Richard Smellie

Richard Smellie is our exclusively recommended International Arbitration expert in England on the Advisory Excellence website. If you need assistance in this area, please contact Richard directly using the contact details listed above.

Is Arbitration Confidential? (streetinsider.com)

Richard is widely experienced in the resolution of disputes in the construction, energy and infrastructure sectors, both internationally and in the United Kingdom, having successfully led the resolution of numerous substantial disputes. Richard comes recommended as “A key figure” in dispute resolution in The Legal 500 guide, and Chambers and Partners UK describes Richard as “everything you would need in a solicitor” and a “very effective operator”, whilst his clients praise him as being “dogged in achieving our aims”; “excellent legal counsel in terms of presenting his analysis and conclusions and the options available to the clients” and “very quick to pick up on the key issues in a dispute”. According to The Who’s Who Legal Construction Guide Richard is “first class”.

Richard has considerable experience of a range of standard and bespoke project documentation, including both standard and bespoke forms used regularly in construction, energy and infrastructure projects. Richard’s experience ranges from projects procured using complex turnkey/design and build project documentation with layered EPC arrangements and contracts for the operation and maintenance of facilities, to complex PFI arrangements, innovative alliance agreements (and subsidiary documentation), and standard form contracts including the FIDIC, NEC, ICE and JCT forms.

Richard Smellie is also experienced in oil and gas operations agreements, “take or pay” hydrocarbon sale and purchase agreements, and government/developer project agreements (including intergovernmental agreements, “host government” agreements and related project documentation).

Firm Overview:

Fenwick Elliott is the UK’s largest law firm specialising in construction and energy law.

We advise on every aspect of the construction process from inception through building to completion and operation. We understand construction and energy projects: how they are managed; where problems occur; and the underlying commercial imperatives. We use this insight to add value to transactions and resolve disputes for clients in the UK and around the world.

Our expertise covers procurement strategies, contract documentation, project advice, dispute avoidance and dispute resolution. We provide strategic guidance to forestall potential problems throughout a project. With lawyers who are specialists in their field, we deliver prompt, reliable and pragmatic legal advice, including guidance on:

• Project support
• Procurement strategies
• Contract documents
• Commercial issues
• Dispute avoidance
• Dispute resolution and litigation

Advisory Excellence welcomes Richard Smellie and Fenwick Elliott LLP (streetinsider.com)