Atkin Chambers > London, England > Set Profile
Atkin Chambers Offices
1, Atkin Building, Gray's Inn
LONDON
WC1R 5AT
England
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Atkin Chambers > The Legal 500 Rankings
London Bar > Construction Tier 1
Retaining its firm standing as a ‘market-leading’ set for construction disputes, Atkin Chambers has continued handling high-stakes matters in the UK and internationally. As one example of the chambers’ prowess in construction-related international arbitrations, the set’s mainstay, the Third Set of Locks Project on the Panama Canal saw Manus McMullan KC and Christopher Lewis KC represent the Panama Canal Authority in a series of high-value claims. Domestically, Dominique Rawley KC and Jennifer Jones KC (a 2024 silk appointment) defended Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick and Balfour Beatty Group in Northumbria Healthcare NHS v Lendlease Construction, a case concerning alleged structural defects at the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, while Simon Lofthouse KC and Omar Eljadi represented one of Lendlease’s subcontractors in the related Lendlease Construction v MPB Structures counterclaims. In an expansive multi-party dispute, among others Chantal-Aimée Doerries KC and David Streatfeild-James KC acted for Morrisons against Lorien Engineering Solutions regarding alleged defects in the refrigeration systems of its pork abattoir in Colne. Stephanie Barwise KC has been advising on cladding issues and the Building Safety Act, and has made clarification submissions on Grenfell – a number of other members of chambers have been involved in litigation surrounding related issues of cladding and fire safety. Notable internal changes include Stuart Catchpole KC joining from 39 Essex Chambers and Rupert Choat KC taking silk in March 2022.Rising stars
Leading Silks
2022 Silks
2024 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘David Barnes and Justin Wilson are extremely good clerks.’
‘The Atkin Chambers clerking team is very good: they are responsive and take steps to understand the instruction. Justin Wilson is great to work with and goes the extra mile to ensure that he finds suitable counsel.’
‘The clerks – in particular David Barnes and Justin Wilson – are friendly and helpful.’
‘Atkin Chambers is our number one go-to chambers for construction barristers. Their barristers are experienced with in-depth construction legal knowledge.’
‘Atkin Chambers is one of my first ports of call when looking for construction and arbitration barristers.’
‘Atkin Chambers is market-leading in construction. They have a good range of counsel at all levels of seniority and they are experienced in appearing before the full range of Courts and tribunals applying to construction disputes.’
‘Atkin Chambers is one of the top sets for Construction and Engineering work. They have a number of top-quality barristers (both at junior and KC level) who are dedicated to providing excellent client service.’
‘Atkin Chambers is the leading construction set; the quality of its silks and juniors is unparalleled.’
London Bar > Energy Tier 2
Atkin Chambers is widely regarded as one of the leading energy construction sets, it is ‘very well known for its high-quality service’ in high-value matters spanning upstream and downstream oil and gas projects, conventional power stations, and newer technologies that are enabling energy transition. Its members frequently act for many of the world’s energy majors as well as national and local governments. Stephen Dennison KC is involved in a high-profile £133m claim by EWH arising from the termination of MW High Tech Projects UK Ltd in the construction of a waste to energy power plant in Hull. Increasingly prominent junior Shourav Lahiri frequently acts as an advocate in international construction and energy disputes in Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Beijing and London for clients in East Asia, South Asia and the Gulf.
Rising stars
Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Rupert Choat KC – Atkin Chambers ‘Very commercial and client-focused, Rupert grasps the client’s strategic objectives and finds a way through even the most complicated cases.’
Leading Juniors
Lauren Adams – Atkin Chambers ‘Even in the company of silks Lauren will be the brightest person in the room. The speed with which she grasps the key issues of a matter is startling.’
Testimonials
‘The clerks room is very good – Justin Wilson heads a great team, very efficient and good service.’
‘The clerks service is generally excellent. I especially refer to David Barnes, who always pays attention to the client and the instructing solicitors.’
‘The clerks service has been sound and prompt.’
‘Justin Wilson was outstanding, knowledgeable, responsive and exceptionally commercial showing just how important good clerking is to the overall relationship – not something we have the pleasure of seeing every day.’
‘Senior practice manager Andy Burrows is responsive and helpful.’
‘Great strength-in-depth. You always know you will get great quality.’
‘One of the biggest construction and energy sets, with a well-deserved reputation for being very good at work in those fields.’
‘The chambers is very well known for its high-quality service and I am satisfied with its performance.’
Work highlights
London Bar > International arbitration: counsel Tier 2
Atkin Chambers boasts a well-respected ‘strong bench at various levels of counsel’, adept at resolving international arbitrations arising out of complex construction, energy, technology and infrastructure disputes across multiple jurisdictions. Instructions are frequently received in high-profile arbitrations in the Middle East, recent examples include Riaz Hussain KC, leading Marc Lixenberg, acting in a dispute regarding high rise commercial and residential towers in the UAE and experienced Camille Slow KCacting for a key Dubai developer. Slow also acted for the claimant in an interim application concerning the construction of a major road project in eastern Europe. Nicholas Collings is instructed on an ICC arbitration on behalf of the claimant design and build contractor for various claims relating to works to a highway in South America. The Panama Canal multi-billion-dollar dispute continues with Manus McMullan KC, Christopher Lewis KC and Peter Land.Leading Silks
2022 Silks
2024 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘The clerks – in particular David Barnes and Justin Wilson – are friendly and helpful. They are flexible and attentive to the needs of Hong Kong clients, especially when it comes to practical considerations such as time difference.’
‘Very effective clerks room – efficient and good to work with.’
‘The whole clerking room is fantastic.’
‘Atkin has great strength in depth in the field of international arbitration.’
‘Atkin Chambers is the stand out construction set.’
‘Atkin Chambers is our number one goes to chambers for construction barrister. Their barristers are experienced with in-depth arbitration legal knowledge.’
‘Atkin are a strong set of Chambers in construction law and international construction arbitration. It has a number of very strong KCs in this field including Nick Dennys, Andrew White, Stephen Dennison and Stuart Catchpole. They also have a strong set of junior barristers in this field including Camille Slow.’
Work highlights
London Bar > IT and telecoms (infrastructure and contracts) Tier 2
Building on its status as one of the pre-eminent construction sets, the members of Atkin Chambers are well-placed to act in disputes related to the systems underpinning large-scale facilities including airports, train networks, power stations and hospitals. David Streatfeild-James KC is acting for a supplier of renewable source electricity and energy solutions in a £40m termination dispute pertaining to the allegedly negligent design of a new billing and data management system raising issues of breach of contract, limitation of liability and possible fraudulent misrepresentation – a four-week trial is set for 2024. Patrick Clarke acts for the defendant in TCC proceedings concerned with a claim for £1m in connection with the engineering of an automated manufacturing process for fighter jet countermeasures. Peter Land, as a former engineer, is experienced in transport systems disputes, James Howells KC has an international practice in this space.Leading Silks
Testimonials
‘The Atkins clerk are second to none. They are consistently available, helpful and commercially sensible.’
‘We use Atkin almost daily. A great set.’
‘First port of call for technology work.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Professional negligence Tier 2
Atkin Chambers is a ‘market-leading’ construction set, with this expertise being relayed into a professional negligence practice concerning the built environment. Members of the set are regularly involved in the TCC and arbitration in disputes arising out of loss suffered as a result of negligent advice from a wide range of construction professionals. David Streatfeild-James KC recently acted for a contractor in a £115m dispute concerning alleged design defects in the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway, a high-profile infrastructure project in Cambridgeshire - proceedings included negligence claims against the structural and geotechnical engineering subcontractor that designed the works.Leading Silks
2022 Silks
2024 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘I generally find their clerks are helpful and responsive. I have known Justin Wilson for many years and he is always available to assist and great at finding the right barrister.’
‘The set has a deservedly high reputation for the quality of its counsel. The clerks are particularly good at understanding whether particular individuals might be better suited to a given matter.’
‘Excellent range of counsel, clerking always been very good.’
‘Service from the clerks is always good.’
‘The clerks are really responsive and very good at understanding the strengths of particular counsel and suitability for a matter.’
‘Atkin Chambers is market-leading in construction. They have a good range of counsel at all levels of seniority and they are experienced in appearing before the full range of courts and tribunals concerning construction disputes.’
‘Strong on professional negligence work in the construction sector.’
‘Very good chambers, our go-to set for construction counsel.’
Work highlights
London Bar > International arbitration: arbitrators Tier 3
Atkin Chambers is ‘first-class, a superb construction set’, many of whose members receive frequent arbitration appointments for their expertise in disputes concerning major energy projects across exploration and extraction, power plant construction and infrastructure as well as mining and major commercial and leisure developments, IT and transport infrastructure. Full-time arbitrators include Sir Robert Akenhead and Doug Jones . In addition to his counsel practice, Martin Bowdery KC is also a Deputy High Court Judge and was appointed to the ADGM Arbitration Centre’s Panel of Arbitrators. Janet Walker has over 20 years’ experience as sole, presiding and co-arbitrator in commercial and treaty investment arbitrations. In 2022, Stuart Catchpole KC was appointed to the panel of arbitrators of the BVI International Arbitration Centre.Leading arbitrators
Leading counsel as arbitrators
Testimonials
‘David Barnes is the gold standard.’
‘Extremely efficient and responsive, led by the finest CEO at the bar, David Barnes.’
‘David Barnes is commercial, clever and diplomatically savvy; Justin Wilson is responsive and sharp; Andrew Burrows and Rob Bryant are both responsive and capable.’
‘An exceptional set of construction practitioners.’
‘Excellent chambers with strength in depth, led by an excellent team.’
‘Top specialist set.’
‘One of the top sets in construction with a wide bench. ‘
Work highlights
Dispute resolution > Mediators Tier 4
Michael Shane – Atkin Chambers A full-time mediator for approximately 25 years, Michael Shane at Atkin Chambers has mediated over 1,500 major disputes in the UK, US, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and Africa. Shane maintains a broad commercial disputes practice, his track record including successfully mediating disputes involving hospitals, luxury hotels, and large infrastructure projects.Sir Robert Akenhead – Atkin Chambers Since retiring as a judge, Sir Robert Akenhead at Atkin Chambers acts as mediator, arbitrator, adjudicator, expert and conciliator in disputes throughout the world. Construction law expert Akenhead is routinely appointed to mediate conflicts that are either factually complex or have several parties involved (including insurers and local authorities).Work highlights
London Bar > Insurance and reinsurance
Asia Pacific - The English Bar > Construction, energy and infrastructure Tier 1
‘A go-to set for any construction dispute‘, Atkin Chambers maintains a strong presence across multiple Asia Pacific jurisdictions, including Singapore, Vietnam, India, the Philippines and Greater China. Chantal-Aimée Doerries KC is noted for her excellent track record in handling disputes arising from LNG and oil field projects, and Andrew White KC garners praise as ‘one of the top barristers in the field of construction and engineering disputes‘. Arbitration expert Stuart Catchpole KC is highly regarded for his ‘very extensive specialist construction expertise‘. Samar Abbas Kazmi continues to act in complex international construction and energy arbitrations, and ‘rising star‘ Mathias Cheung is ‘extraordinarily detailed and can assess critical issues quickly‘.Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘David Barnes is a class of his own at the Bar.’
‘David Barnes has strong acumen on how to develop the practice, knows well the client’s needs and is always able to recommend a suitable barrister. He runs a tight and solid operation.’
‘David Barnes is the gold standard.’
‘Atkin Chambers has a good reputation as a leading construction/engineering set.’
‘Super construction law set.’
‘A great set.’
‘The clerks are a pleasure to deal with.’
‘The clerks are very responsive and understanding of solicitors’ needs.’
Middle East: The English Bar > Construction Tier 1
Atkin Chambers is renowned for its proficiency in construction, energy, and infrastructure disputes, notably mixed-use, transportation, and power developments. Chantal-Aimée Doerries KC often handles disputes arising from the development of sizeable infrastructure and industrial facility projects. Andrew White KC, Fiona Parkin KC, and Simon Lofthouse KC act as counsel in arbitrations across the Gulf while David Streatfeild-James KC is experienced in renewable energy and mixed-use construction projects. James Howells KC specialises in contentious power mandates, and Riaz Hussain KC is often instructed by sizeable contractors and developers. Zulfikar Khayum is principally focused on international arbitration, and Samar Abbas’ recent caseload includes transport and water infrastructure projects. Christopher Reid is also a key member of the set.Leading silks
2022 Silks
Leading juniors
Testimonials
‘David Barnes is very proactive and a good first point of contact.’
‘Atkin Chambers is superbly run by the charismatic David Barnes and the friendly Justin Wilson.’
‘The clerks were outstanding, the chambers is home to top professionals.’
‘The clerk’s room is responsive and sensible; they are an enjoyable set to work with.’
‘Strength in construction and engineering. The barristers and clerks are very proactive.’
The Atkin Chambers clerks are great to work with. They will always provide a variety of options suitable for a matter.’
‘Their number one reputation is well-deserved. A first class set with huge strength in depth.’
‘We work a lot with Atkin Chambers and appreciate the service. They are always available and happy to assist.’
Work highlights
Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Arbitrators
Leading arbitrators
Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Arbitration counsel
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 | |
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 KC | 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 KC | 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 | |
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 current Head of Atkin Chambers and a… | 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… | View Profile | |
Mr Rónán Hanna | Rónán has broad experience in a wide range of construction and engineering… | View Profile | |
Mr James Howells | James specialises in infrastructure, construction, energy and IT disputes both domestic and… | 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 | |
Caspar Ramsay | Caspar joined Atkin Chambers as a tenant in September 2022, following successful… | 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 | |
Ella Rutter | Ella joined Chambers as a tenant in September 2022, following the successful… | 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 Ryan Turner | Ryan Turner has significant experience in a wide range of construction and… | View Profile | |
Mr Max Twivy | Max joined Atkin Chambers as a tenant in 2019. He has gained… | View Profile | |
Prof Janet Walker | Professor Janet Walker is a leading international commercial arbitrator based in London,… | View Profile | |
Mr Steven Walker | Steven Walker QC specialises in advising and representing parties to complex commercial… | View Profile | |
Mr Andrew White | Andrew enjoys an international reputation as a commercial silk. He regularly appears… | View Profile |
Diversity
Equality and diversity
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.
Chambers operates under an equality and diversity policy in accordance with the Bar Standard Board’s Equality and Diversity Code.
Recruitment and equality and diversity
All applications (be it for staff, tenants, pupils or mini-pupils) are considered on merit alone. All selection procedures are operated without discrimination, that is to say without regard to considerations such as age, sex, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership, religion or belief, or age. Chambers aims to follow best practice with regards to disability and reasonable adjustments.
Chambers also recognises the importance of increasing social mobility at the Bar and looks equally at applications for pupillage and mini-pupillage from graduates of all universities and from all backgrounds and all sectors of the community with the ability and determination to succeed as a barrister.
Partly in recognition of the monetary barriers to entering the Bar, Atkin Chambers offers one of the highest pupillage awards at the Bar and the opportunity to “drawdown” in advance funding towards the costs of the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC). Chambers reimburses all reasonable travel expenses for pupillage interviewees and successful applicants to the mini-pupillage scheme can claim reasonable travel expenses and ask us to arrange overnight accommodation.
Equality and diversity at the Bar
Chambers welcomes the opportunity to work with other groups to foster equality and diversity at the Bar. Atkin Chambers supports FreeBar, a forum focused on LGBT+ people and their allies working at and for the Bar. A number of members of Atkin Chambers are founding members of The TECBAR BAME Network.
Chambers is pleased to support The 10,000 Black Interns Programme for 2021/22 which aims to transform the horizons and prospects of young black people in the UK by offering paid work experience across a wide range of industries, as well as world-class training and development. it is also pleased to be a silver partner of Bridging the Bar and to be participating in its mini pupillage programme for 2022.
Atkin Chambers is a signatory to the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge and the Equal Representation for Expert Witnesses Pledge.
Pro Bono
In 2022 Atkin Chambers agreed to support Support Through Court as a “Changemaker Guardian” for an initial three years. In addition, Atkin Chambers has been a supporter of the work of Advocate (the Bar Pro Bono Unit) as a Pro Bono Patron since 2019.
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Top Tier Set Rankings
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- International arbitration: counsel
- IT and telecoms (infrastructure and contracts)
- Professional negligence