EXPERTISE
Viv is a specialist contentious construction lawyer who has over 20 years of experience at leading global law firms . She is dual qualified in Scots and English law with a pan-UK caseload and international experience.
Viv's advice work encompasses the full spectrum from risk management, strategy and dispute avoidance, to Alternative Dispute Resolution (including negotiation, mediation, expert determination), to more formal dispute resolution at adjudication, court and arbitration. Her substantial adjudication experience ranges from ‘smash and grab’ to extended timetable high value complex claims. Her court experience includes the Technology & Construction Court in the English High Court of Justice, the Scottish Court of Session at Outer and Inner House, the Scottish Sheriff Courts , and the High Court of Northern Ireland.
Viv has a varied client base , across the private and public sectors, of main contractors, employers, developers, consultants and sub-contractors , involved in construction, engineering, infrastructure, energy, water and waste, and housebuilding projects. She has significant PFI/PPP expertise, in addition to supply chain insolvency knowledge.
- Experience
- acting for a leading FM contractor preparing to launch twin adjudications in respect of payment disputes worth over £1m against a Scottish local council employer, on a regeneration project (primarily mechanical and electrical engineering and fire safety works)
- acting for a Project Co in Scottish Court of Session proceedings against a main contractor to recover claims valued at £5m in relation to defective design and construction works (including drainage and fire safety), on a PFI healthcare multi-site project
- advising a Scottish public body on strategy and claims to recover overpayments worth over £1m from a contractor on an important island harbour upgrade project (including technical craneage and programming issues)
- acting for a Scottish energy company in its £3m Court of Session claim against insurers following a damaged mains gas pipeline caused by a quarry collapse – including a recent successful Debate providing the first reported decision on section 1 of the Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act 2010 (under appeal)
- advising a German investment fund on two separate construction issues at a prominent Edinburgh office building relating to defective ventilation ductwork and roof leak
- Education
- College of Law – Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test – 2008
- University of Edinburgh – Diploma in Legal Practice – 2001
- University of Edinburgh – LLB (Law) Honours – 2000
- Hutchesons' Grammar School, Glasgow – 1996
- Professional Memberships
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
