Warren Bank and Michael Stephens act as Counsel in Mock Arbitration event

Approx 100 people attended a Mock Arbitration (Construction Law) : lawyers, Quantity Surveyors, Architects, Arbitrators, pupils and students of the Chartered Institute of Builders (CIOB) and Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) at the Stockport Town Hall, in the august and very ornate Council Chamber.

Michael Stephens and Warren Bank of Kings were invited to act as counsel by the event organiser, Michael Pye of Pye Associates.

Participants had been provided with the bundle beforehand and were thus fully acquainted with the facts of the building dispute.  Michael Stephens acted for the Claimant and Warren Bank for the First Respondent, the firm of architects against whom a claim of negligent or shoddy design of a refurbished Grade 1 listed building had been brought.  The Claimant was played by a professional actress and the other parties by a professional architect and builder.

The arbitration included a challenge to the Arbitrator’s jurisdiction, cross examination of all witnesses, submissions and then the handing down of an Award.  The evening was not without its dramatic and humorous moments.

A most informative and enjoyable evening!