SLN Spotlight: David Arnott

This week’s SLN Spotlight falls on Brodies’ partner David Arnott. He has 25 years’ experience resolving construction, infrastructure and engineering disputes and is ranked a band 1 construction lawyer in Chambers & Partners.

What has been your best experience as a lawyer?

Probably as a junior lawyer being able to take one of my cases all the way from initial instructions from the client through to a successful appeal in the House of Lords. Losing in the Outer and Inner House wasn’t such a great experience but possibly made the House of Lords outcome even more memorable.

What has been your worst experience as a lawyer?

Getting a call from the House of Lords on another case as a trainee to be advised that something had to be lodged that day in person. The rest of the litigation department were all out so I had a frantic day drafting an extension document, getting it signed by other parties, flying to London and arriving at the House of Lords with 10 minutes to spare. I still have nightmares about that day.

Why did you choose the law?

I honestly don’t remember giving it that much thought as a teenager. My uncle was a lawyer so that had some influence. I have just been very fortunate that I ended up picking something I enjoy doing.

Who or what has been the greatest professional influence in your life?

In terms of who, it was my athletics coach when I was a teenager. He was a former British Internationalist who taught me huge lessons about hard work and dedication which have definitely stayed with me during my legal career.

In terms of what, it was probably the introduction of Adjudication as a means of resolving construction disputes. That had a huge impact on the way we resolve disputes and the work I do from day to day.

What advice would you give to anyone considering a career in the law?

Try and get as varied experience as you can. There are so many different areas of law that it’s difficult to reach a view on what you might want to end up doing. When I was at university I had no idea that construction law even existed as a specialism.

What would you want to be if you were not a lawyer?

Definitely an athletics coach if anyone would pay me to do it.

How do you relax after work?

Athletics has always been my sport. I help coach around 50 kids at a local athletics club. I wouldn’t say it was necessarily relaxing but it does help me switch off from work and think about other things.

What is your favourite holiday destination and why?

Either Spain, where we’ve had some great relaxing family holidays, or large theme parks if we’re looking for a bit more in the way of thrills. Barcelona and Porta Ventura last year managed to tick both boxes.

SLN welcomes profiles for the Spotlight series. For more information, please get in touch with assistant editor Kapil Summan at the following address: newsdesk@scottishnews.com.