John Wright

EDUCATION

Hereford Cathedral School (1963 - 1970)

St John's College, Cambridge (1970 - 1973)

BA 1973 MA 1977

PRESENT POSITION

Director, John Wright ADR

Member and Director, ArbDB Chambers

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

1976 - 1979 Solicitor - Coward Chance (now Clifford Chance LLP)

1979 - 1983 Solicitor - McKenna & Co (now CMS Cameron McKenna)

1984 - 1998 Partner and Head of Construction Department – Warner Cranston (now Reed Smith LLP)

1999 - 2003 Partner - Berwin Leighton Paisner

2003 - 2011 Partner - Lane & Partners LLP (now Bird & Bird LLP)

2011 – 2016 Partner - Goodman Derrick LLP

2016 – 2018 Consultant, Goodman Derrick LLP

1. QUALIFICATIONS

1976 Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales

1991 Fellow - Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

1995 Mediator accredited by Centre for Effective Dispute

Resolution

1996 Adjudicator accredited by Technology & Construction Solicitors’ Association (TeCSA)

2. PANEL MEMBERSHIPS

FIDIC President’s List of Approved Dispute Adjudicators
RICS Register of Dispute Board Members
Panel of Arbitrators, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre
Panel of Arbitrators, Asian International Arbitration Centre
Panel of Arbitrators, Georgian International Arbitration Centre
Panel of Arbitrators, Pacific International Arbitration Centre (Vietnam)
Distinguished Panel of Arbitrators, Thailand Arbitration Centre
Panel of Arbitrators, RICS Select Construction and Engineering Arbitration Service
Panel of Arbitrators, RICS Fast Track Construction and Engineering Arbitration Service
Panel of Arbitrators, CEDR Solve
Panel of Arbitrators, the Law Society
Panel of Adjudicators, Asian International Arbitration Centre
Panel of Adjudicators, Technology and Construction Solicitors’ Association
Panel of Construction Adjudicators, CEDR Solve

3. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND POSITIONS HELD

Board of Trustees of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (2009-2014, Chair 2011-2013)
Co-Chair - International Construction Projects Committee of the International Bar Association (2012-2013)
Chair of interview panel for RICS Adjudication Panel Assessments (2005-2006)
Chair of tribunal for RICS Adjudication Panel Appeals (2006)

Member - Arbitration Club
Member - Adjudication Society
Member - Society of Construction Law
Member - Society of Construction Arbitrators
Member - Dispute Resolution Board Foundation

4. RECOGNITIONS

Recognised for many years in Chambers’ Directory and the Legal 500 as a leading construction lawyer
Included in Who’s Who Legal Directory every year from 2007 onwards as one of the world’s leading construction lawyers
Included in Who’s Who Directory 2019 - 2022 as one of the world’s leading mediators
Included in Who’s Who Directory 2019 - 2022 as one of the world’s thought leaders in construction

5. EXPERIENCE AS THIRD PARTY NEUTRAL

Is currently sitting, or has sat, as Arbitrator, Dispute Board Member, Adjudicator or Mediator in the following matters:

5.1 Arbitrator

Chair of an international arbitral tribunal under the LCIA Rules in a dispute under the laws of Qatar relating to the construction of an urban regeneration project (ongoing)

Chair of an international arbitral tribunal in connection with a 750m Dirhams dispute between a Subcontractor and an EPC Contractor regarding a major infrastructure project in the UAE under ADCCAC Rules (award rendered in 2021)

Chair of an ad hoc international arbitral tribunal in connection with a 40m Dirhams dispute between a Middle East developer and a consultant concerning a number of connected infrastructure projects (settled 2016)

Chair of an international arbitral tribunal in connection with a 35m Dirhams dispute between an M&E sub-contractor and a main contractor regarding a residential development in the Middle East under DIAC rules (award rendered in 2016)

Chair of an international arbitral tribunal in connection with a 200m Dirhams dispute between a sub-contractor and main contractor regarding a large commercial/retail development in the Middle East under DIAC Rules (award rendered in 2016)

Chair of an ad hoc international arbitral tribunal dealing with a US$10m dispute arising from the termination of a contractor’s employment under a FIDIC Yellow Book contract for a power plant project in Asia (settled in 2011)

Sole arbitrator in a US$150m dispute arising from the construction of a container port facility in the Far East under UNCITRAL Rules (settled in 2018 after a 3 week hearing)

Sole arbitrator on a £2.5m dispute regarding an energy supply agreement (settled in 2017)

Sole arbitrator on a £5m dispute regarding refurbishment works to a substantial private residence in London (settled in 2018)

Sole arbitrator on two interrelated disputes (value £1m) between and landlord and tenant regarding energy supply agreements (settled in 2018)

Sole arbitrator on a dispute regarding commissions paid on a large development in the UK (ongoing)

Sole arbitrator on a dispute regarding construction works to a private residence involving variations and extension of time claims (ongoing)

Sole arbitrator on claims arising on two contracts for the construction of a substantial private residence, involving rectification of substantial alleged defects (ongoing)

Party appointed arbitrator in an ad hoc arbitration seated in Switzerland in connection with a €6 m dispute regarding a road project in Eastern Europe (ongoing)

Party appointed arbitrator in a €3m dispute under LCIA Rules regarding a solar energy plant in Eastern Europe (award rendered in 2018)

Sole arbitrator in a £100k dispute between a house owner and a building contractor regarding defects in a new residence (award rendered in 2018)

Sole arbitrator in a dispute regarding subsidence under a row of terraced houses in the north of England (award rendered in 2015)

Sole arbitrator in a dispute regarding mining subsidence to a housing estate (award rendered in 2017)

Sole arbitrator in nineteen disputes regarding compensation in respect of properties or land affected by mining subsidence (thirteen awards rendered in 2015-2022, four withdrawn and two ongoing)

Various appointments as arbitrator under the ABTA arbitration scheme on travel disputes

Various appointments as arbitrator under the Renewable Energy Consumer Code

Member of a three person arbitral tribunal in a dispute between a bank and customer relating to trading agreements in the Middle East under LCIA Rules (awards rendered in 2006)

Member of a three person arbitral tribunal in a dispute between an employer and pipework contractor in connection with a flagship project in Switzerland under ICC Rules (settled in 2006)

5.2 Dispute Board Member

Standing Dispute Board member on a US$600m port project in Central America (modified FIDIC contract, completed in 2021, numerous disputes referred and decisions rendered between 2017 and 2021)

Standing Dispute Board member on a flagship nuclear research facility in Europe (modified FIDIC Contracts, ongoing since 2018, two referrals)

Sole Standing Dispute Board member on four road/bridge projects in Eastern Europe under the FIDIC MDB Contract (three completed, one ongoing, several disputes referred)

Chair of 3 person ad hoc Dispute Adjudication Board on a project in Africa involving termination of a contract with claims value in the region of US$20m (FIDIC Yellow Book, decision rendered in 2022)

Dispute Board member (ICC Rules) on a major transport infrastructure project in the EMEA region involving disputes of US$75m+ (decision rendered in 2019)

Dispute Board member on claims arising from a high profile construction project in Africa under the FIDIC Silver Book (ongoing)

Standing Dispute Board member on a major Netherlands offshore wind farm project (ongoing, no disputes referred yet)

Sole Dispute Board member on a €1.7 dispute regarding the construction of a shopping centre in Central Europe (FIDIC Yellow Book, decision rendered in 2019)

Dispute Board member in connection with disputes arising from a major infrastructure project in Africa under the FIDIC Yellow Book (two appointments)

Standing Dispute Board member on a US$1.2bn bridge project in the Far East (no disputes referred)

Dispute Board member in connection with disputes arising from a major infrastructure project in Africa under the FIDIC Red Book

Standing Dispute Board member on a road construction/rehabilitation project in Southern Africa under the FIDIC Red Book

Sole Standing Dispute Board member on a road construction/rehabilitation project in Africa under the FIDIC Red Book (no disputes referred, contract terminated in 2021 due to force majeure)

Sole Dispute Board member on disputes arising from an infrastructure project in Continental Europe under the FIDIC Red Book

Sole Dispute Board member on disputes concerning a major road project in Central Europe under the FIDIC Yellow Book (three appointments)

Sole Dispute Board member on a road project in Central Europe under the FIDIC Red Book

Sole Dispute Board member in connection with £2m dispute arising from an energy project in the UK under the FIDIC Silver Book (decision rendered in 2014)

5.3 Adjudicator

Adjudicator in a dispute between a Sub-Contractor and Main Contractor regarding payment issues on a pharmaceutical plant

Adjudicator in a dispute regarding a concrete sub-contract in an office block development

Adjudicator in disputes between Employer and Main Contractor relating to the refurbishment of a major shopping centre (three appointments, decisions rendered in 2002)

Adjudicator in a sub-contract dispute in a civil engineering project

Adjudicator in disputes between Employer and Contractor regarding an industrial plant in Africa (two appointments, decisions rendered in 2002)

Adjudicator in an M&E sub-contract dispute in a large industrial development

Adjudicator in a dispute between consultant and local authority employer relating to a large redevelopment project

Adjudicator in disputes involving £2m between a Consultant/Contractor and Employer relating to mobile telephone masts (two appointments, decisions rendered in 2003)

Adjudicator in a dispute between Consultant and Employer relating to a substantial engineering project

Adjudicator in a £1m dispute between Employer and Main Contractor regarding civil engineering works at a waste to energy plant (two appointments, decisions rendered in 2004)

Adjudicator in a dispute between a Contractor and a bank relating to defects in heating/air conditioning equipment

Adjudicator in a £3m dispute between a Contractor and Employer relating to the construction of a gas storage facility (decision rendered in 2007)

Adjudicator in a dispute between a Developer and a Contractor regarding piling works (value £20k, decision rendered in 2007)

Adjudicator in disputes between a university and a PPP Contractor regarding FM issues arising under the project agreement (three appointments, decisions rendered in 2010)

Adjudicator in a dispute regarding payment issues between Main Contractor and a Sub-Contractor on a groundworks contract

Adjudicator in a £3m dispute between the Employer and EPC Contractor relating to defects in a mechanical and biological treatment plant (decision rendered in 2014)

Adjudicator in a dispute arising from the construction of a £100m mechanical and biological treatment plant in England (two appointments, decisions rendered in 2015)

Adjudicator in disputes between the Employer and Main Contractor regarding the construction of a biogas facility (three appointments, amounts claimed £3.5m, decision rendered in 2015)

Adjudicator in a £10m dispute between the Employer and the Main Contractor regarding the construction of a substantial office development in central London (decision rendered in 2016)

Adjudicator in a £7m dispute regarding the construction of an energy from waste plant (decision rendered in 2016)

Adjudicator on a £750K dispute between a Sub-Contractor and a Main Contractor regarding glazing works (decision rendered in 2016)

Adjudicator in a US$6m dispute between a Sub-Contractor and Main Contractor regarding a pipeline project in the Far East (five appointments – decisions rendered in 2017)

Adjudicator in a £1m dispute between a Main Contractor and Sub-Contractor regarding works to a paint process facility (decision rendered in 2016)

Adjudicator in a dispute regarding fees payable for professional services rendered on a substantial UK construction project (decision rendered in 2017)

Adjudicator in a £4m dispute between a Sub-Contractor and Main Contractor concerning a £3bn residential/retail development in London (decision rendered in 2017)

Adjudicator in a £200k dispute regarding works carried out at a leisure facility in the UK (decision rendered in 2017)

Adjudicator in a £100k dispute regarding design work carried out for a prospective development in London (decision rendered in 2017)

Adjudicator on seven disputes totalling £10m relating to works on a long term PFI road maintenance project in the UK (seven decisions rendered in 2018 and 2019)

Adjudicator on £600K dispute regarding works to a substantial housing development in London (decision rendered in 2018)

Adjudicator on £1.7m dispute relating to a flagship mixed housing/retail/leisure development in the UK (decision rendered in 2018)

Adjudicator on a £750K dispute regarding delays and additional cost incurred in a building contract at an educational establishment (settled in 2018)

Adjudicator on a £400k dispute regarding the Final Certificate on a hotel refurbishment project (decision rendered in 2019)

Adjudicator on a £36m dispute between an Employer and a Contractor regarding time and cost issues arising from a major infrastructure project in Central London (settled in 2019)

Adjudicator on four connected disputes for £1m regarding the construction of solar plants in the UK under the FIDIC Silver Book (decisions rendered in 2019)

Adjudicator in a US$30 million dispute between a Main Contractor and Employer relating to a substantial building project in South Asia (decision rendered in 2020)

Adjudicator in a £800k dispute between a Sub-Contractor and Main Contractor regarding concrete works carried out on a major engineering project in Central London (decision rendered in 2020)

Adjudicator on an £8m dispute between a D&B Contractor and a firm of architects on fire protection issues for a Central London building (decision rendered in 2020)

Adjudicator on a £100k payment dispute regarding a building project in Central London (decision rendered in 2021)

Adjudicator on two linked £200k payment disputes regarding building projects in Northern England (decisions rendered in 2021)

Adjudicator on a £3m dispute on extensions of time and liquidated damages regarding a project in central London (decision rendered in 2022)

Adjudicator on a £3m dispute regarding the termination of a sub-contract on a major development in London (decision rendered in 2023)

Adjudicator on a £11m dispute regarding a along term services agreement under the NEC Term Service Contract (ongoing)

On Panel of Adjudicators for £100m sports and entertainment complex in the UK (ongoing)

On Panel of Adjudicators for £750m 25 year waste management PFI contract (ongoing)

On Panel of Adjudicators for £300m offshore wind farm project (ongoing)

5.4 Mediator

Mediator in a dispute between architects and employers under the FIDIC Client/Consultant Model Services Agreement regarding a hotel project in Africa

Mediator in a €100m dispute between an employer and contractor arising from a FIDIC Client/Consultant Model Services Agreement for the construction of a mining facility in the Middle East

Mediator in a £2m dispute between an employer and consulting engineer regarding defects in an industrial facility in the UK

Mediator in two disputes ($5m and $15m respectively) between a main contractor and a design consultant arising out of a major infrastructure project in the Middle East

Mediator in a high profile £15m dispute between a local authority and project managers in relation to disputes arising from the construction of an arts centre

Mediator on an insurance coverage case following a fire in a block of flats in Central London

Mediator in a dispute between sub-contractors relating to a major transport infrastructure project in Central London

Mediator in a dispute between developer and contractor relating to a housing development

Mediator in a multi-party dispute relating to alleged defects in an office development

Mediator in a dispute between a firm of quantity surveyors and a former employee

Mediator in a multi-party dispute relating to water ingress in an office development

Mediator in a multi-party dispute regarding a flood at a university

Mediator in a multi-party dispute relating to damage to seawall defences

Mediator in a dispute between developer and tenant regarding additional costs incurred in a very substantial office development

Mediator in a dispute between employer and contractor following the destruction by fire of a school

Mediator in a dispute relating to construction defects in a school building

Mediator in a multi-party dispute between employer, contractor, architect, services engineer and project manager relating to the construction of a large private residence

Mediator in a dispute between a local authority and a waste management contractor relating to a landfill facility

Mediator in a dispute between tenant and landlord of commercial premises relating to defects in heating/air conditioning equipment

Mediator in a dispute between a housing association, contractor and architect relating to a housing development

Mediator in a dispute between a housing association and architects relating to planning aspects of a substantial residential development

Mediator in a dispute between a government department and engineers regarding a survey of contaminated land

Mediator in a dispute between a developer and engineers relating to defects in a residential development

Mediator in a dispute between a developer and a main contractor regarding defects and delay/expense claims arising from a mixed commercial/residential development

Mediator in a dispute between a house owner and an insurance company relating to coverage issues following an escape of water

Mediator in a dispute between contractor and employer regarding valuation of the Final Account

Mediator in a substantial dispute between a contractor and a local authority relating to valuation of works and defects

Mediator in a £600,000 dispute between a contractor and owners regarding the final account for refurbishment works to a large London private residence

Mediator in a £500,000 dispute between a civils sub-contractor and building suppliers regarding alleged defective paving for a major London transport interchange

Mediator in a £1m dispute between a contractor and engineers regarding alleged defective foundation designs on two projects

Mediator in a £750,000 dispute between a contractor and employer relating to the construction of a luxury residence in the UK

Mediator in a £1m dispute between a developer and contractor regarding the termination of a building contract for the construction of new homes

6. EXPERIENCE AS COUNSEL

Has acted as legal representative in numerous disputes for employers, contractors, sub-contractors, construction professionals, buyers and sellers, including the following:-

POWER & UTILITIES

Advice to a German company on an EPC contract for the provision of a waste to energy facility in Kent, England; handling extensive disputes with major package contractors regarding quality and performance issues
Advice relating to performance issues arising from a contract for the provision of a coal washing facility in South Wales
Handling the contract negotiation and subsequent ICC arbitration proceedings relating to the provision of a tunnel boring machine for a mineral mine in Sardinia
Advice regarding the contractual arrangements with a major supplier to a power generation company
Advice on contractual issues arising from remediation works following construction of the Thames Barrier
Dealing with contractual disputes arising out of the provision of an effluent treatment plant in Northern England
Acting for the contractor in connection with disputes and later arbitration proceedings arising from the construction of power plants in the Middle East

MARINE

Representing a major sub-contractor in an ICC arbitration with the EPC contractor concerning the construction of an LNG terminal in South America
Advising on several disputes relating to the provision of oil field services to North Sea platforms including equipment failure and contractual issues
Acting for a sub-contractor in disputes with the EPC contractor relating to the construction of an LNG terminal in Wales
Advice regarding contractual disputes arising from a fire and consequent production issues on a North Sea platform
Advising a major international drilling corporation on issues arising from the construction of a semi-submersible drilling rig in the Middle East
Handling several contractual claims, including arbitration and High Court proceedings, arising from the provision of heavy plant and machinery in the marine, propulsion technology and defence aerospace fields
Initial advice to a US marine contracting corporation on potential arbitration proceedings in connection with a contract for the provision of floating accommodation to a project in Central Europe

TRANSPORT AND ROADS

Representing the Employer in an ICC Arbitration relating to claims by the Contractor on a road project in Poland
Advice relating to the provision of engineering services for the Jubilee and Northern Lines upgrade project
Carrying out a detailed review of the legal basis for removal of vehicles and loads from the strategic road network
Review of the contractual provisions for the proposed A303 Stonehenge Tunnel project
Representing the contractor in arbitration proceedings arising from the construction of a motorway in the South of England
Dealing with disputes arising from the construction of a substantial transport interchange in the North of England

PROCESS PLANTS

Advising on a DBO contract for the provision of a paint production facility in Saudi Arabia
Conducting an ICC arbitration against a UK Design and Build contractor arising from the provision of a fertiliser plant in Latin America
Representing the contractor in ICC arbitration proceedings arising from the construction of a cement factory in Nigeria
Acting on behalf of turnkey contractors in substantial disputes relating to a block producing facility in the UK
Representing the owner of a mineral and process handling plant in disputes with the turnkey contractor, including an arbitration on preliminary issues, involving issues of delay and defective design/workmanship
Acting for an EPC contractor in disputes with the employer regarding the construction of a polyethylene plant

RETAIL

Handling litigation and adjudications on behalf of an employer arising from performance and quality issues on a contract for the refurbishment of a shopping centre near Birmingham, England
Advice to a main contractor relating to cost overruns on the construction of a shopping centre in North London
Contractual advice for a major package contractor regarding the construction of shopping centres in Glasgow, Scotland and Birmingham
Dealing with litigation regarding a contract for the provision of fire protection at a shopping centrein Glasgow, Scotland

HOSPITALS/MEDICAL

Dealing on behalf of a US corporation with the negotiation of contracts with the UK supplier for the design, manufacture and supply of equipment for hyperbaric chambers
Acting for architects in disputes concerning the design of a hospital in Northern England
Acting for a sub-contractor in a dispute with the main contractor under a PFI contract for the refurbishment of a central London hospital
Representing the main contractor in disputes with an NHS trust regarding a PFI contract for the extension of a hospital in South East England

DEFENCE PROJECTS

Representation over a period in excess of 5 years on behalf of a US corporation in three large ad hoc arbitrations with the UK Government relating to the design, procurement, supply and installation of simulation equipment to be used for military training purposes.

COMMERCIAL/HOTELS

Representing sub-contractor in claims in arbitration against main contractor arising from the construction of a prison in the UK
Representing main contractors in claims against a worldwide hotel operator arising from the refurbishment of a hotel in London
Acting for a hotel operator in a dispute with the main contractor regarding the construction of a hotel in central London
Handling a number of disputes for a sub-contractor relating to commercial buildings in the UK, mainly regarding quality and performance issues, including both adjudication and arbitration proceedings
Representing an Irish contractor in a dispute with a main contractor regarding the construction of an office block on the Isle of Man
Representing the owner of a large storage facility in multi party arbitration proceedings against the contractor and professional team relating to defects in the facility
Representing a local authority in disputes with the contractor and the architect on a project for the refurbishment of a leisure centre
Acting for contractors in a number of matters relating to commercial and residential developments, including disputes with developers and sub-contractors
Representing developers in a dispute with sellers of land regarding overage payments
Acting for property developers in disputes with sellers of land relating to work undertaken by statutory undertakers
Representing developers in connection with arbitration proceedings against sellers regarding the terms of the Development Agreement

GENERAL

Acting for buyers and sellers of commodities (e.g. sugar, grain, metals) in several arbitrations arising from defects in quality and/or late delivery
Representing property and adjoining owners in matters relating to the Party Wall Act and regarding rights of light issues

7. LECTURES AND PAPERS DELIVERED

Has delivered many conference papers on construction and arbitration topics, particularly regarding Dispute Boards, dispute avoidance and resolution
Has lectured extensively on the FIDIC forms of contract
Course Director for Dispute Board training with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

8. PUBLICATIONS

Mediation and Dispute Boards – Institution of Civil Engineers Journal, 2009
Introduction to new CIArb Guidelines – Arbitration, May 2010
How to choose a Mediator – CIArb Resolver, November 2010
Statutory Adjudication in the UK: Past, Present and Future – Netherlands Mediation and Conflict Management Journal, December 2012
Recent Developments in United Kingdom Adjudication: A Focus on Natural Justice – Newsletter of the Malaysian Society of Adjudicators, Volume 1, issue 1, January-June 201

September 2023

Please contact Clerk to Chambers, Martin Poulter, on 020 3514 9020 or martin.poulter@arbdb.com to enquire about John’s availability for appointment.