Areas of Practice

• Arbitration
• Adjudication
• Dispute Boards
• Mediation
• Acting as Counsel

Practice Overview

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.  Following six years as a solicitor, Robert returned to the full-time Bar in 2011 where he continues to practices as Counsel from SWL Chambers and as a neutral from ArbDB Chambers in London.

He is now resident in Dubai where he practices as Counsel throughout the GCC Region specialising in all aspects of the property and construction industry representing parties in the DIFC and ADGM courts and in all forms of alternative dispute resolution. He also continues to undertake appointments as arbitrator, adjudicator, expert determiner, mediator and dispute board member.

Robert has acted as Counsel in and decided disputes from moderate to high value matters covering a wide range of complex issues and contracts. He is also recognised for working closely with his clients/parties and their experts so that a suitable process can be utilised in resolving their disputes.

His 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).

Recent Cases

Appointed Arbitrator

Robert has been appointed on a variety of arbitrations, as sole arbitrator and Tribunal member, by ICC, LCIA, DIAC, CIArb and party appointment both in the UK and internationally including the following:

• A  dispute  between  a  joint  venture  contractor  and  national  government  involving  the construction of an airport runway.
• A dispute between a joint venture and a national government involving the construction of a major road project
• A dispute between an international consortium and a multi-national government agency concerning the termination of the contract and the valuation of remedial works to a national water treatment system
• Determination of the value for parcels of residential development land involving a complicated ownership agreement
• A dispute between Joint Venture parties as to the works carried out by a contractor and other matters involving the contract and warranties
• The valuation of parcels of land and the sum to be paid for that land pursuant to the various agreements between them
• A dispute involving a major chemical manufacturer and a specialist contractor regarding a production facility
• The cost of works and defects involving an oil refinery and storage facility
• Dilapidations

Appointed Adjudicator
In the field of UK adjudication Robert has received over 400 appointments from the CIArb, CIC, AICA, CEDR, RICS and by private appointment.  Recent disputes he has decided have include:

• Wrongful cancellation of contract
• Non-payment of sums owed under the contract
• Valuation of the Final Account
• Wrongful termination leading to a repuditory breach of contract
• The correct value of variations under a contract
• Valuation of works, payments and contra-charges
• Interpretation of contract, delay, extension of time & damages arising
• Professional negligence involving design consultants

Appointed Dispute Board Member
FIDIC President’s list of Approved Dispute Adjudicators and private appointments including:

• Dispute arising from a FIDIC contract in relation to interpretation, variations, valuation and payments on a prestigious development
• Oil refinery dispute involving scope of work, valuations and payment
• Waste water plant
• Contract interpretation, design and valuation

Acting as Counsel
Both in the UK and internationally including the following:

• Contract, valuation, variation and termination dispute between employer and contractor
• Variation,  design,  valuation  and  termination  dispute  between  Employer  and  specialist contractor
• The construction of a drainage and storm water system
• Valuation, variations, termination of a MEP contract
• Partnership dispute between two shareholders
• Enforcement of ADR decisions/awards
• Insolvency in relation to construction project
• Leasehold and sale & purchase agreements
• General commercial

Education and Professional Memberships

• LLB (Hons)
• Diploma in International Arbitration
• BSc Quantity Surveying
• The Honourable Society of Middle Temple, Barrister (1990)
• New York State Bar (USA), Attorney (1998)
• The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Fellow (2001), Chartered Arbitrator (2008)
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (1987 to 2018), Fellow
• The Law Society (2004 to 2011), Solicitor
• Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), Panel of Arbitrators
• Sharjah International Commercial Arbitration Centre (Takheem), Panel of Arbitrators
• Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), Panel of Arbitrators
• Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution (AIADR), Fellow (2018)
• AIADR Accredited International Arbitrator, Panel of Arbitrators
• London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), Member List of Arbitrators
• Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), List of Arbitrators
• Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration, Roster of Arbitrators (SCCA), Roster of Mediators
• UK Adjudicators, Panel of Adjudicators and Dispute Board Members
• Dispute Resolution Board Foundation (DRBF), Professional Member (2005)
• Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), Accredited Mediator, Panel of Adjudicators
• Technology and Construction Solicitors Association (TeCSA), Panel of Adjudicators
• Federation Internationale des Ingenieurs-Conseils International (FIDIC), President’s List of
• Approved Dispute Adjudicators
• Technology  and  Construction  Bar  Association,  Member  of  Arbitrators,  Adjudicators, Mediators and Dispute Board Members Panels

Legal Experience

2023 to date    INSIGHT LEGAL FZE, Creative Tower, Fujairah, UAE
2019 to date    ArbDB CHAMBERS, IDRC, 70 Fleet Street, London
A set of leading arbitrators, mediators, and adjudicators, both domestic and International, encompassing different professional backgrounds and jurisdictions.
2011 to date   SWL CHAMBERS, 25 Southampton Buildings, London - Barrister
2020 to 2023 ALSUWAIDI & COMPANY, Dubai, UAE - Counsel
2018 to 2020 KOCHHAR & CO INC, Dubai, UAE - Senior Partner
2006 - 2011    SWL DISPUTE RESOLUTION, Loudwater, Buckinghamshire - Principle
2004 - 2006   WRIGHT HASSALL SOLICITORS, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire - Partner and Joint Head of Construction Department
2001 - 2004   ALWAY ASSOCIATES, Banbury, Oxfordshire - Director - Legal Services
1993 - 2000   CHAMBERS OF GEOFFREY HAWKER, 46/48 Essex Street, London
1991 - 1993   CHAMBERS OF DONALD GORDON, 3 Temple Gardens, London
1990 - 1991   KEATING CHAMBERS, 10 Essex Street, London

Positions Held (* denotes current)

• Member of the Board of Management, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
• Chairman Panels Management Group, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
• Chairman United Arab Emirates Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators*
• Chairman Thames Valley Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
• Member of the Inns of Court Disciplinary Panel
• Committee Member, Construction ARBRIX
• Chairman of Membership Committee, Worshipful Company of Arbitrators
• Freeman and Liveryman, Worshipful Company of Arbitrators*
• Member, Society of Construction Law (Middle East)*
• Member, Adjudication Society

Other Information

Robert provides training, seminars and undertakes assessments on international and domestic arbitration, mediation as well as adjudication on behalf of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and other bodies both in the UK and overseas.