Laura West

Ms Leggat, a solicitor practising in both Scotland and in England and Wales, is head of legal at SSE Thermal, a key business of SSE plc, where she advises on all manner of commercial and construction law issues both in the UK and internationally. She has over a decade of experience advising on energy-related construction and engineering disputes. 

She has acted in major disputes relating to, amongst others, onshore and offshore wind farms, hydro schemes and transmission projects. She has advised clients in the context of various dispute resolution processes, including arbitration.

Ms West is a senior associate at CMS based in Edinburgh. She specialises in managing and resolving infrastructure, construction and energy disputes for clients based in the UK and internationally. She is a Law Society of Scotland-accredited specialist in construction law and a past global chair of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrator’s Young Members’ Group and teaches construction law to post graduate students at the University of Edinburgh.

Lord Glennie, chairman of the board of the centre, said: “I am delighted that Alice has agreed to join the board of the centre, following her time as a member of our court. An industry insider, she has significant experience as in-house counsel advising on a range of numerous disputes, including arbitration. 

“We look forward to her input as the centre continues to grow and develop. I am also delighted that Laura West has joined our court. Formerly one of our Ambassadors, she has significant experience in international dispute resolution and was a global leader for CIArb.”

Ms Leggat said: “I am delighted to be appointed to the Board of Directors and to use my in-depth knowledge and understanding of dispute resolution within the energy industry, to support the centre its next chapter of growth.”

Ms West said: “I am pleased to join the court of the Scottish Arbitration Centre and look forward to playing my part in supporting the application of the centre’s rules as it takes this important next step as a new arbitral institution.”