As DRS marks 50 years, we are celebrating the people who have shaped our education programmes and supported the development of dispute resolvers across the built environment. Since DRS began delivering training, our tutors have played a central role in strengthening professional competence, building confidence in ADR processes, and supporting dispute resolution practices across industry.
As part of our DRS 50 celebrations, we are spotlighting the tutors who have given their time, expertise and support to help develop the next generation of arbitrators, adjudicators, mediators and party representatives.
Here we speak with David Parratt KC (Scot), who shares how his day‑to‑day work across litigation, arbitration, adjudication, mediation and negotiation informs his DRS teaching, why ongoing education across all dispute resolution methods matters, and how expert‑witness competency training helps raise standards and improve outcomes.
What does your day‑to‑day work in dispute resolution involve, and how does that experience inform the teaching you deliver through DRS?
I am involved in Litigation (UK and overseas) and Adjudications and Mediations and Negotiation and Arbitrations. The mix varies from day to day.
David Parratt KC (Scot)
What does your work with DRS involve, and do you have any highlights from your work with DRS?
I am of the view that we should all aim to be dispute resolvers and be able to use all the procedures and processes available in the most appropriate way in the best interests of our clients.
In your view, what makes education around dispute resolution valuable for practitioners in today’s built‑environment landscape?
As above, I believe that those in dispute resolution should make themselves aware of, and proficient in, all the DRM’s that can be deployed. That requires an ongoing education process.
Can you share an example of how your work with DRS contributes to raising standards, improving practice, or supporting better outcomes in dispute resolution?
I am involved in Expert Witness competency training. Decision makers rely entirely on expert witnesses and their opinion evidence to decide cases. It is impossible to decide these cases without the expert evidential input. The RICS Expert Witness programme is excellent in preparing expert witnesses for their tasks and giving them the tools in a toolkit to take into practice. This gives the best possible chance of supplying the best evidence.
Looking ahead, how do you see dispute resolution evolving?
The recent strides forward in the law regarding the interaction between mediation and litigation in the courts of England and Wales are the start, I believe, of a new approach to dispute resolution itself.
Tutor spotlights like this are part of our wider DRS 50 programme, recognising the people who have helped strengthen standards, inspire confidence and support the growth of dispute resolution over the past five decades.
To explore more about DRS 50 and follow upcoming celebrations, visit DRS celebrates 50 years.