Since retirement as a judge, Sir Robert Akenhead acts as arbitrator, adjudicator, expert, conciliator and mediator in disputes across the world. He is also appointed to Dispute Adjudication / Review Boards.

His international practice means he is involved extensively in arbitrations and disputes relating to projects inter alia in China, India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Fiji, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Kenya, Iran, Yemen, Bahrain, Dubai, Oman, Trinidad, Bahamas, Dutch Antilles, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Philippines, Russia, and Poland.

In continuous practice from 1973 to 2007 as a specialist construction law barrister and from the late 90s an arbitrator, Sir Robert Akenhead had an extensive UK and international workload, both in court and in arbitration. His work covered a wide-ranging field of different types of construction: buildings, power stations, dams, tunnels, roads, bridges, oil and gas installations, harbours, pipelines, dredging, reclamation, mining operations, mechanical and electrical works, airports, shipbuilding, and computer technology. He acted for employers, developers, governments, local/administrative authorities, contractors, sub-contractors, all types of construction-related professionals (e.g., architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and project managers) and funding institutions.

Within this specialist field, he acted in various cases involving disputes concerning defects, final accounts, measurement, delay and disruption claims, professional negligence, bonds and guarantees and, contractual and statutory interpretation.

Over his 8 years as a High Court Judge, he dealt with all types of construction, engineering, and technology cases, including appeals from and challenges to arbitral awards.