Society of Construction Arbitrators

News from the Society

Forthcoming events

To view our forthcoming events, please click this link, or navigate to the Events tab above. 

2023/2024 Committee

Following elections at the AGM on 28 March 2024, the Committee for the next 12 months will be Julie Forsyth (President), Simon Tolson (Hon Secretary and Hon Treasurer), David Cartwright, Christopher Dancaster, Melanie Willems, John Bishop and Philip Fidler , Hamish Lal and Gareth Ahier.

Roger Dyer

It is with much sadness that we announce the death of Roger Dyer. For those that knew Roger, he was for many years an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

He was also a former architect; arbitrator; adjudicator; mediator, studied at the Birmingham School of Architecture.

Some of you may have his book, ‘The Arbitrator as Party to a s.69 Appeal’. Others I am sure knew him well. I read he was a considered and measured advocate, with his architectural background highly recommended for construction litigation and advice.

Save the Date!

Please save the date of the 2024 SCA Annual Conference which will be held between Friday 10th – Monday 13th May 2024. More info will be available soon.

Updated Website

You will see a new look to the website. We have moved it from the defunct Drupal 7 platform to the more modern Drupal 9, and added CiviCRM functionality for membership administration. Existing passwords should continue to work for access to the members area

Chris Miers

We are saddened to announce the death of our friend and colleague Christopher Miers. Following a short illness, Chris passed away on 7th February 2023. Chris was a renowned construction dispute expert, talented Chartered Architect, and trusted Chartered Arbitrator. He was a former Honorary Secretary of the SCA and a valued member of the Society for many years. 

Gordon Jaynes

We are sorry to advise the death on 4 December of longstanding member Gordon Jaynes at the age of 93. He is survived by his wife Lyle. Gordon was born in Washington state and took law degrees at Washington University and (postgraduate) at University College, London. After a stint in the US Army, he became in-house counsel for Kaiser Engineers and Constructors and travelled widely. He fell in love with England, and settled in Virginia Water, Surrey, opening an office in London.

John Redmond

We are sorry to have to advise members of the sad news of the death after a short illness of our friend and colleague, John Redmond. John was one of the most respected dispute resolvers in the UK today and a truly nice person. As many will remember, he was at one time the Hon Secretary of this Society and, until a year or so ago, a very active member of our Committee. In the course of his career John will be known for having led construction teams at Laytons and Osborne Clarke and was (in 2001) author of one of the earlier books on adjudication.

2022/23 Committee

Following elections at the AGM on 24 March 2022, the Committee for the next 12 months will be Rowan Planterose (President), Julie Forsyth (Hon Secretary), Michael Tonkin (Hon Treasurer), David Cartwright, Christopher Dancaster, Simon Tolson, Melanie Willems, John Bishop and Philip Fidler.

Norman Ryce prizewinner announced

We are happy to announce that the winner of this year’s Norman Royce prize is Mr Mel Schwing for his paper entitled “Give the Devil His Due -- How the Road to Hell Paved by Multi-Tier Dispute Resolution Clauses Can Be Stopped by Liquidated Damages”. He was welcomed as a guest at our Annual Dinner on 2 Dec at Armourer’s Hall where he was presented with a cheque for his prize of £4,000”.