Dr Siu Yung Alan
Lecturer
- Email:
- SiuYungAlan.Ma@bcu.ac.uk
Dr. Alan Ma is a highly qualified professional with expertise in IT, Engineering, and Law. He joined Birmingham City University (BCU) in 2019 as a Lecturer in Law. Prior to his academic career, Dr. Ma held various roles, including chartered engineer, contracts manager, in-house counsel, and solicitor in private practice. He has extensive experience practising English law in three jurisdictions: England, Scotland, and Hong Kong, for a period of about 20 years.
During his time in private practice, Dr. Ma handled a wide range of cases and represented clients in various tribunals and courts. His experience extends to the highest level, including the Court of Appeal. The reported cases he worked on covered areas such as commercial law, property law, construction law, personal injury, immigration and human rights, and employment. Notably, Dr. Ma was involved in a landmark construction law case that influenced the court's interpretation of a new statute.
In addition to his legal practice, Dr. Ma is a fellow member of the Chartered Institution of Arbitrators (CIArb), highlighting his expertise in alternative dispute resolution. He has trained 15 English solicitors who are currently practising in both England and Hong Kong. One of his ex-trainees has become a barrister and international arbitrator in the City of London.
Dr. Alan Ma brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to BCU, excelling both in his academic role and in his practical legal career. His multidisciplinary expertise and dedication to students' success make him a valuable asset to the university and the legal field.
Areas of Expertise
- Legal Tech
- Professional Skills
- International Arbitration
- Litigation and Dispute Resolution
- Commercial Law
- Property, Residential and Commercial
Qualifications
- Professional qualified in Higher Education, IT, Engineering and Law disciplines.
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2022)
- Qualified solicitor, England and Wales since 1999 (not in practice)
- Qualified solicitor, Scotland, on the Roll since 2020 (not in practice)
- Qualified barrister, England and Wales, called to the Bar and never practised in chambers (1993)
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (1995)
- BSc, Civil Engineering, 1st Class Honours, University of Warwick. Recipient of the Institution of Civil Engineers prize for being the best student. (1981)
- PhD, University of Warwick (1984)
- Chartered Engineer (1987)
- Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (1987)
- Member of the British Computer Society, Chartered Institute of IT (2004)
- Member of the Institution of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (1999 - 2023).
Memberships
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (since 2022)
- Solicitor, England and Wales, since 1999, not now in practice.
- Solicitor, Scotland since 2020, not now in practice
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (since 1995)
- Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (since 1987)
- Member of the British Computer Society, Chartered Institute of IT (since 2004)
- Member of the Institution of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (1999 - 2023).
Teaching
- LLB, Level 5: Professional Skills (Module Leader), Land law and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
- LLB, Level 6: Legal Tech (Creator and Module Leader)
- LPC, Level 7: Property Law and Practice, Interviewing and Advising, Professional Conduct and Regulations, Business Law, Writing, Commercial Property (Module Leader), and Commercial and Intellectual Property Law and Practice (Module Leader).
- LLM, Level 7: Conflict Resolution in Business (Module Leader).
Research
- Intersection of Law and Technology: Blockchain and Smart Contracts, AI in Legal Practices.
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Hackathon-Based Pedagogy for Teaching Law Students
Postgraduate Supervision
- LLM Dissertation – International Arbitration
Publications
Publications since joining BCU
- ‘Navigating the Legal Tech Landscape: A Pedagogical Approach for Next-Generation Lawyers’ The Fourth International STEAM Conference 2023, October 2023, lead author.
- ‘Blockchain-enabled smart legal contracts’, a book chapter in Blockchain Applications - Transforming Industries, Enhancing Security, and Addressing Ethical Considerations (IntechOpen, 2023), sole author.
- ‘Expert Impartiality: Compliance’, PI Brief Update Law Journal, Legal Mind Case and Commentary, No. 43, April 2023, co-author.
- ‘Expert witness requirements’, PI Brief Update Law Journal, Legal Mind Case and Commentary, No. 41, February 2023, co-author.
- ‘What are smart contracts and how do they work?’ ITNow, the magazine of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, Vol 64, Issue 3, August 2022, Oxford Academic (OUP). sole author.
- ‘Emerging legal issues in blockchain for construction supply chains,’ ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, Proceedings of the 2020 4th International Conference on Vision, Image and Signal Processing, December 2020 Article No.: 60, sole author. https://doi.org/10.1145/3448823.3448880
Publications before joining BCU
Ref no. |
Title |
Journal/Magazine |
Date of publication |
1 |
Cases update: |
The Hong Kong Lawyers (the official journal of the Law Society of Hong Kong)
|
01/12/2018
|
2 |
Cases update: |
The Hong Kong Lawyers (the official journal of the Law Society of Hong Kong)
|
01/08/2018 |
3 |
The importance of putting an agreement in writing |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
12/11/2018 |
4 |
Playboy Club London Sue Bank Over Lebanese Businessman £427,940 Win |
International eXcellence Luxury Magazine |
05/09/2018 |
5 |
Force majeure - do I have an excuse |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
30/04/2018 |
6 |
Lost profits |
In-procurement |
01/07/2015 |
7 |
Procurement and contract law A-Z: B is for …Battle of the forms |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
08/04/2015 |
8 |
Anti-suit injunction |
In-procurement |
01/04/2015 |
9 |
Curbing the copycats |
International eXcellence Luxury Magazine |
25/03/2015 |
10 |
Home or away |
In-procurement |
01/03/2015 |
11 |
Jurisdiction in International Luxury Contracts |
International eXcellence Luxury Magazine |
25/02/2015 |
12 |
Three Little Words: Subject to Contract |
International eXcellence Luxury Magazine |
26/01/2015 |
13 |
Five tips: Chinese acquisitions |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
11/11/2014 |
14 |
Entrapment? Tulisa Contostavlos |
International eXcellence Luxury Magazine |
15/10/2014 |
15 |
Pop Star Privacy: Adele Adkins |
International eXcellence Luxury Magazine |
01/10/2014 |
16 |
Rihanna: Can you use Famous Faces to Endorse your Products? |
International eXcellence Luxury Magazine |
04/09/2014 |
17 |
Once More Unto the Breach |
International eXcellence Luxury Magazine |
19/08/2014 |
18 |
Who Does a Bribe Belong To? |
International eXcellence Luxury Magazine |
25/07/2014 |
19 |
Five tips: Dealing in China |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
07/04/2014 |
20 |
Five tips: Conflicts of law |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
11/03/2014 |
21 |
5 tips: The importance of good faith |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
07/06/2013 |
22 |
Forum shopping |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
30/11/2011 |
23 |
Recovery position |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
08/11/2010 |
24 |
Liquid(ated) damages |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
21/06/2010 |
25 |
On my say-so |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
19/03/2010 |
26 |
On one condition |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
15/03/2010 |
27 |
Engineer's role in resolving disputes in offshore projects |
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Management, Procurement and Law 162 |
01/11/2009 |
28 |
Back to Basics to avoid court |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
05/07/2009 |
29 |
When in Rome |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
27/02/2009 |
30 |
Guide to legal-ease |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
03/02/2009 |
31 |
Guide to legal-ease (part one) |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
27/10/2008 |
32 |
A real privilege? |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
12/10/2008 |
33 |
Secure your interests |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
13/03/2008 |
34 |
Damping down he flames |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
17/10/2007 |
35 |
To the breach again |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
01/08/2007 |
36 |
Exposing deceit |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
25/04/2007 |
37 |
Firm changes |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
01/02/2007 |
38 |
Lonsdale v Howard Hallam Ltd |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
18/01/2007 |
39 |
Second-hand guidance |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
02/12/2004 |
40 |
Anti-competitive behaviour |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
04/08/2004 |
41 |
Accept on limitations |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
01/10/2003 |
42 |
On an even keel |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
20/08/2003 |
43 |
Racing certainty |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
21/05/2003 |
44 |
Barriers to entry |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
16/01/2003 |
45 |
Warranties for faulty goods |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
02/10/2002 |
46 |
Should incorrectly amended invoices be paid? |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
21/08/2002 |
47 |
The £2 million question |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
17/07/2002 |
48 |
Do we have a deal? |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
05/06/2002 |
49 |
Signing under duress |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
25/04/2002 |
50 |
Risks with rewards |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
24/04/2002 |
51 |
Battle of the forms |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
28/03/2002 |
52 |
An explosive error |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
27/03/2002 |
53 |
Whose law is it anyway? |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
31/01/2002 |
54 |
Decommissioning offshore installations - legal aspects |
Proceedings of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, No. B1 - Winner of the Institute's Stanley Gray Award. |
01/01/2002 |
55 |
Privileged communications |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
01/11/2001 |
56 |
Say what you mean |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
19/09/2001 |
57 |
Home or away |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
08/08/2001 |
58 |
Risk business |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
01/02/2001 |
59 |
Jurisdictional prudence |
Supply Management (official magazine of CIPS) |
04/10/2000 |
Publications on Engineering Topics
- A rigid plastic method for the determination of collapse loads of infilled panels with openings, The Journal of Strain Analysis for Engineering Design, Volume 20 issue 1, 1985
- The Newton-Raphson method used in the non-linear analysis of concrete structures, Computers & Structures, Volume 24, Issue 2, 1986
- New data on the ultimate strength of tubular welded K joints under moment loads, Offshore Technology Conference, May 1988.
- Estimation of stress concentration factor for fatigue design of welded tubular connections, Offshore Technology Conference, May 1988
- A comparative study of the design basis for complex tubular joints, Offshore Technology Conference, May 1989
- A new repair and strengthening technique for steel offshore structures, Offshore Technology Conference, May 1993.
- Fatigue design of cast steel nodes in offshore structures based on research data, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Water, Maritime and Energy; Journal Volume: 124, June 1997.
Work With Industry
Committee member of the following professional bodies.
- The West Midlands Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), since June 2023. CIArb stands as a global beacon of excellence in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practice and professionalism. With members dispersed across 149 countries, the West Midlands branch serves as a regional nucleus for practitioners, policymakers, academics, and business entities. This hub ardently fosters the promotion, facilitation, and advancement of diverse ADR methodologies.
- The Birmingham Branch of the British Computer Society (BCS), the Chartered Institute for IT since October 2019. As the preeminent professional body in the realm of computing, BCS represents a formidable force of 60,000 IT professionals worldwide, steering the trajectory of the IT industry. The vibrant Birmingham Branch stands as a regional bastion, steadfastly furthering the overarching BCS mission to propagate knowledge, education, and public welfare.
- The Midlands branch of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMEST] [September 2019 to March 2023]. The branch played a pivotal role in fostering a community of maritime professionals and enthusiasts in the heart of the United Kingdom. IMarEST, a prestigious global institution, stands as a beacon of excellence in promoting and advancing marine engineering, science, and technology. With members spanning across diverse sectors and industries, the Midlands branch served as a local nexus for maritime practitioners, researchers, academics, and industry leaders.
Organised seminars and other activities with external bodies promoting academic and industry interactions and exchange of knowledge. Seminars/webinars delivered:
- “Expert witness, evidence in international arbitration”, as the guest speaker who will deliver the evening seminar organised jointly by the Midlands branch of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology and the West Midlands branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators at the University of Warwick, 26 April 2023.
- “Meditation Workshop”, created the opportunity and will lead 11 BCU students to participate in this workshop at No 5 Barristers’ Chambers, Birmingham on 5 April 2023. The event is organised by the West Midlands branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
- “Contemporary issues that affect the future of law - Legal Technology, Law Practices, and Climate Change”, a symposium. I instigated, organised and was one of the speakers. It was co-hosted with the West Midlands branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the Birmingham branch of the British Computer Society, and the Society for Computers and Law, in November 2022. The event was held as a hybrid at BCU STEAMHouse and it was one of BCU’s Graduate plus events.
- Prize-giving ceremony to BCU LLM students, June 2022. I secured sponsorship of cash prizes from the West Midlands branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators to our LLM students. I was the MC of the event.
- “International arbitration and dispute resolution –the future”, a symposium. I instigated, organised and was one of the speakers. The event was held at BCU, and it was co-hosted with the West Midlands branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in March 2022.
- “The use of emerging technology in the legal sector”, evening webinar, spoke and led my 3 students disseminating research results to a professional audience (some 140 attendees), The Birmingham branch of the British Computer Society, April 2021.
- “International arbitration of disputes in marine construction”, delivered in the evening webinar organised by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology, Midlands Branch, February 2021.
- “Emerging legal issues in Blockchain for supply chains in offshore construction projects”, delivered in the evening webinar organised by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology, Midlands Branch in December 2020.
- “Legal issues arising from the use of blockchain technology in the global supply chain”, delivered in the evening webinar organised by the Birmingham branch of the British Computer Society in April 2020.
On the technical committee and acted as a paper's reviewer at international conferences.
- “The 14th International Conference on Construction and Project Management (ICCPM 2023), 2023.”
- “The 12th International Conference on Construction and Project Management, 2021, Macau, China”