SPEAKER INTERVIEW: MICHELLE MWAMBELA
In talks with Michelle S. Mwambela, Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and Managing Partner at Samba Mwambela Co. Advocates.
Michelle S. Mwambela will be speaking at The Big 5 Construct Kenya this November. She will be speaking on "Dispute resolution in construction projects" at the Educational workshops at the show. Here's what Michelle revealed to us ahead of the workshop:
What are the top tips to proper dispute resolution in construction?
The top tips to proper dispute resolution in construction are:
1. Where possible, stay away from court rooms
2. Contract clauses that outline a flexible framework for dispute resolution.
What are the factors to consider in preventing disputes?
The factors to consider in preventing disputes are:
1. Risk assessment and allocation, including detailed project scope definition;
2. Partnering, including creating a set of common project goals;
3. Proper communication channels throughout the project life
What are the conflict management mechanisms?
The Conflict management mechanisms are:
1. Dispute review/Resolution Boards (DRBs)
2. Negotiation
3. Mediation
4. Arbitration
5. Litigation
What are the most common disputes that occur in the Kenyan construction industry?
The most common disputes that occur in the Kenyan construction industry are:
1. Increasing project cost
2. Unclear risk allocation
3. Unrealistic cost/ time targets
4. Project delays
5. Failure of compliance with the pre-set project standards
6. Slow decision making
7. Estimation errors
8. Changes by the clients
9. Inadequate contract administration etc
Why is it important for events such as The Big 5 Construct Kenya to offer free education to construction professionals?
The importance of free education to construction professionals really comes in handy to ensure that they perform their duties more efficiently and effectively. Some of the tips and information they will gain will enable the construction professionals to run their sites more smoothly and better their service provisions and in the long run, have more business.
About Michelle S. Mwambela -
Michelle S. Mwambela is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and is currently the Managing Partner at Samba Mwambela Co. Advocates. Samba Mwambela Co. Advocates provides legal services in areas of Conveyancing, Dispute Resolution, Corporate Law, Mining/Oil & Gas/ Energy (Extractives) Law etc.
Michelle also serves as a Director and Chief Legal Advisor at Tungana Tech; a technology innovation company that focuses on development of innovative solutions leveraging emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, Big Data and Analytics, Web and Mobile Technology.
Michelle has worked in academic, government and non-governmental organizations as well as consulted for international firms on matters extractives and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
She is a member of the East African Law Society, Association of Women in Extractives Kenya and MoveBack Initiative, a members-only community connecting overseas leaders, influencers, talent and organizations to unique, exclusive and exciting high potential opportunities in Africa.