Set Profile > Atkin Chambers > London, England

Construction Tier 1

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.

Energy Tier 2

Atkin Chambers is 'a "go-to" set for energy construction and engineering disputes'. Clients remark that it is 'very strong academically and has excellent counsel' and that the clerks are 'impressive, welcoming and efficient'. It is a commercial set with an international reputation in energy project disputes, including the construction of power generation plants, FPSOs, drilling rigs, and subsea cabling and pipe-laying vessels. Andrew White QC  and Mark Chennells acted in a $400m TCC action arising out of Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm project – one of the biggest cases by quantum in the TCC. Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC handled a high-value claim arising from an EPC project in the Gulf.

International arbitration: counsel Tier 2

Atkin Chambers is the 'number one set for construction law' with some 'standout barristers' whose 'competence and experience is really what you need for complex and international disputes'. The set has a hugely impressive global reach, and members are extremely experienced acting on disputes in the Middle East and Asia. In Latin America, Manus McMullan QC successfully represented the Panama Canal Authority which received another award in its favour in December 2018 as part of its ongoing series of arbitrations with Grupo Unidos per el Canal.

Professional negligence Tier 2

Atkin Chambers is an 'extremely strong construction set' and is therefore 'well placed to handle complex construction, engineering, infrastructure and energy-related professional negligence disputes.' Nicholas Baatz QC represented the developer in Bullring Ltd Partnership v Laing O'Rourke, which examined the design and construction of the iconic Selfridges store at the Birmingham Bullring. Stephanie Barwise QC is representing a group of survivors, bereaved relatives, and former residents in The Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry. Phase 2 of the inquiry is due to commence in 2019 and will involve matters which could eventually give rise to actions for negligence. James Howells QC is leading Lucie Briggs in acting for the first defendant in Premier Inn Hotels Ltd v AP14 Ltd & S&T (UK) Ltd & SD Samuels (Special Projects) Ltd, a £6m claim brought by the hotel chain arising out of the design and specification of the cladding on its hotel at Heathrow.

Product liability Tier 3

Mediators Tier 4

Atkin Chambers' Michael Shane has mediated over 1,700 disputes; his areas of expertise include insurance, finance, construction and engineering, energy and IP disputes.

Mediators Tier 5

Sir Robert Akenhead at Atkin Chambers is a former Judge in Charge of the Technology and Construction Court; his mediation experience includes a dispute involving a power plant in Africa.

Mediators Tier 5

Atkin Chambers' Her Honour Frances Kirkham CBE is a former Technology and Construction Court (Birmingham) judge. She is regularly instructed on mediations involving construction and engineering matters.

IT and telecoms

Atkin Chambers is a set to note for IT infrastructure disputes, within which its barristers have acted both for and against software providers. In a recent work example, James Howells QC is representing PTT Limited in a dispute with Triple Point Technology Inc relating to $13m claims and counterclaims arising out of the termination of a contract for the design and implementation of IT systems across Asia and Gulf businesses.

Set overviews: England and Wales

Atkin Chambers is ‘an extremely strong construction set’ with ‘competent, down-to-earth barristers, who are commercial and demonstrate excellent client service’. Chambers has ‘an impressive number of skilled international arbitration practitioners at senior level and some of the most impressive arbitrators sitting on international disputes’. Chambers has been strengthened following the arrival of construction and professional negligence junior Katie Powell from 4 New Square. The clerks’ room ‘appreciate the bigger picture and need for lasting relationships’. The clerks are ‘knowledgeable, helpful, and proactive and work to find solutions to issues that arise’. Chief executive and director of clerking David Barnes is ‘a consummate professional. Provides a reassuring and reliably excellent level of service’. Chambers is ‘fortunate to have the standout’ senior clerk Justin Wilson, who is ‘impressive and particularly helpful’ to instructing solicitors. Senior practice manager Rob Bryant is ‘an up-and-coming star’. Fellow senior practice manager Andrew Burrows and practice manager Matthew Ashman are ‘very responsive and a pleasure to work with’. Offices in: London

Diversity/Community

Corporate Social Responsibility

Equal opportunities

Atkin Chambers is a modern, forward-looking set with an international outlook.

Chambers is committed to respecting and understanding the cultural needs of its diverse and global client base, and is committed to equality and diversity in both recruitment and the provision of services.

Please see our section on equality and diversity for further information.

Diversity at the Bar

Chambers understands the importance of the legal profession, including the Bar and the Judiciary, reflecting the make-up of society. Chambers welcomes members, pupils and staff of all ages, genders, socio-economic backgrounds, and sexual orientations/gender reassignment and those with disabilities.

Chambers is proud that members have a diverse range of ages, backgrounds and ethnicities.  Languages spoken include Mandarin, Cantonese, Urdu, French, German and Italian. Chambers aims to follow best practice with regards to disability and reasonable adjustments.

25% of members are female. The proportion of female silks is also 25%.

Chambers welcomes the opportunity to work with other groups to foster equality and diversity at the Bar.

For more information about diversity at the Bar, please see the Bar Council website.

Wellness at the Bar

Recognising the importance of work-life balance and providing support to all who work at Atkin Chambers, Chambers has implemented an assistance programme with Health Assured for all members, door tenants and staff at Atkin Chambers.  The programme provides top-up support to that provided under Chambers’ private medical health insurance scheme, and that accessible through LawCare.

Atkin Chambers commends the efforts by the Bar Council of England and Wales, the Inns of Court and the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks in its development of the Wellbeing at the Bar portal which provides support and best practice to barristers, clerks and chambers on wellbeing and mental health issues.

Pro Bono

Atkin Chambers, and the vast majority of members have for many years actively supported the Bar Pro Bono Unit, including by being members of the panel of available barristers and through financial donations.

Members and staff of Atkin Chambers also support the London Legal Walk raising money for the London Legal Support Trust, the Free Representation Unit and the Bar Pro Bono Unit.

Active in the community

Many members of Atkin Chambers are, in a private capacity, engaged with a range of community organisations and networks. Chambers is supporting work experience for students of a north London school where a member is on the board of governors.

Many members of Atkin Chambers are also active in the legal community for example Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC was, during 2016, Chairman of the Bar of England and Wales, Martin Bowdery QC is the recent outgoing chair of the Technology & Construction Bar Association (TECBAR). Serena Cheng QC and Felicity Dynes are on the committee and Christopher Reid edits its newsletter. Lauren Adams is a current council member of The Society of Construction Law. Serena Cheng QC and Jennifer Jones are both advocacy tutors for Lincoln’s Inn.  Simon Lofthouse QC has been an advocacy trainer for Gray’s Inn since 2004.

Living Wage employer

Atkin Chambers is an accredited Living Wage employer.