Russell Thirgood is lauded by peers for his "commercial and effective advice" as well as his "impressive understanding of construction law".
Russell Thirgood (BA, LLB (Hons), LLM (Hons, class 1), Dip Const Law, Dip ICArb, FCIArb, FACICA) is an pre-eminent Australian arbitrator with significant experience in resolving construction disputes.
Since 1998, Russell has assisted parties with major and complex dispute resolution, particularly construction and infrastructure disputes. His cases have focused upon resolving complex claims including variations, time-related claims and defective works claims.
He has been arbitrator or dispute resolver for some of the world’s largest mining and construction companies, together with ASX-listed companies and Australian government entities. He is experienced in all forms of dispute resolution including litigation in the superior Australian courts, domestic and international arbitration, and adjudication under security of payment legislation.
Russell sits on the panels of a number of international and domestic arbitral institutes. He has arbitrated disputes arising out of a range of industries including infrastructure, construction, mining, energy and property. Russell is the author of the arbitration rules of the Resolution Institute, the most regularly used rules for arbitrations in Australia.
Russell is head of arbitration at the independent Australian law firm, McCullough Robertson. McCullough Robertson was named Lawyer Monthly’s Arbitration and Litigation Law Firm of the Year in 2013 and 2017.
He is recommended and ranked in numerous legal publications in the fields of construction law, litigation and arbitration. Adani’s president of international business stated: “[Russell’s] track record was excellent with us and he would be my go-to counsel for any dispute resolution.”
Russell has been editor of The Arbitrator and Mediator Journal since 2002, and is the author of numerous articles about construction law in Australia.
Russell Thirgood is recognised for his strong grasp of complex mining and construction disputes, having sat as arbitrator of high value international and domestic matters.
Russell Thirgood is a renowned independent international arbitrator experienced in resolving complex and high-value construction, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, and commercial disputes.
Russell is a member of Int-Arb Arbitrators and Mediators in London and Washington, DC, and has an office in Brisbane. He previously spent nearly 23 years at McCullough Robertson Lawyers as a senior partner and head of international arbitration.
As arbitrator, Russell takes a modern and dynamic approach throughout the arbitration process. He is responsive to the needs of parties and their counsel to ensure the proceedings are conducted effectively and efficiently. He is considerate, collaborative and concise. International legal directories recognise Russell as an esteemed authority on major resources and infrastructure disputes.
Russell has conducted cases throughout Australia, Asia, the US, UK, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. His construction and infrastructure cases have involved many issues including delay; disruption; prolongation; acceleration; global or total costs claims; liquidated damages; the doctrine of penalties; extension of time; scope changes; frustration; force majeure; repudiation; waiver; estoppel; quantum meruit; restitution; and defects.
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and sits on the panels of key international and domestic arbitral institutions.
Russell is the current chair of the Resolution Institute (the pre-eminent dispute resolution organisation in Australia and New Zealand) and a director of the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration.