International Arbitration
An increasing part of Richard’s work is in the field of international arbitration. Richard is regularly instructed as counsel in arbitrations on high profile civil and engineering projects across the Middle East, most recently in Dubai, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Richard has experience of various different arbitral rules and seats of arbitration, and cases involving the law of Qatar and UAE.
Selected Cases
- Acting (led by Andrew Rigney KC) in several ICC arbitrations arising out of the construction of major industrial plant in Saudi Arabia, with a combined value exceeding £200M.
- Acting (led by Andrew Rigney KC) in international arbitration relating to reinsurance of guarantees and performance bonds provided to Middle East contractors.
- Acting (led by Andrew Rigney KC) in dispute arising out of construction of steam generation plant in Saudi Arabia.
- Acting for sub-contractors in substantial dispute arising out of alleged defects in multiple off-shore wind farm projects.
- Acted (led by Roger Ter Haar KC) for main contractors in a claim brought by the M&E subcontractor following delays to the construction of a landmark government building in a Middle East capital, including a substantial (US$100M+) counterclaim.
- Advising contractors in relation to a dispute over delays to the construction of the corporate headquarters of high profile Dubai company.
- Acted for the Claimant building contractor in a final account dispute following the completion of a prestigious residential project, with a loss and expense claim exceeding US$70m.
Awards
- Arbitration Club Phillip Ranner Prize
- Kings College Construction Law Association Prize
- Lord Mansfield Scholar (BVC), Lincoln’s Inn
- Lord Haldane Scholar (CPE), Lincoln’s Inn
News
- Crown Office Chambers recognised by Legal 500 EMEA 2024 for construction expertise in the Middle East
- Members of Chambers recognised by the Legal 500 EMEA 2023 for their construction expertise in the Middle East
Events
- Richard Sage and Andy Flanagan to attend Riyadh International Disputes Week, 3-7 March 2024
- Dubai Arbitration Week 2023
Articles
- King v Stiefel: a useful guide to making and responding to wasted costs applications
- New Guidance Published on Responsible Contractual Behaviour
Qualifications
- BA History (First Class), Oxford University
- CPE (Distinction), City University
- BVC (Very Competent), BPP University
- MSc Construction Law & Dispute Resolution (Distinction)
Memberships
- Technology and Construction Court Bar Association (TECBAR)
- Society of Construction Law
- Adjudication Society
- Young International Arbitration Group
- Professional Negligence Bar Association
- Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR)
- London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association (LCLCBA)
Recommendations
“Richard is excellent. The work product he produces is second to none.”… “He’s very accessible, very responsive, very thorough and provides well-thought-out arguments.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Richard is very easy to work with – friendly for both instructing solicitors and clients. Richard is pragmatic and able to cut through complicated legal concepts to the crux of issues and prepare persuasive pleadings.”
Legal 500, 2024
“An extremely intelligent junior who distils complex information quickly, and is very calm and collected at all times.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Richard is outstanding. He is extremely bright, fantastic with clients, and immensely hard-working.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Richard has provided comprehensive advice at all stages and has been particularly strong in conference, in complex and changing areas of law, coupled with strong drafting skills and advocacy.”
Legal 500, 2023
“Richard is great on detail, and on working with technical experts to ensure sometimes extremely complex technical issues are presented in the most effective and comprehensible way. He is very easy to get on with, user-friendly, and good with clients and experts.” “Tactically astute; very user friendly. No obvious weaknesses.”
Legal 500, 2023
“He is a pleasure to work with, extremely responsive and produces tightly written well considered pleadings and advice.” “”Richard is very good on the detail as well as the analysis of the law and expert issues.” “”He is a pleasure to work with, extremely responsive and produces tightly written well considered pleadings and advice.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023
“He advises his clients with great skill and sensitivity and he’s an excellent team player and a brilliant advocate.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“Richard is a class act and very knowledgeable. His key strengths from an international perspective are his ability to work as part of a team and his excellent tactical acumen. His advice is clear, concise, and commercially-minded.”
Legal 500, 2022
“His attention to detail is very good and he always thinks through to the end game. He is thoroughly easy to deal with, very approachable and very good with clients.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“Richard’s technical expertise is first rate, but his true strength is his ability to communicate complex technical legal issues in a manner which is readily understandable by the lay clients.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Very hardworking and will dedicate himself to a case. He is always available to provide a guiding hand and his advice is invaluable.” “His quiet confidence belies a sharp, keen mind and a steady, measured determination and focus that make him an incredibly reassuring and competent advocate to work with.” “He is tactically astute, responds quickly and has excellent drafting skills.”
Legal 500, 2021
