Built on the foundations of a Master's Degree (MEng) in Engineering Science and previously practising as a civil engineer, Ben is a specialist construction lawyer with over 20 years' experience in the industry. Based in London, he advises clients around the world on all aspects of construction and engineering projects, from contract drafting and negotiation to project delivery, claims and disputes. He has advised on a wide range of projects around the world, with particular knowledge and experience in high-value international infrastructure, heavy engineering, EPC, energy and technical projects, including solar (PV and CSP), onshore and offshore wind, geothermal, hydropower, waste-to-energy, nuclear and conventional power projects. He is also regularly involved in the drafting and negotiation of contracts for the design and construction of complex offshore vessels.

Ben has a particular focus and expertise in assessing and advising on complex, high-value scenarios, claims and disputes in the international construction industry and is adept in working with international contracts, whether based on bespoke or standard forms. He is actively involved in the resolution of disputes through international arbitration, as well as litigation, dispute boards and other forms of ADR.

Ben brings a strategic mind-set, drawn from his in-depth knowledge of the industry, the legal issues and commercial realities and extensive experience across multiple jurisdictions. One area of specific interest is advising on, and developing, procurement strategies for innovative and ‘first-of-a-kind’ projects, including the upscaling of prototype projects to industrial scale, and regularly advises on risks arising from the use of cutting-edge technology and engineering solutions; another area of interest, originating from his civil engineering background, is projects involving tunnelling and underground works and is an Associate Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a member of the British Tunnelling Society.

Ben is an expert in the FIDIC forms of contract. He is co-author of FIDIC Contracts: Law and Practice (Informa, 2008) and was on the review panel for the new FIDIC 2017 Standard Form contracts. He was also involved in the pre-publication review of the new FIDIC Emerald Book.

Ben is recognised in the independent directories for both his non-contentious and contentious work, which comment "[h]is key strengths are his first-class legal brain, work ethic and collaborative approach" (Chambers & Partners UK 2022) and that he "approaches cases with a view to getting the best settlement possible through his accurate judgement of risk and his wider consideration of engineering issues" (Chambers & Partners UK 2021). He is recommended as a Global Leader by Who's Who Legal for Construction 2022, as well as being a 'Thought Leader' in England.

Ben was elected on to the Technology and Construction Solicitors' Association (TECSA) committee in 2018 and is Chair of the TECSA International & Arbitration Sub-Committee.

Ben is a Solicitor-Advocate qualified in England and Wales. Before the law, Ben practised as a civil engineer at a leading international consulting engineering company.

Ben's experience includes:

• Advising a leading industrial group in relation to a contract for the construction of a new process plant in a remote location in West Africa.
• Advising an East African project company in relation to contracts for the construction of a mixed-use development involving a major new shopping mall and residential buildings.
• Acting for an international contractor in an ICC arbitration against an East African state in respect of claims and counterclaims arising out of the termination of a design-build road project in East Africa.
• Representing a subsidiary of a global power company in UNCITRAL arbitration proceedings against an international contractor concerning a contract to design and construct a 600 MW coal-fired power station in eastern Europe.
• Advising a project company in relation to subcontracts for the construction of the civil works aspects of a new hydro-electric power scheme in East Africa.
• Representing a major Middle Eastern developer in the GCC in a series of DIAC and ad hoc arbitration proceedings against a contractor concerning the construction of residential developments and associated infrastructure.