Dear SCL(S) members,

It is with great pleasure that I get this opportunity to welcome you all to the 55th edition of the SCL(S) Newsletter.

As we approach the end of the year, and many of us are looking forward to international borders opening up for tourism and business travel, our council has been working hard in planning the SCL(S) 2022 calendar.  For those that are not aware, 2022 will be significant for the SCL(S), as it will mark our 20^th anniversary.  So please stay tuned for the many exciting events and endeavours that we have planned for next year.

In this edition of the newsletter, you will find an informative article contributed by Rob Palmer and Michael Weatherley from Ashurst, titled ‘The Top 5 Disputes on Renewable Energy Projects and How to Avoid or Manage Them’.  With an increasing amount of focus on climate change, we have witnessed a surge in the amount of investments being made into renewable energy projects.  Along with the introduction of new technologies, systems and solutions, a range of new issues also surface that have led to disputes arising.  Rob and Michael examine these issues and provide some useful insight on the management of these issues.

Mr Andrew Merrilees of Capital Consulting International (CCi), has contributed an article that looks into the evolution of the Quantity Surveyor and the duty of the expert to the Court.  Titled ‘On The Origin of Quantity Surveyor Species By Means of Natural Selection and Duty of the Expert to the Court’, it provides an historical account of the profession that I would imagine many of you would find interesting.

Since the last edition of the SCL(S) Newsletter, we held two very well attended webinars.  The first webinar was entitled ‘Experts – Managing Conflicts in Construction’ held on 14 October 2021, chaired by the Honourable Wayne Martin AC QC and featuring Mr John Battersby of BKAsia, Anneliese Day QC of Fountain Court Chambers and Mr Amit Garg of Secretariat.  

On 24 November 2021, the final SCL(S) webinar for 2021 was held.  Titled ‘Adverse Physical Conditions – What Should An Experienced Contractor Be Expected To Foresee?’, it featured Mr Paul Sandosham of Clifford Chance and Mr Christopher Nunns of Kroll.  I had the honour of moderating the session.  You will find a post-event update from Kishan Pillay HERE.

On behalf of the SCL(S) council, thank you for your continued support and participation at our events.  We hope you enjoy this newsletter.

Trevor Lam
Treasurer, SCL (Singapore)