"Kwadwo is a seasoned partner with an overview of both legal and procedural matters."Chambers UK 2024
Overview
Kwadwo Sarkodie has over 20 years' dispute resolution experience, serving clients in the construction industry and beyond.
Internationally, Kwadwo advises on complex and high-value construction and engineering arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA, and UNCITRAL rules. His experience on major projects and high-stakes disputes spans Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and India. Kwadwo also sits as arbitrator in international proceedings. Kwadwo co-heads Mayer Brown's Africa practice, and regularly speaks and writes on dispute resolution and arbitration in Sub-Saharan Africa. He authors the chapter, updated yearly, on Sub-Saharan Africa in the Lexis-Nexis/Matthew Bender book "International Commercial Arbitration Practice: 21st Century Perspectives".
Domestically, Kwadwo advises contractors, employers, insurers, subcontractors, and consultants on disputes concerning defective works, final accounts, termination, and extensions of time. He assists clients in resolving disputes via litigation, mediation, and adjudication, and has particular experience in relation to cladding claims.
Clients served by Kwadwo include Bouygues, Limak Construction, Allseas Group and Salem Construction.
Areas of Focus
Spoken Languages
- English
Experience
Advised:
- On an ongoing series of ICC arbitrations in connection with the design and construction of a major maritime project in Central America.
- A contractor on high value arbitration proceedings in relation to an infrastructure project in UAE.
- A Ghanaian higher education institution on multi-jurisdiction arbitration and litigation proceedings concerning a concession agreement.
- An African government in relation to proceedings before the English Commercial Court concerning high value claims arising out of a fuel supply contract.
- A Tanzanian contractor in relation to an ICC arbitration, followed by successful multi-jurisdiction enforcement proceedings, arising out of a major power distribution project.
- A contractor in relation to DAB proceedings under a FIDIC contract in connection with the supply and installation of combined heat and power plants at three sites in Nigeria.
- Contractors on a wide range of disputes and schemes of rectification concerning high-rise buildings clad with combustible materials.
- A supplier of wind turbine components in relation to an ICC arbitration, followed by enforcement proceedings in multiple jurisdictions in respect of the award obtained.
- An employer regarding claims made by an EPC contractor in relation to a major African LNG project.
- A contractor on arbitral proceedings under the UNCITRAL rules concerning extension of time claims under a subsea pipelay contract governed by Indian law.
- An employer in relation to court proceedings brought by a contractor seeking a takeover certificate in relation to a large steam-generating boiler plant project.
- Professional indemnity insurers in relation to a negligence claim against a consultant undertaking monitoring duties for a fund.
- A US-based consultant in relation to a fee dispute arising out of a high-profile Russian project. The dispute was successfully settled at mediation.
- A major contractor in relation to a dispute concerning defects and extension of time in connection with the construction of a research laboratory.
- A major contractor in relation to a complex, multi-party defects claim arising out of the construction and fit-out of an office development in London.
- A contractor in relation to a high value adjudication concerning works to the London Underground network under the NEC (2nd edition) form of contract.
- On a substantial professional negligence claim in the Technology and Construction Court arising out of a major retail and leisure development in the North of England.
- A funder, drafting and reviewing construction documentation, and providing input to finance documentation, in relation to the financing and re-financing of a major high rise development in London.
Represented employers, contractors and sub-contractors in connection with proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court pursuing and opposing the enforcement of adjudication decisions, including:
- Bennett (Electrical) Limited v. Inviron Limited [2007] EWHC 49 (QB).
- Balfour Beatty Engineering Services (HY) Ltd. v. Shepherd Construction Ltd. [2009] EWHC 2218 (TCC).
Perspectives
-
November 232023
-
October 102023
Events
-
November 172023
-
June 01 – 022023
-
November 03 – 052022
-
May 31 –
June 032022 -
May 30 – 312022
Education
Nottingham Law School, LPC
University of Birmingham, LLB, Law and Politics
Admissions
- England and Wales
- Band 3 Construction: International Arbitration. Chambers UK
- “Kwadwo Sarkodie has substantial experience representing clients in construction-related international arbitrations, including disputes over claims for defective works, loss and expense, final accounts and extension of time. He regularly advises major contractors, sponsors and consultants in both domestic and cross-jurisdictional matters.” - Chambers UK
- "He's very knowledgeable and an eloquent speaker." - Chambers UK
- Listed as a Leading Individual and Next Generation Partner for Construction and a key lawyer for Construction and International Arbitration by Legal 500.
- "He is dedicated, attentive to details, proactive and diligent." - Chambers UK
- “Kwadwo Sarkodie has been an invaluable support and has great clarity of thought and legal precision.” - Legal 500
- "He has good judgement and is efficient in dealing with cases." - Chambers UK
- Listed as a Leading individual by Chambers UK.
- "Really good lawyer…He regularly advises major contractors and is highly experienced in representing clients from Africa.“ - Chambers UK
- “Kwadwo Sarkodie is an impressive legal expert in this field.” - Legal 500
- “A clever and hard-working lawyer…impressive presentation and communication of the legal framework and argument.” - Who’s Who Legal, Construction
- “An excellent lawyer…shows great enthusiasm.” - Chambers UK
- “A machine: his work ethic is second to none." - Legal 500, Construction
- Listed as a Key Adviser by Legal 500, International Arbitration.
- “Kwadwo Sarkodie maintains a well thought of international arbitration practice, regularly representing employers, consultants, contractors and insurers in a broad range of matters. He often handles defective works and extension of time and loss claims, and has particular knowledge of the African market.” - Chambers UK
- Highly rated by Legal 500.
- “Has a good handle on strategy and is cost-effective," according to one client. He has a quality international arbitration practice and he represents a broad range of clients including employers, contractors and insurers. His work in Africa is particularly worthy of note.” - Chambers UK
- “Noteworthy practice in international arbitration, in which he acts for clients including insurers, contractors and employers. He has particular expertise in Africa. One source describes him as ‘technically very good.’” -Chambers UK
- Recommended by Legal 500 .
- "A very good, very solid lawyer." - Chambers UK
- “Shows a real grasp and understanding of complicated construction matters." - Chambers UK