Gary brings over 15 years of Canadian and international experience in construction law, with a
primary focus on arbitration and adjudication. Known for his practical, results-oriented
approach, Gary advises clients at all levels of the construction industry, helping them navigate
complex legal and commercial issues with clarity and confidence.
A key part of Gary’s practice is dispute avoidance. He works closely with senior executives and
in-house counsel throughout the life cycle of major projects, offering strategic guidance to
identify legal risks early and support sound, timely, and cost-effective decision-making.
When disputes are unavoidable, Gary has represented stakeholders across the construction
spectrum—particularly in infrastructure, light rail, mining, and high-rise residential and mixed-
use developments. He has deep experience managing claims involving delay, disruption, and
construction deficiencies, often collaborating with technical experts on highly complex matters. His arbitration experience spans multiple forums, including ICC, LCIA, ADRIC, DIAC, ADCCAC,
DIFC-LCIA, UNCITRAL, and ad hoc proceedings.
Before relocating to Canada, Gary spent a decade in Dubai where he served as in-house counsel
for a major property developer, contributing to the delivery of landmark real estate and master-
planned projects. He also practiced at a leading law firm, advising on high-profile disputes
involving commercial, residential, and entertainment developments.
Experience
Representative Work
Road building work for a rail project: Acting for a civil contractor in a multi-million-dollar arbitration involving delay, disruption, scope change, payment, and wrongful termination claims arising from a major Ontario infrastructure project.
Light rail project: Acting for a transit consortium in an ICC arbitration involving delay, abandonment, and repudiation claims arising from a light rail transit project, including a $50M+ claim and $70M+ counterclaim.
Light rail project: Counsel in an ad hoc arbitration that resulted in a multi-million-dollar settlement arising from delay and productivity loss claims relating to the installation of utility duct banks on a light rail transit project.
Mixed-use development: Acting for a general contractor in a dispute arising from the construction of a major mixed-use development in Toronto, including the negotiation of a settlement agreement.
Light rail project (US): Counsel for a systems installation subcontractor in a dispute involving significant delay, productivity loss, access restrictions, and cost overrun claims on a major U.S. light rail transit project.
Light rail project: Counsel for a design-build consortium, providing course-of-project claims and dispute advice in relation to substantial delays, cost overruns, supply chain disruptions, and COVID-19 impacts.
Light rail project: Acting for a system and rolling stock joint venture partner in disputes arising from delayed handover, design issues, and project disruption.
Mine decommissioning: Acting for a contractor in disputes arising from the decommissioning and reclamation of a Northern Ontario mine involving termination and delay claims.
Bidding and tendering: Counsel for a trade association with public interest standing in an application to set aside a public procurement process relating to the construction and rehabilitation of county roads in Ontario.
Mixed-use skyscraper: Providing course-of-project dispute advice to the general contractor during the construction of a supertall skyscraper in Toronto, including the management of subcontractor disputes involving delay, disruption, and scope changes.
Community centre: Advising and representing a surety in connection with claims arising under performance and labour and material payment bonds, including in a complex multiparty dispute relating to the construction of a community centre.
Select Reported Cases
Awards and Recognition
Professional Contributions
- The Advocates’ Society, Construction Law Practice Group, 2022 – 2026 (chair for 2026)
- York University, Osgoode Hall Law School, Professional LLM in Construction Law Guest Lecturer,
2022 and 2024
Speaking and Publications
Speaking Engagements
Moderator and Panelist, Breaking Down the Walls: A Series on Delay Claims with a Surety Twist, Canadian Surety Claims Conference, October 6, 2025
Panelist, Interim Arbitrators in Times of Crisis: Insights on the New ADRIC Rules, ADRCI National Conference, October 23, 2025
- Program Co-Chair, Hot Topics in Adjudication and Arbitration, The Advocates’ Society, February
9, 2024
Select Publications
Prompt Payment Explained: A Simple Guide for Contractors and Suppliers
Breaking Down the Walls – Forensic Schedule Analysis
Breaking Down the Walls – Concurrent Delay
Breaking Down the Walls – Disruption
Education and Admissions
Education
- Baccalaureus Legum Degree (LLB)(Honours) – University of Pretoria (2003–2006)
- National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) Certificate (2021)
Bar Admission and Certifications
- Call to Ontario Bar (2022)
- Admitted as Attorney (Solicitor) and Notary of the High Court of South Africa (2008 – 2011)
- Advocate (Barrister) of the High Court of South Africa (2011)
- DIFC Court Registered Practitioner – Part I (2013 to 2019)