Mr Andrew White KC KC > Atkin Chambers > London, England > Barrister Profile
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Mr Andrew White KC KC

Position
Andrew enjoys an international reputation as a commercial silk. He regularly appears as counsel in English High Court litigation, and international and domestic arbitrations, as well as mediations and expert determinations. He appeared in the House of Lords for the landmark decision of Murphy v Brentwood District Council.
Clients talk of his abilities as an authoritative, heavyweight, measured and incisive advocate with an ability to master the most complex of cases while also being a commercial team player who works “ferociously hard” on behalf of his clients. He is regularly instructed by the world’s largest law firms on behalf of major construction, engineering and energy companies, governments and state entities.
Andrew’s practice includes large civil engineering and building disputes such as hospitals and airports, shipbuilding and ship conversion, rail and rolling stock, and significant work in energy – both oil and gas, and renewable projects. He is also called on for related disputes, such as contracts for the sale and purchase of oil and gas, and more general commercial work.
Most of his work is international in nature and in recent years he has acted in disputes in Europe, North and South America, Australia, the UAE and across Asia. He has been instructed as counsel in the Court of Appeal in Gibraltar, in the High Court of Hong Kong and in arbitrations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brussels, Gibraltar, and Tanzania.
Andrew has also been appointed as an arbitrator – both as chair and party-appointed – in UNCITRAL, ICC, SIAC, LCIA and ad hoc arbitrations in England, Singapore, Nigeria, Switzerland, Paris, Trinidad, Australia, New Zealand and New York. In 2018 Andrew was appointed to the approved panel of arbitrators at the Astana International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) in Kazakhstan.
He has recently worked on one of the largest claims before the TCC arising out of the Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm off the coast of East Anglia acting for a major Chinese state-owned multinational engineering company (Fluor v Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co, [2016] EWHC 2062 (TCC) and also [2016] EWHC 2500 (TCC), [2018] EWHC 1 (TCC), [2018] EWHC 490 (TCC)).
Other recent energy disputes include representing one of the world’s largest offshore drilling companies in a dispute related to exploration operations offshore Libya; an ad hoc arbitration under an amended EPC agreement on behalf of the Chinese contractor in a dispute in relation to a coal-fired power plant in India, and a multi-million-pound ICC arbitration with an Abu Dhabi seat in relation to a contract dispute concerning the upgrading of one of the world’s largest oil refineries.
His wider commercial experience is significant. In recent years this has included a Middle East dispute over a royalty agreement. He also has considerable experience in the professional indemnity, IT and telecommunications, and procurement fields.
Career
Educated University College Cardiff, LLB (Hons), 1975-79. Megarry Scholar and Hardwicke Scholar of Lincoln’s Inn. Called to the Bar 1980, QC 1997, Bencher of Lincoln’s Inn 2003. Appointed to the approved panel of arbitrators at the Astana International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) 2018
Memberships
Andrew is a member of TECBAR, COMBAR and the Western Circuit.
Lawyer Rankings
London Bar > International arbitration: arbitrators
(Leading counsel as arbitrators)Ranked: Tier 2Andrew White KC –Atkin Chambers ‘Andrew is simply one of the best presiding arbitrators.’
London Bar > Construction
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1Andrew White KC – Atkin Chambers ‘Andrew is a phenomenal advocate and his experience shines through. He remains calm under pressure and sees through the vast detail to grasp the points that matter.’
London Bar > Professional negligence
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 2London Bar > International arbitration: counsel
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1London Bar > Energy
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1Andrew White KC –Atkin Chambers ‘A phenomenal advocate whose experience shines through. He remains calm under pressure and sees the bigger picture.’
Atkin Chambers is ‘an excellent set for construction and energy‘, and garners praise for its ‘excellent offering in terms of expertise in construction disputes‘. The team’s recent workload includes advising on solar, wind, hydro and biofuel projects and nuclear power matters, and the group is adept at representing local and national governments and energy majors in upstream and downstream oil and gas projects. Among the silks, Stephen Dennison KC is a go-to counsel and arbitrator in prominent energy disputes, and Andrew White KC is particularly well known for advising on cases concerning the design and construction of on-shore and off-shore installations including oil rigs, pipelines and FPSO units. Simon Crawshaw recently advised on a claim arising from the termination of a contract for the supply of Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF).
Regional International Arbitration – The Bar > Construction, energy and infrastructure
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1Andrew White KC – Atkin Chambers ‘Andrew excels in cross-examination, demonstrating a keen ability to dissect and challenge evidence effectively. His strategic questioning and sharp analytical skills often reveal critical insights that can turn the tide of a case.’
Middle East: The English Bar > Construction
(Leading silks)Ranked: Tier 1Andrew White KC – Atkin Chambers ‘Andrew is an outstanding barrister with extensive expertise in construction disputes. His exceptional ability to digest and analyse vast volumes of case material, transforming them into clear and meticulously documented cases is invaluable. His excellent client-facing skills inspire confidence, as he consistently provides strong leadership and guidance throughout complex legal proceedings.’