter (1991-1995)
• Honorary Life Member (2020 – date)

1980 – date      Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (London)

• Fellow (1980)
• Committee Member, Australian Branch (1995 – 2005) Chairman, Australian Branch (2002 – 2005)
• Elected Member, Board of Trustees (2005 – 2008)
• Chairman, Board of Trustees (2006 – 2008)
• Chartered Arbitrator (2007 – date)
• Vice President (2009)
• Deputy President (2010)
• President (2011)
• Centenary Chair (2015)
• Companion (2016)

1983 – date      International Bar Association

• Co-Chair, International Construction Projects Committee IBA (2007 – 2009)
• Member, Conflicts of Interest Working Group, IBA International Arbitration Committee (2002 – 2004)

1987 – date      Committee Member, Construction and Infrastructure Group, Law Council of Australia

1989 – date      London Court of International Arbitration

• Member, LCIA Court (2010 – 2014)
• Vice-President, Asia Pacific Council (1989 – 2007)

1996 – date      Dispute Resolution Board Foundation

• Member, Dispute Resolution Board Foundation (1996 – date)
• Committee Member of the Executive, Dispute Resolution Board Foundation (2006 – date)
• President, Dispute Resolution Board Australasia (2009 – 2014)
• President Region 3 (2014 – 2017)

1996 – date      Member, International Arbitration Club (London)

2001 – date      Professorial Fellow, Melbourne University, Australia

2001 – date      Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration

• President (2008 – 2014)
• Vice President (2002 – 2008)

2002 – 2012     Vice Chair, Inter-Pacific Bar Association Arbitration & Dispute Resolution Committee

2004 – 2012     Member, Juris Doctor Advisory Board of the University of Melbourne, Australia

2005 – date      Arbitrator Member, Society of Construction Arbitrators (London)

2005 – date      Asia Pacific Regional Arbitration Group (APRAG)

• Vice President (2009 – 2011)
• Member Arbitration Panel (2005 – date)

2006 – 2012    Adjunct Professor of Law, Murdoch University, Australia

2006 – date      Member, CIDC International Advisory Group, India Construction Industry

2007 – 2015     Member, Australian Council of the International Project Finance Association

2007 – date      Honorary Fellow, Canadian College of Construction Lawyers

2014 – date      Visiting Professor, Queen Mary, University of London

2009 – date      Honorary Fellow, American College of Construction Lawyers

2009 – 2015     Director of the Board, Roads Australia

2009 – date      Member, Council of Distinguished Advisors, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine School of Law, California, United States

2010 – 2014     Member, ICC Australia Arbitration Committee

2010 – date      Australian Government nominee to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) panel of arbitrators

2012 – 2017    Council Member, International Federation of Commercial Arbitration Institutions (IFCAI)

2013 – date     Member Arbitrator, Arbitration Place, Toronto

2013 – date     Arbitrator member, Energy Arbitrators’ List

2013 – date     Member, IBA Working Group on Harmonising Arbitration Laws in the Asia Pacific Region

2014 – date     Associate, American Bar Association

2014 – date     Arbitrator member, Arbitration Panel appointed by NSW Government under the Mining Act and Petroleum (Offshore) Act

2015 – date     Member, Advisory Committee, Melbourne Commercial Arbitration and Mediation Centre

2016 – date     Inaugural Member, Seoul IDRC International Advisory Board

2017 – date     Inaugural Member, CIETAC International Board of Advisors

2018 – date     President, International Academy of Construction Lawyers

2018 – date     Honorary Fellow, Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution

2018 – date     Fellow, Australian Academy of Law

2019 – date     Member, Advisory Board, Dispute Resolution Expert (DREx) Talks

2019 – date     International Judge, Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC)

2020 – date     Member, Editorial Board, Asia Pacific Regional Arbitration Group (APRAG)

2020 – date     Honorary Bencher, The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn

2021 – date     Member of the Advisory Council of the Asian international Arbitration Centre (AIAC)

2021 – date      Korean Commercial Arbitration Board International Arbitration Committee

Co-Author of the Third Edition of Commercial Arbitration in Australia under the Model Law, published by Thomson Reuters, 2022

Contributor to Asian Journal of Law and Society, 2021

Contributor to The Guide to Evidence, GAR, 2021

Contributor to AIADR Journal of International ADR Forum, 2021

Contributor of Practical Insights Modules in Kluwer Arbitration Practice Plus, 2021

Contributor to Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Journal, 2020

Contributor to Derecho & Sociedad Journal, 2020

Contributor to Canadian College of Construction Lawyers, 2019

Contributor to Korean Arbitration Review, 2019

Contributor to BCDR International Arbitration Review, 2018

Contributor to Arbitrator and Mediator Journal, Resolution Institute, 2018

Contributor to The Guide to Energy Arbitrations, GAR, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

Contributor to The Projects and Construction Review (2nd Edition), Law Business Research, 2012 & 2015

Contributor to Brazilian Institute of Construction Law, 2014

Contributor to International Oil & Gas Arbitration, Juris Publishing, 2014

Contributor to CIArb Centenary Liber Amicorum, CIArb, 2014

Contributor to Asia-Pacific Arbitration Review, GAR, 2011-2013

Co-Editor in Chief of the International Construction Law Review

Editorial Board Member of the Asia Pacific Regional Arbitration Group

Editorial Board Member of the International Trade and Business Law Review

Editorial Board Member of the India Business Law Journal

Editorial Board Member of the Global Arbitration Review

International correspondent of Romanian Review of Arbitration for Australia

Author of Commercial Arbitration in Australia, published by Lawbook Co (Thomson Reuters), 2011 (2ED 2013)

Author of Building and Construction Claims and Disputes, Construction Publications, 1996

His expertise in International Arbitration and Construction has regularly been recognised by his peers, recent recommendations are as follows

2023: “Doug Jones is one of the top three construction arbitrators in the world. He is incredibly efficient.”

“Doug is obviously one of the foremost international construction arbitrators; he gets lots of significant work and is very good at what he does.”

International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators client: Chambers Asia-Pacific 2023

2022: Receiving a Band 1 ranking in the “Arbitration (International): Most In Demand Arbitrators – Asia-Pacific Region”.  One interviewee’s observation that Doug Jones of Atkin Chambers is “undoubtedly one of the top commercial and construction arbitrators in the world” is a view echoed by many other commentators on the Asia-Pacific region, one of whom calls him “pre-eminent in his field,” while another calls him “a fantastic, very hands-on arbitrator who is very good at dealing with difficult technical cases with lots of experts.” Further noted for “tremendous energy” and “exceptional experience,” he sits on investor-state, commodities and intellectual property-related arbitrations, as well as those of construction disputes, for which he is best known.

2022: “Brilliant mind. Hard working. Huge experience of managing arbitral process. Brings a strong robust approach to procedural issues. Great individual to work with as part of a tribunal.” Doug Jones, Hall of Fame, Tier 1 International Arbitration, Legal 500 UK Bar 2022

Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific – Doug has been recognised as a star individual in the Australian legal community for many successive years. Doug is the only construction lawyer in Australia to receive this endorsement.

2021: ‘An experienced and super-efficient arbitrator.’ International Arbitration, Legal 500 UK Bar 2021

2020: Doug retained his Band 1 ranking in the “Arbitration (International): Most In Demand Arbitrators – Asia-Pacific Region” category, and was recognised as a “superb chairman – very decisive and authoritative” who commands a “worldwide reputation” as an arbitrator of construction-related disputes.

2019: Receiving a Band 1 ranking in the “Arbitration (International): Most in Demand Arbitrators – Asia-Pacific Region” category, Doug was described as a “leading international arbitrator for construction and engineering disputes” in the Asia-Pacific region. Noting his proactive handling of arbitrations, sources comment he is “very much in control of proceedings, will intervene and ask questions and makes decisions.”

Who’s Who Legal

2021: WWL UK Bar (Arbitration) notes that Doug “is undoubtedly one of the world’s top arbitrators in commercial and construction disputes”. Sources effuse: “He is decisive, hard-working, careful and efficient.”

2021: WWL Arbitration recognised that Doug has “great depth of experience and significant analytical skills” and “the ability to crystallise complex issues in a way that is comprehensible to even those less experienced in the arbitration sphere”. Further, Doug was identified as “very focused, very experienced and very collegial” as well as “energetic, passionate about arbitration and an articulate proponent of the need for adoption of international best practice to enhance procedural efficiencies”.

2020: WWL Thought Leaders Global Elite (Arbitration) identified Doug as “an absolute star among construction arbitrators”, with an exceptional international reputation. Doug was lauded as “one of the best arbitrators there is” when it comes to construction matters.

2020: WWL Global Leader (Arbitration) observed that Doug is “a very experienced practitioner” and “a construction law specialist”. He is well versed in acting as arbitrator in international commercial and investor state arbitrations.

2020: WWL Construction identified Doug as a “brilliant arbitrator” with considerable experience in high-value disputes.

2020: WWL UK Bar (Construction – Silks) said that Doug was “an impressive arbitrator” and is “perhaps the best in the world for construction disputes according to impressed peers”.

2019: WWL Construction (Australia and UK) observed that Doug “is lauded as ‘one of the best arbitrators there is’ when it comes to construction matters”. Doug was described by interviewees as “an absolute star among construction arbitrators“, with an “exceptional international reputation“.

Best Lawyers

2020: Doug was again selected for inclusion in the fields of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Construction/Infrastructure Law, International Arbitration and Transportation Law.

2019: Doug was again selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in Australia, in the fields of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Construction/Infrastructure Law, International Arbitration and Transportation Law.

2018: Doug was named the Best Lawyers 2018 Sydney Construction/Infrastructure Law “Lawyer of the Year”. Doug was also selected for inclusion in the fields of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Construction/Infrastructure Law, International Arbitration and Transportation Law.

Lawyers Weekly Law Awards 2014 – Doug was awarded the Michael Kirby Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognises legal leaders that have made a substantial contribution to the Australian legal profession as well as overall leadership and influence on the Australian legal sector. The editor of Lawyers Weekly said Doug’s many professional achievements made him a stand out choice for the award: “Doug has left a lasting legacy not just on the Australian legal profession, but the international legal community. No one in the Australian legal sector has done more to promote Australia as a viable destination to hear international commercial arbitration matters than Doug. His tireless energy and devotion in promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution here and abroad has ensured Australia has a credible international voice in major discussions and developments on the global commercial dispute resolution scene.”

GAR 100 2014 – Doug was recognised as a “driving force” and was noted for “head[ing] the practice at Clayton Utz, one of the few Australian firms with a real name in [arbitration]“.

Energy Arbitrators’ List – In recognition of his experience and expertise in the energy industry and in international arbitration, Doug was appointed to the Energy Arbitrators’ List in July 2013.

2020                         GAR ART Award for best prepared/most responsive arbitrator at the GAR Awards 2020

2018                   John Shaw Medal

2016                   Companion of the CIArb

2012                   Officer of the Order of Australia

1977                   Master of Laws, University of Queensland

1974                   Bachelor of Arts, University of Queensland

1972                   Bachelor of Laws, University of Queensland

“Forceful and forthright. He can keep the parties engaged, which is half the battle. He brings out the commercial imperatives.”

Mediators, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2023

Michael Shane is known for “‘grasping the details of the underlying facts and the legal issues, but also getting what drives the parties commercially.” “

Hall of Fame, Mediators, The Legal 500 2020

Michael Shane (Atkin Chambers) has “an uncanny ability to spot a deal early in a process, and is someone who is effective at knocking heads together,” according to clients. His practice covers all manner of commercial issues, and he is identified by clients as being particularly skilled in infrastructure, energy and financial services disputes.

Mediation, Chambers & Partners 2019

Atkin Chambers’ Michael Shane has acted as mediator in over 1,500 disputes; his mediations involve a wide variety of subject matter, including all areas of commercial disputes, particularly insurance, finance, construction and engineering, energy and IP.

Mediators, The Legal 500 2019

The “very savvy and experienced” Michael Shane maintains a respected mediation practice informed by years of experience as a trial lawyer. He is regularly appointed to mediate a range of commercial disputes, particularly those occurring in the construction, engineering and energy sectors. He has experience in cases arising in the USA, Europe and Asia. Sources highlight that “he is direct and effective in terms of getting the job done, “and that “he has a very good style and works to reach an agreement.”

Mediation, Chambers & Partners 2018

Michael Shane is a “very commercial” mediator with a worldwide practice. He attracts particular praise for his ability to take “a very global and complex case and break it down into smaller pieces.”

Mediation, Chambers & Partners 2017

“Michael Shane is an experienced mediator who attracts praise from market commentators for his “commercial approach” to dispute resolution.”

Mediation, Chambers & Partners 2016