Chartered arbitrator, Accredited mediator, Chartered architect
Susan’s practice is focussed on dispute resolution in the context of the built environment. Susan has experience of a wide spectrum of construction and engineering contract claims, including defects, delay and final account claims, under both standard and bespoke contract forms. In her earlier practice at the Bar Susan also undertook a wide range of landlord and tenant and other property related work. She also has considerable experience in negligence claims against construction professionals, and has acted in construction professional disciplinary proceedings both as party representative and as legal advisor to the tribunal. Before coming to the Bar, Susan qualified and practised as a chartered architect. Her architectural experience mainly comprised medium to large-scale commercial projects, and included being both office and site based. Susan has found her technical background of great value in her practice as counsel, tribunal and mediator, and she has experience of dealing with a wide range of technical matters, including subsidence, mining, mechanical handling and logistics, plant and machinery, asbestos removal and remediation, and tidal and river erosion.
Adjudication
Susan is an accredited adjudicator (Technology and Construction Bar Association) and is on the RIBA, TECSA, TECBAR and CIArb adjudication panels. Susan has acted as adjudicator in numerous disputes including:
- Final account claims
- Defective works/remedial works claims
- Mechanical and plant defects
- Delay claims
- Repudiatory breach/termination disputes
- Professional negligence disputes.
Susan has also acted as party representative in several adjudications and adjudication enforcement applications.
Arbitration
Susan is a chartered arbitrator and is on the CIArb panel and the statutory Pubs Code arbitration list, and has also accepted appointments from parties and from CIArb. Recent arbitration appointments include construction and statutory leasehold disputes. Susan has also acted as party representative in arbitrations, acting in M&E, professional fees, and other disputes.
Mediator
Susan is an accredited mediator. She has acted numerous times as party representative in mediations, and now acts as mediator. She has found her technical background and experience within the construction industry of significant benefit in this forum. The disputes Susan has mediated have included professional negligence issues as well as more general property related disputes.
Court Examiner
In 2017 Susan was appointed as an Examiner of the Court by the Lord Chancellor. Court Examiners conduct proceedings for the taking of evidence by depositions when the court orders a witness to be examined other than at trial.
Events
Qualifications
1987 — BSc Architecture University College London, Bartlett School of Architecture
1990 — Diploma in Architecture University College London, Bartlett School of Architecture
1992 — Chartered architect
1994 — MSc Construction Law Kings College London and Arbitration
1997 — Called to the Bar
Memberships
- Chartered member of the Royal Institute of British Architects; member of the RIBA Standards Committee.
- Former chair of the RIBA President’s Advisory Committee on Dispute Resolution.
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
- Worshipful Company of Arbitrators (Freeman).
- Member of the Institution of Civil Engineer’s Dispute Resolution Panel (committee with oversight of ICE dispute panels).
- Technology and Construction Bar Association.
- Professional Negligence Bar Association.
