Region Area

Barristers

Simon Lofthouse KC

Simon Lofthouse KC

Position

Simon Lofthouse QC is widely-recognised as a leading domestic and international lawyer with particular expertise in construction, energy, natural resources and professional negligence. 

His practice covers international and domestic litigation and arbitration acting for governments, corporations and professionals. The range of disputes frequently involves engineering or construction projects, transport, professional negligence, information technology or energy projects.

He is particularly experienced in the presentation and conduct of complex cases, especially those involving delay analysis, contractual interpretation, allegations of professional negligence issues including defective design, expert determinations and final accounts, or disputed technical issues (including fraud).

The range of disputes covered is extensive, examples include large commercial developments both domestically and internationally (new-build and refurbishment), complex infrastructure works, including track installation, repair and upgrading, IT systems and installations, powers station disputes (both as to construction and operation including waste-to-energy plants), waste and water treatment technology, oil and gas platforms, piling operations onshore and offshore, construction of roads and ships, PFI/PPP, pipe laying, tunnels, pumping stations, coastal defences and effluent, and airport terminals.

His experience spans the range of different forums including mediation, adjudication, expert determination, domestic and international arbitration, and commercial court litigation. Much of his work is international in nature and throughout his career he has advised on, and appeared as advocate in, disputes in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East (he is qualified to practice in the DIFC, Dubai), and across Asia. He has been appointed by the ICC and other domestic and international bodies both as arbitrator and as legal and dispute resolution expert.

Simon also accepts appointments either as a sole arbitrator or as part of a panel and is, of course, familiar with the established domestic and international rules.

 

Career

LLB (Hons) (Lond). Called to Bar of England and Wales in 1988. Recorder 2003, Silk 2006. Authorised to sit in the TCC Division of the High Court 2015. Advocacy teacher for Gray's Inn. Chair of Professional Conduct Committee of the Bar 2011-2015; Member, Bar Standards Board 2011-2015.

Memberships

COMBAR, TECBAR, registered adjudicator. Qualified to appear in the DIFC, Dubai.

Mentions

Middle East: The English Bar

Construction

Leading silk1
Simon Lofthouse KC – Atkin Chambers ‘Simon is an excellent barrister with extraordinary ability, and he is constantly asking the right questions. His attention to detail is mind blowing.’   
London Bar

Construction

Leading silk1
Simon Lofthouse KC – Atkin Chambers ‘Simon is an excellent barrister with extraordinary ability, and he is constantly asking the right questions. His attention to detail is mind blowing.’   
Asia Pacific: The English Bar

Construction, energy and infrastructure

Leading silk3
Simon Lofthouse KC – Atkin Chambers 'Simon is sharp and precise on his feet with his excellent advocacy and analytical skills.'
London Bar

Energy

Leading silk3
Simon Lofthouse KC – Atkin Chambers ‘His preparation is intense, and he picks forensic lines to take.’
London Bar

International arbitration: counsel

Leading silk2
Simon Lofthouse KC –Atkin Chambers ‘There are no weaknesses. He is simply better prepared than all his opponents and he has been up against the very best. He outworks them, and then he’s like the four horsemen of the apocalypse, but more courteous.’
London Bar

Professional negligence

Leading silk2
Simon Lofthouse KC –Atkin Chambers ‘He is bright and hardworking.’