Building bridges: Effective mediation in construction disputes

with Adrienne Parker, Michael Hollingdale, Melissa Koo, John Fisher, and Moderated by Doug Johnson
Tuesday, 20 June 2023 | 5pm – 7pm Perth Time (Kick-off at 5.30pm) | Squire Patton Boggs | Face to face in Perth

Most construction disputes are resolved by settlement. Mediation plays an important role in bringing parties together to seek out a resolution. Get it right, and you can maximise the prospect of achieving a settlement prior to trial. But get it wrong, and the parties can become further entrenched in their positions.

In this joint event held by the Resolution Institute and Society of Construction Law Australia, our panel of experienced mediators and construction lawyers will explore practical aspects of mediation practice. The panel will discuss tips for conducting an effective mediation, pitfalls to avoid, and the unique features of mediating a construction dispute.

The evening will be hosted by Squire Patton Boggs. The panel discussion will be followed by audience Q&A, with time to network over refreshments after the main event.

Event takeaway:
There is something for everyone within the construction industry.  Lawyers, mediators, dispute resolution practitioners and senior managers in the construction and commercial fields would particularly benefit from attending.

The event will attract –
• 1hour of CPD points under the Resolution Institute requirements
• 1 hour of CPD points (Professional Skills) for WA Legal Practitioners

SOCLA members please reach out to us at [email protected] for a discount code to register for free for this event.

About the trainers

Adrienne Parker

Adrienne Parker specialises in complex construction and engineering disputes arising out of major projects in the infrastructure and energy and resources sectors, including arbitrations (international and domestic) and court proceedings in relation to commercial building, transport (rail, roads, tunnels, airports, ports), mining, oil and gas and renewable energy infrastructure. Adrienne's practice encompasses all forms of dispute resolution, including expert determination, mediation and adjudication under the security of payment regime in Australia.
Adrienne is the national Chair of the Law Council of Australia’s (Business Law Section) Construction and Infrastructure Law Committee and Chair of the Law Society of Western Australia’s Construction and Infrastructure Law Committee. She is also a non-executive director of two ASX listed companies.

Michael Hollingdale is the Principal of Hollingdales and a nationally accredited mediator. Previously a partner in national law firms, Freehill, Hollingdale & Page and Allens. Michael has mediated disputes for over 30 years, assisting parties to resolve disputes in a wide variety of areas, including building and construction. 
Michael is a Professional Member of Resolution Institute, Member of the Law Council of Australia’s ADR Committee and a Collaborative Coach/Mediator with Australian Association of Collaborative Practitioners. He is listed in Doyle’s Guide of Leading Mediators in WA (since 2019) and with Best Lawyers recognised for Construction / Infrastructure Law and Mining Law (current ed 2024).

Melissa Koo 

John Fisher

John Fisher is a chartered civil engineer with over 45 years’ experience on major infrastructure and buildings, acting as client, consultant, contractor and subcontractor, in seven countries on four continents. 
He qualified as a mediator with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in 2000. Since 2008 he has operated his own practice in Perth specialising in project recovery and dispute resolution. A Senior Sessional Member of the WA State Administrative Tribunal, John is an arbitrator, adjudicator, expert determiner and conciliator. A NMAS accredited mediator, he undertakes mediations on multi-million construction disputes. His mediation experience includes commercial, insurance, tenancy, franchising, family and community matters. 

Douglas Johnson

Douglas Johnson is a barrister at Francis Burt Chambers. He practices in commercial litigation and international arbitration, with particular experience in the areas of construction, insurance, and commercial law.
Disputes arising from construction and engineering projects are a core part of Doug’s practice. Doug has advised owners and contractors on complex claims for delay, defective work, and variations (including proceedings involving over $300 million in issue). He has also acted on disputes relating to the termination of contracts, urgent injunctions, misleading or deceptive conduct, claims for restitution, and statutory adjudications. Prior to joining the Bar, Doug worked in the dispute resolution teams at Jones Day and King & Wood Mallesons. He also practised in insurance litigation at Moray & Agnew. Doug is one of the WA representatives on the Society of Construction Law’s Events Committee.

Thanks to Squire Patton Boggs, for generously hosting this event.