Please meet our talented and diverse group of participants in ROAP Construction (EMEA) 2024/5, both practising attorneys and testifying experts (their short bios, where available, are linked and set out below, and some of them are also pictured below in no particular order): Martina Antosova, Charlotte Bastin, Yosr Bouassida, Juan Diego Niño Vargas, Eilidh Douglas, Christopher O'Brien, Lucy Pearson, Samantha Peppers, Samir Sakka, and Agata Zwolankiewicz.

ANTOSOVA Martina: Martina Antosova is a construction lawyer, focusing on the management and resolution of complex construction and engineering disputes. Martina also assists clients with drafting and negotiation of contracts for major construction projects. Martina has experience in advising and representing clients (both owners and contractors) involved in disputes regarding major infrastructure, energy and construction projects around the world, including Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America. In addition to her disputes experience, Martina assists clients with drafting and negotiation of standard and bespoke building and engineering contracts, and advises clients during the delivery phase of major projects.

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BASTIN Charlotte: is an associate in the International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Practice of Liedekerke, a Belgian independent law firm. Charlotte assists clients in complex international arbitrations subject to various laws, among which the laws of the UK, Switzerland, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, and under various institutions and rules, including ICC, LCIA and SIAC. She handles cross-border disputes and arbitration primarily in the areas of engineering, energy, construction and commercial disputes. In addition to her international arbitration work, Charlotte appears before state courts in arbitration-related court proceedings, including setting aside proceedings.

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BOUASSIDA Yosr: Yosr is an associate in Freshfields’ International Arbitration and Global Project Disputes practice groups, based in Paris. Yosr has experience advising and representing French and international clients in complex arbitrations conducted under various institutional rules and applicable laws and in particular, in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Her experience also includes advising clients in the context of the negotiation of settlement agreements, as well as the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards in France. Her expertise covers disputes under French, Swiss, Algerian, Moroccan and Qatari law. Additionally, Yosr advises companies in the context of shareholders agreements and in particular, on dispute resolution clauses. Yosr serves as secretary to arbitral tribunals and is a lecturer at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University. She speaks French, English and Arabic.

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NIÑO-VARGAS Juan Diego: is an associate in Clyde & Co’s international arbitration practice. Admitted to the Paris Bar, he has experience in commercial and investment arbitration (including ICC, ICSID, PCA, and ad hoc arbitrations), as well as in setting aside and enforcement proceedings before French courts. He represents clients in English, French, and Spanish throughout the entire lifecycle of disputes, handling complex, cross-border cases related to major infrastructure projects in both the private and public sectors.

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DOUGLAS Eilidh: is a senior associate and solicitor advocate at CMS, specialising in dispute resolution and avoidance in the infrastructure, construction, and energy sectors. She is dual-qualified in English and Scots law. Eilidh has a wide variety of high-value disputes experience, both in the UK and internationally: litigation in the courts of England and Scotland, international arbitration, and mediation. She has acted for clients and advised on projects in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

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O'BRIEN Christopher: having been based in the Middle East for approximately seven years, Chris practices in a range of dispute resolution fora, including arbitration, court proceedings, mediation and expert determination. Chris’ experience is broad and varied, having acted for clients in matters ranging from mega construction projects (including procurement), oil and gas, financial disputes, intellectual property and data protection. Chris has a particular focus on dispute avoidance and early dispute resolution. Chris is particularly adept at assisting clients with strategic formulation for the resolution of disputes. Chris is admitted to practice in England and Wales.

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PEARSON Lucy: is a construction lawyer in King & Spalding’s International Disputes practice group, based in London. Lucy specialises in the resolution of disputes arising out of major construction, engineering and infrastructure projects around the world. She provides practical, contractual, strategic and risk management advice to a range of stakeholders including employers, contractors, sub-contractors, and investors. Her experience spans various sectors including energy and resources, infrastructure and industrials. Lucy advises on the major standard forms of contract including JCT, NEC and FIDIC, as well as bespoke contracts. She is experienced in all forms of dispute resolution including international arbitration, litigation and alternative methods of dispute resolution such as dispute boards, adjudication and mediation. Lucy also assists clients with dispute avoidance on live projects. Alongside her practice, Lucy is an elected member of the Society of Construction Law Council.

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SAKKA Samir: is a construction disputes expert specializing in delay analysis. With over 15 years of experience in the engineering and construction sectors, he has supported clients across a diverse portfolio of projects in the building, energy, infrastructure, and oil & gas industries throughout the Middle East, Africa, North America, and Asia. His experience includes working with a leading global claims consultancy and serving as Head of Planning for a major contractor in the Middle East. Samir holds a degree in Civil Engineering.

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ZWOLANKIEWICZ Agata: focuses on dispute resolution in commercial and international law. Her experience includes advising and representing clients in arbitration and court proceedings from banking, real estate, construction, and energy sectors, as well as disputes concerning unfair competition. Her academic focus includes commercial and investment arbitration. Her track record includes the ICC, UNCITRAL, SCC and the Court of Arbitration at the Polish Chamber of Commerce Arbitration Rules. She also has experience in recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards and foreign court judgments. Agata also represented clients before administrative institutions such as the Supreme Audit Office and the Polish Financial Supervision Authority, and worked on developing litigation strategies, as well as identifying litigation risks. Agata holds an LL.M. from the University of Ottawa in Canada (concentration in international investment and trade law) and is an active member of numerous initiatives for arbitration practitioners. She is a published author on international commercial and investment law. Agata is currently a PhD Candidate at KU Leuven and is preparing her thesis in the field of investment arbitration.

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SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS

We are grateful for the support of the following organisations in designing and delivering this innovative programme: