In continuous practice from 1973 to 2007 as a specialist construction law barrister, Sir Robert Akenhead had an extensive UK and international workload, both in court and in arbitration. His work covered a wide-ranging field of different types of construction; buildings, power stations, dams, tunnels, roads, bridges, oil and gas installations, harbours, pipelines, dredging, reclamation, mining operations, mechanical and electrical works, airports, shipbuilding and computer technology. He acted for employers, developers, governments, local/administrative authorities, contractors, sub-contractors, all types of construction-related professionals (e.g. architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and project managers) and funding institutions.
Within this specialist field, he acted in numerous different types of case involving disputes as to defects, final accounts, measurement, delay and disruption claims, professional negligence, bonds and guarantees, contractual and statutory interpretation and the like.
His international practice took him to most parts of the world (Africa, Middle East, Asia, Australia, USA, Caribbean, Europe). He was involved extensively in arbitrations and disputes relating to projects inter alia in China, India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Fiji, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Kenya, Iran, Yemen, Bahrain, Dubai, Oman, Trinidad, Bahamas, Dutch Antilles, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Philippines, Russia and Poland.
He also had and has an extensive practice as arbitrator, adjudicator and conciliator. He was and is involved in Dispute Adjudication/Review Boards. He is an editor of the Building Law Reports.
Over his 8 years as a High Court Judge, he dealt with all types of construction, engineering and technology case, including appeals from and challenges to arbitral awards.
Since retirement as a judge, he has acted as arbitrator, adjudicator, expert and mediator in disputes around the world, including Singapore, Australia, Central America, Europe, Hong Kong, the West Indies, the Middle East and the UK.
1972
Called to the Bar of England and Wales
1989
Appointed Queens Counsel
1991–2007
Recorder and Deputy Construction Court Judge
1997
Bencher Inner Temple
2007-2015
High Court Judge (Queens Bench Division allocated to the TCC)
2010-2013
Judge in Charge of the TCC
FCIArb
2016-2019
Appointed to the KLRCA Panel of Arbitrators