The State of Construction Adjudication in 2025

Panel Chair:

Alex Rayner, Head of Construction & Engineering at Sintons:

Alex regularly represents parties in Construction Adjudication. He is listed as a Leading Partner in the 2025 Legal 500 Rankings and Chambers and Partners: Alex Rayner advises on contentious and non-contentious matters. He frequently assists clients with drafting a wide array of construction contracts, as well as documentation for construction disputes and adjudications. “It is always a pleasure working with Alex as he has the necessary technical appreciation when dealing with complex construction points concerning materials or workmanship.” “Alex is a joy to work with. He is very meticulous in examining matters and gives the client the very best legal and commercial advice, particularly when it comes to complex construction disputes.”

Nigel Davies BSc(Hons) (Q.Surv), PGCert.Psych, GDipLaw, PGDipLP, DipArb, MSc (Built Environment), LLM (Construction Law & Practice), MSc (Mechanical & Electrical), MSc (Psychology), FRICS, FCIOB, FCInstCES, FCIArb, CArb, GMBPsS, Solicitor-Advocate

Nigel is a Chartered Surveyor, Chartered Arbitrator and Solicitor-Advocate with over 34 years’ experience in the construction, engineering, infrastructure, and property sectors. He has been appointed in nearly 450 disputes as an adjudicator, arbitrator, mediator, expert determiner, or dispute board member. He is a Fellow of the RICS, CIArb, CIOB, and CInstCES, and serves as Chair of the ICE Dispute Resolution Committee CPD Subcommittee. He is also an assessor and examiner for adjudicator qualifications. Nigel’s recent academic research focuses on how experienced adjudicators make decisions in challenging cases, drawing together legal, psychological, and practical insights to examine the dynamics of decision-making in adjudication.

Bill Bordill FRICS, FCIArb, FCInstCES, FICCP, MCIOB, QDR(ED), MAE, APAEWE, NECReg

Bill Bordill (Managing Principal, Decipher – a DeSimone company) is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Testifying Expert Witness and Qualified Dispute Resolver. He brings insight gained over three decades in senior positions with both contractor and consultant organisations. Bill has built his career on a foundation of ‘first principles’ and is the discipline lead for quantity surveying, which enables an active involvement in current issues on live projects. Bill is also a Counsellor and Assessor for the RICS APC Pathway and a registered STEM Ambassador. Bill’s experience spans several forms of contract, and his many qualifications include NEC4: ECC Project Manager Accreditation. In addition to his leadership role in the DeSimone business, Bill receives panel and party appointments to act as Adjudicator, Mediator, Expert Determiner and Expert Witness.

John Steel Barrister at Keating Chambers

John Steel is a barrister at Keating Chambers specialising in domestic and international construction and engineering disputes, as well as public procurement. He has acted in respect of a number of significant disputes across adjudication and international arbitration proceedings. John’s recent work has encompassed disputes in energy and natural resources, and has experience involving all major forms of construction and engineering contracts, including NEC, IChemE and JCT forms. John is the co-author of Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering Contracts.

Harriet Di Francesco Barrister at Keating Chambers

Harriet Di Francesco is a barrister at Keating Chambers with a broad practice spanning construction, engineering, professional negligence, procurement, adjudication and international arbitration. Recognised by Chambers & Partners for construction, she has been described by clients as “extremely sharp, efficient and effective” and “utterly dedicated, extremely competent and always willing to assist”. Harriet acts for both domestic and international clients and has developed a strong practice in litigation and adjudication. She has experience with many major standard form contracts including the JCT, NEC, FIDIC, RIBA, CECA and MF/1 standard forms. Harriet is also an editor of Keating on JCT Contracts and is a contributor to the Construction Law Reports.

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