Keating Chambers

Tom Coulson has a busy practice in domestic and international construction, engineering, and energy disputes, together with associated professional negligence and insurance matters.

Tom is familiar with a wider range of standard forms. He is a contributor to Keating on JCT Contracts, and also has significant experience of the various FIDIC and NEC forms. Tom is also a contributor to Keating on Construction Contracts, Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering Contracts, and to the Construction Law Reports.

Recent experience as sole counsel includes:

• The trial of a Part 8 claim in an energy dispute concerning an expert determination (Empyreal Energy Ltd v Daylighting Power Ltd [2020] BLR 555.
• Acting for a major homebuilder in the trial of preliminary issues concerning potential liability in tort for economic loss for building defects (Thomas v Taylor Wimpey [2019] BLR 382).
• An appeal concerning the relationship between the Part 36 regime and the rules governing amendments (Bentley Design Consultants Ltd v Sansom [2018] EWHC 2238 (TCC)).
• Acting for a contractor in a 3-day trial in the TCC.

Recent experience as junior counsel includes:

• A challenge to an international arbitration award arising out a project to extend a port facility in Jordan (Soletanche Bachy France SAS v Aqaba Container Terminal (PVT.) Co. [2019] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 431).
• Junior counsel in a 2-week, $300m arbitration arising out of the construction of a natural gas pipeline.
• Appeals to the Court of Appeal concerned with the scope of an employer’s implied contractual obligations to obtain planning consent (Clin v Walter Lilly [2018] BLR 321) and the requirements of the conservation area regime (Walter Lilly v Clin [2021] 1 WLR 2753).
• Appearing in a 3-week, $120m ICC arbitration in Australia arising out of a marine engineering project.

Called to the Bar 2014, Pupil - Keating Chambers 2014-2015, Tenant - Keating Chambers 2015

BA Modern History (Double First) - St Peter's College, Oxford 2008-2011, MSt in Modern British and European History - St Peter's College, Oxford (Distinction) 2011-2012, Graduate Diploma in Law - City University (Distinction) 2012-2013, Bar Professional Training Course - City University (Outstanding, 4th in year) 2013-2014

Tom retains a strong interest in history of all types and periods and also enjoys playing Sunday league football.