Specialist construction law mediator Peter McHugh, a partner at Midlands law firm Challinors, is part of the team appointed by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) as sole provider of mediation services.
The company, Parlé – Prevention, Avoidance and Resolution Limited – is a specialist alternative dispute resolver for the construction and property industries.
The Parlé team selected by ICE blends the legal expertise of its Directors Peter McHugh and Andrew Maguire, a commercial litigator and barrister, with the construction sector knowledge of Professor Robert Jackson, a Chartered Civil Engineer and MD of Parlé.
Peter McHugh is an experienced Construction Law Specialist, acting on behalf of contractors, sub-contractors and employers in construction disputes, providing expert advice on a range of commercial property-related issues. He is Chairman of the Forum for the Built Environment (fbe) in Birmingham and President of the Birmingham Branch of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Parlé is based at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in the heart of London’s legal quarter and according to Peter McHugh, the appointment as the ICE’s exclusive provider of mediation services demonstrates its credentials as the leader in construction dispute resolution:
“Parlé provides access to a unique blend and range of mediators. Each member of the team is an experienced Accredited Construction Mediator, and together have acted for a wide range of clients in both public and private construction sectors.
“The team includes legal and technical experts, who have mediated on disputes ranging in value from hundreds of thousands of pounds to over £40 million for clients throughout the UK and overseas.
“The appointment of Parlé as the ICE’s exclusive provider of mediation services demonstrates the recognition amongst the sector of these credentials and the increasing emphasis placed on dispute resolution and mediation in construction disputes.”
In recent weeks the Prime Minister David Cameron chose to deliver his pre-budget announcement on infrastructure at ICE’s headquarters, reflecting ICE’s growing influence with the government. Prince Charles also recently chose to deliver his first speech on infrastructure at the ICE lecture at One Great George Street, London.
Parlé’s Professor Robert Jackson commented: “The fact the PM insisted on delivering his speech at the ICE reaffirms the Institution’s position as the trusted, independent voice of infrastructure and the nature place to debate its future. These events are testimony to the respect, reputation and influence of ICE and its members have built through sound, consistent advice and expertise and to the ICE’s contribution to government reports.”