Keating Chambers

Abdul Jinadu was called to the Bar in 1995 and has been a practising barrister and arbitrator in Keating Chambers since 1996, specialising in construction, engineering and energy disputes, and domestic and international arbitration. He has acted for the full spectrum of clients including construction and engineering companies, government organisations, corporations, public utilities, local authorities, consultancies, architects and engineers. He is currently instructed on behalf of the Bereaved Survivors and Residents as a specialist construction counsel on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. He has extensive experience of a wide range of disputes and advisory work relating to infrastructure projects. Significant cases have involved oil and gas onshore and offshore facilities, solar power plants, aluminium smelting plants, pharmaceutical plants, hospitals, mining and marine construction. He has an extensive international practice both as counsel and as arbitrator acting recently as counsel in respect of a number of disputes in several jurisdictions in the Middle East and as sole arbitrator and party appointed arbitrator in respect of major projects internationally including in Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana and Turkmenistan. Recent appointments include as sole arbitrator in a Tanzanian arbitration and party appointed arbitrator in a £400m Nigerian dispute. His arbitrator appointments have included ICC and DIFC-LCIA appointments as well as ad hoc arbitrations. Abdul Jinadu is bi-lingual in English and Yoruba and maintains significant contacts with his home country of Nigeria. He has well developed contacts in the legal profession and in the construction and oil and gas sectors in Nigeria. He is Secretary Pro Tem of the Society of Construction Law Nigeria. He is a member of the Court of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre, a member of the Lagos Court of Arbitration, a member of the Advisory Board of Africa Construction Law, and has been appointed to the Directory of African International Arbitrators. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in the UK and of the Botswana Institute of Arbitrators. Abdul has “a strong adjudication element to his practice” and is a TECBAR accredited adjudicator. In addition to acting as an adjudicator and giving papers and seminars on the subject, he has acted for clients at all stages of the adjudication process (advising, drafting, and representation at enforcement proceedings) and at all levels up to the Court of Appeal. He is a chapter author for Keating on Construction Contracts, Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering, Keating on NEC and Oil and Gas Contracts – Principles and Practice. He has lectured on a wide range of subjects to a wide range of professional bodies. He has written articles on a wide range of construction law related subjects.

Adam Walton

Adam practises in Keating’s core practice areas and accepts instructions to advise, draft, and provide representation at all stages of litigation or other dispute resolution process. He joined Keating following the successful completion of his pupillage in 2023. Whilst undertaking his pupillage, Adam’s work reflected Keating’s core specialisms and centered around construction and engineering, professional negligence, commercial, adjudication, and international arbitration. He also gained experience of a wide variety of standard form contracts, including the JCT, NEC, and FIDIC, as well as bespoke construction contracts, insurance contracts, guarantees, and bonds. Most recently, Adam has been instructed: As part of the counsel team led by Simon Hughes KC on a £400 million ICC Arbitration concerning a project in the Middle East. As Sole Counsel on a £820k breach of contract claim in the High Court (TCC), which concerns alleged defects on a project in Dubai. To advise and act as Sole Counsel on a £200k Defective Premises Act 1972 claim. To appear as Sole Counsel in High Court enforcement proceedings. As Junior Counsel on two separate, but concurrent adjudications for the same client (the Employer) in relation to the same project: one bringing a claim for liquidated damages, the other resisting the main contractor’s smash and grab. As Junior Counsel on an adjudication against a steelwork subcontractor, which raised issues of delay, defects, and repudiatory breach. Prior to commencing pupillage, Adam worked at the Law Commission of England and Wales as a Research Assistant and at the Court of Appeal as Lord Justice Coulson’s Judicial Assistant. Whilst working as a Judicial Assistant, Adam’s work was consistently lauded by members of the Court of Appeal for its quality and clarity; with Lord Justice Coulson notably describing him as “incredibly clever” and “exceptionally good at identifying the issues at the heart of a case”. Alongside being the holder of over ten awards and scholarships, Adam has also published work in several leading law journals; with a number of these published works going on to be cited in both leading textbooks and further academic pieces. Most notably, Adam’s work on scope of duty is cited in Chitty on Contracts, whilst his work on the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978 is cited in Clerk and Lindsell on Torts.

Adrian Williamson KC

Adrian Williamson was called to the Bar in 1983 and has been a practising barrister in Keating Chambers since 1989. Adrian specialises in construction, engineering and technology disputes and he is also highly regarded for his expertise in professional negligence and insurance actions within these specialist areas. He took silk in 2002. Adrian’s practice covers all aspects of law within his specialist fields, including advisory work relating to standard form and bespoke contracts; contractors’, sub-contractors’ and employers’ claims; and professional negligence claims (architects, engineers, surveyors and project managers). This work includes advisory work, drafting and of course advocacy for which he is widely regarded as a formidable opponent. He regularly appears in the Technology and Construction Court in London and in arbitrations in many parts of the UK and abroad. Adrian has also appeared in the Court of Appeal on many occasions and in the Privy Council. He has represented clients in adjudication and mediation and is himself an adjudicator and arbitrator.

Alan Steynor

Alan Steynor was called to the Bar in 1975 and has been a practising barrister in Keating Chambers since 1978. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration and has sat regularly on the County Court as Recorder for over 15 years. His practice covers the full range of work in which Keating Chambers specialise, including building, civil and structural engineering, mechanical engineering and similar technical work, acting for clients in central and local government, property developers, building and engineering contractors, architects, surveyors, project managers, engineers and building owners. He regularly handles cases in the High Court, both in the Queen’s Bench Division and the Technology and Construction Court, in London and in centres such as Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Cardiff. As a part time County Court Judge, he has up to date experience in trying civil cases involving construction and property law claims, breaches of contract, negligence and statutory duty, and the sometimes surprising operation of the Civil Procedure Rules, including case management. Alan has substantial experience of arbitration proceedings at all stages, both in the United Kingdom and overseas, including appeals against arbitrators’ awards and court proceedings relating to arbitrations, including the removal of arbitrators and the resolution of procedural disputes. As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators he is well informed of recent developments in arbitration law and practice. Since the introduction of adjudication he has built up considerable experience in advising and representing construction clients, both in written submissions and at hearings, and in enforcing and resisting adjudicators’ decisions in the High Court. He is a TECBAR Accredited Adjudicator and a supervisor for the MSc degree in construction law and arbitration at King’s College London. In addition to construction matters, Alan Steynor has had considerable experience over more than twenty five years of commercial property work in areas such as landlord and tenant law, dilapidations claims, retail property law and conveyancing, highways and planning, boundary and party wall disputes. He has been involved in a number of high profile party wall disputes in recent years, one involving claims in excess of £1m. Alan has a strong track record in advising clients in Health and Safety disputes and environmental law and defending prosecutions. His areas of work include the application of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994, the Health and Safety at Work of criminal procedure in both the Crown Court and Magistrates court relevant to enforcement proceedings and prosecutions. Alan Steynor has a very good working knowledge of French. He is happy to travel to any part of the world on business and recently appeared in a case in the Falkland Islands. Alan Steynor also undertakes public access work in his areas of practice

Alexander Nissen KC

Alexander Nissen was called to the Bar in 1985, became a Queen’s Counsel in 2006 and was appointed Head of Chambers in 2020. He specialises in advocacy and advisory work, adjudication, arbitration, litigation and the mediation of construction, engineering, energy and professional negligence disputes. Alexander’s practice covers a wide variety of cases ranging from client/developer claims, PFI disputes, and adjudication enforcement to professional negligence cases (architects, surveyors, valuers, solicitors and civil, structural and geotechnical engineers). He deals with both contractors’ and sub-contractors’ claims and defects disputes. His work also covers rail projects, disputes relating to bonds (both domestic and international), power stations, waste recycling facilities and oil and gas projects. He is familiar with all the standard forms of contract including JCT, NEC, I Chem E and FIDIC. Following his successful involvement in the two Grove Development cases, Alexander has acquired a formidable reputation in the field of payment disputes under the HGCRA. Alexander is a Chartered Arbitrator, an accredited adjudicator and mediator. His arbitration work covers both domestic and international disputes. He has been appointed both through party selection and by the ICC. He was appointed as a Recorder in 2007 and as a Deputy High Court Judge in 2013. Since 2015 he has been sitting in the TCC.

Alexandra Bodnar

Alexandra Bodnar is a sought-after barrister specialising in the litigation and arbitration of UK and international construction and commercial matters. She regularly represents clients in the English Technology & Construction Court and Commercial Court, as well as in front of international and domestic arbitral tribunals. Her work involves high-value, complex construction, engineering, infrastructure and energy projects across the globe. This includes PFI projects, EPC projects and substantial commercial supply projects. Much of her work involves allegations of professional negligence against construction professionals and claims concerning significant damage to property. She has particular expertise in bonds and guarantees, both within the construction sector and concerning business matters more generally. This includes claims for injunctions to restrain guarantee demands, and insurance coverage and avoidance matters. In addition to acting as an advocate in adversarial proceedings, she advises clients. She also represents clients in alternative dispute resolution proceedings, such as mediation and UK construction adjudication (including adjudication enforcement claims). Alex is consistently recommended in Chambers UK, the Legal 500 and Chambers Global. She is recommended in the Legal 500, Chambers UK and Chambers Global for her construction work, and in the Legal 500 for her insurance & reinsurance work as well as her professional negligence work.

Alice Sims

Alice Sims specialises in construction and engineering disputes along with professional negligence, regulatory and insurance claims related to these sectors. She has particular expertise in energy-related disputes (both onshore and offshore) and has acted for clients in a wide range of litigation concerning ships, renewables, nuclear, oil and gas projects. She also regularly acts in cases relating to the sale and supply of chemicals and the construction of chemical processing plants. She is familiar with all of the major standard forms and standard terms of appointment including NEC, JCT, RIBA, LOGIC, RICS, FIDIC, ICC, ICE and IChemE. Alice has a wealth of experience in residential and commercial cladding cases, arising out of concerns following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. She is currently instructed in numerous multi-million-pound cladding disputes for parties at all levels of the contractual chain including insurers. She is familiar with all of the technical issues concerning fire safety arising out of the Building Regulations, ADB and the Building Safety Act. She appears in domestic and international arbitrations (conducted under various different rules including ICC, LCIA, SIAC, UNCITRAL), the High Court and Court of Appeal and also undertakes all aspects of alternative dispute resolution including representations to adjudicators and enforcement proceedings. Alice is a CEDR trained and incredibly popular mediator. She has an outstanding success rate of settling cases which clients attribute to her calm but commercial focus. Alice has held judicial appointments for many years and currently sits at as Recorder in the Crown Court and as a Deputy Tribunal Judge in the Upper Administrative Appeal Tribunal. She brings a wealth of judicial experience to her work as a barrister and mediator. Alice’s is incredibly bright and her popularity with clients and solicitors, whether she is working as part of a team or as sole counsel, stems from her hard working and hands-on approach. She balances an air of authority with a down-to-earth approach. Alice gets stuck into the technical detail of a case and is a fearless cross-examiner. Clients praise her for being accessible, practical and commercial.

Ben Graff

Ben Graff was called to the Bar in 2019 and became a tenant at Keating Chambers in 2020 following the successful completion of his pupillage. Ben is developing a busy practice across Chambers’ specialisms including construction and engineering, procurement, energy, professional negligence and international arbitration. He has assisted with work involving standard form contracts including the JCT and NEC forms. Ben acted as junior counsel to Sarah Hannaford QC and Simon Taylor in Bechtel Limited v High Speed Two (HS2) Limited [2021] EWHC 458 (TCC) successfully defending HS2’s procurement for a £1bn+ contract following a three week trial in the TCC. Ben has also conducted a number of hearings in the County Court in his own right. Ben is developing a busy adjudication practice, including drafting referrals and responses in disputes relating to the Covid-19 pandemic. Before coming to the Bar, Ben volunteered for the School Exclusion Project, appearing on behalf of an excluded child at a Governors’ Disciplinary Committee and on appeal at an Independent Review Panel. In the latter, he convinced the Panel that the decision of the governing body to uphold the exclusion was irrational.

Ben Sareen

A specialist in construction, engineering, energy, shipbuilding, telecoms and related professional negligence disputes, Ben regularly represents clients in the English courts and international and domestic arbitrations. He has been instructed in relation to a number of high-profile construction and engineering projects in London, including Wembley Stadium, the Jubilee Line, and the East London Line extension, as well as major construction, energy and infrastructure projects in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. He is regularly instructed in domestic and international shipbuilding, engineering and construction arbitrations by both commercial and government clients. As sole and junior counsel he has represented clients in disputes in which the governing law is not English law. Ben accepts appointments as an adjudicator and, as counsel, has represented clients in numerous adjudications, including the adjudication that gave rise to one of the leading adjudication cases of 2014, Eurocom v Siemens [2014] EWHC 3710 (TCC). Ben is experienced with many major standard form contracts, including the JCT and NEC standard forms, and is a contributing author to Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering Contracts and Keating on NEC 3.

Brenna Conroy

Brenna Conroy specialises in construction, international arbitration, professional negligence and energy work and is recommended in Chambers and Partners as “a star of the future”, and described as “approachable, bright and incredibly sharp”. Due to the quality of her written work and advocacy, Brenna was appointed to the prestigious Attorney General’s B Panel this year. Brenna’s reputation at the Construction Bar resulted in her being listed in Legal Week’s “Stars at the Bar 2017” as one of 12 most highly rated commercial barristers under 10 years call. Brenna was recommended as “quick-thinking [and] hardworking” and as having “a wider understanding of not just the legal perspective, but tactical strategy, demonstrated by her proficiently arguing complicated legal points.” Brenna has built up a strong domestic and international practice, with a particular interest in construction and energy work and has been involved in a number of high-profile cases in the TCC as well as complex, high value international arbitration proceedings. Over the last 2 years she has been involved in several high value disputes concerning drillships, power plants, sports centres and infrastructure. She has been led in several UK court cases and adjudications as well as very high profile arbitrations involving projects in Georgia, Korea, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Australia. Brenna has built up a busy construction practice in her own right, and has had a number of reported cases, one of which had important implications for payment and one for adjudication within the industry. She has also received judicial praise in a number of her reported cases for her succinct and skillful advocacy. Brenna is a contributing editor of the Construction Law Reports and Keating on Construction Contracts. In chambers, Brenna sits on the pupillage committee and is a pupil supervisor. Brenna also sits on the GDL and Bar Course Scholarship Interview panels for Lincoln’s Inn.

Callum Monro Morrison

Callum Monro Morrison was called to the Bar in 2018 and became a tenant at Keating Chambers in 2019 following the successful completion of his pupillage. Callum has a busy commercial practice and specialises in disputes arising out of engineering, construction, energy, offshore and infrastructure projects. Acting as either sole counsel or junior counsel in larger legal teams, he is engaged in both international and domestic work and particularly relishes disputes involving complex engineering issues. Callum is a contributor to Keating on Construction Contracts and is familiar with all common standard forms, including the JCT, NEC and FIDIC forms. He is ranked in The Legal 500 as a ‘rising star’ (tier 1) in construction: “Callum is an exceptionally diligent counsel who focuses a great deal on preparation and achieves a quick grasp of the technical nature for work.” Callum regularly represents clients in the High Court, County Court and in adjudications in his own right. He is currently being led in substantial multi-party TCC litigation and in several international arbitrations. Recent highlights include acting: on behalf of an investment fund in TCC proceedings concerning a multi-million-pound retail and residential development (led by Jonathan Selby QC); on behalf of a public authority in TCC proceedings concerning unsafe cladding and other fire safety defects in residential tower blocks (led by Simon Hughes QC); in international arbitrations concerning (i) two state-of-the-art semi-submersible offshore drilling rigs (led by Adam Constable QC), (ii) a coal-fired power station in Africa (led by Simon Hughes QC), (iii) a water desalination plant in the Middle East (led by Simon Hughes QC) and (iv) a leisure park in East Asia; as sole counsel for a Defendant insurer in a series of fast- and multi-track trials concerning repairs to highway furniture; and as sole counsel in a c. £1.6 million adjudication concerning the loss of a chance to implement a less costly structural steelwork design. Callum accepts instructions to advise, draft pleadings and represent clients in relation to a broad range of commercial matters, with a focus on engineering and construction contracts and associated professional negligence disputes.

Calum Lamont KC

Calum is an energetic and enthusiastic lawyer, commanding a broad commercial practice in line with Chambers’ profile with experience in construction, engineering, shipbuilding and energy disputes, together with related insurance and professional negligence matters. He is familiar with leading disputes arising out of a variety of commercial, public and residential construction projects, with particular expertise in infrastructure and offshore matters in both domestic and international arbitration as well as the TCC and Commercial Court. Calum has significant experience in international arbitrations involving construction disputes, particularly in the Gulf, Korea & Hong Kong. He is familiar with acting under various different rules (including ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, DIAC and LMAA). He also has a busy offshore practice with extensive experience in delayed delivery claims, as well as disputes arising out of defective construction and operation of drilling vessels and rigs. Prior to taking Silk in 2022, Calum was ranked as a Band 1 junior in three practice areas by Chambers & Partners, Chambers Global, Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal, which recommend him as “astonishingly bright and absolutely brilliant on technically complex cases” , and note that his “intellect, and ability to find solutions to seemingly impossible problems and work-rate are unparalleled at the Bar.” Calum was awarded Constuction Junior of the Year in 2016 and International Arbitration Junior of the Year in 2018 at the Chambers & Partners Bar Awards. Calum accepts instructions on a public access, licensed access and pro bono basis, and is a TECBAR accredited mediator and adjudicator. Calum is concerned about access to justice, and sits on the steering committee for www.probonoskills.com, a not-for-profit platform providing pro bono law clinics with quality on-demand training.

Charles Banner KC was called to the Bar of England & Wales in 2004 and to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 2010. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2019 (at the age of 38, the youngest of the 2019 silks). He practices across both jurisdictions as well as internationally. He has rights of audience in the Dubai International Finance Centre Court (Part II Registered since 2015). He sits judicially on a part-time basis as a Justice of the Astana International Finance Centre Court in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. He has a heavyweight domestic and international practice, principally focused on (i) planning & environmental regulation, (ii) public procurement, competition & state aid and (iii) commercial dispute resolution in the context of development, infrastructure and construction (particularly in the energy, transport, residential and tourism sectors). He also has considerable experience of public law, EU law and commercial dispute resolution more generally. He also acts as a dispute resolver. He sits judicially on a part-time basis as a Justice of the Astana International Finance Centre Court. He also accepts appointments as an Arbitrator (FCIArb & FHKIArb), Mediator (ADR Group Accredited) and Expert. He is the creator and co-presenter of the high profile cross-chambers planning themed weekly discussion show, ‘Have We Got Planning News For You’. His advocacy experience includes over 150 reported cases, including 18 appeals in the UK Supreme Court (making him one of the top 10 currently practising barristers by number of appearances in the Supreme Court since its opening in 2009). He has appeared in 13 cases before the EU Courts (Court of Justice and General Court), 9 cases before the UNECE Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee, 4 cases before the European Court of Human Rights as well as UK Parliamentary Select Committee hearings. He has also appeared in well over 100 planning and environmental inquiries/examinations. He is currently Deputy Chair of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (the statutory UK nature conservation advisory body) and an independent non-executive member of RICS’ Global Standards and Regulation Board. From 2017 to 2020 he was the UK Member of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency’s Management Board. He is an elected Committee Member of the Planning and Environment Bar Association (since 2020), having previously been a Council Member and Trustee of the UK Environmental Law Association (2016-2020). Work so far in 2022 includes: appearing in the Supreme Court in Hillside Parks (one of the most important planning cases in several years, concerning the relationship between successive planning permissions for development on the same site); litigation in Northern Ireland concerning the Casement Park stadium redevelopment, the Arc21 Energy From Waste project and the North-South Interconnector (all of which raise significant constitutional issues concerning the Belfast Agreement and the Northern Ireland Act 1998); promoting a 2800-dwelling tall buildings urban regeneration scheme in Basildon at inquiry; 7 planning inquiries concerning major residential proposals and 5 year housing land supply issues; high profile work with the Home Builders’ Federation concerning nutrient neutrality; plans for a new Center Parcs holiday village; advising on procurement issues relating to Northern Ireland’s most significant waste disposal contract; advising on constitutional issues in Trinidad and Tobago; a high value arbitration in the Bahamas; two judgments as Justice of the Astana IFC Court in Kazakhstan; and acting as arbitrator in relation to a dispute in Dubai.

Charlie Thompson

Charlie is described as “just a class act with quality of work beyond his call“. His experience covers not only domestic but also international disputes, such as CAR matters in respect of Saudi Arabian engineering projects, Qatari gas processing facilities and contractual disputes relating to developments in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Charlie, who is described as “a star of the future” has also been working as a junior in high value CAR claims arising out of sand ingress damage in wind turbines in Saudi Arabia, as part of a team on a large arbitration arising out of gas processing works in Qatar and on Contractors’ All Risks (“CAR”) matters closer to home. Charlie has experience in relation to a variety of standard form contracts including FIDIC, NEC and the JCT forms. Of late, he has also been involved in numerous construction, adjudication and related professional liability matters in his own right; these include a multi-million-pound final account loss and expense dispute arising out of hotel development works in Piccadilly, allegations of professional negligence against a firm of architects in relation to a large-scale commercial development in North Wales and a contractual dispute in respect of a data processing facility in Belgium. Whilst on a Pegasus Scholarship in the Middle East, Charlie worked with the DIFC Courts. During this time, he was involved in the DIFC Courts of the Future Forum (convened to meet the demands of future litigation and design the courts of the future) and, in particular, drafted the first round of the procedural rules for the courts of the future, speaking at the launch event for this international project.

Chin Lim

Barrister (Call: 2011, MT), also called to the Singapore bar, specialising in commercial and international law. His recent work has involved advice and representation in cross-border commercial matters and disputes in the Far East and Middle East, as well as advice on foreign investment, treaty and other international law matters.

Christopher Thomas KC

Dr Christopher Thomas was called to the Bar in 1973 and appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1989. Dr Thomas has built an impressive reputation as an advocate and arbitrator in construction and engineering, energy and IT disputes. Dr Thomas has over 30 years experience acting for clients in the UK Courts, domestic and international arbitration and other forms of ADR. His experience extends to most types of construction projects including EPC Contracts for the construction of new power stations, major utility projects, bridge and tunnelling projects and major processing facilities. In addition to his extensive expertise in the UK Courts, Dr Thomas has also acted on some of the biggest claims to be decided by the UK adjudication process. These have included a series of adjudications in relation to works on motorway viaduct and major claims relating to upgrade work at an oil refinery. Dr Thomas is also a respected arbitrator, adjudicator and mediator. He is chairman and member of International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitral panels and his experience includes major international arbitrations for the ICC and the London Court of International Arbitration, adjudications in the UK and contractual adjudications for international projects. He is also a practising mediator dealing with international disputes such as oil concession agreements. The locations of his cases have included Barbados, Dubai, Gibraltar (where he was admitted to the Bar), Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, Sudan, Tobago, and Yemen.

David Thomas KC

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 longterm 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.

David Sheard

David Sheard has developed a busy and wide-ranging practice, encompassing all key areas of Chambers’ expertise including construction, adjudication, energy and professional negligence work. He has been recommended as an “astronomically clever” and “gifted” barrister by The Legal 500 (Professional Negligence). David has worked with numerous standard-form and bespoke contracts, including FIDIC, NEC3, PFI, SFA/99, ACE, RICS and many of the JCT forms (past and present), providing advice to various clients ranging from private home-owners to large property-development companies. He also has substantial court experience as sole counsel, representing clients in the County and High Courts both for interim applications and at trial. In addition, David has been instructed on numerous occasions as junior counsel in larger construction disputes, both in international and domestic arbitrations and in the TCC, notably having gained a great deal of experience in recent years in arbitrations seated in the Middle East. David is recommended in the Legal 500 EMEA guide 2020.

Elizabeth Donnelly

Elizabeth Donnelly was called to the Bar in 2020. She joined Keating Chambers as a tenant in September 2021, upon completion of her pupillage. Elizabeth is developing a practice which spans Chambers’ core specialist areas. During pupillage, she assisted on a wide variety of contractual disputes and professional negligence cases arising in the construction, engineering and energy sectors. Before coming to the Bar, Elizabeth spent a year as the Judicial Assistant to Lord Justice McCombe in the Court of Appeal. Prior to that, she undertook a six-month traineeship with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s international arbitration team in Paris, where she worked on several international commercial arbitrations and investment treaty arbitrations. Elizabeth is fluent in French, and speaks Spanish to an advanced level.

Emma Healiss

Emma Healiss specialises in domestic and international construction, energy and procurement disputes. She is described as an “exceptional” and “first-class” barrister. Emma is ranked by Legal 500 in construction, professional negligence, and energy. Recent recommendations include “a terrific junior who is able to think on her feet”, “exceptionally methodical, dedicated and cuts through the complex and often opaque issues in a claim with ease, with innovative solutions and commercial advice for the client”, an “unrivalled ability to review, comprehend and advise on complex points of law within tight timescales” and “incisive on her feet”. Emma has developed a strong domestic and international practice. Of late, she has acted as junior counsel to bereaved families, survivors and former residents in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. She is currently instructed by Lendlease in Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust v Lendlease Construction (Europe) Ltd & Others, the only construction case to feature in The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2022. Emma is also highly sought after for adjudication disputes, particularly those involving insolvent parties. Emma is a contributor to Keating on Construction Contracts and Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering.

Fionnuala Mccredie KC

Fionnuala McCredie was called to the Bar in 1992 and specialises in the fields of construction and engineering, public procurement, energy, environment and professional negligence related claims and insurance disputes. Fionnuala’s practice covers a wide range of advocacy, advisory and drafting for both domestic and international clients. Her advocacy expertise has led her to regularly act for clients in the High Court, especially the Technology and Construction Court, as well as the Court of Appeal and appear before arbitrators, adjudicators and other tribunals. She is a CEDR certified mediator and a very experienced mediation advocate. Her mediation experience extends to international mediations and she has recently conducted several mediations virtually “Held in high esteem for her busy procurement practice”, Fionnuala acts for challengers, contracting authorities and successful tenderers in a wide range of procurement disputes. Significant cases in which she has appeared include the 2019 Rail Franchising Litigation (named by The Lawyer as one of it’s Top 20 Cases of 2020), in very substantial court challenges by Stagecoach, Virgin and Arriva to their disqualifications from rail franchising competitions, CAF v HS2, in a challenge against exclusion at qualification stage in the competition for the HS2 rolling stock, Cemex v Network Rail concerning the procurement for the design and build of a concrete sleeper manufacturing facility, and Marine Specialised Technology v the Secretary of State for Defence, Roche Diagnostics Ltd v The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust and Pearson Vue v Minister for the Cabinet Office on early and specific disclosure in procurement cases. Fionnuala’s construction practice has involved disputes related to commercial and domestic property, structural glass and cladding, railways, roads, mining, water, marine and aviation hardware disputes, dredging and marine engineering, process plants and IT disputes. Her key recent construction cases include the high profile case of Eurocom v Siemens where the court found a strong prima facie case of fraudulent misrepresentation in an adjudicator’s appointment. She is also instructed in a large volume of PFI disputes in rail, healthcare and leisure sectors, including advising Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority on the termination of its Recycling and Waste Management PFI with Viridor Laing in 2017. Clients credit Fionnuala for her dedication to achieving results and passion for protecting their interests. Her understanding of their commercial objectives, coupled with her technical brilliance in even the most complex of cases mean “those who know her will not even consider using anyone else.” She is recommended as a leading silk for procurement and construction in both the Chambers UK and Legal 500 UK Bar guides.

Gaynor Chambers

Gaynor Chambers had a previous career in building surveying and spent several years in the construction industry. Recently described as “a highly knowledgeable and intelligent barrister who combines excellent academic knowledge with strong commercial nous” , Gaynor has been ranked in the directories for construction for over 15 years. Her construction practice is wide ranging. She regularly appears in the Technology and Construction Court and is experienced in arbitrations under the UNCITRAL, LCIA, ICC and ad hoc rules. Gaynor has dealt with disputes arising out of most standard form contracts, including the JCT, I Chem E and FIDIC forms. She is well versed in adjudication related matters not only as a barrister but also as an adjudicator, having produced over 30 decisions to date. Water related disputes are a core specialism. Gaynor is the first port of call for one of the largest national water utility companies in the UK. She has extensive experience in disputes arising under the Water Industry Act 1991 and associated legislation, including matters arising out of the exit from the non-household retail market. A further specialist area is subsidence related matters, ranging from mining subsidence claims to sinkholes, particularly those affecting highways and adjacent areas. Gaynor’s UK and international energy practice focuses on both upstream and downstream disputes, including matters arising out of new technologies. She is regularly instructed by professional indemnity insurers in claims against Architects and engineers.

Gideon Scott Holland

Recommended for his thorough approach and ability to get on well with clients and solicitors alike, Gideon’s practice covers a wide range of advisory, drafting and advocacy work relating to standard form and bespoke construction contracts (including JCT, NEC3, ICE, FIDIC and ICHEME standard forms). He has advised and acted in professional negligence claims (including architects, engineers, surveyors and valuers) and in cases concerning process engineering, energy, PFI contracts, public procurement and nuisance. Gideon undertakes environmental work in civil and criminal jurisdictions, including statutory nuisance under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and similar legislation. In terms of types of dispute, Gideon has particular experience of energy cases in relation to chemical process plants (including a large dispute relating to the production of plastics), desulphurisation plants (process engineering), waste to energy and technical engineering. He has also acted in a high value (£100m+) dispute in relation to a nuclear submarine. Gideon regularly acts in domestic and international arbitrations (including those administered by the ICC) and in the High Court and county courts for both residential and commercial clients. He is regularly appointed as both sole and junior counsel. He has also acted for clients at all stages of the adjudication process: advising, drafting and representation at both adjudication hearings and in court for injunctions or enforcement. He also has substantial experience representing clients in the mediation of construction, engineering and energy disputes. Gideon welcomes instructions via licensed access. He is familiar with working with electronic documents both in the disclosure process and in trial and is happy to receive instructions electronically.

Harriet Di Francesco

Harriet’s practice spans Chambers’ specialisms including construction, engineering, professional negligence, procurement, adjudication and international arbitration. Harriet accepts instructions for County Court and High Court proceedings both as junior and sole counsel. She was recently led by Vincent Moran QC in TCC proceedings concerning allegations of professional negligence against architects in relation to the design of a multi-million-pound development in the UK. She was also recently led by Richard Coplin in a multi-party TCC dispute concerning cladding at a mixed-used commercial and residential development in Greater Manchester. Harriet appears regularly in the County Court and High Court in her own right. Harriet has experience in arbitration and accepts instructions from both international and domestic clients. She was recently sole counsel in a domestic arbitration concerning the determination of final accounts in relation to multiple construction projects across the UK as well as junior counsel in an international arbitration under the DIFC-LCIA Rules in which the contract was governed by UAE law. She is regularly instructed by international clients to advise in relation to ICC arbitration. Prior to joining Keating Chambers, she undertook a six-month traineeship at the ICC International Court of Arbitration in Paris where she drafted ICC Court documents and assisted with the scrutiny of ICC Awards. In addition to litigation and arbitration, Harriet has a busy adjudication practice advising and acting as sole and junior counsel in both statutory and contractual adjudications. Most recently, Harriet successfully defended an adjudication on behalf of an employer in respect of a claim for additional fees brought by its professional consultant. Harriet has experience with many major standard form contracts including the JCT, NEC, FIDIC, RIBA, CECA and MF/1 standard forms. She is an editor of Keating on JCT Contracts.

Harry Smith

Harry is ranked by the Legal 500 as ‘Rising Star’: “His written advice is stellar, matched by his skills in court. Would not hesitate to put Harry’s intellect against any other more senior member of the Bar.” He specialises in construction, engineering, infrastructure, energy and professional negligence disputes.The reported cases to Harry’s name include Aqua Leisure International Ltd v Benchmark Leisure Ltd [2021] BLR 150; Croudace Homes Ltd v PRB Wiring Solutions Ltd [2020] EWHC 2139 (TCC); Synergy Gas Services v Northern Gas Heating Ltd [2019] 1 BLR 132; and JonJohnstone Construction Ltd v Eagle Building Services Ltd [2017] EWHC 2225 (TCC). Other highlights of Harry’s practice include his instruction by Lendlease in Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust v Lendlease Construction (Europe) Ltd & Others – one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2022 – and his appearance as junior counsel for the successful respondent in the Court of Appeal in Herons Court v NHBC Building Control Services Ltd [2019] EWCA Civ 1423. In addition to his work as a trial advocate, Harry has extensive experience of contested adjudication enforcement hearings including cases with an insolvency angle. Harry has experience of all major standard forms including the JCT, NEC and FIDIC, and is a contributor to the current editions of Keating on Construction Contracts and the loose-leaf Keating on JCT Contracts.

HH Peter Bowsher KC

Retired TCC judge practising as arbitrator, adjudicator and mediator.

Isobel Kamber

Isobel was called to the Bar in 2021 and became a tenant at Keating Chambers in 2022 following the successful completion of her pupillage. Isobel is developing a broad and busy practice across Chambers’ specialisms, including international and domestic cases, both as sole counsel and as junior counsel in larger teams. During pupillage, Isobel’s work encompassed a wide range of practice areas, including construction and engineering, professional negligence, procurement, utilities and insurance. She has worked on cases involving a variety of standard form contracts, including the JCT, NEC, FIDIC and RIBA forms of appointment, as well as bespoke construction contracts, and PFI/PPP agreements. In addition to assisting on contentious and advisory matters in those fields, she has also appeared as sole counsel in the County Court and has assisted on matters in the TCC. Further, Isobel has gained experience of various forms of alternative dispute resolution, including adjudication (contractual and statutory), arbitration (UNCITRAL and LCIA rules) and disciplinary tribunals under the Architects Act 1997. Before coming to the Bar, Isobel worked in the Utilities Industry, gaining insight into disputes arising under the Water Industry Act 1991 and associated legislation. Whilst studying for the Bar Course, Isobel volunteered with ELTAL and StreetLaw, giving presentations on a variety of legal topics both contractual and tortious. Isobel also represented her University, successfully, in multiple regional and international moots. Most notable, was her appearance in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, which is the oldest and largest international mooting competition in the world. This saw Isobel compete against several countries and win an award for the Best Written Respondent Memorial. Isobel accepts instructions to advise, draft pleadings and represent clients in relation to a broad range of commercial matters, with an emphasis upon construction, engineering, professional negligence and energy disputes.

James Frampton

James Frampton specialises in construction, engineering, energy and procurement disputes. He is ranked by Legal 500 as a ‘Rising Star’ for both Construction and Procurement: “He is a star junior, absolutely incredible, consistently providing a brilliant level of service.” and “Incredibly cerebral, always proactive.” James’ recent instructions have included a particular focus on professional negligence claims against architects and other professionals (including contribution claims) as well as contested adjudication enforcement hearings in the TCC. In 2020, James’ represented the successful claimant in DR Jones Yeovil Limited v The Stepping Stone Group Limited [2020] EWHC 2308 (TCC) in a 7 day trial in the High Court (heard remotely by Zoom). James is also regularly instructed as Junior Counsel on international disputes, including projects in South Africa, Australia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ukraine.

James Thompson

James acts in a wide range of domestic and international disputes encompassing onshore and offshore construction and engineering, energy, technology, infrastructure and international arbitration. He is ranked in Chambers & Partners for construction litigation and international arbitration, The Legal 500 UK for construction, international arbitration and energy, and in The Legal 500 EMEA for his UAE expertise. His clients recommend him as “a rising star”, and an “exceptionally bright” and “technically excellent” barrister who has “a brilliant analytical mind”. He has an excellent reputation for trial advocacy, and his “cross-examination skills are at the level you might expect of a vastly more senior counsel”. James appears regularly in the TCC in disputes relating to a wide range of construction projects, including large-scale residential and commercial developments, power stations and infrastructure projects. He is also regularly instructed in cases involving issues of fire safety in a wide range of projects including schools, hospitals, leisure centres and residential buildings. He has extensive experience of adjudication, acting for clients in the adjudication process itself and subsequent enforcement proceedings. James has extensive experience of international arbitration, acting in disputes in Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, the Gulf and the Far East under various institutional rules (including DIFC-LCIA, ICC and DIAC). Described as “something of an expert in Qatari, Omani and UAE-related matters”, James has extensive experience of projects in the Middle East. He has acted in numerous high value disputes in the region arising out of energy-related projects, infrastructure projects, airports, educational facilities and commercial developments. Examples of James’ recent work include acting in a dispute concerning fire safety defects at a residential project; in adjudication proceedings concerning alleged defects in the design and construction of a ground source heating system; in multiparty TCC litigation arising out of a luxury residential redevelopment in London; in a US$1 billion dispute concerning the construction of an airport in the Middle East; in arbitration proceedings concerning the construction of a new university in Abu Dhabi; in TCC proceedings concerning liability for a major fire at a power station in the UK; and in arbitration proceedings concerning a final account dispute relating to a project to upgrade and expand an LNG process plant in the Middle East.

Jennie Wild

Jennie specialises in high-value, and complex, construction and energy disputes, resolved by way of arbitration or litigation. Jennie’s practice is a balance of international arbitration and domestic litigation. Her experience includes four international airports, four power stations (including the world’s largest air-cooled and photovoltaic stations), two major hospitals and a national water network. Her arbitral experience includes disputes subject to the ICC, DIAC, ADCCAC, MCCI and UNCITRAL rules. Her recent domestic instructions include: (i) cladding and fire-stopping defect claims, where the financial and reputational implications are significant; (ii) Covid-19 related force majeure and change of law claims; and (ii) “live” advice in relation to major London infrastructure/development projects. Jennie’s highlights include: Middle East: Four Middle-Eastern airport arbitrations; a $2billion ICC arbitration arising out of the termination of a hospital project; a Qatari solar-power station; and a desalination plant dispute. Rest of the world: A $127m ICC arbitration concerning an offshore LNG development project; two power station disputes (DAB and arbitration); and luxury Mauritian villa final account dispute. Domestic: A c£40m TCC dispute concerning significant and substantial defects (including passive fire protection) to blocks of residential flats; a £46m TCC trial concerning the sale of machines to a Saudi Arabian company;(Hamad Al-drees & Partners v Rotex Europe Limited (2019) 184 Con LR 145) a three week TCC trial concerning an on-shore gas pipeline in Shetland; and an emergency injunction application seeking the withdrawal of a call on a €24m bond. Jennie is also a contributor to the Construction Law Reports, Keating on Construction Contracts, Keating on JCT, Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering, PLC and Halsbury’s Laws. Before coming to the Bar, Jennie worked at the Law Commission on the reform of insurance law, unfair contract terms and fiduciary duties and prior to that, in Australia, at the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office and for the Principal Judge of the Victorian Commercial Court.

Johan Beyers

Specialises in construction, engineering and commercial disputes, often of substantial commercial value and involving complex technical, factual and legal issues. He is admitted to appear in the Courts of both South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho, and has held acting positions as High Court judge and magistrate in the Magistrate’s Court, and appointments as appeal arbitrator, arbitrator and legal expert. Johan has extensive experience of a wide range of disputes and advisory work relating to infrastructure and building projects. Significant cases have included long term retainers as counsel on an underground tunnelling project in Lesotho and a large marine quarrying and breakwater project in South Africa, both arbitration disputes of considerable commercial value. He has advised international and South African contractors and employers on large engineering, building and mining projects in South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, the Middle East, Scotland and South America. Johan is presently reading for an MSc degree in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution at King’s College, London.

John McMillan

John McMillan specialises in commercial arbitration and litigation, with a focus on the construction, engineering, energy, and technology sectors. He has particular expertise in international commercial arbitration. He has advised on or acted in arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA, SIAC, UNCITRAL, SCC, NAI and ICSID rules, involving common-law, civil-law and international-law issues. He has also acted as secretary to a tribunal chaired by Gary Born in a major engineering arbitration under the ICC rules. John frequently speaks and publishes on topics related to international arbitration, and was the assistant editor of the Journal of International Arbitration for several years. John acts in construction and engineering disputes domestically and internationally. Recent work has included: acting as sole counsel in High Court litigation regarding the construction of an automotive manufacturing facility in East Asia; acting for the claimants in an ICC arbitration regarding the construction of an underground metro system; acting in a series of Dispute Board hearings regarding the construction of a power station in Africa; and acting in numerous domestic adjudications, including a series of adjudications relating to the redevelopment of an English railway station. John also handles general commercial disputes, including recently: acting as sole counsel in a USD 20 million arbitration regarding the sale of a number of aircraft; representing an oil company in a number of disputes arising from a JOA for an offshore oil concession; acting in multiple post-M&A disputes in East Asia; and advising a Hong Kong property development company on a complex, multi-jurisdictional loan transaction. Having studied Chinese at Oxford University, John speaks and reads Chinese. He has acted in disputes for and against Chinese clients, in which he has been required to review Chinese-language documents. His international work has included disputes in China, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Germany, Ghana, Angola, South Africa, Uruguay, Brazil, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, India and Pakistan, among other jurisdictions.

John Steel

John Steel has practised at Keating Chambers since September 2020, having successfully completed his pupillage in Chambers. He undertook his pupillage having been granted the Michael Hodge Scholarship from the Inner Temple to complete the BPTC. He was called to the Bar in 2018. Since becoming a tenant in Chambers, John has acted as sole counsel, in both the High Court (TCC) and County Court, as well as undertaking led work. Reflecting the core areas of Chambers’ work, John’s focus is on construction and engineering disputes, energy and infrastructure projects and procurement proceedings. He also has experience in insurance (relating to construction projects), professional negligence cases and major PFI projects. John can accept instructions to advise, draft pleadings and represent clients in relation to a broad range of commercial matters. He has particular experience in NEC3 form of contracts, large-scale waste to energy projects, procurements relating to major national infrastructure, and adjudication work (both in written submissions and in oral advocacy to enforce a decision).

John Uff KC CBE

John Uff originally trained as a civil engineer, becoming a specialist in geotechnics, but after five years practice he transferred to the Bar and became Donald Keating’s last pupil. While developing an extensive practice in all areas of engineering and construction, he has maintained close interests in writing, lecturing and academia. In 1987 he became the founding Director of the Centre of Construction Law and Dispute Resolution at King’s College, London, and was appointed to the Nash Chair of Engineering Law at the University of London in 1992. Since 2003 he is Emeritus Professor of Engineering Law at King’s College. John Uff’s national and international reputation has led to many appointments as arbitrator in substantial disputes in most parts of the world as well as being appointed to chair Public Inquiries in the UK and abroad. He has maintained close contact with the engineering world through the ICE and the Royal Academy of Engineering. John has been closely involved in many developments in the construction industry over the past two decades, through committees and publications and has most recently spearheaded the engineering profession’s drive to establish new code of ethics in the engineering profession. In 1996 he served as Chairman of a Public Inquiry into Yorkshire water. In 1998-2001 chaired two Public Inquiries into rail accidents: first the Southall inquiry and secondly, sitting jointly with Lord Cullen, into rail safety systems, following the Paddington crash. Most recently he was invited to a chair panel of Commissioners inquiring into the activities of the public construction industry in Trinidad and Tobago. His report, which received wide publicity throughout the Caribbean, was delivered to the President in March 2010. His professional activities have included serving on the Court and appointment as a Vice President of the London Court of International Arbitration and serving as President of the Society of Construction Arbitrators and Master of the Worshipful Company of Arbitrators.

John Marrin KC

John Marrin KC specialises in construction, engineering and energy-related disputes. His experience also extends to various other technical fields such as computer software, rail and supply disputes in the oil and gas sector. John Marrin has practised from Keating Chambers for over 35 years. He served as Head of Chambers from 2005 to 2010. Until 2017, he represented a wide variety of clients in the High Court, the Court of Appeal, the House of Lords and the Supreme Court in England and before various other domestic and international tribunals. He is a former Recorder of the Crown Court and a former Deputy High Court Judge, sitting both in the Queen’s Bench Division and in the Technology and Construction Court. He is a Chartered Arbitrator and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and he is named on various arbitration panels internationally. John Marrin has long experience of acting as an adjudicator and as a mediator. He is a TECBAR Accredited Adjudicator and a CEDR Accredited Mediator. John Marrin now practises primarily as an Arbitrator.

Jonathan Lee KC

Jonathan Lee KC has a thriving domestic and international practice as a barrister at the Technology and Construction Bar. His professional background and qualifications in electrical and electronic engineering enable him to bring commercial and technical understanding to his practice at the Bar. Clients appreciate his ability to grasp the complex technical aspects of their cases and to relate effectively to expert and lay witnesses. Jonathan’s practice covers both advocacy and advisory work. He acts for clients in litigation, domestic and international arbitrations, adjudications and mediations. Jonathan specialises in commercial and contractual disputes relating to engineering projects, often where resolution depends upon detailed engineering analysis. He has particular experience of information technology, electrical engineering and energy disputes whether acting for employers, engineers, contractors or sub-contractors. He has been instructed by both public sector and private sector clients, including: central and local government departments, commercial project funders, employers, contractors and associated professionals. Jonathan regularly accepts appointments as an arbitrator, adjudicator and mediator particularly in construction, engineering and IT disputes.

Jonathan Selby KC

Jonathan Selby KC was called to the Bar in 1999 and was made Queen’s Counsel in 2018. He specialises in Construction and Engineering, Energy and Professional Negligence claims (architects, engineers and surveyors). He was recently described as “a real fighter who puts his heart into things and gets results” who “gets to the issues straight away, and is very pragmatic and a good tactician.” Jonathan frequently appears in high value litigation in the Technology and Construction Court and has a long list of reported cases from that Court and the Court of Appeal. He is particularly well known for his work on cases concerning apartment blocks, hotels, fire safety and building warranty claims. Jonathan is often instructed to act for clients in arbitration, adjudication and mediations and is a practising accredited Adjudicator.

Justin Mort KC

Justin Mort QC specialises in high value construction disputes with a particular interest in and expertise in (1) energy, (2) infrastructure and (3) process engineering projects. Justin is recommended for Construction in both Chambers Global and Legal 500. He is also recommended in the Legal 500 for Middle East (construction) and for international arbitration. Comments in the current editions of these directories include: “Dedicated 100% to the matter before him. He drills down the facts like no other QC. His work ethic and focus is commendable. He made himself available so can prepare on short notice and put in a stellar show at the hearing.” (Legal 500: Middle East, construction) “Justin is a persuasive advocate who tears through detail to get to the points that really matter. His advocacy is exceptional – clear, cogent and compelling.” (Legal 500: London Bar, construction) “Simplifies the complicated. Knows his stuff. Great to work with.” (Legal 500: international arbitration) “He is regularly called upon in international disputes regarding energy projects.” (Chambers Global: construction) “His attention to detail is phenomenal and his cross-examination style formidable.” (Chambers Global: construction) Justin is recommended for Construction in both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500, and has an unparalleled reputation as a successful trial advocate / cross-examiner, strategist and lawyer. Justin is a huge team player. He is immediately responsive to client demands and questions at any time of day. He ensures that the wider client team are fully engaged in his proposed trial strategy. Uniquely he provides detailed notes of his proposed oral submissions and cross examination to the client well in advance of any hearing for comment, and in order to ensure that the client team can better follow and appreciate his method during any hearing. His working habits (typically starting at 4am or 5am London time) correspond well with clients based in time zones located to the east of London such as in the Middle East or in China. Justin’s innumerable reported cases arising from court proceedings, particularly in the TCC, and the original and ingenious legal arguments that he has deployed in fighting them, together constitute a formidable contribution to the law governing construction claims and arbitration.

Krista Lee KC

Krista Lee QC is a specialist in engineering, construction, and energy disputes. She is reputed for being ‘user-friendly, excellent at drafting and wonderfully quick’, ‘incisive’ and ’incredibly effective’. Her engineering background gives her an edge in understanding a range of technical and design issues. She is a fluent and attractive advocate, who enjoys presenting complex legal arguments. She usually appears unled, in the TCC, Chancery Division and Court of Appeal. She has worked on projects concerning power stations, wind farms, electrical and gas infrastructure, telecoms, railways, chemical and food processing plants, entertainment venues, factories, shopping centres, housing projects and hotels both in the UK and overseas. Krista has been involved in several high profile projects, including acting for: the contractor in the final account dispute relating to the design of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai; the MOD in a £100m dispute over the nuclear submarine berth in Faslane; the developer of the Durrat Al Bahrain artificial islands; the energy companies in claims concerning the engineering of the UK’s largest offshore wind farm; and the Olympic Delivery Authority. Krista is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Chartered Arbitrator and is regularly appointed by the ICC as sole arbitrator and president. As counsel, she has experience of international and domestic arbitration using the ICC, UNCITRAL, LCIA and other ad hoc rules. She has made arbitration applications and appeals to the High Court. Krista has a working knowledge of all the major forms of construction/engineering contracts and partnering agreements including JCT, FIDIC, ICE, ACE, IMechE and RIBA. She has a particular interest in NEC and was the assistant editor and a major contributing author on Keating on NEC3.

Lars Gladhaug

Lars Gladhaug was called to the Bar in 2018 and beaome a tenant at Keating Chambers in 2023, following the successful completion of his pupillage. During his pupillage at Keating, Lars gained particular experience of High Court adjudication matters (enforcement and resisting enforcement). He also gained experience of defect claims and bond claims, along with litigation matters across the spectrum of Chambers’ specialisms. He has worked on matters involving JCT and NEC standard form contracts, as well as bespoke agreements. Lars was the winner of the Society for Construction Law’s 2022 SCL Hudson Prize, for his paper on recent developments in the law relating to building safety and the Defective Premises Act of 1972. Before joining Keating, Lars worked as in-house counsel for a market-leading financial technology company based in London, where he was involved in or responsible for a wide range of matters including contract drafting and negotiations, strategic outsourcings, assurance audits, financing, and submissions to financial and economic regulators. Lars accepts instructions to advise, draft pleadings and represent clients in relation to a broad range of commercial matters, with an emphasis on construction and engineering, energy, offshore construction, and technology disputes.

Lucy Garrett KC

Lucy is “brilliant… and hugely energetic.” She is “a brilliant advocate with a superb way of persuading judges,” and “an exceptionally good operator who is easy to deal with and wears her enormous intellect lightly.” “The clients love her and her work is always first class.” Lucy was called to the Bar in 2001 and was made Queen’s Counsel in 2018. She has an impressive specialist practice in construction, engineering, energy and shipbuilding, with a particular focus on projects involving complex factual, technical and contractual disputes. Her practice includes claims for and against construction professionals in these sectors and project-related issues such as insurance, bonds and guarantees. Lucy also advises on and acts in adjudications, from referral stage to enforcement. She is always in demand for her forceful advocacy, commercial approach and “stellar” intellectual ability, which has led to instructions in a series of high profile, high value disputes. She has extensive experience in the TCC and the Commercial Court in the UK, and in international arbitration including in civil code jurisdictions. She is familiar with international parties and tribunals. Lucy is the author of the Time and Termination chapters in the leading text in its field, Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering (2nd Edn, published September 2018), and is co-author of the new authoritative title ‘Litigation in the TCC’. In addition, she is co-editor of Keating on JCT Contracts and a contributor to Keating on Construction Contracts. Lucy was one of The Lawyer’s “Hot 100” in 2021.

Marc Rowlands KC

Marc Rowlands KC’s practice covers the full range of construction, engineering and technology disputes, in the UK and internationally. Praised as “very slick and very good”, he is regularly instructed in the TCC, Commercial Court and Court of Appeal and in arbitrations in the Middle East, Far East and the Caribbean. Marc is a Part II DIFC registered practitioner and is called to the Bahamian Bar. In addition to his work as counsel, Marc has acted as adjudicator, arbitrator (ICC) and mediator. Marc has particular expertise in the JCT, NEC, FIDIC and LOGIC forms, and PFI contracts, and his offshore experience includes a year off from his studies working onshore and offshore (in the Bay of Benin) for a wireline logging company. He is also highly regarded for rail related work, having acted in numerous high profile cases around the world relating to infrastructure, rolling stock and regulatory work. His recent experience also includes three significant cladding disputes related to fire stopping and fire barrier defects. Marc is particularly skilled at working with a team and managing large cases to achieve cost savings and the best commercial, practical outcomes for clients.

Marcus Taverner KC

Marcus Taverner KC became a full time Arbitrator and Adjudicator in October 2021. He was described by Legal 500 (2020) as ‘One of the leading new generation construction arbitrators – he has a good incisive brain; listens to arguments carefully but makes his mind up and is decisive.’ Marcus has received instructions as arbitrator/adjudicator for the past 20 years where he has sat on ICC, LCIA, SIAC and other Arbitral Panels as well as on Dispute Adjudication Boards in the UK and worldwide. These appointments have increased significantly in the last 7 years and his recent appointments, many as Chairman/President, comprise multi-million dollar construction and energy disputes in the UK and in jurisdictions around the world, including Australia; South Africa; the Middle East, Nigeria, the USA and Hong Kong. Marcus is well known for his understanding of the commercial aspects of litigation and his mastering of the technical detail of complex and high value cases. The combination of “unparalleled advocacy skills” and “sound judgment” make him a popular choice for international and domestic clients. Marcus appeared in all tiers of the UK Courts in the UK over the last 40 years. He advised and represented clients on projects around the world including Australia, Brazil, China, Dubai, Estonia, Egypt, Italy, India, Hong Kong, Jordan, Nigeria, Oman, Peru, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, the USA, Vietnam, and the West Indies. He acted on behalf of UK governmental bodies, foreign governments and many of the UK’s largest construction and engineering companies, developers, construction professionals and their insurers.

Matthew Finn

Matthew Finn has specialist expertise in the resolution of high-value, complex commercial disputes, with a principal focus upon disputes arising in the construction, engineering, energy and shipbuilding sectors. Matthew accepts instructions both in contract disputes and in procurement and planning matters. Matthew is ranked as a leading junior in construction law, with clients commenting that: “Matthew is astute, quick to respond and able to deal with the fundamental issues directly, concisely and persuasively.” (Legal 500, 2020) Matthew’s litigation practice involves regular appearances in the High Court (TCC and Commercial Court) and in the Court of Appeal. Recent notable cases include: Walter Lilly & Co Ltd v Clin [2021] EWCA Civ 136. Walter Lilly is a dispute over the contractual allocation of risk for delays to works to a high-value residential property in Kensington and Chelsea. Matthew was engaged to act on behalf of Walter Lilly in the first instance trial ([2019] EWHC 945 (TCC)) and in the Court of Appeal. Walter Lilly was successful on both occasions. The defendant has since sought leave to appeal to the Supreme Court. Acting for the Claimant, as sole Counsel, in a £5m corporate finance dispute in the Commercial Court relating to the return of IPO investment funds. C Spencer Ltd v MW High Tech Projects UK Ltd, both before the TCC ([2019] EWHC 2547) and in the Court of Appeal ([2020] EWCA Civ 331). Spencer was a case concerned with the proper interpretation of the payment provisions of the Construction Act, in the particular context of hybrid contracts. ICE v EPIC [2018] T.C.L.R. 3. The ICE case involved a dispute over the point at which the Claimant’s cause of action accrued in respect of a debt claim. Matthew was brought in at the appeal stage and successfully resisted the Claimant’s appeal against a first instance judgment on limitation. Matthew also appears regularly in arbitrations (both international and domestic) and in adjudications (both contractual and statutory). In recent years, Matthew’s arbitration and adjudication work has included: Acting for the claimant in an international arbitration in a $1bn dispute relating to the construction of a power plant in Africa. A series of PFI disputes, of up to £250m in value, being disputes principally concerned with defects, performance failures, and/or termination. Acting for a private sector contractor in a series of adjudications and arbitrations against a government body in relation to a £200m infrastructure dispute. Acting for the claimants in a $80m international arbitration concerned with the construction of an underground metro system. Acting for the claimant, as sole counsel, in respect of a $15m international arbitration arising in the energy sector. Acting for the claimants, as sole counsel, in respect of linked LCIA arbitrations with an aggregate value of $10m, relating to the construction of a casino in Macau. Acting in a range of other high-value disputes concerning the termination of commercial agreements. Those disputes have spanned a wide range of industry sectors and have been principally concerned with the validity and financial consequences of purported (or threatened) terminations. In addition to his arbitration work as counsel, Matthew has recently acted as Tribunal Secretary in a $2bn ICC international arbitration arising out of a commercial contract in the Middle East. Matthew is a contributor to the most recent editions of both Keating on Construction Contracts and Keating on JCT. He has completed the Keble Advanced International Advocacy Course at Oxford University. He is a recent winner of both the Jane Lemon Essay Prize and the Jonathan Brock Memorial Essay Prize. Through his considerable experience of resolving commercial disputes of the types described above, Matthew is adept at handling all commercial disputes that require both specific industry awareness and an in-depth knowledge of the law of contract, tort and restitution. In each of the cases he is instructed upon, Matthew combines incisive legal analysis of the issues involved with a pragmatic approach to dispute resolution, which takes account of the commercial reality of the parties’ relationship and the client’s particular objectives.

Mercy Milgo

Mercy Milgo was called to the Bar in 2019 and became a tenant at Keating Chambers in 2023 following the successful completion of her pupillage. Mercy is developing a varied and busy practice across Chambers’ main practice areas including construction and engineering (particularly building and fire safety matters), professional negligence, insurance (relating to construction projects), international arbitration, public procurement, energy and adjudication. Mercy is familiar with all common standard forms including the JCT, NEC, FIDIC, as well as bespoke construction contracts and PFI agreements. She has a particular interest in NEC3 and NEC4 and was a contributing author of Keating on NEC (2nd edition) which is available here: https://www.sweetandmaxwell.co.uk/Product/Construction-Law/Keating-on-NEC/Hardback/30799799 Since becoming a tenant, Mercy has acted as sole counsel in the County Court in addition to undertaking led work as a member of larger legal teams. Notably, Mercy has been instructed as Junior Counsel to Simon Hughes KC in a fire safety dispute concerning matters of principle arising from Martlet Homes Limited v Mulalley & Co. Limited [2022] EWHC 1813 (TCC) (the first decision from the TCC on fire safety (external wall insulation) following Grenfell)), the Developer Remediation Contract and the use of PAS 9980:2022. Before coming to the Bar, Mercy read for the BCL at St Peter’s College, University of Oxford, before joining Keating as the Chambers’ Legal Assistant. In this role, she assisted arbitrators, carried out legal research on live cases (including on Martlet Homes Limited v Mulalley), prepared monthly case law updates and assisted with drafting seminars and talks to develop Chambers’ business. Mercy also assisted with various publications including Keating on Construction Contracts, Keating on JCT, Chitty on Contracts and Keating on NEC. Mercy accepts instructions to advise, draft pleadings, and represent clients in relation to a broad range of commercial matters, with an emphasis on construction and engineering contracts and related professional negligence matters. As a member of the Attorney General’s Junior Junior Counsel scheme, Mercy also accepts instructions from the Government Legal Department. She has previously been instructed by HMRC and is currently instructed by the Department of Health and Social Care in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

Paul Buckingham KC

After spending eight years with BP as a chemical engineer in the oil and gas industries, Paul Buckingham was called to the Bar in 1995 and has since specialised in major construction, engineering and energy disputes. His particular area of interest and expertise lies in international arbitration work. He has worked on a wide range of contentious matters involving international construction and engineering projects. He has extensive experience of numerous arbitrations under ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL and ad hoc rules. He has also acted on disputes involving most standard form contracts and their derivatives, including the JCT, ICE, IChemE and FIDIC Forms. He regularly acts for clients in court, domestic and international arbitration, adjudication and mediation hearings. Paul also has experience at all levels of alternative dispute resolution including dispute review boards, project appeal panels and direct settlement negotiations. His international work includes matters in Europe, the Far East, the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean. In addition, Paul has been appointed as arbitrator, adjudicator, dispute board member and neutral evaluator on a range of disputes involving construction and engineering projects.

Paul Bury

Paul Bury is a highly experienced specialist in oral and written advocacy in: domestic and international commercial construction, professional negligence, energy, insurance, offshore, infrastructure projects, and regulatory disputes. He has been described as “razor-sharp…first class [and] a future star of the Construction Bar”. Paul is regularly instructed as sole Counsel or as Junior Counsel in a broad range of disputes including highly complex and high-value High Court proceedings, international and domestic arbitration (in particular ICC, LCIA and UNCITRAL), adjudication and mediation. He has extensive advocacy experience in High Court trials, applications, procedural hearings, and adjudication work as well as in arbitrations and adjudications. Paul has been praised as “a skilled advocate, delivering effective oral arguments and cross-examination at hearings”. Paul has gained particular expertise in cases involving issues of delay and disruption, defects, and contractual termination, and cases involving professional negligence and insurance issues, particularly those involving structural engineers, architects, cladding issues, and energy technology. Paul has extensive knowledge of the JCT, NEC, IChemE Red Book and FIDIC standard form contracts and of the offshore LOGIC and SAJ forms. Some of the larger TCC matters he has been involved in include Energy Works (Hull) Ltd v MW High Tech Projects, Bluewater Energy Services BV v Mercon Steel Structures BV and Vivergo Fuels Ltd v Redhall Engineering Solutions Ltd and, in adjudication, Eurocom v Siemens. Paul’s international arbitration practice has seen him act for clients on projects based in jurisdictions such as South Africa, Dubai, Hong Kong, South Korea, China, Qatar and Nigeria. Having previously worked for a leading international law firm in Brussels on complex regulatory issues involving blue-chip international companies, Paul is adept at taking a commercial approach to legal issues and dispute resolution and receives praise from clients for his ability “to penetrate difficult details” with “an impressive grasp of the technical detail of a case”. He is recommended as a leading junior in the legal directories for construction, energy and professional negligence and is described as “undoubtedly a star of the future”.

Peter Brogden

Peter is an experienced construction barrister with principal specialities in construction, energy, shipbuilding and technology disputes. He has worked on a range of engineering disputes, including power stations, pipelines, oil rigs, LNG processing facilities, refinery and extraction, biomass and civil infrastructure projects. His work includes arbitrations seated around the World, including Australia, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Africa. Highly praised by clients for being ‘a fantastic barrister’ with a ‘good eye for detail’ and a ‘real pleasure to work with’ he is recognised in the legal directories noting his ‘superior forensic capability enabling him to distil complex points and identify risks and issues’. He is also ranked in Legal 500 Asia for “his technical expertise, wider than the law, [which] sets him apart from the others.” Peter is an Honorary Professor at University College London, where he teaches contract administration and law. Peter also sits on the Bar Council’s Information Technology Panel which advises barristers and government departments on the security, data management, GDPR and emergent technologies. He is an accredited panel adjudicator, and a contributing author of Keating on Construction Contracts and Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering Contracts. Recent work includes: Lead counsel in $100m ICC arbitration concerning a series of bridge structures in Sydney. Representing a major Australian contractor in seven multi-billion dollar arbitration hearings concerning near-shore marine works at a gas processing facility. Instructed by the world’s largest construction company in a delay and disruption dispute concerning a South African coal-fired power station. Instructed by a large Australian contractor in a series of LCIA/DIFC international arbitrations relating to a large UAE-based Mall and luxury residential development. Representing a Korean joint venture in a $600 million dispute about a power station in the Middle East. Represented a Hong Kong consultancy in a HK$37m domestic arbitration with a Chinese bank. Instructed by a Singaporean buyer in an LMAA arbitration with a Chinese yard concerning an offshore platform support vessel.

Piers Stansfield KC

Piers has established a reputation as a “formidable advocate” and a “superb fighter” in the many trials that he has conducted. His advocacy is engaging and persuasive, and he is a tenacious cross-examiner. His written work is described as “first class”. Piers has wide experience of construction, engineering, energy, professional negligence, shipbuilding and IT disputes. He has an “excellent grasp of complex technical issues” including engineering, delay analysis and forensic accountancy. He is known for his meticulous preparation and the clear and attractive presentation of his client’s case to the tribunal. He is described as having “the ear of the Court” and providing “the ideal balance between technical knowledge and effective advocacy”. Since taking silk, Piers has continued to be instructed to appear in substantial and hard-fought TCC trials. These include a high-profile dispute concerning the Athletes’ Village for the London 2012 Olympics. He represented the Claimant in a termination case involving a petrochemical plant (SABIC UK Petrochemicals v Punj Lloyd), and the Claimant building owner in a multiparty dispute concerning defects in a large residential development (Greenwich Millennium Village v Essex Services Group and Others). In both these cases, his clients were successful. Piers has also appeared before both domestic and international arbitral tribunals in high-value shipbuilding and construction disputes. Piers also has an extensive advisory practice and is known for his “keen legal acumen and commercial insight”. From 2021, Piers is a joint editor of Keating on Construction Contracts.

Rachael O'Hagan

Recently described as: ”an extremely bright and effective advocate, and a real hit with clients”; “very intellectual, she gets to the heart of a dispute quickly and is very engaging”; and an “unflappable” barrister “who understands the issues straightaway”. Rachael specialises in high-value construction, engineering, technology, infrastructure, nuclear/energy along with professional negligence and insurance claims related to these sectors. She also acts in procurement disputes. She is instructed as a junior and in her own right, including acting as sole advocate in international arbitrations. Her clients are domestic and international, and she has experience in the English Courts and also representing parties under various international arbitral rules, including: ICC, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, UNCITRAL and DIAC. Rachael is recommended in leading UK and Global directories, including for her work in construction, professional negligence and international arbitration. She was nominated for International Arbitration Junior of the year at the 2019 Legal 500 UK Awards. She is recognised as a Future Leader in the WWL Global Guide. Rachael advises clients on all forms of commercial dispute resolution and has represented clients in mediations (including under the Court Scheme), adjudications and disputes under the Railway Industry Dispute Rules. She has been appointed as the legal nominee on a Dispute Advisory Board and is also a TECBAR Adjudicator. Rachael has also represented a Corporate Core Participant as part of the Grenfell Inquiry. Rachael has contributed to various construction legal texts, including: two chapters of Keating on Construction Contracts (11th Edition); and writing a Chapter for “Construction Law, Costs and Contemporary Developments: Drawing the Threads Together – A Festschrift for Lord Justice Jackson”, Edited by Julian Bailey.

Rhodri Williams KC

Rhodri Williams KC is recommended in the legal directories for public procurement, local government, and public and administrative law where he is described as a “very shrewd tactician” and an “advocate with strong powers of persuasion”. He was called to the UK Bar in 1987 and to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 2009, and he took silk in 2010. Prior to joining Keating Chambers in October 2022, he was a member of Henderson Chambers in London and 30 Park Place Chambers in Wales. Rhodri specialises in public procurement cases and clients report that he is “very good on really difficult complex cases and very strong on his feet.” A longstanding expert in the field, his experience includes representing the successful appellants in the first ever case concerning public procurement to be heard before the Supreme Court in Brent LBC v Risk Management Partners Ltd & London Authorities Mutual Ltd & Harrow LBC [2011] UKSC 7. More recently he was instructed in a claim for breach of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, concerning provision of orthodontic services during the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to public procurement, Rhodri also deals with a wide range of local government issues, including judicial review of post office closures, school re-organisation plans and school transport decisions. He handles cases involving both local and regional government, including advising the Welsh Government and other Government Departments and local authorities, in England, Wales and in Northern Ireland. In 2000, he was appointed to the Attorney General’s list of approved Counsel and to the list of the Counsel General to the National Assembly for Wales (subsequently Senedd Cymru/the Welsh Parliament) and has represented the United Kingdom Government on several occasions before the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxemburg.

Richard Harding KC

Richard Harding KC has been described as “without a doubt the leading English barrister practising in the field of international arbitration of construction disputes in the Middle East and Gulf regions.” He studied Arabic and Persian at Oxford University and in Egypt, and was then called to the English Bar. He acts as counsel for governments, private employers, contractors and professionals, and is regularly appointed as an arbitrator in international commercial matters. His cases have related to: Oil and gas projects – on and off shore Railways Airports Roads Civil engineering Factories and process engineering Power generation Water infrastructure Commercial and residential property High rise buildings Mining Professional negligence Marine structures and ports IT systems Dredging A theme park Richard Harding KC has a working knowledge of Arabic, German, Spanish, French, and some Persian. He regularly acts in cases, as either counsel or arbitrator, under the laws of the Middle East, and has particular experience of the laws of the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan. As counsel, he is instructed by law firms (particularly from UK, the Middle East and USA) and also directly by in-house counsel and professionals. He has a particular interest in disputes relating to Iran. He is the current and founder Chairman of the Society of Construction Law in the Arabian/ Persian Gulf, and is the Middle East co-ordinator for the ICC Task Force on the enforcement of foreign arbitration awards. He is also an acclaimed conference chairman and speaker.

Richard Coplin

Richard Coplin is a qualified engineer and spent several years in the energy industry before becoming a barrister. He specialises in dispute resolution in the construction, engineering, energy and technology sectors. Richard acts for clients on claims in the English courts, particularly the Technology and Construction Court (TCC), but he also has extensive experience of adjudication having acted on numerous adjudication claims over the years along with matters of enforcement. He is particularly well regarded for his work on professional negligence claims relating to architects, engineers, surveyors and valuers. Arbitration in the UK and abroad is another important element of Richard’s practice, having worked on several multi million pound arbitration claims in recent years relating to large infrastructure and stadium projects in the UK and ICC arbitrations in the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East, including DIAC arbitrations under UAE law. Richard has particular strengths in understanding and advising in respect of legal issues arising out of complex engineering matters, particularly in the fields of mechanical and structural engineering and in areas such as offshore construction, energy and power, acoustics, manufacturing, materials science, corrosion and transportation. Richard’s extensive experience of complex construction contracts has seen his career develop into related commercial fields, successfully arguing cases as diverse as the proper construction of election rules for an unincorporated association, the effects of promises not to sue, and the application of the Football League and Football Association Rules to a transfer dispute before an FA tribunal.

Robert Evans

Robert Evans predominately acts as arbitrator, adjudicator and mediator in international and domestic disputes. He began his career as a civil engineer, working for international consultants and contractors in the UK and in Hong Kong (specialising in marine works and dredging), and was subsequently called to the Bar in 1989. Robert utilises his strong civil engineering background and is often instructed in disputes with highly technical issues as a result. Robert is a CEDR accredited mediator, and a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers’ panels of arbitrators and adjudicators. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and is currently chairman of the ICE Dispute Resolution Panel. Robert has successfully mediated a number of remote mediations during the COVID-19 lockdown using many of the main video platforms, and has provided expert evidence on English law in Spanish Civil Court proceedings. As counsel, Robert specialised in construction, engineering and energy disputes and professional negligence work in the UK and abroad. He brings this experience to his arbitration and mediation practice. In addition, he has a particular interest in yacht and boat design and construction and has has been involved in a number of ship-building disputes, including military vessels. Robert is a supporter of and signatory to the World Mediators Alliance on Climate Change (WoMACC) Green Pledge. He has committed to minimising the environmental impact of each mediation in which he is involved in the ways outlined in the Pledge, including avoiding unnecessary travel and using electronic technology wherever possible, and encouraging those with whom he mediates similarly to minimise their carbon emissions. The full pledge can be found at https://womacc.org/

Robert Gaitskell KC

Dr Robert Gaitskell QC practises from Keating Chambers, specialising in technology, engineering and construction disputes, often of an international nature. He was called to the Bar in 1978, appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1994 and sat as a Recorder (part-time judge) from 2000 – 2010. Robert Gaitskell predominantly acts as an arbitrator, adjudicator, dispute board member and mediator. He is both a lawyer and a professional engineer. He is the editor of ‘Keating Construction Dispute Resolution Handbook’ (3rd edition 2016); and a former Vice President of the IEE/ IET (Europe’s biggest professional engineering institution). He is a member of the Singapore National Electricity Market Dispute Resolution & Compensation Panel. Dr Gaitskell is the chairman of a dispute board for a Euro 20 billion nuclear energy project. He writes extensively and lectures throughout the world on legal/engineering subjects, including at CERN in Geneva and Xerox PARC in Silicon valley. Current Activities Dr Gaitskell is currently acting as chairman or member of various ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, SIAC, ACICA, AICA/KLRCA, EDF, DIAC, ICDR/AAA, Dubai RTA and other arbitral tribunals, dealing with matters such as oil and gas installations and pipelines, power stations, oil and gas plants, petro-chemical works, and other complex and high-value engineering and process projects. As examples, he is the chair of an arbitral tribunal dealing with a major LNG project in Australia, a member of the tribunal for a dispute concerning a Central American shipping canal, a dispute board chair in respect of a major African power project, a tribunal member for a Dubai construction dispute, and for a Korean infrastructure arbitration, and for a Qatari utilities dispute. He is the sole arbitrator for a major railway dispute. He was the expert determinator for an Omani power station. He has recently mediated a Singaporean hi-tech dispute and chaired a tribunal dealing with energy pricing in S.E. Asia. He has also advised on a dispute concerning a Russian floating nuclear power facility. He was recently a co-arbitrator on an ICC panel dealing with a dispute concerning a sub-sea gas pipeline bringing energy supplies from Russia to Europe. He is also conducting an African mining arbitration and chairing a dispute panel dealing with defence projects in the UK. He has recently advised the Corporation of London on a major structural project and represented the Isle of Man Government in the Privy Council in an infrastructure project. In addition to his practice at the Bar, Robert Gaitskell is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and is a former Senator of the Engineering Council. He is also a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Robert Gaitskell’s wide experience as an engineer, both in the UK and abroad, has included power generation, transmission, distribution and application, motor control and oil rig design. Robert Gaitskell has lectured on the University of London (King’s College and Queen Mary’s) LLMs in International Arbitration, dealing with Infrastructure arbitrations. Chambers & Partners’ directory consistently recommends him as a leading international arbitrator. He also regularly carries out expert determinations involving complex engineering disputes. He is Chairman of the IET/IMechE Joint Committee on Model Forms, which produces the MF/1-4 suite of contracts used for major electro-mechanical projects worldwide. His doctorate from King’s College London concerned standard form engineering contracts. He is a Bencher of Gray’s Inn and a former member of the Council of the Inns of Court (COIC) Tribunals Appointment Body. Robert has recently been appointed to the panel of mediators for the Japan International Mediation Centre in Kyoto (JIMC-Kyoto).

Rosemary Jackson KC

Rosemary Jackson is in full-time practice as a Mediator and Conciliator. This follows a successful practice at the Construction Bar from 1983, when she joined Keating Chambers as the first female specialist building counsel at the English Bar, until October 2014. Up to January 2018, Rosemary also accepted appointments as an Adjudicator and Arbitrator. Rosemary was appointed as Queen’s Counsel in 2006. Rosemary received the Clare Edwards Award for professional excellence and contribution to the legal profession serving the construction industry in 2018. The award, which is sponsored by TECSA and the Contractor’s Legal Group is awarded when an exceptional candidate is identified. Mediation and Conciliation ‘Exceptional in fulfilling the role of mediator,’ Rosemary Jackson is ‘very insightful, automatically commands respect, and is very committed to making effective use of the time parties devote to mediation in order to get a settlement’ (Legal 500). Rosemary has been an accredited mediator since 2001 and has built up a first class reputation as the ‘ideal facilitator’, a personable and user-friendly mediator of domestic and international commercial disputes of all types. She draws praise for her ‘gravitas’ and ‘shuttle diplomacy in difficult circumstances'. Her background in construction litigation, combined with good preparation, enables her to identify the issues incisively. This enables her to reality-test the parties’ cases and assist them in evaluating their strengths and weaknesses. Rosemary’s approach is adaptable, and she is able to deploy a blend of facilitation and evaluation to suit the particular mediation. Where invited (and if appropriate) she is willing to assist the parties by making evaluations, recommendations or post-mediation assessments. Rosemary’s approach is highly commercial. She has mediated and co-mediated disputes up to £2bn and between up to 10 parties. Many complex or multi-party mediations benefit from Rosemary’s ability to case-manage the dispute and participate in a structured mediation process over a number of months. Feedback shows that Rosemary is much appreciated for her calmness and patience but also her tenacity. She understands that parties sometimes need time and patience to make the necessary move to clinch a deal but also that there are times when firm handling is needed to help them bridge the seemingly unbridgeable final gap. She is excellent at injecting a little humour when necessary, to relieve the tension. She is also mindful that it must be the right deal for the parties, and not one which they feel bullied into. Member of Civil Mediation Council CEDR-accredited and registered Mediator since 2001 CEDR Solve panel Mediator ResoLex Construction panel Mediator TECBAR panel mediator Arbitration and Mediation Court of the Caribbean panel Mediator Asian International Arbitration Centre panel Mediator New Zealand International Arbitration Centre Panel Mediator Project Advisor to ENGI Participatory Peacemaking Project for Cyprus Independent Chair of Euston and Camden Community Group engagement meetings in relation to HS2 2017-2020. Previous Experience Whilst in practice at the Bar, Rosemary Jackson specialised in the field of construction, engineering, energy, professional negligence and commercial/contract law, including advice and advocacy in relation to litigation and arbitration, adjudication and mediation, and contract drafting. She appeared as an advocate in Courts at all levels and before a wide range of adjudicators and arbitrators, as well as in appeals or challenges against arbitration decisions. She represented local authorities, the Treasury Solicitor, contractors, sub-contractors, developers, property owners and purchasers, and professionals, including architects, engineers and surveyors. She gained considerable experience of advisory work and litigation arising out of party wall matters. As well as successfully representing many clients in arbitrations and adjudications, Rosemary has acted as an arbitrator and adjudicator.

Samuel Townend KC

Samuel Townend is a silk with a heavy practice across the spread of Chambers’ work, both domestic and international, known for being “a great strategist and fantastic in cross-examination” and “very clear, logical and persuasive”. (Chambers UK and Legal 500 2022). Along with mainstream construction, energy and professional negligence work, for all of which he is recommended in the directories, his particular specialities are offshore construction and marine engineering including dredging, together with infrastructure and utilities. This has resulted in Samuel also being listed in domestic and international directories for international arbitration. Samuel is known to be “a first-class advocate with the tenacity of a pit bull and manners of an English gentleman” (Legal 500 2017). He was nominated for Construction and Energy Junior of the Year at the 2019 Legal 500 awards. Whether instructed as sole counsel, leading junior, or co-counsel, Samuel is an energetic and enthusiastic member of the team known to be “extremely capable, and effective, and a pleasure to work with” (Legal 500 Energy 2022), with his written pleadings and advocacy noted as “very clear, logical and persuasive” (Legal 500 International Arbitration 2022). Samuel relishes getting stuck into the most legally complex and factually detailed disputes, providing “great advice” and championing the client in whatever forum is specified. Samuel regularly acts for clients in the courts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and he has a thriving practice in international and domestic arbitration (recently acting in arbitrations to final hearing in Australia, Singapore, Paris, the IDRC and, most recently, a fully remote ICC arbitration), along with all forms of alternative dispute resolution. It is a reflection of the high regard in which he is held by the industry, that Samuel was appointed Standing Counsel for the National House Building Council (NHBC), the market leading insurer of new and refurbished residential properties in the UK, for whom he acts for claims, recoveries and against personal guarantors. He recently successfully appeared in the Court of Appeal for NHBC in Herons Court v NHBC Building Control Services Ltd [2019] EWCA Civ 1423, concerning an attempt to extend s.1 of the Defective Premises Act 1972 to approved inspectors. Samuel is an Accredited Mediator, Adjudicator and Dispute Resolution Board panellist and has acted as Mediator in domestic, international and remote mediations. He also regularly acts as mediation and negotiation advocate. Samuel is Vice-Chair of the Bar Elect, and will be Vice-Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales in 2023. He will remain in full-time practice.

Sarah Hannaford KC

Sarah Hannaford KC is a leading commercial barrister whose work spans both the United Kingdom and international markets. She specialises in construction, engineering, infrastructure and energy disputes together with professional negligence work within these areas of expertise. She has also carved out a strong procurement practice in recent years. Sarah was called to the Northern Ireland Bar in 2015. Sarah is widely regarded as a star of the Procurement Bar and is the natural choice for complex high value procurement issues. She is instructed in the most significant cases in this area, regularly advising Government bodies, local authorities, utilities and industry clients. Sarah has acted in numerous high profile procurement challenges, including the prominent case of NATS v Gatwick Airport, a dispute concerning the tender of air traffic control services. She recently acted for the UK Government in a multi party and high profile dispute relating to the procurement of criminal legal aid services, which was listed by the Lawyer as one of the top cases of 2016. She is regularly instructed in complex construction and commercial disputes in the UK Courts, adjudication and international arbitration. She has experience in the full range of contractual claims which arise out of construction projects, including claims relating to defects, termination, delay and professional negligence. Recent work has included acting for the Ministry of Justice in relation to electronic monitoring claims against Serco and G4S, and acting for the Secretary of State for Defence in two substantial disputes relating to a nuclear submarine base. She also has considerable expertise in energy, offshore construction and shipping disputes, including acting high profile disputes such as the Solitaire and the Varg. Sarah has experience in disputes involving most standard form contracts including the JCT standard forms, ICE, NEC, IChemE and FIDIC forms. She also regularly advises on PFI contracts, PPP contracts and facilities management contracts, including both the waste and health sectors. Sarah is the author of a chapter in Keating on Construction Contracts (10th edition, 2016). She has also authored key publications on party walls and rights of light (another area in which she has considerable expertise). She frequently lectures on topical issues in construction and procurement law. In addition to her work as Counsel, Sarah sits as arbitrator and is a trained mediator and accredited adjudicator.

Sarah Williams

Sarah Williams is a specialist in construction, engineering and energy disputes, appearing both in the High Court, in international arbitrations and in adjudications. She has recently been involved in on-shore oil and gas international arbitration disputes in the Middle East, litigation involving complex infrastructure in the UK, and fire-related cladding litigation. Sarah is recognised for the quality of her oral and written advocacy, and her approachable, straightforward style.She is recommended in the directories as one who “ punches above her weight in seniority and is certainly a junior to watch“. She “provides both excellent legal representation and commercial advice and is able to quickly and effectively develop a case strategy”, “her cross-examination has been precise and incisive” and “she is completely on top of the detail”. Sarah’s practice encompasses a diverse range of disputes, centred on construction, engineering and energy and often on repeat instruction.Recently she has been instructed in an ICC arbitration in respect of issues of termination arising from an oil and gas facility in the Middle East, throughout an LCIA arbitration to final hearing concerning an EPF in the Middle East, and in respect of a Section 68 challenge arising out of that dispute; and in a multi handed TCC dispute regarding defects and consequential losses in a new NHS hospital in the NE of England. Alongside her practice, Sarah is a Councillor for the Society of Construction Law, in which she chairs the SCL sub-committee on Ethics, Equality and Diversity,and takes responsibility for ‘SCL Astra’ – the branch of SCL for those in their first 10 years in the industry. In chambers, Sarah sits on the pupillage committee, is a pupil-supervisor, and is the Environmental and Ethical officer for chambers.

Sean Wilken

Sean Wilken KC has practised in high profile, complex, international and domestic litigation for over 20 years. His caseload has included: the major litigation arising from the 1990’s UK domestic property collapse; the consequences of 9/11 and 7/7 domestically and internationally; the international consequences of the 2008 collapse; as well as various international, environmental and commercial crises. He has advised and acted in major disputes dealing with practical and legal ramifications of disease outbreaks; toxic spills; terrorist incidents; local and international lockdowns and no fly orders. He acted in one of the most recent large scale force majeure disputes before the English Courts dealing the impact of border disputes on charterparties. Since March 2020, Sean has been advising and acting for various companies and bodies on the legal impacts of SARS-CoV-2 – including the application of the Coronavirus Act and the Regulations, the various forms of Guidance as well as associated contract, frustration and force majeure, financing, insurance and supply chain issues. Most recently, Sean has been advising multinationals and other Ukrainian entities on public international and domestic law issues including: sanctions (UK and international), asset freezing, the law of war, impunity and associated legal remedies and recoveries. He is also an advocate/advisor to the Ukraine Justice Association. He has detailed experience resolving or litigating disputes in the financial; energy; infrastructure; insurance; commodities and construction sectors. His extensive domestic caseload ranges from North Sea energy disputes; to large scale PFI Projects (M6 Toll Road; Olympics infrastructure; the National Programme for Infrastructure in IT; numerous schools, hospitals, roads, prisons and light rail systems); to the application of UN sanctions in domestic law; to RIPA; to high value property developments in the UK; to the 2012 Olympics; to national security and telecoms issues. Internationally, his case load has recently included: acting as counsel for Leighton Contractors Asia in the Shatin-Central Link Public Inquiry in Hong Kong; a US$5bn dispute over block allocation in the energy sector in Africa; a £1bn dispute over infrastructure in the Middle East; a US$50m dispute over the funding of oil fields offshore Africa; a US$400m dispute over offshore drilling in Africa; disputes totalling over £1.5bn in the UAE; a HK$3bn dispute over infrastructure; a US$1.5bn dispute over energy in the Middle East; a BIT dispute over inbound investment; as well as major mutual and bank collapses in the Caribbean. In addition to the above, Sean has been instructed in multiple other cases in Hong Kong including: disputes over the design and construction of social housing; a dispute over the renovation of the water systems for Kowloon and Mong Kok; potential disputes over the financial issues arising from the redevelopment of properties in Sha Tin as well as advising on numerous property based HKSE issues. He has advised and acted in numerous international investment and trade disputes covering international investment treaties, Bilateral Investment Treaties, sovereign guarantees and international financial instruments as well as World Bank, WTO and GATT issues. He also has extensive experience in crisis management in multiple jurisdictions from the Far to the Middle East to Africa. Sean has experience in all domestic courts and tribunals as an advocate or arbitrator. His institutional experience embraces (in no particular order) the ICC; LCIA; HKIAC; SIAC; DIAC; ICSID; SCC and UNCITRAL as well as ad hoc arbitrations. Sean’s recent arbitral experience includes: six ad hoc arbitrations; two SCC arbitrations; two DIAC arbitrations; HKIAC arbitrations; SIAC arbitrations; four ICC arbitrations; two LCIA arbitrations; 3 UNICTRAL Arbitrations in the energy and projects sectors. Sean has sat as an arbitrator and as Chair of the Appellate Panel on sports arbitrations arising out of the Winter and Summer Olympics (2010; 2012 and 2018). Sean has also acted as an expert witness on English law before foreign courts and as an examiner taking depositions for US Courts. As well as being a silk at the English Bar, Sean is licensed to appear before the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC).

Simon Hughes KC

Simon Hughes QC is a specialist silk in major construction, engineering, shipbuilding and other off-shore and energy related disputes was recently awarded “Construction and Energy Silk of the Year” for 2019 by the Legal 500. He comes recommended for his client-focused approach, understanding of the technicalities of disputes and his “exceptional” advocacy, cross-examination, and advice. Simon has been fortunate to have acted on some of the largest, and most challenging, heavy civil engineering disputes of the day (including a great deal of highway/highway infrastructure and associated geotechnical work). Simon has been involved in disputes involving most standard form contracts used for substantial projects including the JCT standard forms, ICE 5th and 6th editions, the NEC, IChemE, FIDIC (Green, Red, Yellow and Silver Books), and derivative standard form agreements. He has particular experience of FIDIC forms and the NEC. In terms of types of dispute, Simon has particular experience of international power-plant disputes, major infrastructure projects and shipbuilding work, particularly in the Far East, and in disputes where the governing law is not English law. He has represented and advised clients on disputes in Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, Australia, Dubai and other parts of the UAE, various islands within the Caribbean and New Zealand. Simon has significant experience of working with Korean clients, and particular major Korean contractors, in connection with the mega-projects in which they are often play a crucial role. He has also been admitted to the Bar in Trinidad & Tobago and New Zealand for specific cases. Whilst a lot of Simon’s work involves arbitration – and he has experience of over 20 different national legal systems being the law of the contract – he is also well-known as a court advocate, both in the TCC and Commercial Court in London, and has been successful in a large number of reported cases. Disputes in the energy sector are a central part of Simon’s practice as a senior QC. Simon’s dispute and advisory practice encompasses construction of power-generating facilities across the whole spectrum of fuels; transportation and sale of oil, gas and electricity; drilling and exploration disputes; and nuclear new-build and decommissioning disputes. He has recently been selected as the QC to work alongside NNB Genco (HPC) as their project to build two new nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point C in Somerset takes shape.

Simon Hargreaves KC

Simon Hargreaves KC specialises in disputes arising from construction, process engineering and process plant construction, civil, geotechnical, structural, mechanical and electrical and marine engineering, IT & technology systems, logistics, transport, energy contracts, tunneling, nuclear decontamination, nuclear build, asbestos decontamination, wind turbines, piling onshore & offshore, water treatment, infrastructure and utilities contracts, rail contracts, collapses, floods and fires. Simon also has considerable experience of professional negligence claims and related insurance claims across all the areas of his practice, including claims for and against civil, structural and process engineers, geotechnical engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers, architects, asbestos professionals and contractors, project managers, construction managers, quantity surveyors, IT consultants and costs consultants. Simon has been involved in a number of high profile cases both at first instance and in the Court of Appeal across the different areas of his practice, principally construction, process engineering, civil, structural and marine engineering, fires, floods, rail, construction professionals’ negligence and IT disputes. In recent years he has been involved in claims arising from: Crossrail; desalination plant in Qatar; ferry terminal in Jordan; gold mining in Burkina Faso; chlorine manufacture; hydrocrackers; flooding in the Greenwich Millennium Village; the Magna Park fire; the Gerrard’s Cross tunnel collapse; the Chancery Lane Tube derailment and claims arising on Wembley Stadium. Simon specialises in all forums including litigation, arbitration (international and domestic), adjudication and ADR as well as relief concerning pre-action disclosure, summary judgment, interim payment, strike out, security for costs, arbitration applications, appeals from arbitrators and serious irregularities, injunctions and bond applications. Simon has extensive PFI experience and regularly advises NHS Trusts and project companies in relation to local authority infrastructure contracts; hospitals; waste contracts. He also appears on several panels as Adjudicator for resolution of PFI disputes. Simon has a swiftly growing practice sitting as arbitrator, adjudicator, expert and on dispute boards.

Simon Taylor

Simon Taylor is a competition and procurement specialist, recommended in Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners as a leading junior in public procurement. He returned to the Bar in 2012 after 20 years of practising as an EU and competition lawyer, including 7 years as a partner in a leading firm of solicitors and 5 years in Brussels. He has a busy contentious practise, acting both for bidders and buyers in public procurement disputes and also provides strategic advice on the conduct of tenders. He advises companies, utilities and public bodies on competition, state aid and regulatory issues arising from disputes, transactions such as mergers or joint ventures and commercial agreements or conduct. He has specific expertise in regulated sectors such as healthcare, communications, rail and water.

Stephen Furst KC

Stephen Furst QC specialises in construction, engineering, energy, shipbuilding and technology related disputes along with professional negligence actions within these specialist areas of expertise. He acts as an arbitrator on domestic and international arbitrations for bodies including the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), DIFC-LCIA and the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA). He is also an accredited adjudicator and mediator of considerable experience and was appointed to the Dispute Resolution Board for the Forth Replacement Bridge. His recent appointments include disputes concerning the Panama Canal, solar energy projects in Jordan, hydroelectric companies in Madagascar as well as PFI hospital disputes in the UK. Apart from the technical issues involved, Stephen Furst QC also considers inter-company agreements, guarantees, Letters of Credit and a variety of commercial disputes. He has a significant international practice with arbitrations relating to projects in Russia, Europe, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Korea, Republic of Ireland, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. Please contact our clerking team regarding appointing Stephen in alternative dispute resolutions He has developed a reputation for handling the most technically challenging cases and his practice covered highly complex claims in areas such as pipelines, tunnelling projects, power station construction, aircraft design, oil rig design, process plants, ship building and software. Stephen Furst is a former Deputy Judge of the Technology and Construction Court and Recorder. He is the joint editor of Keating on Construction Contracts.

Thomas Saunders

Thomas Saunders was called to the Bar in 2019. He has been a tenant in Chambers since 2020.Thomas has experience across Chambers’ main practice areas, including construction and engineering, energy, procurement, and professional negligence. In addition to regularly appearing in court as an advocate in his own right (both within and outside Chambers’ main specialisms), Thomas undertakes led work as a member of larger counsel teams drawn from both inside and outside Chambers, and has a busy drafting and advisory practice. Recent highlights include acting (as part of two different counsel teams) on two disputes arising out of the construction of the same energy-from-waste plant in Hull, one of which culminated in a five-week TCC trial before Pepperall J.Thomas provides advice, drafting and representation at all stages of the litigation or other dispute resolution process. He has worked with a number of major standard forms, including JCT, NEC, FIDIC, IChemE and RIBA forms, as well as bespoke contracts and PFI agreements, and is a contributor to Keating on JCT Contracts.

Thomas Lazur

“Already a silk in the making”, Thomas Lazur is “a really gifted junior with a calm and professional approach to matters which puts both clients and solicitors at ease.” As lead counsel his project experience includes the refurbishment of the Palace of Westminster, the Northern Line extension to Battersea, the baggage handling system at Stansted Airport, various energy production facilities, chemical processing facilities, and significant residential developments including Barratt Homes’ development at Priors Hall, Corby. Working as the leading junior his work has covered a vast range of prominent projects including the Burj Khalifa, the Riyadh Metro system, the XRL tunnelling project in Hong Kong, the decommissioning of the UK’s Magnox nuclear power stations, and a number of shipbuilding cases including the construction of offshore oil production facilities and Sailing Yacht A. In litigation there are often substantial obstacles to the ideal preparation and presentation of a case. Thomas has been commended for his ability to deal with those issues and to work as part of a team in resolving them. In doing so he has been praised for his proactive approach, his accessibility, and his ability to stay calm under pressure. As well as his work as a trial advocate, Thomas has been praised for giving clear and concise advice on the law and litigation strategy. He has extensive experience of all aspects of construction related disputes including adjudication enforcement proceedings, applications for security for costs, summary judgment, and other interlocutory issues including the disclosure pilot scheme and costs budgeting. His advisory work covers all construction related disputes including final account claims, claims for professional negligence, and contractual issues such as the interpretation of limitation clauses. Over half of Thomas’ work has involved international arbitration. He has extensive experience of arbitrations under the ICC, LMAA and LCIA arbitration rules. In addition to his work as counsel, Thomas is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), a TECBAR accredited adjudicator, a certified mediator, and an Advocacy Trainer for the Inner Temple. Thomas has worked on a number of publications and also produces video law reports on TCC cases which can be viewed on his YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/thomaslazur/featured

Timothy Elliott KC

Tim Elliott QC has specialised in construction, engineering, energy and professional negligence work for over 35 years. He has a wide ranging experience of all aspects of these fields in litigation and all forms of alternative dispute resolution such as arbitration, adjudication and mediation. Tim Elliott now works mainly as a domestic and international arbitrator. His appointments include arbitrations for bodies such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), DIFC-LCIA, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre and the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre. The locations of his cases have included the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa, Azerbaijan, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong.

Tom Walker

Tom Walker was called to the Bar in 2019 and became a tenant at Keating Chambers in 2022 following successful completion of his pupillage. Tom is developing a broad and busy practice across Chambers’ specialisms. During pupillage, Tom’s work encompassed a wide range of practice areas. These included construction and engineering, professional negligence, energy and natural resources, marine and off-shore, utilities, procurement and planning. In addition to his involvement in a substantial amount of court work (both assisting others and appearing in his own right), Tom has gained experience of various forms of alternative dispute resolution, including adjudication (contractual and statutory) and arbitration (UNCITRAL and LCIA rules). Before coming to the Bar, Tom worked as a county court advocate for a law firm, LPC law. During this time Tom would conduct several hearings a week in his own right in relation to mortgage possession; landlord and tenant possession; infant settlement; setting aside default judgment; and bankruptcy. Whilst studying for the Bar Course, Tom represented his Inn of Court, Middle Temple, in the Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot. This saw Tom compete in several European countries over the course of the year and win two awards for his advocacy. Tom accepts instructions to advise, draft pleadings and represent clients in relation to a broad range of commercial matters, with an emphasis upon construction, engineering, professional negligence, and energy disputes.

Tom Owen KC

Tom Owen is Construction and Energy Junior of the Year (Legal 500). Tom is recognised as “one of the most promising juniors at the Bar” (Who’s Who Legal). Legal Week’s ‘Stars at the Bar’ say “he has everything you would want of Counsel“. Tom is known particularly for his advocacy and trial work. He is described as having a “tenacious ability to deal with difficult cross-examinations and the talent of having just about every single fact to hand” (Legal 500). Of Tom’s cross-examination: “he destroyed the other party’s case – such that they withdrew their claim before a decision was reached” (Legal Week’s ‘Stars at the Bar’). Tom regularly appears as advocate in the High Court and in arbitration. He is often Counsel of choice to lead heavy or complex TCC litigation. Tom has appeared a number of times in the Court of Appeal. Tom was appointed as a Recorder in 2022 to civil litigation.

Tom Coulson

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.

Veronique Buehrlen KC

Veronique Buehrlen KC has a wide-ranging commercial litigation, international arbitration and advisory practice with special emphasis on complex energy disputes, construction and engineering (both on and offshore). Her unique practice spans working as an International Arbitrator, Leading Counsel and Deputy High Court Judge. As counsel, Veronique is known for her meticulous preparation of complex, highly detailed, matters requiring penetrating and determined cross examination of expert and other witnesses. As an International Arbitrator, Veronique is known for being fair, thoughtful and measured. She has a wealth of experience of the workings of the Technology and Construction Court (in which she also sits), of the Commercial Court and of various international arbitral fora. As an expert in energy construction disputes Veronique represents parties in substantial litigation. She (for instance) represented the main contractor in a € billion ICC arbitration following the suspension and subsequent termination of the South Stream gas pipeline project. Veronique is recommended by the leading directories for her energy, construction, and international arbitration counsel work, and as an international arbitrator. In these guides she receives praise from those she has worked with for getting “on top of complex cases in an incredibly short time” and “working at the coal face of the dispute”. Clients appreciate her “strong commercial perspective” and forensic approach to cases, and describe Veronique as a “ferocious cross-examiner” with a “razor-sharp brain” and “laser focus on the fine detail”. Veronique was shortlisted by The Legal 500 for their prestigious “international arbitration counsel of the year” (2019) and “arbitrator of the year” awards (2022). Veronique specialises in all aspects of energy and construction disputes including termination, suspension, rights to payment, varied work, force majeure, frustration, delay and disruption and defective works. Her experience spans the full spectrum of commercial litigation encompassing major trials, jurisdiction and applicable law disputes, preliminary issues and interim relief. Veronique has worked (as counsel and International Arbitrator) on disputes arising out of projects worldwide including in (or offshore) Scotland, France, Italy, Slovakia, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Algeria, Mozambique, Nigeria, Guinea, South Africa, Brazil, Indonesia, Russia and Kazakhstan. As an international arbitrator, Veronique sits both as Chair and Tribunal Member and receives both party and institutional appointments. Her appointments include a broad spectrum of construction and energy disputes, as well as commercial disputes in other fields (including insurance, aviation, joint ventures, sale of goods and commodities). Veronique is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a member of the ICC’s Commission on Arbitration and ADR and of the ICC’s task force on maximizing the probative value of witness evidence and a member of the SIAC Arbitrator Panel. She has experience of most institutional rules (ICC, LCIA, SIAC, UNCITRAL etc) as well as ad hoc arrangements. In May 2017 Veronique was appointed a Deputy High Court Judge and now sits regularly in the Technology & Construction Court on a broad range of cases. As judge, arbitrator and leading counsel Veronique has an in depth understanding of the litigation and decision making processes. As leading counsel, Veronique fully comprehends what a Court or Tribunal requires to reach the right decision. As judge and arbitrator, she remains mindful of the challenges and pressures facing the parties and their representatives.

Vincent Moran KC

Vincent Moran is a leading KC whose practice covers a wide range of advocacy, advisory and drafting work related to construction, engineering, transport, energy and information technology disputes along with associated professional negligence and insurance matters (including policy coverage disputes). Vincent has been involved in a number of high profile cases across his different areas of practice such as in relation to Crossrail, offshore wind farms, North Sea oil exploration equipment, PFI disputes, waste to energy power plant disputes, coal fired power station disputes and applications for the removal of arbitrators, including the Cofely case. In the past he has also been instructed on the new Hong Kong airport, the Gerrard’s Cross tunnel collapse, the refurbishment of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis complex, the Wembley Stadium dispute, the Walter Lilly case, the London Transport Oyster Card upgrade, the Barking Power Station dispute, the Tinsley Viaduct case, the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and Crossrail. His personal advocacy experience covers most tribunals in the country, including to the County Court, High Court (mainly, but not exclusively, the Technology and Construction Court), the Court of Appeal, arbitrations, adjudications and professional disciplinary boards. He has also appeared in the House of Lords in one of the most important commercial cases of the last 20 years (SAAMCO). He has been retained in disputes arising under most standard form contracts used in substantial projects (including the JCT standard forms, ICE, NEC, IChemE and FIDIC forms) and is also regularly instructed in domestic and international arbitrations (including ICC, LCIA, DIAC, SIAC and HKIAC arbitrations), DABs adjudication work and has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution in the UK including many high value claims using mediation. Vincent is recommended in the leading directories in the areas of construction, energy, international arbitration and professional negligence, where he is endorsed for his strong advocacy skills, “robust” cross-examining and “forensic attention to detail”. He is an editor of Chitty on Contracts (the Construction law chapter) and an author of Keating on Construction Contracts (chapters 8 and 9 on delay, disruption, financial recovery and causation).

Wen Jin Teh

Wen Jin Teh was called to the Bar in 2020 and became a tenant at Keating Chambers in 2021 following successful completion of pupillage. During his pupillage, Wen Jin gained experience of Chambers’ main practice areas including construction and engineering, professional negligence, procurement, planning and environment, and international arbitration. In addition to assisting on contentious and advisory matters in those fields, he has also appeared as sole counsel in adjudication proceedings and in the County Court. Wen Jin read law at the University of Cambridge, where he was awarded the George Long Prize (for the best Jurisprudence script) alongside various other faculty and college prizes. Having grown up in Singapore, he is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and is familiar with the East Asian and Southeast Asian region.

William Webb KC

Described in legal directories as an “one of the best juniors around” and particularly noted for his “excellent cross-examination”, William has a busy specialist practice in all aspects of construction, engineering, energy and PFI disputes including claims relating to payment, defects, delay and disruption and professional negligence. William is a popular choice as an advocate in the Technology and Construction Court, where he has a wide experience of both trials and interim applications and has a particular expertise in adjudication enforcement actions. He has also acted in the Court of Appeal, Commercial Court and Chancery Division. 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. William is also regularly instructed in domestic adjudications and arbitration to advise, prepare written submissions and act for parties at hearings. He is also a TECBAR accredited adjudicator and has received appointments as adjudicator and arbitrator in both domestic and international disputes. William is heavily involved in academic and practitioner texts on construction law, being an Editor of Chitty on Contracts (32nd Ed), an Editor of the Construction Law Reports and a Contributor to Keating on Construction Contracts.

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