conference speakers
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Akash Dinendra
W.M.N. Akash Dinendra is a Temporary Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Commercial Law, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo. He completed his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (Hons) in 2025 with a Second Class (Upper Division), graduating as the Batch Top. His academic excellence was recognised with several distinguished awards, including the Kanaganayagam Kanag-Isvaran Prize for Company Law, Sri Ponnambalam Arunachalam Memorial Prize, K. Shinya Prize for Law, the Visuvalingam & Rajakunam Gold Medal for Bachelor of Laws (Year IV), and the title of Most Outstanding Student of the Faculty of Law – 2024. Akash has expanded his interdisciplinary understanding through a Diploma in Human Resource Management with a Merit Pass, and certificate courses in ICT Law from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and Shipping Law from the ICLP Arbitration Centre. His internship with Amicus Qriae, India, offered meaningful exposure to comparative commercial law. He has authored and presented several research papers locally and internationally, with publications appearing in Amikus Qriae, Judges’ Law Journal Sri Lanka, and the Thulawa Law Journal. His upcoming presentation at the 2025 International Research Conference examines exclusion clauses in insurance contracts. Akash’s research and teaching interests include Corporate Law, Business Law, and Construction Law, reflecting his commitment to advancing responsible and progressive legal frameworks.
Aleesha Way
Aleesha is a Special Counsel at Pinsent Masons, based in Sydney, Australia practicing in construction disputes. Aleesha advises and manages matters as project counsel through to dispute resolution. She is an experienced litigator (arbitration, litigation, DRBs, expert determination, mediation, negotiations and adjudication) having represented clients across Asia and Australia across a range of infrastructure and energy projects varying in size and complexity. Aleesha assists clients with setting case plans and navigating complex project negotiations and disputes, seeking to deliver strategic and commercial outcomes.
Allie Umoff
Allie has over fifteen years’ experience in complex, multi-party litigation, across the construction and resources sectors, involving private actors and government entities. She has acted for the South Australian Government in proceedings arising from the construction of the New Royal Adelaide Hospital as well as for a subcontractor in a dispute arising out of the construction of a public school in Southern California. Allie is also an accredited mediator and regularly handles construction disputes in her mediation practice. She speaks and writes on topics including complex litigation, alternative dispute resolution and risk management.
Ben Davidson
Ben Davidson is a highly experienced dispute resolution Partner at King & Wood Mallesons. He has been in practice for over 30 years and a partner for 20 years. He advises on strategy and risk management in respect of contentious matters, with extensive experience advising clients on a range of infrastructure and construction projects. Ben is regarded for his ability to understand the commercial impacts on his clients’ operations.
Bernard Salt
Bernard Salt is widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading social commentators. He has written six popular best-selling books, hosted a TV show on SkyNEWS Business called “The Next Five Years” and hosted a top-rated podcast called “What Happens Next”. Bernard Salt is also one of Australia’s most in-demand corporate speakers. After a 20-year career as a Partner in a global advisory firm, Bernard founded The Demographics Group to provide advice to business on demographic, social and property trends. He is best known to the wider community for his penchant for identifying new social behaviours including “the goat’s cheese curtain.” Bernard has been a columnist with The Australian newspaper for more than 20 years. His column in The Weekend Australian Magazine is highly regarded and widely read. Bernard was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2017 Australia Day honours for his services to the Australian people via demography. And finally, Bernard is the person responsible for popularising the phrase “smashed avocado” … globally!
Chris Hey
Chris is a partner in MinterEllison's Project, Infrastructure and Construction team. Chris is involved in contract administration, project delivery and dispute resolution across all sectors of the infrastructure and construction industry. This has included acting for and advising clients in respect of adjudications (in all Australian jurisdictions), mediations, expert determinations, arbitrations (both domestic and international) and litigation. Chris has acted for clients on renewable (solar, wind, pumped-hydro and battery), utility (water, electricity and gas), transport (rail and road), hospital, mining, commercial and residential building and mixed-use development projects. Chris has a keen interest in renewable energy projects and has assisted clients in navigating variation, construction delay, registration, grid interface and performance issues across the sector.
Damian Morris
Damian works at the intersection of construction law, infrastructure project procurement and delivery, and the specialist technology components of those projects. Damian is an independent consultant, primarily advising project Principals in relation to procurement, delivery, and operation of the high-risk technology components of infrastructure projects. Damian holds graduate and post-graduate degrees in commerce, computer science, and construction law, and has worked on more than 40 major infrastructure projects since 2007. Prior to 2007 Damian worked on technology projects in the finance and gaming & wagering industries. Damian is co-editor, and a co-author, of a new book to be published by Routledge in 2026 about how high-risk technology scopes of infrastructure and construction projects can be more effectively contracted and delivered, titled Technology Contracts for Infrastructure and Construction Projects.
David Hume
David is a Senior Counsel. He practices around Australia, and in international commercial arbitration. He has appeared in each of the three security of payment cases to reach the High Court, and in many of the leading security of payment cases over the last decade. He is the author of a forthcoming textbook on security of payment laws in Australia.
David Lehmann
With more than 30 years’ experience in the property and construction industry, David Lehmann is the Chief Operating Officer at John Holland Pty Ltd. He knows the value of not only building things – but how those things transform lives and communities. David has strong credentials across various previous roles in Southeast Asia, Greater China and Australia as well as deep expertise in business strategy, leadership, operational excellence, and large-scale project delivery.
Daye Gang
Doctor Daye Gang is a barrister at the Victorian Bar. She is completing a Graduate Diploma in Construction Law at Melbourne Law School. Her practice spans commercial, administrative, and white-collar criminal law. She appears led and unled in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Victoria, as well as in lower Courts and Tribunals. Her dedication to public interest law is ongoing, and includes the use of private law to protect rights.
Doug Jones AO
Doug Jones AO is a leading independent international commercial and investor-state arbitrator with over 40 years' prior experience as an international transactional and disputes project lawyer. Doug has chambers in Sydney and Toronto and is a door tenant at Atkin Chambers in London. He is also an International Judge of the Singapore International Commercial Court. He has been involved in over 190 arbitrations covering construction, infrastructure, energy, commodities, intellectual property, joint venture, and investor-state disputes spanning more than 30 jurisdictions worldwide. He has extensive experience under ICC, LCIA, AAA, ICDR, KCAB, AIAC, CRCICA, SIAC, VIAC, SCC, DIAC, PDRCI, ACICA, Resolution Institute, AMINZ, QICCA, European Development Fund Arbitration and Conciliation Rules, ICSID, and UNCITRAL Rules in disputes valued in billions of USD. Doug has published extensively and holds professorial appointments at Queen Mary College, University of London, and Melbourne University. He has served as President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA). He was awarded the SCL International Medal during the 11th SCL International Conference in Seoul for contributions to construction law internationally and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2012 for his distinguished service to law and arbitration. He was elected an Honorary Bencher of The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn in 2020. For Doug's publications, see https://dougjones.info/wp/publications/
Gemma Thomas
Gemma is a Partner at Pinsent Masons with a focus on infrastructure and energy project delivery and disputes. She assists her clients to navigate difficult issues that arise during the delivery and final account stages, including PPPs. She has extensive experience in all dispute resolution processes including litigation, arbitration, expert determination and dispute resolution boards. In 2023, 2024 and 2025, Gemma was recognised by Doyles Guide in the category of 'Leading Construction & Infrastructure Litigation Lawyer - Victoria' and is ranked in the 2025 Lexology Index as a 'Future Leader' in the Construction category.
Georgie Owen
Georgie is a construction lawyer specialising in project delivery and disputes across the energy and infrastructure sectors. She is experienced in contract management, claim strategy and dispute mitigation throughout the life of a project and all forms of formal dispute resolution. Her work in-house on secondment in renewable energy and most recently as legal counsel to the head contractor of a rail PPP in NSW brings firsthand insight into the commercial drivers and operational realities influencing legal issues during major project delivery. Georgie is committed to perceptively and pragmatically advising clients in relation to their internal, upstream, downstream and sideways commercial risk with strategic and solution focused legal advice.
Harrison Frith
Harrison Frith is a Senior Associate in the Projects Group at Corrs Chambers Westgarth. Harrison's expertise is in the resolution of complex and technical building and construction disputes for clients delivering infrastructure, energy, commercial and industrial projects. He holds a Master of Law from the University of Cambridge and a double degree in law and civil engineering from Monash University. He has also previously worked as a Judge's Associate to the Honourable Justice Stynes in the Technology, Engineering and Construction List in the Victorian Supreme Court.
Isobel Carmody
Isobel is a Senior Associate in the MinterEllison Projects, Infrastructure and Construction Group with a specialisation in construction and engineering dispute resolution. Isobel acts for and advises a range of clients in respect of all forms of construction dispute resolution processes across the various Australian states and territories. Isobel also has experience acting in and advising in respect of international arbitrations, both seated in Australia and in jurisdictions outside Australia. Isobel has experience acting for principals and contractors in a range of new energy disputes.
Jacob Warren
Jacob G Warren is a construction disputes lawyer at Corrs Chambers Westgarth (Melbourne). He completed a Juris Doctor at the University of Melbourne (2023), after studying and teaching art history at the University of Queensland (BA, Hons, MPhil). He was awarded a High Commendation (General Division) in the 2025 Brooking Prize, and in 2023 was awarded the Beverly Kennedy Memorial Prize for Environmental Law (University of Melbourne).
James Millen
James is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with over 25 years of experience in the construction and engineering industries, holding qualifications in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, and Construction Law. He specialises in quantum expert work and dispute resolution, and has supported and led Quantum Expert roles on high-value disputes, as well as providing early expert and strategic input on major projects across the UK and Asia Pacific. His experience spans buildings, infrastructure, civil engineering, LNG, and process facilities, with a focus on navigating complex cost disputes and major variation, disruption, and delay claims. Outside of work, James is a father of two daughters and a qualified breathwork practitioner, reflecting his interest in performance, resilience, and wellbeing in high-pressure professions.
James Waters
James is a specialist in large, complex litigation and is regularly briefed in technical, engineering, and construction disputes, arbitrations, insurance matters and class actions. James is recognised as a leading Arbitration Barrister in Doyle's Guide 2025 and 2024 Prior to the Bar, James was an Associate at Allens where he advised construction and engineering clients on complex construction and technical disputes and the administration of major projects. Reaching into the distant past, James worked as a professional engineer in construction, industrial and consulting environments. James constructed a major arterial transport link and consulted in relation to the design, installation and commissioning of a diverse range of bespoke robotics in various industrial settings. He remains, a massive nerd.
Jennifer Raphael
Jennifer is a Senior Legal Writer for LexisNexis Practical Guidance Construction Law. As a writer for LexisNexis, Jennifer creates practical, workflow orientated 'how-to' resources for construction lawyers covering front-end and back-end construction matters. Prior to joining LexisNexis Jennifer worked in private practice as a construction lawyer. Over her 12+ years Jennifer worked on a variety of construction matters including delay, variation and prolongation claims, defective building work claims, drafting construction agreements, regulatory compliance and security for payment claims. Jennifer has acted for local governments, developers, mid-tier contractors and homeowners. She is also co-host of Building Tomorrow - the Society of Construction Law Australia Podcast. Jennfier is passionate about driving positive change in the construction industry through insightful legal analysis and meaningful dialogue about the future of the industry.
Jordan Morrow
Jordan Morrow is a junior lawyer and current associate to the Honourable Justice Stynes. At the Court, Jordan has worked on highly technical construction and commercial disputes. After his associateship, he will be returning to private practice to continue his career in construction disputes. Prior to his admission, Jordan worked in innovation and legal software development at Mallesons. His role included the development and deployment of process automation and AI software.
Joseph Xuereb
Joseph Xuereb is an Associate at MinterEllison in the Projects, Infrastructure and Construction team. He previously served as Associate to Justice Stynes at the Supreme Court of Victoria and is currently a Teaching Associate at Monash University, as well as a PhD candidate under the supervision of Professor Paula Gerber. Joseph is also the Chair of SoCLA’s Young Constructors Committee.
Kailash Dabeesingh
I am a Chartered Arbitrator with Chambers in Mauritius with a broad based foundation of education and a wealth of experience in the construction industry. I am a construction and engineering law specialist with over 35 years’ experience and a barrister within the construction and engineering industry. I advise on all phases of construction and engineering projects within Mauritius and in the region. Prior to becoming a barrister, I worked in the construction and engineering industry within the UK; I have first -hand experience of the practical issues facing practitioners in their day-to-day running of projects. I advise government entities, employers, Main Contractors, sub-contractors and consultants in relation to contentious and non-contentious matters
Kathryn Budd
Kathryn is a Senior Legal Counsel at Source specialising in construction. She draws on broad experience across construction, engineering and insurance in both private practice and in‑house roles. Known for her pragmatic, commercially focused approach, she combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of client risk profiles to deliver practical outcomes.”
Kiri Parr
Kiri Parr is a leading expert in construction law and procurement strategy, with more than 30 years’ experience advising on some of Australia’s most significant projects. She is known for simplifying complex contracts and designing procurement models that foster collaboration, reduce risk, and improve project outcomes. Through her independent advisory practice, Kiri helps clients and industry professionals navigate procurement frameworks and construction contracts, drawing on her background in private practice and senior in-house legal roles. Kiri is also an active contributor to the global construction community. She serves on the FIDIC Contracts Committee and the Law Council of Australia’s Construction and Infrastructure Committee, and sits on the boards of the Society of Construction Law Australia and the Dispute Resolution Board Foundation.
Kristen Kipps
Kristen is a Principal in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution team with more than 15 years’ experience in commercial and construction disputes. She has acted in major court proceedings across Queensland and previously worked in-house at a large energy company, advising on disputes arising from significant energy and infrastructure projects. Kristen’s expertise includes complex litigation involving defective building work (including defective building material, design and installation), delay and programming disputes (including ownership of float), and quantum claims relating to variations and extensions of time. She is known for her practical, commercial approach and her strong understanding of the construction industry. Kristen advises construction companies, contractors, developers and energy sector clients, and is known for her clear communication, technical precision and strong litigation capabilities. Her combined private practice and in-house experience positions her as a trusted adviser on complex, high-value building and infrastructure disputes.
Liam McInerney
Liam practices in commercial litigation, arbitration and related investigations. He has particular experience with proceedings arising from construction disputes, corporate insolvencies and claims of professional negligence. Liam’s experience includes being part of the core team representing the South Australian Government in proceedings arising from the construction of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital. Liam is a member of the Steering Committee for ACICA45 and the International Bar Association's Arb40 subcomittee, has undertaken ACICA’s Tribunal Secretary Course, and has authored several articles on arbitration practice and developments.
Lucy O'dwyer
Lucy is a Special Counsel at Pinsent Masons in Sydney, having relocated from the UK in 2023. Lucy specialises in construction, infrastructure projects, with over a decade of experience guiding clients through complex legal risk management, dispute avoidance and resolution strategies across the full project lifecycle. She has successfully represented clients in adjudication, arbitration, litigation and a range of alternative dispute resolution processes including mediation. Dual-qualified in England and Wales and Australia, Lucy's practice has an international perspective and bring with it insights from her previous experience in the UK and Singapore. Lucy has advised on a number of construction and infrastructure projects using the NEC form of contract and other collaborative contract forms.
Maritza Sibanda
Maritza has experience advising on a range of construction and infrastructure related contracts, specialising in drafting and commercial negotiation, and interfacing collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams to achieve transactional/bid close. Maritza's advises clients on a range of procurement methods and she has developed a strong familiarity with drafting and adapting the suite of Australian Standards, as well as other forms of D&Cs, O&Ms, EPCs and similar bespoke construct and operations contracts to meet clients' needs.
Mark Jackson
Mark is a highly regarded and sought after professional Manager and Engineer in the renewable and electricity transmission industries with over twenty-six years as experience. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical), a Master of Construction Law, a Master of Engineering Science (Aerospace) and a Diploma in Project Management. Mark has extensive experience in the provision of techno-regulatory services and establishing major programs of works for clients throughout Australia.
Mark Sheldon
Mark Sheldon is a barrister at 7 Wentworth Selborne Chambers, specialising in major construction and engineering matters, including large infrastructure projects and mining disputes. He regularly appears unled for a range of diverse clients comprising top-tier Australian and international construction contractors, sub-contractors, multi-national corporations, overseas mining operators, local councils, certifiers, developers and strata owners. Mark also has deep experience in arbitration. Mark has been consistently recognised in several legal directories, including Legal 500, Doyle's Guide, Who's Who Legal and Best Lawyers
Matthew Bell
Dr Matthew Bell is an Associate Professor and Co-Director of Studies for Construction Law at Melbourne Law School. He joined the Law School in 2005 after several years' experience as a construction lawyer with Clayton Utz in Melbourne and Clifford Chance in London. Matthew is the author of many publications in the field, including the texts Construction Law in Australia and Understanding Australian Construction Contracts (with Ian Bailey) and Residential Construction Law (with Philip Britton), and his scholarship and teaching has been recognised in several awards, including twice winning the Society of Construction Law Hudson Prize. Matthew is a Consultant to the Projects group at Clayton Utz on a part-time basis and was founding Chair of the Academic Subcommittee of the Society of Construction Law Australia. In 2019, he was awarded a PhD by King's College London for his research into residential construction regulation through the Centre of Construction Law.
Melissa Koo
Melissa Koo is a Partner at Squire Patton Boggs in Perth. She is a specialist construction lawyer with extensive experience across both contentious and noncontentious matters, in representing clients on major Australian and international construction, energy and infrastructure projects. She has advised on high value disputes involving complex legal, engineering and construction issues and has experience acting in all dispute resolution forums, including international arbitration, litigation, mediation and adjudication. On the projects side, Melissa advises developers, owners and contractors on all phases of construction and infrastructure developments, including procurement, contract negotiation, risk management and project delivery, on bespoke as well as Australian and international standard form contracts. Her expertise spans various sectors, including energy and resources, transport and infrastructure, commercial real estate, residential and urban development, and hospitality and leisure. Melissa was recognised in Doyle’s Guide 2026, 2025, 2024 and 2023 as a recommended WA Construction & Infrastructure Litigation lawyer and in Doyle’s Guide 2025 as a recommended WA Front End Construction & Infrastructure lawyer. She currently serves on the Law Council of Australia’s Business Law Section Construction and Infrastructure Committee.
Monique Carroll
Monique is an experienced arbitration counsel and arbitrator. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA), a faculty tutor at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and a Listed Arbitrator for ACICA, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), the Asian International Arbitration Centre, and Arbitration Victoria. She has over 19 years of experience resolving disputes concerning breach of contracts, financial services, joint ventures, investment treaties, foreign investment and trade, sale of businesses, oppression claims, technology, infrastructure projects, construction, property, sale of goods including the CISG, procurement and shipping, commodities, and agribusiness. Monique also has specialized experience in China-related disputes, having worked in the P.R.C as advisor and counsel in domestic disputes and international arbitrations involving P.R.C entities. In 2022, Monique was listed in Doyle's Guide Leading Arbitration Lawyers Australia. In 2023, she was endorsed by legal professionals as 'an outstanding litigation lawyer' and 'well regarded within the Australian legal community as an 'up and coming rising star.''
Patrick Leader-Elliot
Patrick has extensive experience in large-scale construction disputes, complex commercial and insolvency litigation and the investigation of fraud. Patrick has represented the South Australian Government in proceedings arising from the construction of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital and refurbishment of the Kangaroo Island ferry terminals. He has acted in civil cases in the Federal Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of South Australia relating to employee fraud within a large company in the building industry. He also acted on the long-running Bell litigation, which resulted in the recovery of almost AU$2 billion for creditors of the insolvent Bell group of companies.
Perri Burns
Perri Burns is a Special Counsel in the Dispute Resolution team at King & Wood Mallesons, with a particular focus on the construction, infrastructure and energy industries. Perri has detailed knowledge of the strategic considerations that drive a range of projects and advises on project delivery, project re-sets, dispute avoidance and in all forms of dispute resolution, from bespoke facilitation processes to international arbitration.
Prineetha Bandaranayake
Prineetha Bandaranayake is a Lecturer (Probationary) in the Department of Private and Comparative Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, and an Attorney-at-Law. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) degree from the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, and a Master of Laws degree from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka. Her research interests include construction law, clinical legal education, and property law.
Sarsha Lloyd-Provis
With a background in Engineering and Law, Sarsha Lloyd-Provis works as a Commercial Manager at Fulton Hogan Utilities focusing on SA Water’s capital program. Prior to her current role, Sarsha worked on major projects across all stages, from the early contractor involvement of the Western Renewables Link to delivery of the New Footscray Hospital. With a keen interest in collaborative contracting, commercial strategy, and building strong client–contractor relationships, Sarsha is dedicated to improving how infrastructure projects are planned and delivered to better serve communities. Outside of the professional world, Sarsha is passionate about giving back to the community and supporting women in male dominated fields, both in industry and sport, drawing on experience as a ex-professional skier and keen runner and cyclist.
Sean Brady
Dr Sean Brady has acted as an expert witness in numerous proceedings involving a wide range of constructed facilities. He is a Chartered Professional Engineer, a Fellow of Engineers Australia, a director of the Society of Construction Law Australia, and a member of the Singapore International Mediation Centre's Panel of Experts. In 2020 he completed the Brady Review, investigating fatalities in the Queensland mining industry. The review analysed 20 years of incident data and resulted in 11 recommendations for industry and regulators to reduce fatality and incident rates. He also speaks, podcasts, and writes on failure, human behaviour, data analytics, and engineering disasters.
Shane Green
After 25 years leading multi-billion-dollar projects across roads, tunnels and major infrastructure, Shane’s seen how easily good teams get trapped by unfair contracts and delayed claims. Shane started Wayma to change that. Wayma help contractors, consultants and government clients deliver complex projects without conflict by putting the right commercial systems in place. Clear contracts. Early issue resolution. Calm, structured leadership when the pressure is on. Wayma is proud to be a First Nations Supply Nation Certified business, promoting inclusion, respect and long-term value across Australia’s infrastructure sector.
Supun Kurunayakage
Supun Jay is a construction contracts and commercial management professional with more than 12 years of industry experience across Australia and the Middle East. He currently works as a Contract Administrator in the Australian construction sector, where he focuses on contract administration, risk management, statutory compliance, procurement processes, and commercial governance on large multi residential projects. Before relocating to Australia, Supun spent over a decade in the United Arab Emirates working with leading developers, consultants, and contractors on complex, design-intensive luxury residential and commercial projects. His cross-jurisdictional background covers contractor-side delivery, lead consultancy, and cost consultancy, giving him an in-depth understanding of contract formation, design liability, procurement strategy, risk allocation, claims management, and dispute-avoidance mechanisms. His experience with both FIDIC and Australian Standard contract frameworks provides valuable comparative insight into differing legal and regulatory approaches to construction delivery. Supun holds a Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying and an LLM in Construction Law and Arbitration, and he is currently completing an MBA to further enhance his strategic and analytical capability. He is a Chartered Member of both RICS and AIQS, demonstrating his commitment to professional excellence and ongoing development in construction law and commercial practice.
Trevor Thomas
Trevor Thomas is a non-contentious construction lawyer specialising in major infrastructure and engineering projects. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Trevor had a career as an engineer working in Australia, Germany and England, and he has also acted as a superintendent on major engineering projects. He is familiar with a wide range of procurement methods, and acts for government, principals and contractors across the transport sector (airports, sea ports, road and rail), telecommunications infrastructure, mining (including iron ore and coal), power plants (renewable and conventional energy), chemical plants (including hydrogen production plants) and other significant infrastructure. Trevor was the inaugural winner of the Society of Construction Law Australia’s Brooking Prize and the Law Council of Australia’s Tom Yuncken Award and he is a Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne where he teaches construction law. His articles are widely published in domestic and international journals and have been cited with approval in a number of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal cases. Trevor also sits on various subcommittees of the Society of Construction Law Australia.
Wallagoda Arachchige Saranee Wasana Gunathilaka
Saranee Gunathilaka is an Attorney-at-Law, human-rights policy specialist, and internationally accredited mediator working across construction law, dispute resolution, and regulatory reform. She is the CEO and co-founder of UDecide, Sri Lanka’s pioneering mediation platform, and specialises in civil and commercial mediation, including construction-sector disputes involving procurement, compliance, and risk allocation. Accredited by SIMI, IICA, and IMI, she is empanelled with Sage Mediation Singapore and the International ADR Center. A Harvard-trained negotiator, she holds a Ph.D. in Law, an MHRD, and an LL.B. (Hons) from the University of Colombo. Saranee brings strong human-rights and tech-policy expertise as Director of Strategy & Operations at Hashtag Generation. She also trains construction-sector professionals—engineers, quantity surveyors, and project managers in Sri Lanka and specialised programmes in the UAE. As a visiting lecturer at the University of Colombo, APIIT, and SLIIT, she teaches negotiation, ADR, and rights-informed regulatory approaches. She designed the CIDA construction mediation pilot under a USAID justice-sector initiative, strengthening modern dispute-resolution pathways in Sri Lanka’s construction industry.
William Marshall
William Marshall is a barrister at 7 Wentworth Selborne Chambers, with a practice in Australian construction litigation and domestic and international arbitration. Prior to being called with the bar, William was a partner at Pinsent Masons, in Construction Advisory and Disputes, and was also a registered lawyer with the Dubai Legal Affairs Department. William has a Masters in Construction Law from University of Melbourne and is recognised as a leading construction junior counsel in Doyles Guide, Legal 500 and Best Lawyers Guide