Managing Director

Neil Kirkpatrick

BSc (Hons), LL.M, DipICArb, FCIArb, FRI, FRICS, FCIOB

NK

Expert Profile

Principal Director & Expert Witness

Neil Kirkpatrick is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Chartered Construction Manager, Arbitrator, Adjudicator, Expert Determiner, Mediator and Expert Witness with over twenty-five years of experience in quantum, technical matters and delay related to large-scale development, construction projects and disputes across Australia, Asia and the United Kingdom.

He has provided testimony in international arbitration proceedings under institutional rules and in both common law and civil law jurisdictions, as well as in court proceedings domestically and internationally, involving disputes valued at over $150 million. His expertise encompasses building, engineering, infrastructure, marine and resource industries, and he has provided strategic guidance to leading law firms, clients, consultants, developers and contractors on complex matters through all stages of the development lifecycle.

Beyond his practice, Neil is committed to advancing the profession. He is Chairman of the Construction Arbitration Centre (Asia Pacific), a not-for-profit organisation established to enhance dispute resolution in the construction and infrastructure sectors across the Asia-Pacific region. He chairs the Resolution Institute Expert Witness National Training and Accreditation Program, lectures to universities internationally on dispute resolution topics, and advocates for the adoption of expert witness frameworks through legislative reform in Asia.

Qualifications & Accreditations

Professional Credentials

Academic Qualifications

Master of Laws (LL.M.), International Commercial Law, Distinction
Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration (DipICArb), Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Bachelor of Science (Honours), Construction, Engineering & Management
Certificates in Adjudication
Practitioners Certificate in Mediation
Academy of Experts, Expert Witness Training Program, Hong Kong

Chartered Fellowships

Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) — International Arbitration Pathway; Business Arbitration Panel Member (London)
Fellow, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS) — Chartered Quantity Surveyor; Dispute Resolution Faculty; Arbitrator, Mediator & Adjudicator Panel Member
Fellow, Chartered Institute of Building (FCIOB) — Chartered Construction Manager / Chartered Builder
Fellow, Resolution Institute (FRI) — Chair, NSW Determinative Committee; Member, Expert Witness & Expert Determination Committees

Dispute Resolution Accreditations

Registered Adjudicator — Western Australia
Registered Adjudicator — New South Wales
Registered Adjudicator — Queensland (Section 18 Certificate, Building Industry Fairness Act)
Registered Adjudicator — Northern Territory
Resolution Institute Accredited Arbitrator, Grade 2
Accredited Expert Determiner (Resolution Institute & RICS)
Accredited Expert Witness (Resolution Institute & RICS)
Accredited Mediator (Resolution Institute Practitioners Certificate; RICS); Member, International Mediation Panels
Advanced Dispute Board Member Certificate (DRBF)

Professional Memberships

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators — Fellow (FCIArb)
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors — Fellow (FRICS)
Chartered Institute of Building — Fellow (FCIOB)
Resolution Institute — Fellow (formerly IAMA)
Dispute Resolution Board Foundation — Member, Region 3
Society of Construction Law — Member
Construction Arbitration Centre Asia Pacific — Founding Member & Chairman

Areas of Practice

Expertise & Advisory Services

01

Expert Witness & Tribunal Advisory

Neil provides expert witness services across quantum, delay, disruption and technical matters in construction and engineering disputes. He prepares independent expert reports and has provided impartial testimony under cross-examination by senior counsel in high-stakes court proceedings and international arbitrations under institutional rules, in both common law and civil law jurisdictions, involving disputes valued at over $150 million. He also chairs the Resolution Institute Expert Witness National Training and Accreditation Program, training professionals in expert witness practice and procedure.

02

Adjudication & Security of Payment

Neil is a registered adjudicator in Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. He accepts appointments as adjudicator under security of payment legislation and has determined payment disputes across the construction and infrastructure sectors.

03

Arbitration & Expert Determination

Neil accepts appointments as arbitrator and expert determiner in construction and engineering disputes. He is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and holds a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration. He has acted in domestic and international arbitration proceedings under institutional and ad hoc rules.

04

Quantum, Delay & Disruption Analysis

His consulting services cover delay, contract and technical disputes including loss and expense claims, variations, extensions of time, liquidated damages, defective work, and disruption analysis. He applies recognised methodologies including those endorsed by the Society of Construction Law Delay and Disruption Protocol.

05

Strategic Advisory & Mediation

Neil provides strategic advisory services to parties involved in complex construction disputes, including dispute avoidance, early neutral evaluation, and pre-arbitration assessment. He is an accredited mediator and provides facilitative dispute resolution services.

06

Training, Education & Legislative Advocacy

Neil is Chairman of the Construction Arbitration Centre (Asia Pacific), a not-for-profit organisation established to enhance dispute resolution in the construction and infrastructure sectors across the Asia-Pacific region. He is Chairperson of the Resolution Institute Expert Witness National Training and Accreditation Program, through which he trains professionals in expert witness practice and expert determination procedure, and is a National Committee Member and Presenter for the Resolution Institute Procedural Fairness and Expert Determination Program. He lectures to universities internationally on dispute resolution topics and actively advocates for the adoption of expert witness frameworks and legislative change in Asia.

Multijurisdictional Practice

International Experience

Neil has practised across Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and the wider Asia-Pacific region. He brings practical experience of construction law, contractual frameworks and dispute resolution procedures across these jurisdictions.

Industry Sectors

Sector Experience

Neil’s experience extends across the full spectrum of construction and infrastructure sectors, including:

Commercial & Residential
Civil Infrastructure
Transport & Rail
Marine & Ports
Mining & Resources
Energy & Utilities
Industrial & Manufacturing
Health & Education
Defence & Government

Jurisdictions

Geographic Reach

Australia

New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory

Asia

Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia

United Kingdom

England & Wales, Scotland

Pacific & Middle East

New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, United Arab Emirates

Publications

Insights & Case Reviews

Neil publishes regular analysis and commentary on significant judicial decisions, legislative developments and industry trends affecting the construction and infrastructure sectors.

View Publications

Get in Touch

How May We Assist?

Contact Expert Services International to discuss how Neil Kirkpatrick may assist with your construction dispute, expert witness engagement or advisory requirements.

Contact Us