Overview
With nearly 15 years’ experience across the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Australia, Sean is a specialist legal adviser on complex project and construction disputes in the energy, infrastructure and major projects sectors. He has a strong track record of advising on all forms of dispute resolution, with a particular focus on high-value international arbitration, cross-border project disputes, and strategic risk management.
Sean’s expertise spans the full project lifecycle, from negotiating and drafting intricate engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) and joint venture agreements, to guiding clients through distressed project scenarios and the successful resolution of disputes. He is recognised for acting as lead counsel on complex, multi-jurisdictional arbitrations involving significant infrastructure, renewable energy, LNG, and giga-projects. His work regularly involves cutting-edge issues such as enforcing and defending large-scale claims, dealing with performance guarantees and liquidated damages, and managing force majeure and termination events.
Internationally qualified, Sean has led legal teams across multiple regions, working collaboratively with commercial and technical stakeholders to deliver pragmatic, commercially focused solutions under pressure. He is valued for his calm, analytical approach and his ability to minimise the business impact of disputes, even in fast-track or distressed project environments.
Throughout his career, Sean has been seconded to major project joint ventures and has provided in-house legal support, building a deep understanding of client priorities and operational needs. He has delivered innovative project-wide dispute avoidance frameworks, created industry-leading worker welfare and health and safety policies, and is regularly invited to speak on international arbitration and dispute trends at major industry events.
Sean holds advanced degrees in law and psychology, and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Recognised for both his thought leadership and practical skills, he remains committed to developing efficient, effective dispute resolution strategies that meet the demands of major projects in dynamic and challenging markets.
Work Highlights
- International JV EPC contractor: defending claims (circa. AU$ 900 million) and pursuing counterclaims (circa AU$2.5 billion) in relation to delay, disruption and abandonment in an ICC Arbitration concerning the construction of combined cycle power station on an LNG facility
- International JV EPC contractor: defending claims and pursuing counterclaims in an ICC Arbitration and numerous adjudications relating to delay, disruption and pricing disputes between the client and the main-EPC Contractor concerning a significant LNG project
- Saudi Giga Project Developer: advising on various contentious and non-contentious issues arising during construction of a first of its kind green hydrogen mega-project which includes significant construction of significant renewable energy generation assets and green hydrogen production
- Saudi Giga Project Developer: advising on complex contentious issues in relation to application of CESMM4 and bespoke methods of measurements with claims in excess of SAR 2.5 billion
- Saudi Giga Project Developer: advising on and instructing defence of SCCA arbitration concerning termination for breach of a contract for construction of a 3-Star hotel project
- Saudi Giga Project Developer: advising on and instructing defence of KSA Court litigation with claims in excess of SAR 700 million concerning termination of accommodation camp project
Country Of Admission