The Executive Committee of the Adjudication Society took office at the AGM on 20 November 2024.
Here is an update on what we have been up to since then from our Chair, Sean Gibbs, and our Regional Coordinator, Carly Thorpe.
National Events
The Executive Committee has hosted the following events so far:
- A Christmas Debate in London regarding whether a Notice of Adjudication should be served on Christmas Eve;
- A webinar on Adjudication Panel Interviews, where Len Bunton kindly took on the role of candidate to be grilled by the mock panel;
- 2 virtual Case Law Updates;
- A webinar of insights from a party representative including strategy and lessons learned; and
- A dinner event in Birmingham.
And the following events are coming up:
- Virtual case law updates on 10 July and 7 October; and
- The Annual Conference on 20 November.
More events to be announced soon.
Regional Events
Carly has set up new regional committees in Yorkshire, the North West, and the West Midlands, and has worked with each of the regional committees to help them communicate with members more easily.
Here's an update on each region:
Yorkshire
Regional Committee:
- Rob Hubbard – Cantidad Limited
- Tom Haley – Quantik
- Andrew Dixon – Walker Morris LLP
- Ben Thomson – William Birch & Sons
- Tom Wilson – Norse Consulting
- Thomas Hurst – DAC Beachcroft
Events:
The Yorkshire Committee hosted their first event on Thursday 6 March "It's bias, Jim – but not as we know it" - an interactive debate session which was led by Michael Wheater KC and Andrew Kearney, both of Gatehouse Chambers. The event was hosted by Walker Morris LLP.
The Yorkshire Committee are busy organising their next event which is planned to be in Sheffield.
Keep up to date by following them on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adjudication-society-yorkshire-region
Contact the region directly at yorkshire@adjudication.org
West Midlands
Regional Committee:
- Lisa Rushton – Overford
- Jessica Whiston – Pyments
- Sam Wallis – Gowling WLG
- Priya Kale – Anthony Collins
Events:
The newly constituted West Midlands Committee have organised their first event for 2 June 2025:
"No Frolicking and Within His Jurisdiction" - The Adjudicator's View on Bell Building Limited v TClarke Contracting Limited
Speaker: Keith Blizzard, Blizzards Consulting Limited
Hosted by: Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, Two Snowhill, Birmingham, B4 6WR.
Kindly sponsored by: Overford Limited
Follow the region on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adjudication-society-west-midlands-region
Contact the committee directly at WestMidlands@adjudication.org
London and the South East
Regional Committee:
- Richard Booth - HFW
- Douglas James – Crown Office Chambers
- Claire King – Fenwick Elliott
- Mark Mills – J.S. Held
- Theresa Mohammed – Trowers & Hamlins
Events:
Our London region hosted a joint meeting with the DRBF on Tuesday 2 April. This event, was hosted at JS Held at their Swithins Lane offices and discussed the premise:
"This house believes there should be more Dispute Avoidance Boards and less Statutory Adjudication in public works contracts in the United Kingdom".
North West Region
Regional Committee:
The previous Regional Chair Kevin Madden of Logic Commercial has handed over to a new regional committee. Thank you to Kevin for all of his hard work and service over the years.
The new committee are:
- Crystal Jenkins – Overford
- Tom Francis – Ankura
Events:
Crystal and Tom are currently organising their first event. Details coming soon.
Follow the region on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adjudication-society-north-west-region
Contact the committee directly at: NorthWest@adjudication.org
Scotland
Regional Convenor: Neil Kelly - MFMac
Events:
It is a tradition of the Scottish Region of the Society that it invites an eminent Scots lawyer to give an Annual Case Law update.
This year The Hon. Lord Richardson has kindly agreed to speak on this occasion. Lord Richardson was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Courts in February 2021.Before his appointment to the bench he had a distinguished practice at the bar in commercial matters which included a specialism in construction law.
In his talk, Lord Richardson will touch upon guidance from the courts in the past year or so on topics relevant to adjudication and construction law more generally.
This is a very popular event and early booking is recommended.
This event is free and open to members of the Adjudication Society and non-members. Register here
Northern Ireland
Regional Convenor: Jarlath Kearney of Elemental Consultants
Events:
Jarlath is planning their 2025 events. Details coming soon.
Republic of Ireland
Jarleth Heneghan has taken on the role of Regional Chair for the Republic of Ireland, replacing Éamonn Conlon SC.
There has also been a refresh of the Regional Committee with two new members joining.
The current Committee Members are:
- Jarleth Heneghan – William Fry
- Éamonn Conlon SC – Senior Counsel
- Clare Cashin – Philip Lee LLP
- Alan Brady – Law Library
- Damien Keogh SC – Senior Counsel
- Allison Carroll – McCann Fitzgerald
Events:
The committee are planning their 2025 events. Details coming soon.
South West and Wales
Committee Members:
- Trevor Drury – Morecraft Drury
- Simon Yates – Rowfield Consulting
- Leigh Belasco – Belasco Associates
- Sean Gibbs – Hanscomb International
- Huw Wilkins – Fenwick Elliott LLP
Events:
The committee are planning their 2025 events. Details coming soon.
Contact the committee directly at: southwestwales@adjudication.org