Ashley is an Associate in the Construction Disputes team and an Australian-qualified solicitor. She advises project owners, developers, freeholders, asset managers and contractors across the project lifecycle, providing strategic and commercially focused advice on project delivery, risk management and post-completion disputes.
Ashley advises on payment claims, variations, latent defects, defective design and workmanship, contractor insolvency, and claims concerning the performance of contract administrators and superintendents. She works closely with project managers, engineers and technical consultants to navigate complex technical issues and deliver commercially viable solutions. Ashley develops clear action plans with realistic timelines that help clients pursue commercial resolutions and avoid unnecessary escalation wherever possible. Her advice combines technical analysis with commercial pragmatism to help clients achieve the best available outcome, whether through negotiation, ADR or formal dispute resolution.
A significant part of Ashley’s practice involves building safety and fire safety disputes. She advises on claims under section 1 of the Defective Premises Act 1972, including historic claims arising from the extended limitation periods introduced by the Building Safety Act 2022. This includes identifying potentially liable parties, developing remediation strategies, and advising on the recovery and allocation of remediation costs. She also advises on statutory remedies under the Building Safety Act 2022, including Building Liability Orders and Remediation Contribution Orders, helping clients navigate complex remediation projects and multi-party recovery actions.
Ashley has experience acting in adjudication, mediation and litigation, as well as working with local counsel across Australia, the UK and Mauritius. Highlights of her experience include defending a high-value payment dispute arising from consultancy services provided to gold mining projects in West Africa before the Supreme Court of Mauritius, managing claims involving insolvent counterparties, and assisting with jurisdictional challenges arising from adjudication and appeal-related proceedings. She has particular expertise in contract interpretation and enjoys working closely with technical and project teams to understand the engineering and operational issues underpinning complex construction disputes.
