Description
This session is designed to be a practical starter guide for young lawyers on the disputes and claims commonly encountered in construction projects. Focusing on delay, disruption and variation, it explores the issues that often arise, including acceleration, liquidated ascertained damages (“LAD”), loss and expense, and suspension or termination.
Combining core legal principles with recent case developments, the session offers practical guidance to help legal practitioners navigate and troubleshoot these issues with clarity and confidence.
Speaker
Adjunct Professor Vatsala Ratnasabapathy is a senior partner at Zain & Co — which is a member of Dentons, the world’s largest global law firm — where she leads the firm’s construction, engineering and arbitration practice. She represents clients in both domestic and international arbitrations and has experience appearing as lead counsel across all levels of the Malaysian courts.
A recipient of the United Kingdom Government's Chevening Award, Vatsala earned her LL.M. from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1999. She is consistently referred to by relevant legal publications for her experience in construction disputes and arbitration. Her recent mentions include being ranked as a “Litigation Star in Construction” by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2025, listed on “The A-List: Malaysia’s Top 100 Lawyers 2025” by Asia Business Law Journal, and recognised as a “Leading Individual/Partner” by The Legal 500 from 2024 to 2025.
She was also awarded “Lawyer of the Year: Malaysia (joint winner)” at the Asialaw Awards 2021 for Client Service Excellence, in recognition of being “best in class for [her] legal and industry expertise, innovative approaches, management of complex situations, and the positive impact of [her] advice.” In addition to her legal practice, she serves as an Adjunct Professor at Veritas University College and contributes to the development of future practitioners by conducting regular professional courses for the Brickfields Asia College Education Group.
Terms and Conditions
Event Policy
Places are limited and registration is on a first come, first served basis.
The registration for this session will close on 21 Sept 2026 (Monday), at 12:00 pm.
For events with registration fees, all payments must be made in advance, including bank charges. Registration will be confirmed once proof of payment is provided by email or fax, and full payment is received.
The organiser reserves the right to modify, cancel or postpone the event, should circumstances arise that make such action necessary, whereupon all registration fees paid will be refunded.
Cancellation
Cancellations must be made in writing.
Please note that there will be no refunds for cancellations, but substitutions are allowed. Kindly inform us in writing with the relevant details at least three days in advance.
If you have failed to inform the organiser on your cancellation for three consecutive times, you may be blacklisted for future events.
Transferral
You are allowed to transfer your place to another participant, but you must notify the organiser with the necessary details at least three days in advance.
Attendance
CPD points for the CPD Scheme will not be awarded to lawyers and pupils in chambers from Peninsular Malaysia who arrive more than 15 minutes late, are not present throughout the event, or leave before its scheduled end.
Privacy
The personal information that you provide to the Malaysian Bar, whether now or in the future, may be used, recorded, stored, disclosed or otherwise processed by or on behalf of the Malaysian Bar for the purposes of facilitation and organisation of this event, research and audit, maintenance of a participant database for the promotion of this event, and such ancillary services as may be relevant.
Disclaimer
• Materials (if any) will be emailed only. No printed notes will be provided
• No recording of the event is permitted via any means at any time.
• No part of the event content may be used / reproduced in any form without the written and explicit consent of the Malaysian Bar and speaker(s).
