Rob Horne has nearly 30 years’ experience in identifying, managing, avoiding and resolving disputes in the construction and related industries. He regularly acts on high profile projects across multiple jurisdictions, from the UK to Australia, and is particularly well known for his innovative approaches to risk management, complex delay and disruption claims, and the NEC form of contract.
Rob frequently leads multi‑disciplinary teams, managing risk and resolving disputes on major projects in the UK and internationally. He acts for a broad range of clients, including private individuals, local and central government bodies, contractors and construction professionals.
He has extensive experience on a wide variety of infrastructure projects, including roads, railways and airports. He is particularly recognised for managing and resolving long‑term disputes under PFI/PPP‑style contracts and long‑term operation and maintenance contracts. Rob also advises on residential development and light industrial projects, covering issues from cladding and fire stopping to the adequacy of foundations and roof‑mounted solar schemes. In the Energy and Energy Transition sector, he has worked on coal‑fired power stations, oil and gas pipelines, onshore and offshore oil projects, and a full range of renewable and green energy developments.
Rob is a Chartered Arbitrator and an adjudicator on a number of UK and international panels. He has been a senior examiner for both the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. He has co‑authored four books (including International Construction Contract Law) and a series of industry guidance notes.
Rob is noted for his proficiency in disputes relating to PFI projects and energy developments, as well as residential and mixed‑use schemes. He is equally adept at handling domestic disputes and proceedings relating to assets in the Middle East.
Helping you succeed in tomorrow's world
Rob is highly innovative; not just in finding novel and unique solutions to problems and disputes in individual projects, but also in managing their impact on a wider business across reputation or portfolio wide impact. He has developed a number of unique and bespoke risk management tools to simplify board level decision making while increasing transparency and ease of access to relevant materials.
Rob has written extensively, and over a long period, about the development of technology to assist the construction process (e.g. article on use of drones). He carries his interest in technology into the work he manages for his clients, utilising on-line platforms and solutions wherever possible and adopting data analytics to support risk management.
Construction and engineering disputes and risk head Rob Horne acts as a Chartered Arbitrator and adjudicator on several UK and international panels, and has decades of experience of advising on complex contentious construction and infrastructure matters.
He is very knowledgeable in his field of expertise.
Developer
Acting for a real estate developer in defending claims being brought for defects and in relation to fire safety issues on a large multi-phase project in the UK.
Contractor
Acting for a tier 1 contractor in relation to risks and potential disputes arising on a multi-billion-pound project in the UK.
Owner/Investor
Acting for the various SPV owners and the ultimate portfolio owner of numerous solar sites in claims against the constructor and O&M provider. Advising on portfolio wide termination issues.
Employer
Acting for an infrastructure developer in relation to multiple power installation across the UK and a variety of disputes and risk management issues arising across their portfolio of live projects.
Professional
Advising a professional in relation to negligence claims made against it and allegation of loss in excess of £100m following on from major High Court litigation between other related parties.
Rail
Advising constructors in relation to a claims and disputes arising during the construction of HS1 in the UK. Also advising different contractors and professional services providers in relation to claims and disputes arising on HS2.
Road
Acting for the contractor in relation to the construction of a dual carriageway bypass in the UK. Preparing claims and managing disputes with the designer and managing/avoiding disputes with the local authority at the same time.
Busway
Advising the constructor of the world's longest dedicated busway on commercial issues and disputes arising during its construction. Working closely with the project delivery team through most of the construction period.
International Infrastructure
Acting for a wholly government owned delivery company for the delivery of a new metro line in a European capital city. Advising in relation to claims for delay and additional payment made by the international constructor JV, advising on actions taken by a Dispute Board and advising on issues arising from failures in design damaging the works and surrounding buildings.
Investor (PPP/PFI)
Acting for multiple investors in a variety of PPP/PFI projects including schools, hospitals, blue light facilities etc in relation to correction of defects and managing calims as between the SPV operator, build contractor, FM contractor and with the finance providers.
