Professor Doug Jones AO is a leading independent arbitrator with over 40 years' prior experience as an international infrastructure and disputes projects lawyer. Acting for owners (in both the government and private sector), financiers, contractors, consultants and subcontractors, Doug has advised extensively on major projects in the areas of project structuring and financing, telecommunications, buildings, airports, ports, road and rail infrastructure, power, mining infrastructure, potable and waste water, and on offshore oil and gas.
The arbitrations in which he has been involved in include infrastructure, energy, commodities, intellectual property, commercial and joint venture, and investor-state disputes spanning over 30 jurisdictions. He has extensive experience as an arbitrator under the ICC, LCIA, AAA, ICDR, KLRCA, SIAC, DIAC, ACICA, IAMA, AMINZ, European Development Fund Arbitration and Conciliation Rules, as well as the ICSID and UNCITRAL Rules, in disputes of values exceeding some billions $US.
Doug is acknowledged as a leading arbitrator and is highly ranked in a number of leading publications. Chambers Asia-Pacific has recognised Doug as "without question the leading Asia-Pacific-based arbitrator for construction disputes" and testified that "[h]e is regarded by many as 'the leading construction arbitrator in the world'". In 2018, he maintained his Band One ranking in the Chambers Asia-Pacific international arbitration category for an eighth consecutive year. In 2017, Who's Who Legal praised Doug as "one of the best construction lawyers and arbitrators in the world" and commended his ability to "handle the most acrimonious of disputes". His earlier achievements include being ranked in the list of 15 "most highly regarded individuals" in the global construction law category by Who's Who Legal in 2015, and being named "Lawyer of the Year" for international arbitration in Sydney by Best Lawyers in the same year. His substantial contributions to the Australian legal profession were recognised when he was honoured with the Michael Kirby Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2014 Lawyers Weekly Law Awards.
Doug has published and presented extensively, and holds professorial appointments at Queen Mary College, University of London and Melbourne University Law School.
Doug has held appointments to multiple international professional associations, including serving as the chair of the board of trustees, President (2011) and Chair of the Centenary Celebrations of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb). He is also the President of the International Academy of Construction Lawyers and the immediate Past President of the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (2008-2014).
In 2016, Doug was made one of four Companions of the CIArb. He was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2012 in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for his distinguished service to the law and leadership in arbitration, alternative dispute resolution, policy reform, and national and international professional organisations.