David Pliener KC > Gatehouse Chambers > London, England > Barrister Profile
Gatehouse Chambers Offices
1 Lady Hale Gate, Gray’s Inn
WC1X 8BS
England
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David Pliener KC
Position
David is an expert in Construction and Engineering and Insurance work. He also specialises in Property Damage and Professional Negligence work.
Well versed in complex and high value disputes representing clients in litigation, arbitration, adjudication and mediation, and he has worked across a number of jurisdictions including the Bahamas and Cayman Islands. Recent work has included disputes concerning construction projects in Zambia, South Africa, Peru and Georgia.
His wide experience of high value multiparty litigation, arbitration, adjudication as well as pay and delay disputes covers the full range of construction and engineering work including problems with design, defective work, joint venture disputes, property damage and professional indemnity claims.
His insurance work includes CAR, professional indemnity, latent defect cover, product liability and public liability policies. He regularly acts for both insurers and insureds on coverage and avoidance issues. His recent work in the Court of Appeal includes Alliance v Exeter on proximate cause and Stonegate v Amlin, the leading COVID BI claim.
He represents contractors, sub-contractors, construction and engineering professionals, property owners, insureds and insurance companies in the UK and internationally.
Memberships
- TECBAR (Committee Member)
- Society of Construction Lawyers
- Professional Negligence Bar Association
- British Insurance Law Association
- Adjudication Society
- COMBAR
- London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association
- London Court of International Arbitration
Education
- BSc (Hons) First Class
- Dip Law
- Tecbar Adjudicator
- ADR ODR Accredited Mediator
Lawyer Rankings
London Bar > Construction
(2023 Silks)Ranked: Tier 1David Pliener KC– Gatehouse Chambers ‘Very bright and forensic in approach – equally strong on construction and insurance coverage disputes.’
Going ‘from strength to strength’, Gatehouse Chambers handles a full spectrum of construction, engineering, energy and infrastructure disputes both domestically and internationally, such as matters relating to bonds and guarantees, construction all risks insurance, professional liability matters, defects, disruption and delay. Paul Reed KC and Simon Kerry are representing Prestoplan Limited in Avantage and others v PRP and others, an insurance-backed construction dispute linked to a fire at a timber-framed care home. David Pliener KC, now newly appointed silk as of March 2023 alongside Catherine Piercy KC, acted for the refrigeration supplier, J&H Hall, in Morrison Supermarkets v Lorien et al., a multi-party dispute resulting from the redevelopment of a large abattoir. Sarah McCann served as sole counsel in Openview Security Solutions Ltd v Metropolitan Housing Trust, a case arising from non-payment and alleged defects. Meanwhile, members of the set have been involved in international disputes spanning locations from the Americas, Oceania, Asia and the Middle East. Andrew Kearney joined the team in October 2023.
London Bar > Insurance and reinsurance
(2023 Silks)Ranked: Tier 1David Pliener KC – Gatehouse Chambers ‘Solicitors are running out of superlatives to describe David. The interpretation of insurance policies, in particular, can be a challenge for even the most analytical of minds, but his thorough and methodological approach to problem-solving makes light work of the task.’
Gatehouse Chambers‘ insurance practice links with its other practice areas in construction, property damage and professional liability, where barristers have had significant experience in policy coverage work on behalf of insures, insurers and reinsurers. Nigel Jones KC is an expert in insurance litigation, having been involved in large insurance disputes in the market, including Enterprise Insurance Co, a cross-border case in Gibraltar where Jones, alongside Sarah McCann were instructed to advise on the conduct of Enterprise’s UK motor claims book requiring detailed advice on insurance law, alongside being instructed by the Gibraltar liquidator both directly and through a Gibraltarian firm to advise on multiple company matters concerning the insolvency and ongoing litigation in multiple international jurisdictions. Paul Reed KC regularly advises on coverage and avoidance issues for insurance companies, whereas George Eyre is a name to watch for his practice, combining his expertise in construction and energy into his insurance practice. David Pliener KC was appointed silk in 2023.
London Bar > Professional negligence
(2023 Silks)Ranked: Tier 1David Pliener KC –Gatehouse Chambers ‘Great analytical skills, a real relaxed style and way of putting a complex point across which goes down well with clients. Good tactician.’
(2023 Silks)Ranked: Tier 1David Pliener KC – Gatehouse Chambers ‘Great analytical skills, a real relaxed style and way of putting a complex point across which goes down well with clients. Good tactician.’