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David Thomas KC

David Thomas KC

Position

David Thomas KC is a hugely experienced advocate.
“Cross-examination skills second to none”
“Extremely hard-working, calm, bright, excellent with clients.”
“He can master complex briefs and articulate arguments speedily and efficiently”
“The doyen of the arbitration world”
“A very modern silk”
are a few of the quotes in Chambers UK, Chambers Global, the Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal where David has been consistently recommended as a leader in his fields. David has recently been awarded Construction Silk of the Year at the 2021 Chambers UK Bar Awards, having also been shortlisted for the award in 2013 and 2017.

David is known for his forceful advocacy, incisive cross-examination skills, commercial awareness, and the clarity and practicality of his advice. He has been instructed in some of the biggest and highest profile cases in the world including the Shard, Wembley Stadium, the Olympic Stadium and the Burj Khalifa.

A large part of David’s practice arises from GCC countries, Africa and Asia. Recent international arbitrations have concerned a coal-fired power station in South Africa, a major road project in Tanzania, iconic developments and infrastructure in the Middle East, on shore and off shore oil and gas facilities, the construction of a hydroelectric power station in Vietnam, and DIFC cases related to “The World” and “The Palm”. In the UK, he is a regular Court of Appeal advocate and frequently appears before the Technology and Construction Court on high profile matters. He frequently deals with highly technical issues which have ranged from soil mechanics, to the behaviour of powders in hoppers, stresses in steel members, lead contamination of water, the properties of concrete and turbine performance. David has also provided long-term advisory work in relation to landmark developments around the world.

David has experience of all major standard form contracts including the FIDIC (Red, Yellow, Silver and Gold books) EPC contracts, NEC ,JCT, ICE forms, GC/Works/1, CCC/Works/1, ICHEME, MF/1 and SAJ. He also has great experience of amended standard forms. He is the Editor of “Keating on NEC3” (First Edition 2012) and writes the commentary on the NEC form in “Keating on Construction Contracts”. He advises regularly on NEC contract disputes and has conducted numerous adjudications and mediations in relation to the engineering and construction contract, the professional services contract, the term services contract and various amended versions thereof. He has lectured on the NEC and FIDIC forms in the UK, Hong Kong, South Korea, Oman and South Africa.

In addition, David sits as an arbitrator and adjudicator both in the UK and internationally.

Career

Approved Mediator, Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration, 2015 Approved Arbitrator, Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration, 2015 Trained in Dispute Adjudication Board Hearings and Procedure, 2005 CEDR Accredited Mediator, 2003 Queen’s Counsel, 2002 Called to the Bar of Gibraltar, 1996 MA Oxon, 1984 Called to the Bar (Middle Temple), 1982

Languages

Basic French.

Memberships

Panel of Arbitrators at the Delhi International Arbitration Centre (“DIAC”) Technology and Construction Bar Association (TECBAR) UK Energy Law Group Professional Negligence Bar Association The Society of Construction Law ICC United Kingdom Dispute Resolution Board Foundation

Education

Midhurst Grammar School; Wadham College, Oxford (1981 1st Class Hons).

Leisure

David is a keen gardener with a particular interest in fruit growing and topiary. He also enjoys cricket and is a member of the MCC.

Mentions

Middle East: The English Bar

Construction

Leading silk1
David Thomas KC – Keating Chambers ‘David is a superb legal advocate with deep legal and technical expertise in construction and energy disputes. He has a wealth of experience in handling complex and high-value claims, arbitrations and adjudications. David is a delight to work with and rolls up his sleeves to get the job done. He is responsive, collaborative and supportive, and always strives to deliver clear, concise and effective advice and advocacy.’
Content supplied by Keating Chambers