The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - The Bar > London Bar > Construction

The 'extremely strong' and specialist Atkin Chambers has an international reputation for leading advocacy and advisory work in the construction, engineering, and infrastructure arenas, with the set's international projects accounting for more than 50% of its members' instructions. The 'impressive' David Streatfeild-James QC led Andrew Fenn in securing a judgment for Connect Plus in Connect Plus (M25) Ltd v Highways England Co Ltd, a £100m dispute in the TCC arising out of payment provisions in a £6bn PFI contract. Stephanie Barwise QC appeared in the TCC acting for BHC Limited in BHC Limited v Galliford Try Infrastructure Ltd, seeking Part 8 declaratory relief as to the meaning of certain variations issued under the contract.

The 'first port of call for construction disputes', Keating Chambers' barristers appear regularly in the TCC, as well as the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, in complex, high-end litigation. 'Commanding advocate' Marcus Taverner QC is often involved in high-value disputes across the UK and Europe; he appeared in Amec Foster Wheeler Group Ltd v TAQA Bratani Ltd acting for the defendant in a case which concerned modifications to an oil rig in the North Sea. The 'unparalleled' Alexander Nissen QC acted for the successful claimant in Grove Developments v S&T (UK) Ltd, a landmark decision on payment provisions under the Housing Grants Act.

39 Essex Chambers' construction team has 'strength in depth', with members often instructed by governments, contractors and construction professionals in international disputes. Stuart Catchpole QC is lead counsel for Kier Build in Kier Build Limited v Cameron Taylor One Limited, a dispute arising out of the defective design of the car park for a substantial retail complex. Meanwhile, the 'well-respected' Paul Darling QC acted in Blue Manchester v NWGR, a dispute about defects in the cladding of the Hilton Hotel Manchester.

'One of the go-to sets for construction matters', 4 PUMP COURT's barristers are involved in a number of PFI projects and instructed to advise public authorities, funders, and contractors. The 'technically excellent' Sean Brannigan QC led Matthew Thorne in representing the successful contractor in both the High Court and Court of Appeal in Cyden Homes v North Midland Building, a case which highlighted a key issue relating to contracting parties' ability to agree how extensions of time should be handled in periods of concurrent delay. The 'swift and compelling' Duncan McCall QC led James Bowling in Clancy Docwra v EON Energy Solutions, a large dispute arising from declarations regarding the responsibility for underground obstructions encountered during the installation of a district heat network in central London.

4 New Square maintains a strong contractor clientbase and is 'excellent for construction disputes'. Roger Stewart QC provides 'wonderful advocacy' for his clients. He is instructed by Sir Robert McAlpine in Sir Robert McAlpine v David Chipperfield Associates and Hoare Lea, a £35m claim by designers and builders in respect of design inadequacies and consequent delays. Ben Patten QC acts for the engineers in Volkerfitzpatrick Ltd v Stewart & Harris Ltd: Keller Ltd v Stewart & Harris Ltd, a dispute in the TCC arising out of alleged defective design and construction of a facility in Bristol.

Crown Office Chambers is a 'go-to' chambers for construction disputes across the building, infrastructure, and telecoms sectors. The 'highly regarded' Andrew Rigney QC was lead counsel for the successful respondent in Mears Ltd v Cosplan and Others, a landmark decision on a £35m dispute in which the Court of Appeal considered the meaning of 'practical completion'. Elsewhere, David Sears QC acted for the funders in Bank of Scotland Plc v Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, a TCC case which arose out of the interaction of a number of complex funding and other agreements with potential consequences for the NHS trust.

'Forward-thinking' Hardwicke has been involved in a variety of construction disputes, with a particular growth in instructions relating to cladding defects. Paul Reed QC, assisted by the 'hardworking' Sarah McCann, acted for the principal defendant in Boots UK Ltd & Prudential Pensions Ltd v (1) N and Walk Realisations Ltd, (2) Rotary Yorkshire Ltd, (3) Ridge & Partners LLP, (4) Maintenance Facilities Management Ltd, a multimillion-pound claim arising from a major fire. Meanwhile, Nigel Jones QC has been instructed to lead Catherine Piercy in Lessors & Management Company of Herons Court v HeronsLea Limited,  NHBC and Others, defending a claim brought by 20 owners of a block of flats regarding several alleged defects.