David Wright

Expertise

David is a Special Counsel (Foreign Qualified) in our Construction, Infrastructure and Projects team specialising in the avoidance and resolution of complex disputes within the infrastructure, construction, and energy sectors on projects across the globe. 

David has spent significant time practicing abroad in South East Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, and has advised a wide range of clients including governments, contractors, developers, and operators on multi-million dollar disputes arising from the construction and operation of landmark projects such as airports, wind farms, metro systems, and oil refineries.

Experience

David has experience in many forms of dispute resolution and avoidance including litigation and adjudication in multiple jurisdictions, mediation, expert determination, and arbitration under rules such as SIAC, HKIAC, LCIA, ICC, TAI and UNCITRAL, amongst others. 

David has also worked in house with global construction and EPC companies, advising on day to day legal issues, dispute avoidance and resolution, project delivery, and throughout the tender process. 

Advising clients in multiple jurisdictions, David has experience with all of the major forms of contract including FIDIC, NEC, ENAA, and JCT. 

David’s experience includes advising:

• Middle East Government on USD 1.1 billion dispute arising from the construction of two international airports
• Malaysia based client on a multimillion dollar dispute arising from delays to construction of a major oil pipeline
• multinational construction consortium in relation to a dispute arising from tunnel boring works carried out as part of the construction of a major metro project in the Middle East 
• owner/operator on a USD 55 million dispute against a People’s Republic of China based EPC contractor arising from construction of a biomass firing power plant
• Fortune 500 company on project advisory assistance in relation to refurbishment of major hydroelectric damn
• Fortune 500 company in relation to disputes arising from refurbishment of power units in lignite firing power plant in Asia
• Fortune 500 company in relation to USD 250 million dispute submitted to arbitration regarding the construction and design of the runways and taxiways of an international airport in Southeast Asia
• state owned oil exploration and production company on disputes arising from the construction of a major oil refinery in the Middle East
• European power plant manufacturer in relation to a £5 million dispute related to fitness for purpose obligations arising from sale of several generators to power a based data centre.

David also regularly conducts training courses for clients on the avoidance and resolution of disputes, and on issues such as Force Majeure, Fitness for Purpose, Extension of Time claims, and defective works.