Described in legal directories as a “brilliantly analytical barrister” whose advocacy is “elegant and persuasive”, William is a specialist silk working in all aspects of construction and engineering disputes. Over the years, William has been involved in countless claims relating to defects, variations, delay and disruption on projects ranging from minor residential developments to substantial infrastructure projects such as power stations, refineries and highways. William has a particular familiarity with cladding and other fire safety disputes, having been involved in many such claims in the TCC and having been instructed to act for an interested party to the Grenfell Inquiry. He is also very familiar with PFI/PPP disputes having acted for public bodies, ProjectCos, building contractors and maintenance contractors in a wide variety of matters arising under such contracts.
William frequently appears in the Technology and Construction Court, where he has been instructed in some of the largest recent cases involving multiple parties and trials lasting several weeks. He also regularly appears in the Court of Appeal, as well as the Commercial Court and Chancery Division. He is also a TECBAR accredited adjudicator and has received appointments as adjudicator and arbitrator in both domestic and international disputes.
In addition to domestic court work, William is regularly involved in substantial international arbitrations including claims arising out of projects in Qatar, Oman, Dubai, Yemen, Greece, Spain, Africa, Singapore and Russia. He is familiar with ICC, LCIA and UNCITRAL rules as well as bespoke national provisions.
William is heavily involved in academic and practitioner texts on construction law, being an Editor of Chitty on Contracts (since 2015), an Editor of Keating on JCT Contracts and an editor of the Construction Law Reports.
Overview
William Webb KC was called to the Bar in 2005 and appointed King's Counsel in 2023. He is a specialist construction and engineering silk whose practice encompasses construction, infrastructure, energy, professional negligence, PFI/PPP and international arbitration.
Throughout his career, William has built a reputation for combining detailed technical analysis with strategic judgement and persuasive advocacy. He is regularly instructed in substantial disputes involving major projects and complex technical issues and appears before courts, tribunals and arbitral panels both in the UK and internationally.
Domestic and International Practice
William maintains a broad practice spanning both domestic litigation and international dispute resolution.
In England and Wales, he appears regularly before the Technology and Construction Court, Court of Appeal, Commercial Court and Chancery Division. He has acted in some of the most significant recent construction disputes, including high-value multi-party proceedings involving substantial factual and expert evidence.
Internationally, William is regularly instructed on major infrastructure, construction and energy disputes across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. He is familiar with a wide range of contractual frameworks, arbitral procedures and dispute resolution mechanisms.
Recognition
William is ranked by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 for Construction and is consistently recognised for his advocacy, technical expertise and strategic judgement. Directories describe him as "a genuine expert in all things construction", "a class act and a cut above the rest" and "a very safe pair of hands on the most complex disputes". Legal 500 describes him as a "brilliantly analytical barrister" whose advocacy is "elegant and persuasive".
Clients also praise his commercial approach, technical understanding and ability to manage substantial disputes effectively.
Publications
William is heavily involved in legal scholarship and practitioner texts, serving as an Editor of Chitty on Contracts since 2015, an Editor of Keating on JCT Contracts and an editor of the Construction Law Reports.
These appointments reflect both the breadth of his expertise and his standing within the construction law community.
Society of Construction Law
Technology and Construction Bar Association (TECBAR)
King Edward’s School, Birmingham; Trinity College, Cambridge (2002 BA); University of Virginia (2003 LLM); St Catherine’s College, Oxford (2004 BCL); Inns of Court School of Law (2005 BVC).