Atkin Chambers > London, England > Set Profile
Atkin Chambers Offices

1, Atkin Building, Gray's Inn
LONDON
WC1R 5AT
England
Profiles
- Profile > Chambers of Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC > Bar – London
- Profile > Chambers of Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC > Bar – Asia
Atkin Chambers > The Legal 500 Rankings
London Bar > Construction Tier 1
Known for their exceptional work both domestically and abroad, the barristers at Atkin Chambers have continued to lead the construction legal market. Stephanie Barwise QC and Omar Eljadi have been acting on behalf of the largest group of victims in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and in addition, barristers who have a significant practice handling PFI disputes have been instructed on fire safety defect-related cases, including Serena Cheng QC, Dominique Rawley QC and Steven Walker QC. In the TCC, Stephen Dennison QC led Mathias Cheung and Felicity Dynes in Energy Works (Hull) Ltd v MW High Tech Projects UK Ltd & Others, a dispute relating to the termination of construction work on a waste to energy plant. Away from the London courts, members continue to be instructed in arbitrations concerning the UK’s and world’s key infrastructure projects.Rising stars
Leading Silks
2021 Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘A very strong set for construction work. Would not use any other. The depth of knowledge, even for younger members of the set is impressive.’
‘A top set of chambers for construction law, good choice of excellent barristers.’
‘Atkins are an excellent set of construction specialist counsel with a good range of junior to senior counsel. They are a go-to chambers for construction sector advice. They are pragmatic and approachable for clients; willing to provide a commercial view as well as excellent advice.’
Clerks
‘The clerks are great. Always helpful and swift to respond – even during the Covid issues. I have found all clerks who I have dealt with similarly professional and helpful. They all know to manage the fee estimate aspects and this is a great relief.’
‘Excellent clerking – the best in this area. Justin Wilson and David Barnes are peerless.’
‘Clerks always helpful and efficient. Particularly Andy Burrows whose understanding of your needs and matching them to the specialisms of the barristers is always spot on.’
London Bar > Energy Tier 2
Atkin Chambers ‘has a worthy claim to the title of top construction-specialised set in London’. For one client, ‘the set remains the first choice for barristers in international energy disputes‘ and it remains ‘a first-rate construction set, boasting a bench strength of talented experts at every level'. Energy and natural resources cases account for a high proportion of the set’s work, drawing on its strength in international arbitration and members’ experience in complex PFI/PPP projects. The work spans upstream and downstream oil and gas, power projects including coal-fired and nuclear power stations, and renewable energy, whether solar, wind or waste-to-energy projects. Members are also involve in cases concerning the construction of supporting infrastructure including FPSOs, jack-up and semi-submersible drilling rigs, and dredging and subsea cabling and pipe-laying vessels. David Streatfeild-James QC is an outstanding advocate and arbitrator in high-value commercial cases involving traditional and renewable energy. Among the juniors, Rupert Choat QC, who is currently involved Commercial Court proceedings regarding a gas concession in Cameroon, is a prominent practitioner.
Rising stars
Leading Silks
2021 Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘In my view, Atkin Chambers has a worthy claim to the title of top construction-specialised set in London. In practice, Atkin is typically the first place I look for assistance in high-value and complex energy, construction and infrastructure disputes under English law because of their impressive talent at all levels of seniority.’
‘A high-quality construction set operating also in the energy space.’
‘This was my first experience of working with Atkin Chambers and I was very impressed. I’m aware of their strength in construction cases.’
‘A first-rate construction set, boasting a bench strength of talented experts at every level.’
‘The set remains the first choice for barristers in international energy disputes.’
Clerks
‘Justin Wilson is very responsive.’
London Bar > International arbitration: counsel Tier 2
Atkin Chambers has developed an excellent reputation for international arbitration, and is praised for its 'strength-in-depth for construction and energy related disputes'. The set's credentials for Asia and Middle East-related matters are especially strong, particularly when it comes to infrastructure disputes. On the transport side, Andrew White QC , Nicholas Dennys QC and Sebastian Pigott have all been involved in several high-profile rail and metro-related claims. On the social infrastructure front, Simon Lofthouse QC and Zulfikar Khayum both worked on Obrascon Huarte Lain SA (t/a OHL Internacional) & Anor v Qatar Foundation where they defeated a challenge to a partial arbitral award concerning a hospital project in Doha.
Leading Silks
2021 Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Atkin is one of the two preeminent construction sets. They have considerable strength in depth at all levels. The barristers are generally competitive and academic colleagues and opponents.’
‘One of my first ports of call when looking for construction and arbitration counsel.’
‘The reputation as one of the best sets for construction and arbitration is well deserved.’
‘Atkin is typically the first place I look for assistance in high-value and complex energy/construction/infrastructure disputes under English law because of their impressive talent at all levels of seniority.’
‘A peerless set for construction, with great strength in depth.’
Clerking
‘Its clerking service is top quality especially David Barnes and Justin Wilson. They are very experienced at dealing with the issues faced when working in Hong Kong.’
London Bar > IT and telecoms Tier 2
A ‘first port of call for IT contract disputes,’ the set at Atkin Chambers acts in high-profile IT and communications project disputes in the construction, banking, and financial services sectors, dovetailing well with the set’s well-known area of expertise in construction projects. James Howells QC was lead counsel for the latter party, the appellant, Triple Point Technology v PTT Public Company, in which the Supreme Court considered the issue of liquidated damages for delay when contracts are terminated, in the context of the procurement of an IT system by a Thai energy company. Patrick Clarke acted for the claimant in Competent Adviser Limited v Forfront Limited, which concerned a claim for injunctions, declarations, and damages related to a long-term agreement for software, development, and website hosting support and maintenance services. David Streatfeild-James QC also handles in cases pertaining to IT infrastructure.IT and telecoms (excluding regulatory) - Leading Silks
IT and telecoms (excluding regulatory) - 2021 Silks
IT and telecoms (excluding regulatory) - Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘My first port of call for IT contract disputes.’
Clerking
‘Good clerks. Matthew Ashman is very helpful.’
‘Excellent clerks, very helpful.’
London Bar > Professional negligence Tier 2
Atkin Chambers is 'a very solid professional negligence set' with 'great depth of talent', and due to its reputation as 'a leading chambers for construction and engineering', members have established expertise in handling claims arising from engineering, construction and infrastructure matters. In a recent example, Marc Lixenberg and Katie Powell are acting in Victoria Beckham Limited v Farshid Moussavi Architecture Limited and NJ Richards Project Limited, a claim against the architects of the former Spice Girl's fashion store in London. Members of the set have also been instructed in professional negligence claims against the backdrop of the cladding scandal.
Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘A real powerhouse‘.
‘An excellent set‘.
Clerking
‘The clerks are extremely helpful and responsive‘.
‘Justin Wilson is always a pleasure to work with: sensible, pragmatic and very knowledgeable‘.
‘Rob Bryant is excellent. He quickly grasps the issues, and is perceptive, responsive and personable‘.
‘Andy Burrows is very helpful and pragmatic‘.
London Bar > International arbitration: arbitrators Tier 3
Atkin Chambers is undoubtedly one of the top choice sets for those seeking arbitrators with experience in construction, engineering and infrastructure disputes. The set's members have strong experience arbitrating claims in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, many having been (or continue to be) leading advocates in this field. The arbitrators come from a wide range of backgrounds, with Doug Jones having been an eminent solicitor in this field at Clayton Utz before becoming a full-time arbitrator. Former judges such as Sir Robert Akenhead have made a seamless switch to the tribunal and are extremely in demand, while Andrew White QC juggles his high profile counsel role with his regular high-end arbitrator work.Testimonials
Set
‘Atkin Chambers is always on my go to list for Counsel/arbitrators. It has a full complement of excellent counsel at all levels. Counsel at Atkin Chambers regularly provide training for my team.’
‘Atkin Chambers are well-known market leaders with some of the best construction barristers in the business.’
Clerking
‘The clerking service at Atkin Chambers is excellent. It has been very consistent over the years and I have been dealing with David Barnes and Justin Wilson for 25 years.’
‘Helpful and friendly clerking team.’
‘Excellent. Justin Wilson and Andrew Burrows stand out, as does the leadership of David Barnes.’
‘David Barnes and Justin Wilson are very responsive, sensible and easy to work with.’
Dispute resolution > Mediators Tier 4
Michael Shane – Atkin Chambers Michael Shane at Atkin Chambers is known for 'grasping the details of the underlying facts and the legal issues, but also getting what drives the parties commercially'. A full-time mediator and arbitrator for approximately 25 years, Shane's experience includes mediating over 1,500 major disputes, including a multitude of commercial, IP and banking-related matters.
London Bar > Insurance and reinsurance
Leading Silks
Asia Pacific - The English Bar > Construction, energy and infrastructure Tier 1
Praised as a ‘premier construction set’ and highly regarded by law firms across the Asia Pacific region, members of Atkin Chambers are eminent in the construction, engineering and infrastructure sectors, with international disputes taking up a significant proportion of their time in this space. The set houses ‘top notch QCs and juniors’ who are accustomed to the main international arbitral institutions. Energy projects continue to feature heavily in members’ caseloads, and the set has seen a growth in the number of transport disputes arising in the region. Andrew White QC is well-established in the region and is noted for his expertise in shipbuilding, oil and gas, engineering and rail disputes, while Nicholas Dennys QC is increasingly appointed as an arbitrator in Korea, Singapore and India.Leading Silks
2021 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Excellent specialist chambers. Always a good range of experienced construction counsel available, as well as knowledgeable and responsive clerks.’
‘An outstanding set with deep bench strength of top experts in construction arbitration. Equally impressed with the quality of the juniors.’
‘Atkin Chambers is the premier construction set.’
‘Atkin chambers has a wealth of experience in construction and energy disputes and is rightfully seen as one of the best. They have top notch QCs and juniors.’
‘Excellent construction set with a heavyweight stable of construction barristers.’
Clerking
‘Andrew Burrows is very responsive, pragmatic and helpful. Likewise David Barnes is exceptionally knowledgeable and resourceful.’
Middle East: The English Bar > Construction Tier 1
Atkin Chambers is a ‘magnificent set‘ and is a ‘go-to set for construction and engineering disputes‘. The members of the set are active across a broad range of large scale and complex infrastructure disputes involving power, water, health, transportation and mixed-use development projects. Andrew White QC represents clients in major infrastructure disputes across the Middle East. Head of Chambers Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC is active in the mixed-use development and oil and gas space. Serena Cheng QC and Shourav Lahiri are other key names to mention for energy and natural resources disputes; Lahiri, who is based in Singapore and was formerly a partner at Reed Smith in Dubai, has substantial expertise in offshore oil and gas storage and production.Leading silks
Leading juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Top construction set in London.’
‘Atkin Chambers is exceptionally well run with a wonderful set of leading barristers.’
‘Excellent specialist chambers. Always a good range of experienced construction counsel available and knowledgeable and responsive clerks.’
‘Magnificent set – by far the best energy and infrastructure specialists at the bar.’
‘One of the ‘go to’ sets for construction and engineering disputes. Always good quality across the board.’
Clerking
‘Very user friendly and a pleasure to work with. Always.’
Atkin Chambers > Set Profile
Atkin Chambers is a leading set of commercial barristers with an international reputation for providing advocacy and specialist legal advice on cases concerning construction and engineering, energy, technology and major infrastructure projects.
The members of Atkin Chambers offer a huge breadth and depth of experience in disputes which are often complex both in terms of the law and the technical nature of the underlying dispute. They are recognised as being leaders in their field.
The disputes in which members are instructed are extremely varied and include transport, oil and gas, renewables, water/sanitation, IT and telecommunications, shipbuilding and conversion, and social infrastructure projects. Wider commercial and professional negligence work is frequently related to such disputes.
Disputes are often commercially and/or politically sensitive and high-profile, and have included landmark UK cases such as disputes relating to The Shard, Wembley Stadium, the Olympic Village, the Channel Tunnel, The British Library, The Rolls Building, Heathrow T5, the M25 and London Underground. International work is equally substantial with major transport infrastructure and energy projects being a common feature – frequently cross-border and/or involving parties from several jurisdictions.
In the UK members regularly appear as advocates before the High Court and Appellate Courts, including the Supreme Court, and represent clients in commercial arbitrations seated in London and around the world. Members practise in many of the world’s leading arbitration centres and are highly-experienced in handling international arbitration matters conducted under the auspices of the major arbitral institutions such as the ICC, LCIA, DIAC, HKIAC, SIAC and numerous others.
Members and door tenants are called upon to act as arbitrators, adjudicators, mediators, in expert determination, and as members of international dispute boards and chairs of public inquiries.
A number of authoritative and influential texts are authored and edited in Chambers including the Building Law Reports and the International Construction Law Review. The seminal work on the law relating to building and engineering contracts — Hudson’s Building and Engineering Contracts — has been edited by Chambers since 1959 and is cited in many common law jurisdictions.
International and UK dispute resolution:
■ Commercial
■ Construction & Engineering
■ Energy & Natural Resources
■ Infrastructure & PFI/PPP
■ International Arbitration
■ IT & Telecommunications
■ Professional Negligence
■ Shipbuilding & Offshore Construction
■ Transport
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Chief Executive & Director of Clerking | David Barnes | dbarnes@atkinchambers.com | |
Principal contact for counsel appointments | Justin Wilson | jwilson@atkinchambers.com | |
Principal contact for arbitrator, adjudicator and mediator appointments | Daniel Jones | djones@atkinchambers.com |
Barrister Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Mr Jonathan Acton Davis | Jonathan specialises in domestic and international litigation and arbitration in the construction,… | View Profile |
![]() | Miss Lauren Adams | Lauren’s domestic practice involves advising on private residential work and large commercial… | View Profile |
![]() | Sir Robert Akenhead | In continuous practice from 1973 to 2007 as a specialist construction law… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Mischa Balen | Mischa specialises primarily in international commercial disputes with an emphasis on construction… | View Profile |
![]() | Miss Stephanie Barwise | Widely regarded as a leader in her field, Stephanie’s expertise lies in… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr John Blackburn | From 1984 until 2006, John was in full-time practice as leading counsel… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Martin Bowdery | “Inventive intellectually and tactically superb” Martin Bowdery QC practises as an advocate, arbitrator,… | View Profile |
![]() | Miss Lucie Briggs | Lucie specialises in construction and engineering, energy, information technology, and professional negligence… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Stuart Catchpole QC | Stuart Catchpole QC is recognised as one of the leading advocates at… | View Profile |
![]() | Miss Serena Cheng | Serena Cheng QC is a commercial litigation and arbitration specialist whose practice… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Mark Chennells | Mark Chennells QC was appointed silk in 2021. He has broad experience… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Mathias Cheung | Mathias’ domestic and international commercial practice covers all areas of Chambers’ work,… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Rupert Choat QC | Rupert has specialised since 1997 in construction, engineering, PFI/PPP, energy and similar… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Patrick Clarke | Patrick’s specialist practice principally concerns fighting claims that involve complex technical or… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Robert Clay | Robert specialises in litigation and arbitration, domestic and international, in the construction,… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Nicholas Collings | Nicholas specialises in commercial litigation and arbitration with a particular emphasis on… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Simon Crawshaw | Simon specialises in the construction and engineering and energy sectors representing contractors,… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Stephen Dennison | Stephen is a leading specialist in the construction and civil engineering, energy… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Nicholas Dennys | Nicholas is a leading specialist in construction, civil engineering, international arbitration, professional… | View Profile |
![]() | Miss Chantal-Aimée Doerries | Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC is the Head of Atkin Chambers and a former… | View Profile |
![]() | Miss Felicity Dynes | Felicity specialises in all aspects of Chambers’ work including in the areas… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Omar Eljadi | Omar Eljadi specialises in contractual and professional negligence disputes within the construction,… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Andrew Fenn | Andrew has acted as junior counsel on large litigations, international and domestic… | View Profile |
![]() | Sir Thayne Forbes | Sir Thayne Forbes is an arbitrator, adjudicator and mediator and chair… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Andrew Goddard | Andrew Goddard QC specialises in the law of commercial obligations, professional negligence… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Arthur Graham-Dixon | Arthur has a broad practice in all areas of Chambers’ work and… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Caroline Greenfield | Caroline joined Atkin Chambers as a tenant in September 2019, following the… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Dalton Hale | Dalton has been described by clients as “knowledgeable, thorough, proactive and original in… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Rónán Hanna | Rónán has broad experience in a wide range of construction and engineering… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr James Howells | James practises across a broad range of disputes in litigation, arbitration, adjudication… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Riaz Hussain | Riaz acts as leading counsel in high value, complex disputes and advises… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Laura Hussey | Laura has a domestic and international practice in all specialist areas of… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr David Johnson | David practises in the fields of domestic and international construction, engineering, energy,… | View Profile |
![]() | Miss Jennifer Jones | Jennifer practices both domestically and internationally, with a particular expertise in multi-party… | View Profile |
![]() | Prof Doug Jones | Doug Jones AO is a leading independent international commercial and investor-state arbitrator… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Samar Abbas Kazmi | Samar Abbas Kazmi specialises in commercial, construction and technology disputes. Samar has… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Zulfikar Khayum | Zulfikar practices across all areas of the construction, engineering, energy and IT… | View Profile |
![]() | Her Honour Frances Kirkham CBE | Her Honour Frances Kirkham CBE acts as arbitrator in high-value construction and… | View Profile |
![]() | His Honour Humphrey LLoyd | His Honour Humphrey LLoyd QC is an arbitrator and mediator. From 1963… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Shourav Lahiri | Shourav is a specialist construction and international arbitration lawyer with over 20… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Peter Land | Peter practices across all areas of construction, engineering, infrastructure, information technology and… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Christopher Lewis | Christopher practises principally in the fields of construction and engineering; energy and… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Marc Lixenberg | Confirming his status as a “respected junior”, Marc is a leading junior construction… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Simon Lofthouse | Simon Lofthouse QC is widely-recognised as a leading domestic and international lawyer… | View Profile |
![]() | Dr Nicholas Maciolek | Nicholas’ practice includes disputes relating to construction, engineering and infrastructure, energy and… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Manus McMullan | Manus specialises in commercial disputes with an emphasis on energy, natural resources… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Edmund Neuberger | Edmund specialises in all aspects of Chambers’ work for a broad range… | View Profile |
![]() | Miss Fiona Parkin | Recognised for her particular skill in getting to the heart of complex… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Sebastian Pigott | Sebastian Pigott is described as “an intelligent and considered thinker” who is “very user-friendly and… | View Profile |
![]() | Miss Katie Powell | Katie Powell specialises in commercial disputes with a particular emphasis on construction,… | View Profile |
![]() | Miss Dominique Rawley | Dominique Rawley QC specialises in high value disputes in the field of… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Christopher Reid | Christopher undertakes a broad range of commercial work both domestically and internationally,… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Darryl Royce | Darryl Royce advises upon, and acts for parties involved in, construction projects,… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Michael Shane | Michael Shane is a highly-regarded international mediator and arbitrator. His career has… | View Profile |
![]() | Miss Camille Slow | Camille’s practice covers a broad range of commercial matters with a particular… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr David Streatfeild-James | David Streatfeild-James acts as an advocate, adviser and arbitrator in high-value commercial… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Max Twivy | Max joined Atkin Chambers as a tenant in 2019. He has gained… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Steven Walker | Steven Walker QC specialises in advising and representing parties to complex commercial… | View Profile |
![]() | Prof Janet Walker | Professor Janet Walker is a leading international commercial arbitrator based in London,… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Andrew White | Andrew enjoys an international reputation as a commercial silk. He regularly appears… | View Profile |
Languages
Cantonese French German Italian Mandarin Punjabi Spanish UrduAtkin Chambers > Set Profile
Atkin Chambers is a leading set of barristers with an international reputation for providing advocacy and advice on commercial disputes relating to construction and engineering, technology, energy and infrastructure projects.
The members of Atkin Chambers have worked across Asia-Pacific over several decades during which time members and the clerking team have built long-standing relationships with many of the leading law firms and individual lawyers in the region. As a consequence they have acquired a detailed understanding of the commercial landscape within which disputes arise throughout Asia-Pacific
As specialist and practised advocates, members’ expertise in building and presenting a case to international arbitral tribunals makes them in high demand They possess genuine expertise in cases which are legally, factually and technically complex.
Members’ experience with commercial disputes in the region is broad but frequently concerned with infrastructure projects across transport (highways, streets, roads, and bridges; mass transit; airports and airways), energy and power generation (including but not limited to nuclear, oil and gas and renewables), water (supply and wastewater management), waste (management and treatment), and telecommunications. Members also have significant offshore marine and submarine experience from ports to pipe-laying, as well as shipbuilding and conversion/repairs.
Disputes and claims upon which members are instructed relate to commercial obligations and/or tortious issues, and may lead to litigation, arbitration, or other forms of alternative dispute resolution such as mediation.
Members have also acquired significant experience of presenting cases conducted under the auspices of the leading arbitral institutions including but not limited to the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) and Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA).
Members of Atkin Chambers are authors of authoritative and influential legal texts including The Building Law Reports and The International Construction Law Review. The members of Atkin Chambers have edited ‘Hudson’s Building and Engineering Contracts’, the seminal textbook on construction law since 1959. Hudson has always had a strong international element, comparing and commenting on legal developments in numerous Commonwealth and other jurisdictions, including those of Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
Languages
Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese)- Construction