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Charles Banner KC

Charlie Banner KC was called to the Bar of England & Wales in 2004 and to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 2010. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2019 (at the age of 38, the youngest of the 2019 silks). Since 2024 he has been a Working Peer in the House of Lords, in which capacity he sits as a legislator in the upper house of the UK Parliament. He also has significant judicial experience, having sat part-time as a Justice of the Astana International Finance Centre Court in Kazakhstan from 2019 until 2025 and thereafter in the Judicial Greffe in Jersey as an Appeals Inspector hearing planning-related cases. He has a heavyweight practice principally focused on (i) planning & environmental law, (ii) public law, government contracts, public procurement and subsidy control and (iii) commercial disputes, especially in the context of development, infrastructure, construction, energy & real estate. He also has considerable experience of human rights and EU law in these contexts. He is recommended as a leading silk in a total of 8 practice areas by Chambers & Partners (Band 1 for planning) and Legal 500. He was voted the No 1 planning KC in Great Britain in the 2025 and 2026 editions of Planning Magazine’s annual Planning Legal Survey. He has been the recipient of multiple legal industry awards. In April 2024, he was featured as The Times’s Lawyer of the Week. He received the “Highly Commended” accolade in the “Barrister of the Year” category at The Lawyer Awards 2025. His advocacy experience includes over 250 reported cases, including 19 appeals in the UK Supreme Court. He has appeared in 13 cases before the EU Courts (Court of Justice and General Court), 9 cases before the UNECE Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee, 4 cases before the European Court of Human Rights as well as UK Parliamentary Select Committee hearings. He has also appeared in over 250 planning and environmental inquiries/examinations. From 2015 until taking silk in 2019, he was a member of the Attorney General’s A Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown, in which capacity he represented the UK Government in some of its most challenging and high profile cases in the domestic courts and internationally. He also acts as a dispute resolver. He accepts appointments as an Arbitrator (FCIArb & FHKIArb), Mediator (ADR Group Accredited) and Expert. In February 2024, he was appointed by the Prime Minister to undertake an Independent Review of Legal Challenges to Nationally Significant Infrastructure projects. The Banner Review’s report was published in October 2024 (Lord Banner KC review proposes roadmap to speed up delivery of national infrastructure - GOV.UK). Its recommendations were taken forward by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and in updates to the Civil Procedure Rules, as well as being relied upon in the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce’s Nuclear Regulatory Review in November 2025. He is the creator and co-presenter of the high profile cross-chambers planning themed weekly discussion show, ‘Have We Got Planning News For You’, which was nominated for ‘Best Use of Social Media’ at the Legal Cheek Awards 2021. His practice has an international dimension. In addition to his judicial work in Kazakhstan, he has rights of audience in the Dubai International Finance Centre Court (Part II Registered since 2015), and has also undertaken work in or originating from Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas and Trinidad. Alongside his private practice at the Bar, Charlie has held the following non-executive board positions: Advisory Board, the Arora Group, 2026-present. Advisory Committee Chair, SAV Group, 2022-2026. Chair of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the statutory UK nature conservation advisory body, 2023-2024 (previously Deputy Chair 2021-23 and Board Member 2017-2021). Appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment. Standards and Regulation Board, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, 2020-2023. UK Member, European Union Fundamental Rights Agency Management Board, 2017-2020. Appointed by the UK Secretary of State for Justice. He was an elected Committee Member of the Planning and Environment Bar Association from 2020 to 2026. He has also been a Council Member and Trustee of the UK Environmental Law Association (2016-2020) and a College Lecturer in Law at the University of Oxford (2010-2015, holding weekend classes in EU law and administrative law at Lincoln, Oriel and Regent’s Park Colleges). In 2005-06 he spent a year on secondment as Judicial Assistant to the Appellate Committee to the House of Lords (the predecessor to the UK Supreme Court) and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Alexandra Bodnar

Alexandra Bodnar is a sought-after barrister specialising in the litigation and arbitration of UK and international construction and commercial matters. She regularly represents clients in the English Technology & Construction Court and Commercial Court, as well as in front of international and domestic arbitral tribunals. Her work involves high-value, complex construction, engineering, infrastructure and energy projects across the globe. This includes PFI projects, EPC projects and substantial commercial supply projects. Much of her work involves allegations of professional negligence against construction professionals and claims concerning significant damage to property. She has particular expertise in bonds and guarantees, both within the construction sector and concerning business matters more generally. This includes claims for injunctions to restrain guarantee demands, and insurance coverage and avoidance matters. Alex has recently been recognised as Construction Junior of the Year by Chambers & Partners. In addition to acting as an advocate in adversarial proceedings, she advises clients. She also represents clients in alternative dispute resolution proceedings, such as mediation and UK construction adjudication (including adjudication enforcement claims). Alex is consistently recommended in Chambers UK, the Legal 500 and Chambers Global for her construction, professional negligence and insurance & reinsurance work.

Peter Brogden

Peter is an experienced construction barrister with principal specialities in construction, energy, shipbuilding and technology disputes. He has worked on a range of engineering disputes, including power stations, pipelines, oil rigs, LNG processing facilities, refinery and extraction, biomass and civil infrastructure projects. His work includes arbitrations seated around the World, including Australia, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Africa. Highly praised by clients for being ‘a fantastic barrister’ with a ‘good eye for detail’ and a ‘real pleasure to work with’ he is recognised in the legal directories noting his ‘superior forensic capability enabling him to distil complex points and identify risks and issues’. He is also ranked in Legal 500 Asia for “his technical expertise, wider than the law, [which] sets him apart from the others.” Peter is an Honorary Professor at University College London, where he teaches contract administration and law. Peter also sits on the Bar Council’s Information Technology Panel which advises barristers and government departments on the security, data management, GDPR and emergent technologies. He is an experienced arbitrator (FCIArb), accredited panel adjudicator, and a contributing author of Keating on Construction Contracts and Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering Contracts. Recent work includes: Lead counsel in $100m ICC arbitration concerning a series of bridge structures in Sydney. Representing a major Australian contractor in seven multi-billion dollar arbitration hearings concerning near-shore marine works at a gas processing facility. Instructed by the world’s largest construction company in a delay and disruption dispute concerning a South African coal-fired power station. Instructed by a large Australian contractor in a series of LCIA/DIFC international arbitrations relating to a large UAE-based Mall and luxury residential development. Representing a Korean joint venture in a $600 million dispute about a power station in the Middle East. Represented a Hong Kong consultancy in a HK$37m domestic arbitration with a Chinese bank. Instructed by a Singaporean buyer in an LMAA arbitration with a Chinese yard concerning an offshore platform support vessel.

Paul Buckingham KC

After spending eight years with BP as a chemical engineer in the oil and gas industries, Paul Buckingham was called to the Bar in 1995 and has since specialised in major construction, engineering and energy disputes. His particular area of interest and expertise lies in international arbitration work. He has worked on a wide range of contentious matters involving international construction and engineering projects. He has extensive experience of numerous arbitrations under ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL and ad hoc rules. He has also acted on disputes involving most standard form contracts and their derivatives, including the JCT, ICE, IChemE and FIDIC Forms. He regularly acts for clients in court, domestic and international arbitration, adjudication and mediation hearings. Paul also has experience at all levels of alternative dispute resolution including dispute review boards, project appeal panels and direct settlement negotiations. His international work includes matters in the Middle East, Europe, the Far East, Africa and the Caribbean. In addition, Paul has been appointed as arbitrator, adjudicator, dispute board member and neutral evaluator on a range of disputes involving construction and engineering projects.

Veronique Buehrlen KC

Veronique Buehrlen KC has a wide-ranging commercial litigation, international arbitration and advisory practice with special emphasis on complex energy disputes, construction and engineering (both on and offshore). She brings a unique perspective through her varied practice as Leading Counsel and international arbitrator and having sat as a Deputy High Court Judge (Technology & Construction Court (“TCC”)) from 2017-2023. As Counsel, Veronique is known for her meticulous preparation of complex, highly detailed, matters requiring penetrating and determined cross examination of expert and other witnesses. As an International Arbitrator, Veronique is known for being fair, thoughtful and measured. She has a wealth of experience of the workings of the Technology and Construction Court, of the Commercial Court and of various international arbitral fora. As an expert in energy construction disputes Veronique represents parties in substantial litigation. She (for instance) represented the main contractor in a multi-billion-Euro ICC arbitration following the suspension and subsequent termination of the South Stream gas pipeline project. Having spent 20 years at Fountain Court, Veronique also has a strong commercial disputes background. Veronique is recommended by the leading directories for her energy, construction, and international arbitration counsel work, and as an International Arbitrator. In these guides she receives praise from those she has worked with for getting “on top of complex cases in an incredibly short time” and “working at the coal face of the dispute”. Clients appreciate her “strong commercial perspective” and forensic approach to cases, and describe Veronique as a “ferocious cross-examiner” with a “razor-sharp brain” and “laser focus on the fine detail”. Veronique was shortlisted by The Legal 500 for their prestigious International Arbitration Silk of the Year (2019 and 2024) and Arbitrator of the Year awards (2022 and 2023), and by Chambers & Partners for their International Arbitration Silk of the Year award (2023). She is ranked Band 1 for International Arbitration (Arbitrators) by Chambers & Partners, as well as for Energy & Natural Resources and International Arbitration: Construction/Engineering, and as a Leading Silk by The Legal 500. Veronique specialises in all aspects of energy and construction disputes including termination, suspension, rights to payment, varied work, force majeure, frustration, delay and disruption and defective works in relation to both onshore and offshore projects. Her experience has spanned the full spectrum of commercial litigation encompassing major trials, jurisdiction and applicable law disputes, preliminary issues and interim relief. She is familiar with all the standard form contracts including NEC, LOGIC and FIDIC. Veronique has worked (as Counsel and International Arbitrator) on disputes arising out of projects worldwide including on (or offshore) Scotland, France, Italy, Slovakia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Algeria, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Guinea, South Africa, Brazil, Indonesia, Russia and Kazakhstan. As an International Arbitrator, Veronique sits both as Chair and Tribunal Member and receives both party and institutional appointments. Her appointments include a broad spectrum of construction and energy disputes, as well as commercial disputes in other fields (including insurance, aviation, joint ventures, sale of goods and commodities). Veronique is a member of the ICC’s Commission on Arbitration and ADR, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and a member of several arbitrator panels, such as SIAC, DIAC and TECBAR. She has dealt with disputes regarding major infrastructure and other projects worldwide (including onshore and offshore projects in Russia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Oman, Algeria, South Africa, Nigeria, Guinea, Congo, Brazil, Indonesia, Iraq, Mozambique and France). Veronique has sat on arbitral tribunals seated in London, Paris, Singapore, Lagos, Cape Town and various cities in the Middle East, including Riyadh, Doha and Dubai, as well as in Nigeria and South Africa. She has experience of most institutional rules (ICC, LCIA, SIAC, DIAC, UNCITRAL, etc.), as well as ad hoc arrangements and DABs (FIDIC). In May 2017, Veronique was appointed a Deputy High Court Judge and sat regularly in the TCC on a broad range of cases for six years, until May 2023. As judge, arbitrator and Leading Counsel, Veronique has an in-depth understanding of the litigation and decision-making processes. As Leading Counsel, Veronique fully comprehends what a Court or Tribunal requires to reach the right decision. As arbitrator, she remains mindful of the challenges and pressures facing the parties and their representatives.

Paul Bury

Paul Bury is a highly experienced specialist in oral and written advocacy in: domestic and international commercial construction, professional negligence, energy, insurance, offshore, infrastructure projects, and regulatory disputes. He has been described as “razor-sharp…first class [and] a future star of the Construction Bar”. Paul is regularly instructed as sole Counsel or as Junior Counsel in a broad range of disputes including highly complex and high-value High Court proceedings, international and domestic arbitration (in particular ICC, LCIA and UNCITRAL), adjudication and mediation. He has extensive advocacy experience in High Court trials, applications, procedural hearings, and adjudication work as well as in arbitrations and adjudications. Paul has been praised as “a skilled advocate, delivering effective oral arguments and cross-examination at hearings”. Paul has gained particular expertise in cases involving issues of delay and disruption, defects, and contractual termination, and cases involving professional negligence and insurance issues, particularly those involving structural engineers, architects, cladding issues, and energy technology. Paul has extensive knowledge of the JCT, NEC, IChemE Red Book and FIDIC standard form contracts and of the offshore LOGIC and SAJ forms. Some of the larger TCC matters he has been involved in include Energy Works (Hull) Ltd v MW High Tech Projects, LDC v George Downing Construction, Bluewater Energy Services BV v Mercon Steel Structures BV and Vivergo Fuels Ltd v Redhall Engineering Solutions Ltd and, in adjudication, Eurocom v Siemens. Paul’s international arbitration practice has seen him act for clients on projects based in jurisdictions such as South Africa, Dubai, Hong Kong, South Korea, China, Qatar and Nigeria. Having previously worked for a leading international law firm in Brussels on complex regulatory issues involving blue-chip international companies, Paul is adept at taking a commercial approach to legal issues and dispute resolution and receives praise from clients for his ability “to penetrate difficult details” with “an impressive grasp of the technical detail of a case”. He is recommended as a leading junior in the legal directories for construction, energy and professional negligence and is described as “undoubtedly a star of the future”.

Gaynor Chambers

Gaynor Chambers had a previous career in building surveying and spent several years in the construction industry before she became a barrister in 1998. Recently described as “a great tactician” who “understands what the client wants to achieve”, Gaynor has been ranked in the directories for construction for almost 20 years. Her construction practice is wide ranging. She regularly appears in the Technology and Construction Court and is experienced in arbitrations under the UNCITRAL, LCIA, ICC and ad hoc rules. Gaynor has dealt with disputes arising out of most standard form contracts, including the JCT, I Chem E and FIDIC forms, as well as matters arising out of ad hoc and PFI contracts. She is well versed in adjudication related matters not only as a barrister but also as an adjudicator, having produced over 40 decisions to date. Water related disputes are a core specialism. Gaynor is the first port of call for one of the largest national water utility companies in the UK. She regularly deals with disputes arising under the Water Industry Act 1991 and associated legislation, including matters arising out of the exit from the non-household retail market. She also has extensive experience in relation to water system design and commissioning issues, including legionella, pseudomonas aeruginosa and NTMs in commercial and healthcare settings. A further specialist area is subsidence related matters, ranging from mining subsidence claims to sinkholes, particularly those affecting highways and adjacent areas. Gaynor’s UK and international energy practice focuses on both upstream and downstream disputes, including matters arising out of new technologies. She is regularly instructed by professional indemnity insurers in claims against Architects and engineers.

Richard Coplin KC

Richard Coplin KC is a qualified engineer and spent several years in the energy industry before becoming a barrister. He specialises in dispute resolution in the construction, engineering, energy and technology sectors. Richard acts for clients on claims in the English courts, particularly the Technology and Construction Court (TCC), but he also has extensive experience of adjudication having acted on numerous adjudication claims over the years along with matters of enforcement. He is particularly well regarded for his work on professional negligence claims relating to architects, engineers, surveyors and valuers. Arbitration in the UK and abroad is another important element of Richard’s practice, having worked on several multi million pound arbitration claims in recent years relating to large infrastructure and stadium projects in the UK and ICC arbitrations in the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East, including DIAC arbitrations under UAE law. Richard has particular strengths in understanding and advising in respect of legal issues arising out of complex engineering matters, particularly in the fields of mechanical and structural engineering and in areas such as offshore construction, energy and power, acoustics, manufacturing, materials science, corrosion and transportation. Richard’s extensive experience of complex construction contracts has seen his career develop into related commercial fields, successfully arguing cases as diverse as the proper construction of election rules for an unincorporated association, the effects of promises not to sue, and the application of the Football League and Football Association Rules to a transfer dispute before an FA tribunal.

Tom Coulson

Tom Coulson has a busy practice in domestic and international construction, engineering, and energy disputes, together with associated professional negligence and insurance matters. Tom has acted in a number of the most significant and substantial disputes in the TCC in recent years, including Martlet Homes Ltd v Mulalley & Co Ltd, the first cladding and fire safety trial in the TCC following the Grenfell Tower fire, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust v Lendlease Construction (Europe) Ltd, selected by The Lawyer as one of its ‘Top Cases of 2022’, and Equitix v Fox & ors, a three-week trial in 2021 concerning and energy from waste plant. Tom is described as “a rising star at the Construction Bar” and as having “significant experience as junior or sole counsel in TCC proceedings” (Chambers and Partners 2021). He is described as offering “great analytical skills” and as “extremely helpful and proactive not just in terms of legal advice but also strategically”. Tom is familiar with a wider range of standard forms. He is a contributor to Keating on JCT Contracts, and also has significant experience of the various FIDIC and NEC forms. Tom is also a contributor to Keating on Construction Contracts, Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering Contracts, and to the Construction Law Reports. Recent experience as sole counsel includes: The trial of a Part 8 claim in an energy dispute concerning an expert determination (Empyreal Energy Ltd v Daylighting Power Ltd [2020] BLR 555. Acting for a major homebuilder in the trial of preliminary issues concerning potential liability in tort for economic loss for building defects (Thomas v Taylor Wimpey [2019] BLR 382). An appeal concerning the relationship between the Part 36 regime and the rules governing amendments (Bentley Design Consultants Ltd v Sansom [2018] EWHC 2238 (TCC)). Acting for a contractor in a 3-day trial in the TCC. Recent experience as junior counsel includes: A challenge to an international arbitration award arising out a project to extend a port facility in Jordan (Soletanche Bachy France SAS v Aqaba Container Terminal (PVT.) Co. [2019] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 431). Junior counsel in a 2-week, $300m arbitration arising out of the construction of a natural gas pipeline. Appeals to the Court of Appeal concerned with the scope of an employer’s implied contractual obligations to obtain planning consent (Clin v Walter Lilly [2018] BLR 321) and the requirements of the conservation area regime (Walter Lilly v Clin [2021] 1 WLR 2753). Appearing in a 3-week, $120m ICC arbitration in Australia arising out of a marine engineering project.

Harriet Di Francesco

Harriet’s practice spans Chambers’ core specialisms including construction, engineering, property (particularly in relation to the BSA 2022), professional negligence, PFI, and procurement. She is ranked by Chambers & Partners in construction and has been described by clients as “extremely sharp, efficient and effective” and “utterly dedicated, extremely competent and always willing to assist". Harriet is regularly instructed both as junior counsel and in her own right, and her broad experience includes instructions from both international and domestic clients. Harriet has developed a solid practice in litigation, adjudication and arbitration. She has acted for employers, contractors and subcontractors in complex construction, professional negligence and energy disputes. Recent experience includes: an ICC arbitration in which Italian law applied; acting for the developer in a series of adjudications and parallel TCC proceedings relating to unacceptable cladding on multiple buildings across the UK; and Part 8 proceedings in the High Court concerning questions of contractual interpretation and rectification. Harriet has experience with many major standard form contracts including JCT, NEC, FIDIC, RIBA, CECA and MF/1. Harriet is a contributor to ‘Keating on JCT Contracts’ and the Construction Law Reports. Harriet regularly provides training and seminars on questions of procedural and substantive law for professional and lay clients.

Elizabeth Donnelly

Elizabeth Donnelly was called to the Bar in 2020 and joined Keating Chambers as a tenant in September 2021. Elizabeth’s practice encompasses the core specialist areas of Keating Chambers. She welcomes instructions to advise, draft pleadings and represent clients in disputes arising from construction, engineering, energy, infrastructure, and offshore projects. She has experience of acting as sole counsel, and as junior counsel in large legal teams. Before coming to the Bar, Elizabeth spent a year as Judicial Assistant to Lord Justice McCombe in the Court of Appeal of England and Wales. Prior to that, she undertook a six-month traineeship with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in Paris, where she worked on several international commercial arbitrations and investment treaty arbitrations. She holds degrees from the University of Cambridge and the London School of Economics and Political Science, and completed her legal training at BPP University. Elizabeth is fluent in French. She is also a proficient Spanish-speaker.

Timothy Elliott KC

Tim Elliott KC has specialised in construction, engineering, energy and professional negligence work for over 40 years. He has a wide ranging experience of all aspects of these fields in litigation and all forms of alternative dispute resolution such as arbitration, adjudication and mediation. Tim Elliott now works mainly as a domestic and international arbitrator. His appointments include arbitrations for bodies such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), DIFC-LCIA, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre and the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre. The locations of his cases have included the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa, Azerbaijan, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong. He comes recommended by Chambers & Partners, where he is described as being “hard-working” and having “the perfect temperament for an arbitrator”.

Robert Evans

Robert Evans predominately acts as arbitrator, adjudicator and mediator in international and domestic disputes. He began his career as a civil engineer, working for international consultants and contractors in the UK and in Hong Kong, and was subsequently called to the Bar in 1989. Robert utilises his strong civil engineering background and is often instructed in disputes with highly technical issues as a result. Robert is a CEDR accredited mediator, and a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers’ panels of arbitrators and adjudicators. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and is past chair of the ICE Dispute Resolution Committee. As counsel, Robert specialised in construction, engineering and energy disputes and professional negligence work in the UK and abroad. He brings this experience to his arbitration and mediation practice. In addition, he has a particular interest in yacht and boat design and construction, and has been involved in a number of ship-building disputes, including military vessels. Robert successfully mediated a number of remote mediations during the COVID-19 lockdown, using many of the main video platforms. He has also provided expert evidence on English law in Spanish Civil Court proceedings. Robert is a supporter of and signatory to the World Mediators Alliance on Climate Change (WoMACC) Green Pledge. He has committed to minimising the environmental impact of each mediation in which he is involved in the ways outlined in the Pledge, including avoiding unnecessary travel and using electronic technology wherever possible, and encouraging those with whom he mediates similarly to minimise their carbon emissions. The full pledge can be found at https://womacc.org/.

Matthew Finn

Matthew Finn is a commercial barrister specialising in high-value, complex, and often highly technical, commercial disputes. His practice encompasses disputes in the construction and energy sectors and a wide range of other commercial disputes, including claims of civil fraud, and disputes concerning the sale of goods, shipping, and aviation. Matthew regularly acts for clients in the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and in the Supreme Court, as well as in major international arbitrations and in in adjudications (contractual and statutory). Client Testimonials "Matthew is one of the best all-round juniors on the market for big-ticket construction cases." (Legal 500, 2025) “A great adviser and a really impressive advocate. He is an unbelievably persuasive orator.” (Chambers & Partners, 2024) “Matt is a pleasure to work with, provides excellent insight on strategy and has an impressive manner with clients.” (Chambers & Partners, 2024) “Incredibly hard-working and user-friendly. A go-to senior junior for high-value, complex cases.” (Legal 500 UK 2024) “Very bright, comprehensive, and tactically very good. He has the ability to distil complex legal matters down into common-sense advice” (Legal 500 UK 2023) “He produces precise and efficient pleadings that are very hard for the opposition to knock back.” (Chambers & Partners, 2023) “He is clear and concise in his advice … he operates really well under pressure.” (Chambers & Partners, 2023) “An excellent junior with a keen eye for detail, Matthew delivers crisp submissions which cut through complex arguments.” (Chambers & Partners, 2023) “He is an excellent junior who punches above his weight. He is very responsive and provides clear and considered advice.” (Chambers & Partners, 2023) “Extremely intelligent, with mature judgement. He is accessible and very articulate.” (Legal 500, 2022) Ongoing and Recent Matters Matthew is presently acting in, or has recently acted in, the following matters: Sole Counsel in a $100m dispute relating to the renovation of a Ukrainian nuclear power plant (ICC arbitration) For the claimants in a $1 billion dispute relating to the construction of a coal-fired power station in South Africa (ICC arbitration) With Veronique Buehrlen KC in a $250m sale of goods dispute, relating to an oil and gas field offshore Ghana (Commercial Court) Sole Counsel in a conflict of laws dispute regarding the misappropriation of funds by a Spanish company operating in Norway and Monaco With David Thomas KC and Calum Lamont KC in a £200m infrastructure dispute involving a UK governmental body (serial adjudications and arbitrations) Sole Counsel in a sports law dispute in a claim relating to unpaid agency fees arising from the transfer of a well-known footballer With Robert-Jan Temmink KC in a £170m civil fraud claim against US and Finnish companies relating to a state of the art energy plant (High Court, London) For the claimants in a £100m civil fraud dispute relating to a PFI contract (High Court, London) For the claimants in a $80m dispute concerned with the construction of an underground metro system (ICC arbitration) Sole Counsel in respect of two linked disputes worth $10m, relating to the construction of a casino in Macau (LCIA arbitration) Sole Counsel, in a £5m corporate finance dispute relating to the return of IPO investment funds (Commercial Court) Acting with Alexander Nissen KC in a dispute concerned with the proper interpretation of the Construction Act (Court of Appeal) Acting with Lord Banner KC in a planning dispute (Supreme Court)

James Frampton

James Frampton specialises in construction, engineering, energy and procurement disputes. He is ranked for Construction, Professional Negligence and Public Procurement by Chambers and Partners and for Construction, Professional Negligence, International Arbitration (both at the London Bar and in the Middle East) by Legal 500: “Very bright, focuses on the key issues, always prepares comprehensively, very good advocate, great manner. He is a star junior.” James’ recent instructions have included a particular focus on: Building Safety Act 2022 and fire safety/cladding matters. James acted as Junior Counsel for Mulalley in the first fire-safety cladding case to be tried in the TCC since the Grenfell Tower (Martlet Homes Limited v Mulalley & Co Limited [2022] EWHC 1813 (TCC). James is currently instructed as Junior Counsel on TCC claims involving applications for Building Liability Orders and liability under section 149 of the Building Safety Act 2022 for cladding products. James is currently instructed on several claims for Remediation Orders and Remediation Contribution Orders in the First Tier Tribunal, as well as an application to challenge service charges demanded for remedial works. James is one of the editors of the Keating Chambers BSA Update. Professional negligence claims against architects and other professionals. James’ current professional negligence cases also involve the added complexity of issues under the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978 and insolvency of the parties. Adjudication enforcement. James regularly appears in the TCC bringing and resisting adjudication enforcement claims and related matters. James appeared unled in the Court of Appeal in 2023 in A&V Building Solutions v J & B Hopkins [2023] EWCA Civ 54 which is now the leading case on how Part 8 claims can be used in response to adjudicator’s decisions. James has been appointed to the London B Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown, effective from 1 September 2025 for a five-year term. This appointment reflects James’ legal and advocacy expertise in construction and procurement matters. James was previously appointed to the Attorney General’s C Panel from September 2022. James is currently instructed as Junior Counsel for the Cabinet Office on Module 5 (Procurement) of the Covid Inquiry. International work James is also regularly instructed as Junior Counsel on substantial international disputes, including projects in South Africa, Australia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ukraine and Qatar. James’ international arbitration practice has seen him recommended for construction by Who’s Who Legal and ranked as a Rising Star by the Legal 500 in the Middle East.

Stephen Furst KC

Stephen Furst KC specialises in construction, engineering, energy, shipbuilding and technology related disputes along with professional negligence actions within these specialist areas of expertise. He acts as an arbitrator on domestic and international arbitrations for bodies including the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), DIFC-LCIA and the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA). He is also an accredited adjudicator and mediator of considerable experience and was appointed to the Dispute Resolution Board for the Forth Replacement Bridge. His recent appointments include disputes concerning the Panama Canal, solar energy projects in Jordan, hydroelectric companies in Madagascar as well as PFI hospital disputes in the UK. Apart from the technical issues involved, Stephen Furst KC also considers inter-company agreements, guarantees, Letters of Credit and a variety of commercial disputes. He has a significant international practice with arbitrations relating to projects in Russia, Europe, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Korea, Republic of Ireland, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. Please contact our clerking team regarding appointing Stephen in alternative dispute resolutions He has developed a reputation for handling the most technically challenging cases and his practice covered highly complex claims in areas such as pipelines, tunnelling projects, power station construction, aircraft design, oil rig design, process plants, ship building and software. Stephen Furst is a former Deputy Judge of the Technology and Construction Court and Recorder. He is the joint editor of Keating on Construction Contracts.

Robert Gaitskell KC

Dr Robert Gaitskell KC practises from Keating Chambers, specialising in technology, engineering and construction disputes, often of an international nature. He was called to the Bar in 1978, appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1994 and sat as a Recorder (part-time judge) from 2000 – 2010. Robert Gaitskell predominantly acts as an arbitrator, adjudicator, dispute board member and mediator. He is both a lawyer and a professional engineer. He is the editor of ‘Keating Construction Dispute Resolution Handbook’ (3rd edition 2016); and a former Vice President of the IEE/ IET (Europe’s biggest professional engineering institution). He is a member of the Singapore National Electricity Market Dispute Resolution & Compensation Panel. Dr Gaitskell has recently been the chairman of a dispute board for a Euro 20 billion nuclear energy project. He writes extensively and lectures throughout the world on legal/engineering subjects, including at CERN in Geneva and Xerox PARC in Silicon Valley. Current Activities Dr Gaitskell is currently (or until recently has been) acting as chairman or member of various ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, SIAC, ACICA, AICA/KLRCA, EDF, DIAC, ICDR/AAA, Dubai RTA and other arbitral tribunals, dealing with matters such as oil and gas installations and pipelines, power stations, renewable energy installations, petro-chemical works, and other complex and high-value engineering and process projects. As examples, he is presently involved in, amongst other arbitrations, a major S.E. Asian oil refinery dispute, a dispute concerning a Central American shipping canal, a Middle Eastern infrastructure dispute, an African rail dispute, a Dubai construction dispute, a Korean infrastructure arbitration, and a Qatari utilities dispute. He has recently been the sole arbitrator for a major railway dispute. He was the expert determinator for an Omani power station. He has recently mediated a Singaporean hi-tech dispute and chaired a tribunal dealing with energy pricing in S.E. Asia. He has also advised on a dispute concerning a Russian floating nuclear power facility. He was recently a co-arbitrator on an ICC panel dealing with a dispute concerning a sub-sea gas pipeline bringing energy supplies from Russia to Europe. He recently conducted an African mining arbitration and chaired a dispute panel dealing with defence projects in the UK. He advised the Corporation of London on a major structural project and represented the Isle of Man Government in the Privy Council in an infrastructure project. In addition to his practice at the Bar, Robert Gaitskell is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and is a former Senator of the Engineering Council. He is also a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Robert Gaitskell’s wide experience as an engineer, both in the UK and abroad, has included power generation, transmission, distribution and application, motor control and oil rig design. Robert Gaitskell has lectured on the University of London (King’s College and Queen Mary’s) LLMs in International Arbitration, dealing with infrastructure arbitrations. Chambers & Partners’ directory consistently recommends him as a leading international arbitrator. He also regularly carries out expert determinations involving complex engineering disputes. He is Chairman of the IET/IMechE Joint Committee on Model Forms, which produces the MF/1-4 suite of contracts used for major electro-mechanical projects worldwide. His doctorate from King’s College London concerned standard form engineering contracts. He is a Bencher of Gray’s Inn and a former member of the Council of the Inns of Court (COIC) Tribunals Appointment Body. Robert has recently been appointed to the panel of mediators for the Japan International Mediation Centre in Kyoto (JIMC-Kyoto).

Lars Gladhaug

Lars has a busy practice specialising in Keating’s core practice areas of construction and engineering, infrastructure, energy, PFI projects, arbitration, and technology. He provides advice, drafting and representation at all stages of litigation and ADR. He has recently been instructed: As sole counsel in the High Court (TCC) to resist an application for specific disclosure by a main contractor. As sole counsel in the High Court (TCC) to seek enforcement of an adjudicator’s decision. As part of the counsel team led by Simon Hughes KC in a £400m ICC arbitration concerning waste management infrastructure in Qatar. As sole counsel to defend a claim against a main contractor in the High Court (TCC) concerning a new-build house warranty. To advise an architectural practice in relation to novel duties owed by principal designers under the Building Regulations. Lars is experienced in both bespoke commercial contracts, as well as modified and unmodified standard form construction contracts, including JCT and NEC forms. He is a contributor to Keating on Construction Contracts, and was the winner of the Society for Construction Law’s 2022 SCL Hudson Prize for his paper on recent developments in the law relating to building safety and the Defective Premises Act of 1972. A former in-house lawyer, Lars worked as in-house counsel at a market-leading fintech startup based in London before joining Keating.

Ben Graff

Ben has a busy practice across Chambers’ specialisms and is regularly involved in disputes arising out of large-scale construction and infrastructure projects and high-value procurement challenges. Ben’s cases include domestic and international work. He works with large legal teams and also appears in his own right in the High Court, County Court and as part of his busy adjudication practice. Ben is a contributor to Keating on JCT Contracts and is familiar with many other standard form contracts including the NEC and |ChemE forms. Recent highlights include: Representing HS2 in (a) two separate procurement challenges brought in relation to a £2.75bn rolling stock contract, the second of which culminated in a 4-week TCC trial in November-December 2022; and (b) Bechtel Limited v High Speed Two [2021] EWHC 458 (TCC), a three-week TCC trial which concerned the procurement of a £1bn+ contract for the construction of Old Oak Common Station. Two international arbitrations concerning the design and construction of two semi-submersible offshore drilling rigs. Defending a building developer against a £10m claim relating to water ingress in 4 blocks of flats. Acting as sole counsel in an adjudication, successfully resisting a £1.8m claim for liquidated damages for the allegedly poor performance of an anaerobic digestion plant. Acting as sole counsel in the High Court in Quadro v Creagh [2021] EWHC 2637 (TCC), seeking to resist the enforcement of an adjudicator’s award on the basis of a jurisdictional objection.

Sarah Hannaford KC

Sarah Hannaford KC is a leading commercial barrister with a practice that spans both the United Kingdom and international markets. Sarah was appointed Head of Chambers in 2025. She specialises in construction, engineering, infrastructure and energy disputes, as well as professional negligence work within these areas. Over the past fifteen years, she has also developed an unrivalled procurement practice. In recognition of the significance of her practice, Sarah was included in The Lawyer’s Hot 100 list in 2022, and several of her cases have been featured in their annual “Top 20 cases” lists, most recently in 2025. Sarah is widely regarded as a star of the Procurement Bar and is the natural choice for complex, high-value procurement issues. She is instructed in the most significant cases in this area, regularly advising government bodies, local authorities, utilities and industry clients. Sarah has acted in numerous high-profile procurement challenges, including the prominent case of Siemens v HS2, an important decision on manifest error, conflicts of interest and judicial review in which Sarah’s clients were successful on all claims. She also acted for the Gambling Commission in a dispute over the extremely high-value contract to run the National Lottery, which led to an application to the Court of Appeal, and Bechtel v HS2 concerning the construction of Old Oak Common Station. Sarah’s status in this area led to her involvement in the publication of the Cabinet Office’s Green Paper on Transforming Public Procurement. Sarah is recommended by Chambers UK Bar as a “multi-talented QC with a remarkably wide practice.” She is widely acclaimed for her advocacy, grasp of case details and ability to work well with clients, leading to regular instructions in complex construction and commercial disputes in the UK Courts, adjudication and international arbitration. She has experience in the full range of contractual claims arising from construction projects, including claims related to defects, termination, delay and professional negligence. Sarah has substantial experience in disputes involving most standard form contracts, including the JCT standard forms, ICE, NEC, IChemE and FIDIC forms. She also regularly advises on PFI, PPP and facilities management contracts, including in both the waste and health sectors. Additionally, she has considerable expertise in energy, offshore construction and shipping disputes, including acting in high-profile disputes such as the Solitaire and the Varg. Sarah was called to the Northern Ireland Bar in 2015. In addition to her work as Counsel, Sarah sits as arbitrator and is a trained mediator and adjudicator.

Richard Harding KC

Richard Harding KC has been described as “without a doubt the leading English barrister practising in the field of international arbitration of construction disputes in the Middle East and Gulf regions.” He acts as counsel for governments, private employers, contractors and professionals, and is regularly appointed as an arbitrator in international commercial matters. He has extensive experience of arguing and deciding cases involving delay to large infrastructure projects. Richard has a working knowledge of Arabic and some Persian, having studied Arabic and Persian at Oxford University and in Egypt, as well as German, Spanish, French. He regularly acts in cases, as either counsel or arbitrator, under the laws of the Middle East. He has particular experience of the laws of the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan, and a keen interest in disputes relating to Iran. As counsel, Richard is instructed by law firms (predominantly from the UK, Europe and the Middle East) and directly by in-house counsel and professionals. He is the Founder and current Chairman of the Society of Construction Law in the Arabian/Persian Gulf, and is also an acclaimed conference chairman and speaker. Richard Harding KC’s cases have related to: Oil, gas and power, including on and offshore projects. Transport infrastructure, including railways, airports, and roads. Water infrastructure, dredging, marine structures and ports. Property, including commercial, residential, high-rise buildings, and a theme park. Factories and process engineering. Mining. IT systems. Professional negligence. وُصف ريتشارد هاردينغ كيه سي بأنه، دون أدنى شك، أبرز محامٍ إنجليزي في مجال التحكيم الدولي في منازعات الإنشاءات في الشرق الأوسط ومنطقة الخليج. درس اللغة العربية والفارسية في جامعة أكسفورد وفي مصر، ثم أصبح محاميًا مرافِعًا في إنجلترا. مثّل حكومات، وأصحاب أعمال، ومقاولين، ومهنيين، وغالبًا ما يُعيَّن محكَّمًا في قضايا تجارية دولية. يتمتّع بخبرة واسعة في الترافع والفصل في القضايا المتعلّقة بتأخّر مشاريع البنية التحتية الكبرى لديه اهتمام واسع بجميع جوانب الشرق الأوسط، ولا سيما التاريخ والعمارة في العصور الوسطى، والشعر العربي والفارسي الكلاسيكي، بالإضافة إلى الشؤون الجارية في المنطقة يرجى ملاحظة أنه يقرأ الوثائق والنصوص القانونية باللغة العربية، غير أنه يدير إجراءات التحكيم باللغة الإنجليزية فقط

Simon Hargreaves KC

Simon Hargreaves KC specialises in disputes arising from construction, process engineering and process plant construction, civil, geotechnical, structural, mechanical and electrical and marine engineering, IT & technology systems, logistics, transport, energy contracts, tunneling, nuclear decontamination, nuclear build, asbestos decontamination, wind turbines, piling onshore & offshore, water treatment, infrastructure and utilities contracts, rail contracts, collapses, floods and fires. Simon also has considerable experience of professional negligence claims and related insurance claims across all the areas of his practice, including claims for and against civil, structural and process engineers, geotechnical engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers, architects, asbestos professionals and contractors, project managers, construction managers, quantity surveyors, IT consultants and costs consultants. Simon has been involved in a number of high profile cases both at first instance and in the Court of Appeal across the different areas of his practice, principally construction, process engineering, civil, structural and marine engineering, fires, floods, rail, construction professionals’ negligence and IT disputes. In recent years he has been involved in claims arising from: Crossrail; desalination plant in Qatar; ferry terminal in Jordan; gold mining in Burkina Faso; chlorine manufacture; hydrocrackers; flooding in the Greenwich Millennium Village; the Magna Park fire; the Gerrard’s Cross tunnel collapse; the Chancery Lane Tube derailment and claims arising on Wembley Stadium. Simon specialises in all forums including litigation, arbitration (international and domestic), adjudication and ADR as well as relief concerning pre-action disclosure, summary judgment, interim payment, strike out, security for costs, arbitration applications, appeals from arbitrators and serious irregularities, injunctions and bond applications. Simon has extensive PFI experience and regularly advises NHS Trusts and project companies in relation to local authority infrastructure contracts; hospitals; waste contracts. He also appears on several panels as Adjudicator for resolution of PFI disputes. Simon has a swiftly growing practice sitting as arbitrator, adjudicator, expert and on dispute boards.

Emma Healiss

Emma Healiss specialises in domestic and international construction, energy and professional negligence disputes. She is described as an “exceptional” and “first-class” barrister and has recently been recognised as Construction and Energy Junior of the Year by Legal 500. Emma is ranked by Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners in construction, energy and professional negligence. She is recommended as an “extremely proactive” barrister with an “easy personable style” who “has an exceptional commercial stance and provides commercial focused and innovative advice to clients”. Emma is also commended for her advocacy skills and is praised for cross examining “to the level of a barrister far more senior than her”. Emma’s excellence in advocacy was recognised by her appointment to the Attorney General’s C Panel in 2021. Emma has developed a strong domestic and international practice. Of late, she has worked on a number of cases involving fire safety issues, including Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust v Lendlease Construction (Europe) Ltd & Others, the only construction case to feature in The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2022, and Emma acted as junior counsel to bereaved families, survivors and former residents in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Emma has also been led in a number of substantial arbitrations involving projects in Africa, the Middle East, Kazakhstan, the UK and Ireland. Emma is also frequently instructed as sole counsel in TCC trials, adjudication proceedings and other matters. Recent examples of Emma’s reported cases include Mallino Developments Ltd v Essex Demolition Contractors Ltd [2022] EWHC 1418 (TCC), a TCC trial in which Emma represented the successful defendant, and Croda Europe Limited v Optimus Services Ltd [2021] EWHC 332 (TCC), adjudication enforcement proceedings concerning the proper interpretation of NEC3 adjudication provisions. Emma is a contributor to Keating on Construction Contracts and Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering.

Simon Hughes KC

Simon Hughes KC is a specialist silk in major construction, engineering, shipbuilding and other off-shore and energy related disputes. He was “Construction Silk of the Year” at the Inaugural Legal 500 Middle East Awards in 2024 and was previously awarded “Construction and Energy Silk of the Year” for 2019 by the Legal 500. He comes recommended for his client-focused approach, understanding of the technicalities of disputes and his “exceptional” advocacy, cross-examination, and advice. Simon has been fortunate to have acted on some of the largest, and most challenging, heavy civil engineering disputes of the day (including a great deal of highway/highway infrastructure and associated geotechnical work). Simon is ranked in the ‘Star’ category in Chambers & Partners for Construction and is also in the very top ranking in Chambers & Partners (Band 1) for International Arbitration. There are only a few silks with these dual top-ranking and this reflects Simon’s stellar practice for major clients and leading law firms. Simon has been ranked in Who’s Who’s Legal as a Thought Leader in Construction and recommended in Arbitration and Construction. Simon has been involved in disputes involving most standard form contracts used for substantial projects including the JCT standard forms, ICE 5th and 6th editions, the NEC, IChemE, FIDIC (Green, Red, Yellow and Silver Books), and derivative standard form agreements. He has particular experience of FIDIC forms and the NEC. Simon has particular experience of international power-plant disputes, major infrastructure projects and shipbuilding work, particularly in the Far East, and in disputes where the governing law is not English law. He has represented and advised clients on disputes in KSA, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, Australia, Dubai and other parts of the UAE, Oman, various islands within the Caribbean and New Zealand. Simon has significant experience of working with Korean clients, and particular major Korean contractors, in connection with the mega-projects in which they are often play a crucial role. He has also been admitted to the Bar in Trinidad & Tobago and New Zealand for specific cases. Whilst a lot of Simon’s work involves arbitration – and he has experience of over 20 different national legal systems being the law of the contract – he is also well-known as a court advocate, both in the TCC and Commercial Court in London, and has been successful in a large number of reported cases. Disputes in the energy sector are a central part of Simon’s practice as a senior KC. Simon’s disputes and advisory practice encompasses construction of power-generating facilities across the whole spectrum of fuels; transportation and sale of oil, gas and electricity; drilling and exploration disputes; nuclear new-build and decommissioning disputes; and significant work in the generation of electricity through wind & wave, together with associated projects in involving energy storage technologies. Simon has the great privilege of being the editor, with Sir Vivian Ramsey and Piers Stansfield KC, of Keating on Construction Contracts (12th edition); and he is also an editor of the Construction Law Reports.

Rosemary Jackson KC

Rosemary Jackson is in full-time practice as a Mediator and Conciliator following a successful practice at the Construction Bar from 1983, when she joined Keating Chambers as the first female specialist building counsel at the English Bar, until October 2014. Up to January 2018, Rosemary also accepted appointments as an Adjudicator and Arbitrator. Rosemary was appointed as Queen’s Counsel in 2006. In 2025 the Society of Construction Law awarded Rosemary Honorary Membership. This honour is awarded on account of distinction and eminence and it recognises Rosemary's outstanding contributions to the promotion of ADR in construction disputes, in particular mediation. Rosemary received the Clare Edwards Award for professional excellence and contribution to the legal profession serving the construction industry in 2018. The award, which is sponsored by TECSA and the Contractor’s Legal Group, is awarded when an exceptional candidate is identified. Rosemary has also been awarded ‘Mediation Expert of the Year in the United Kingdom’ in the 2021 Lawyer Network Annual Awards, ‘Lawyer of the Year – Mediation’ in the 2021 Who’s Who Legal Awards and Lexology Index Construction Barrister of the Year in England Client Choice Award 2026 (which recognises those around the world that stand apart for the excellent client care they provide and the quality of their service). Rosemary is Patron of the London Chamber of Arbitration and Mediation. Mediation and Conciliation (Chambers UK 2024). “An exceptionally good mediator” Rosemary “is very calm and measured. She is also very, very tenacious.” (Chambers UK 2024). She is able to “energise the parties in the right direction for them to find a solution.” (Chambers UK 2024). She “quickly wins the confidence of clients with her knowledge of the issues, and appears to have endless reserves of patience, enthusiasm and optimism.” (Legal 500 2022) Rosemary has been an accredited mediator since 2001 and has built up a first class reputation as having “the perfect tone for mediation, in that she is careful, tactful and forceful….. knows the law, is well respected and gets results.” (Chambers UK 2022) She is featured as a Tier 1 Mediator by Legal 500 and is recognised in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame for mediators, and consistently listed by Chambers and Partners UK and UK Bar Guides, having been ranked as a mediator since 2010. She is consistently listed as a Thought Leader in Who’s Who Legal: Construction, and as a Global Elite Thought Leader in Who’s Who Legal (now Lexology Index): Mediation and Commercial Mediation. Her background in construction litigation, combined with good preparation, enables her to identify the issues incisively. This enables her to reality-test the parties’ cases and assist them in evaluating their strengths and weaknesses. Rosemary’s approach is adaptable, and she is able to deploy a blend of facilitation and evaluation to suit the particular mediation. Where invited (and if appropriate) she is willing to assist the parties by making evaluations, recommendations or post-mediation assessments. Since Covid Rosemary has become adept at conducting virtual mediations. Rosemary’s approach is highly commercial. She has mediated and co-mediated disputes up to £2bn and between up to 10 parties. Many complex or multi-party mediations benefit from Rosemary’s ability to case-manage the dispute and participate in a structured mediation process over a number of months. Feedback shows that Rosemary is much appreciated for her calmness and patience but also her tenacity. She understands that parties sometimes need time and patience to make the necessary move to clinch a deal but also that there are times when firm handling is needed to help them bridge the seemingly unbridgeable final gap. She is excellent at injecting a little humour when necessary, to relieve the tension. She is also mindful that it must be the right deal for the parties, and not one which they feel bullied into. She has also understood the added pressures on parties attending virtual mediations. Member of Civil Mediation Council CEDR-accredited and registered Mediator since 2001 CEDR Solve panel Mediator SIMC International Mediator TECBAR panel mediator Arbitration and Mediation Court of the Caribbean panel Mediator Asian International Arbitration Centre panel Mediator New Zealand International Arbitration Centre Panel Mediator Project Advisor to ENGI Participatory Peacemaking Project for Cyprus in 2013 Independent Chair of Euston and Camden Community Group engagement meetings in relation to HS2 2016-2020. Previous Experience Whilst in practice at the Bar, Rosemary Jackson specialised in the field of construction, engineering, energy, professional negligence and commercial/contract law, including advice and advocacy in relation to litigation and arbitration, adjudication and mediation, and contract drafting. She appeared as an advocate in Courts at all levels and before a wide range of adjudicators and arbitrators, as well as in appeals or challenges against arbitration decisions. She represented local authorities, the Treasury Solicitor, contractors, sub-contractors, developers, property owners and purchasers, and professionals, including architects, engineers and surveyors. She gained considerable experience of advisory work and litigation arising out of party wall matters. As well as successfully representing many clients in arbitrations and adjudications, Rosemary has acted as an arbitrator and adjudicator. Rosemary was consistently ranked in Legal Experts, Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for Construction Law for her practice as a barrister, as she is now for her practice as a Mediator.

Abdul Jinadu

Abdul Jinadu was called to the Bar in 1995 and has been a practising barrister and arbitrator in Keating Chambers since 1996, specialising in construction, engineering and energy disputes, and domestic and international arbitration. He has acted for the full spectrum of clients including construction and engineering companies, government organisations, corporations, public utilities, local authorities, consultancies, architects and engineers. He has extensive experience of cladding related disputes having been instructed on behalf of the Bereaved Survivors and Residents as a specialist construction counsel on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and as counsel in various cladding claims including a £70m claim in the High Court. Abdul was featured in The Lawyer Hot 100 for 2025 and was shortlisted for 'Construction and Energy Junior of the Year' at the Legal 500 UK Bar Awards 2025. Abdul is a Tier 2 Leading Arbitrator for International Arbitration in Legal 500 2026. He is also a Part II DIFC registered practitioner, and is included in the Islamic Cooperation Arbitration Centre (OIC-AC) and Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) Lists of Arbitrators. He has extensive experience of a wide range of disputes and advisory work relating to infrastructure projects. Significant cases have involved oil and gas onshore and offshore facilities, solar power plants, aluminium smelting plants, pharmaceutical plants, hospitals, mining and marine construction. He has an extensive international practice both as counsel and as arbitrator. He has acted as chair of the tribunal, sole arbitrator and party appointed arbitrator in respect of major projects internationally including in the GCC, Caribbean, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana and Turkmenistan. Recent appointments include as sole arbitrator in a Tanzanian arbitration, as president of the tribunal in a $370m ICC arbitration and party appointed arbitrator in a £400m Nigerian dispute. His arbitrator appointments have included ICC and DIFC-LCIA appointments as well as ad hoc arbitrations. He also has experience of dispute boards acting both as counsel and dispute board member including as chair of a dispute board for a $300m road project in Central Africa. He is a chapter author for Keating on Construction Contracts, Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering, Keating on NEC, Construction Law in the 21st Century and Oil and Gas Contracts – Principles and Practice. He has lectured on a wide range of subjects to a wide range of professional bodies. He has written articles on a wide range of construction law related subjects.

Isobel Kamber

Isobel has a broad and busy practice in domestic and international construction and engineering disputes, together with associated professional negligence and insurance matters. She joined Keating as a tenant in 2022 following completion of her pupillage. Recent experience as sole counsel includes: Acting in a £15 million TCC claim, against the Developer of multiple housing developments across the UK which suffered from defects. The dwellings suffered with a range of defects, resulting in water ingress, structural instability and a lack of fire protection. Advising on and acting in claims relating to the Building Safety Act 2022. For example, Isobel has advised in relation to (a) Building Liability Orders; (b) a developer’s liability generally under the BSA; (c) recovery of remediation costs from leaseholders under their service charge; and (d) Remediation Contribution Orders. Appearing in a successful strike out application in relation to a multi-million pound professional negligence claim. Recent experience as junior counsel includes: Acting as junior counsel to William Webb KC in a £400 million ICC Arbitration concerning a project in the Middle East. Acting as junior counsel to Krista Lee KC in one of the Lawyer’s top 20 cases – WM Morrisons Supermarkets Plc and Neerock Ltd v Lorien Engineering Solutions Ltd (dissolved), GP Strategies Ltd, John Sisk & Sons Ltd and J&E Hall Ltd. Acting as junior counsel to Tom Owen KC in a professional negligence claim concerning fire stopping defects at a multi-million pound residential development in London. Isobel accepts instructions on a wide range of disputes centered on construction, engineering, and energy. She works on cases involving a variety of standard form contracts, including the JCT, NEC, FIDIC and RIBA forms of appointment, as well as bespoke construction contracts, and PFI/PPP agreements. Further, Isobel has gained experience of various forms of alternative dispute resolution, including adjudication (contractual and statutory), arbitration (UNCITRAL, LCIA and ICC rules) and disciplinary tribunals under the Architects Act 1997. Alongside Isobel’s busy practice, she is also a contributor to Keating on Construction Contracts.

Calum Lamont KC

Calum is an energetic and enthusiastic lawyer, commanding a broad commercial practice in line with Chambers’ profile with experience in construction, engineering, shipbuilding and energy disputes, together with related insurance and professional negligence matters. He is familiar with leading disputes arising out of a variety of commercial, public and residential construction projects, with particular expertise in infrastructure and offshore matters in both domestic and international arbitration as well as the TCC and Commercial Court. Calum has significant experience in international arbitrations involving construction disputes, particularly in the Gulf, Korea & Hong Kong. He is familiar with acting under various different rules (including ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, DIAC and LMAA). He also has a busy offshore practice with extensive experience in delayed delivery claims, as well as disputes arising out of defective construction and operation of drilling vessels and rigs. Prior to taking Silk in 2022, Calum was ranked as a Band 1 junior in three practice areas by Chambers & Partners, Chambers Global, Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal, which recommend him as “astonishingly bright and absolutely brilliant on technically complex cases” , and note that his “intellect, and ability to find solutions to seemingly impossible problems and work-rate are unparalleled at the Bar.” Calum was awarded Construction Junior of the Year in 2016 and International Arbitration Junior of the Year in 2018 at the Chambers & Partners Bar Awards. Calum accepts instructions on a public access, licensed access and pro bono basis, and is a TECBAR accredited mediator and adjudicator. Calum is concerned about access to justice, and sits on the steering committee for www.probonoskills.com, a not-for-profit platform providing pro bono law clinics with quality on-demand training.

Jonathan Lee KC

Jonathan Lee KC has a thriving domestic and international practice as a barrister at the Technology and Construction Bar. His professional background and qualifications in electrical and electronic engineering enable him to bring commercial and technical understanding to his practice at the Bar. Clients appreciate his ability to grasp the complex technical aspects of their cases and to relate effectively to expert and lay witnesses. Jonathan’s practice covers both advocacy and advisory work. He acts for clients in litigation, domestic and international arbitrations, adjudications and mediations. Jonathan specialises in commercial and contractual disputes relating to engineering projects, often where resolution depends upon detailed engineering analysis. He has particular experience of information technology, electrical engineering and energy disputes whether acting for employers, engineers, contractors or sub-contractors. He has been instructed by both public sector and private sector clients, including: central and local government departments, commercial project funders, employers, contractors and associated professionals. Jonathan regularly accepts appointments as an arbitrator, adjudicator and mediator particularly in construction, engineering and IT disputes.

Krista Lee KC

Krista Chui Lan Lee KC is a specialist in engineering, construction, and energy disputes. She is reputed for her “very incisive manner, forthright at putting forward strong opinions, and excellent judgement”. Her engineering background gives her an edge in understanding a range of technical and design issues. She is also very adept at dealing with all forms of delay analysis. Krista is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Chartered Arbitrator. She is a panel arbitrator for HKIAC, SIAC and TecBar. She is regularly appointed by parties and institutions to act as Chair and Sole Arbitrator. She has experience of acting as arbitrator in matters governed by the ICC, LCIA, LCIA-DIFC, SCCA and UNCITRAL rules, as well as determining terms of reference for ad hoc arbitrations. Krista has a detailed knowledge of all the major forms of construction/engineering contracts and partnering agreements including JCT, FIDIC, ICE, ACE, IMechE and RIBA. She has a particular interest in NEC3 and NEC4 and is the co-editor with David Thomas KC of Keating on NEC. Krista has dealt with disputes where the governing law or procedural law is that of: Ghana, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Iraq, Nigeria, Lithuania, Israel, Finland, Bangladesh, Singapore, Law of California, Scotland and England & Wales. The Parties in these disputes have similarly global backgrounds and further include China, Korea, Turkey, South Africa, the Central African Republic, Spain, Germany and the British Virgin Islands. The range of projects which Krista has arbitrated includes: solar and nuclear power stations, telecoms distribution; infrastructure; hospitals; off shore oil rigs; harbours; aircraft maintenance; metro construction; chemical laboratories; biofuel power projects; pharmaceutical research; housing developments and hotels.

Chin Lim

Barrister (Call: 2011, MT), also called to the Singapore bar, specialising in commercial and international law. His recent work has involved advice and representation in cross-border commercial matters and disputes in the Far East and Middle East, as well as advice on foreign investment, treaty and other international law matters.

John Marrin KC

John Marrin KC specialises in construction, engineering and energy-related disputes. His experience also extends to various other technical fields such as computer software, rail and supply disputes in the oil and gas sector. John Marrin has practised from Keating Chambers for over 35 years. He served as Head of Chambers from 2005 to 2010. Until 2017, he represented a wide variety of clients in the High Court, the Court of Appeal, the House of Lords and the Supreme Court in England and before various other domestic and international tribunals. He is a former Recorder of the Crown Court and a former Deputy High Court Judge, sitting both in the Queen’s Bench Division and in the Technology and Construction Court. He is a Chartered Arbitrator and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and he is named on various arbitration panels internationally. John Marrin has long experience of acting as an adjudicator and as a mediator. He is a TECBAR Accredited Adjudicator and a CEDR Accredited Mediator. John Marrin now practises primarily as an Arbitrator.

John McMillan

John McMillan is a “talented barrister” who is “really analytical” (Chambers and Partners, 2022). Clients say that he “has real star quality,” is able to “process large volumes of information at light speed,” and is “very strong on his feet” (Legal 500, 2022). He specialises in commercial arbitration and litigation, with a focus on the construction, engineering, energy, and technology sectors. He is recommended by Chambers and Partners, Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal for international arbitration, and by Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 for construction. His recent experience includes: acting as sole counsel in a week-long, USD 20 million ICC arbitration relating to the sale of a number of aircraft; acting as junior counsel in a three-week, USD 400 million LCIA arbitration relating to the construction of an LNG facility in the Middle East; acting as junior counsel in a three-week, USD 1 billion ICC arbitration concerning the construction of a near-shore marine works at an LNG facility; acting as sole counsel in a Part 8 trial concerning the construction of an automotive manufacturing facility in East Asia; and acting in adjudication enforcement proceedings in the TCC (including Illuminesia Limited (t/a Alterego Facades) v RFL Facades limited [2023] EWHC 3122 (TCC)). While he has experience of all major contract forms, he has particular expertise in the FIDIC suite of contracts. He has acted in disputes involving the Yellow, Red and Pink books, and has appeared in 10 Dispute Board hearings in the past few years with values ranging between USD 5 million and USD 150 million. He has conducted advocacy in a wide variety of settings, including the TCC and Chancery divisions of the High Court, international arbitration, Dispute Boards, the County Court, adjudication, and the First Tier Tribunal (in relation to a claim under the Building Safety Act 2022). Having studied Chinese at Oxford University, John speaks and reads Chinese. He has acted in disputes for and against Chinese clients, in which he has been required to review Chinese-language documents. His international work has included disputes in China, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Australia, Germany, Ghana, Angola, South Africa, Uruguay, Brazil, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, India and Pakistan, among other jurisdictions. In the right case, John is willing to act pro bono. In 2023, he successfully represented an individual in a claim arising from a domestic building contract in a 2-day County Court trial.

Mercy Milgo

Mercy Milgo acts as a specialist advocate in construction disputes, with a particular interest and expertise in fire safety/cladding, energy, and related professional negligence claims. She undertakes both domestic and international work in her own right and as Junior Counsel as part of wider legal teams. Mercy regularly appears in Court, tribunals and adjudications. She has recently been instructed: in an ongoing c. £55 million multi-party TCC claim concerning alleged structural defects and involving applications for Building Liability Orders under sections 130–132 of the Building Safety Act 2022 (led by Simon Hughes KC); in a multi-million-euro international arbitration (ICC) five-week trial concerning the use of a pioneering anaerobic digestion technology at a waste-to-energy plant (led by Fionnuala McCredie KC and William Webb KC); as sole Counsel in a Remediation Order, Costs, and Case Management hearing in the First-tier Property Tribunal (Property Chamber), in an ongoing c. £3.3 million multi-party dispute regarding alleged structural, fire safety and water ingress defects in a residential development; as sole Counsel in a c. £5.5 million professional negligence adjudication concerning alleged fire safety (cladding, insulation, and cavity barrier) defects in a large student residential development (acting on behalf of the Responding Party architect); and as sole Counsel in the High Court (TCC) to seek the enforcement of a £1.3 million adjudicator’s decision. Mercy has experience with all common standard forms, including the JCT, NEC, FIDIC, as well as bespoke construction contracts and PFI agreements. She has a particular interest in NEC and is a contributing author of Keating on NEC (2nd edition). She is also a contributing author of Keating on Construction Contracts. Mercy is a member of the Attorney General’s Junior Counsel Scheme. She was involved in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry (Module 4) as part of the counsel team instructed by the UK Department of Health and Social Care. Having grown up in Kenya, Mercy is also fluent in Swahili and is familiar with issues affecting the construction and energy industry in the EAC and the wider African region. She recently spoke at the 2025 Construction Law in Africa conference held in Johannesburg, South Africa. In her practice, Mercy draws on her previous varied legal and non-legal experiences: as a secondee to the construction and engineering department of a leading regional law firm, as a marshal to Coulson LJ in the Court of Appeal, as a Legal Researcher and as the elected BCL course representative at the University of Oxford.

Callum Monro Morrison

Described in the directories as “superb”, “a future star”, “super-clever” and “incredibly effective”, Callum Monro Morrison is recommended in the fields of construction, international arbitration and professional negligence as “a cool-headed, analytical junior counsel, who is wise beyond his years”, “brilliant at pleading and dealing with tricky points of law”, and an advocate who “can always be relied upon to put forward robust arguments, even in difficult situations”. He is also featured in Doyle’s Guide as Leading Construction Law Junior Counsel. Callum acts as a specialist advocate in commercial disputes arising from construction, engineering, energy, IT, infrastructure and offshore/marine projects, whether as sole counsel or as junior counsel in larger legal teams. Endorsed by professional clients as “a natural when it comes to construction-specific matters” and “an excellent team player”, he is instructed in both international and domestic cases and particularly relishes disputes involving complex engineering issues. Callum is also a contributing author of Keating on Construction Contracts, Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering Contracts and the Construction Law Reports. He has extensive experience with all common standard form construction contracts, including the JCT, NEC, FIDIC, IChemE and RIBA forms, as well as PFI and shipbuilding contracts. Callum regularly represents clients in the High Court, County Court and in adjudications in his own right. He has experience of appellate advocacy in the Court of Appeal. Recent highlights include acting: for a claimant engineering contractor in an international arbitration concerning an offshore oil and gas project in Africa (led by Paul Buckingham KC); for a respondent engineering contractor in a five-week trial concerning the use of a pioneering anaerobic digestion technology at a waste-to-energy plant (led by Fionnuala McCredie KC and William Webb KC); as sole counsel in a two-day trial concerning a residential renovation project, following which Callum’s client received a substantial settlement payment prior to handing down of the judgment; on behalf of a public authority in a multi-million-pound adjudication and subsequent arbitration concerning the authority’s entitlement to make significant deductions from the contractor’s payments under a long-term PFI contract (led by Paul Buckingham KC); as sole counsel in a c. £1.7 million adjudication concerning a project manager’s entitlement to payment of a development profit fee, decided in favour of Callum’s client; on behalf of a shipbuilder in two separate international arbitrations concerning the termination of two construction contracts for state-of-the-art semi-submersible offshore drilling rigs (led by Adam Constable KC, now Constable J); on behalf of an investment fund in TCC proceedings concerning a multi-million-pound retail and residential development, in which the fund was successful in the Court of Appeal (led by Jonathan Selby KC – see [2022] 1 WLR 878); and on behalf of a public authority in TCC proceedings concerning unsafe cladding and other fire safety defects in residential tower blocks (led by Simon Hughes KC). Callum accepts instructions to advise, draft pleadings and represent clients in relation to their commercial disputes, with a focus on construction and engineering contracts and associated professional negligence matters.

Vincent Moran KC

Vincent Moran is a leading KC whose practice covers a wide range of advocacy, advisory and drafting work related to construction, engineering, transport, energy and information technology disputes along with associated professional negligence and insurance matters (including policy coverage disputes). Vincent has been involved in a number of high profile cases across his different areas of practice such as in relation to Crossrail, offshore wind farms, North Sea oil exploration equipment, PFI disputes, waste to energy power plant disputes, coal fired power station disputes and applications for the removal of arbitrators, including the Cofely case. In the past he has also been instructed on the new Hong Kong airport, the Gerrard’s Cross tunnel collapse, the refurbishment of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis complex, the Wembley Stadium dispute, the Walter Lilly case, the London Transport Oyster Card upgrade, the Barking Power Station dispute, the Greater Gabbard and Sherringham Shoal windfarm disputes, the Tinsley Viaduct case, the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and Crossrail. His personal advocacy experience covers most tribunals in the country, including the High Court (mainly, but not exclusively, the Technology and Construction Court), the Court of Appeal, arbitrations, DABs, adjudications and professional disciplinary boards. He has also appeared in the House of Lords in one of the most important commercial cases of the last 20 years (SAAMCO). He has been retained in disputes arising under most standard form contracts used in substantial projects (including the JCT standard forms, ICE, NEC, IChemE and FIDIC forms) and is also regularly instructed in domestic and international arbitrations (including ICC, LCIA, DIAC, SIAC and HKIAC arbitrations), DABs adjudication work and has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution in the UK including many high value claims using mediation. Vincent is recommended in the leading directories in the areas of construction, energy, international arbitration and professional negligence, where he is endorsed for his strong advocacy skills, “robust” cross-examining and “forensic attention to detail”. He is an editor of Chitty on Contracts (the Construction law chapter) and an author of Keating on Construction Contracts (chapters 8 and 9 on delay, disruption, financial recovery and causation).

Justin Mort KC

Justin Mort KC specialises in high value construction disputes with particular interest in and expertise in (1) energy, (2) infrastructure and (3) process engineering projects. Justin is recommended for Construction in both Chambers Global and Legal 500. He is also recommended in the Legal 500 for Middle East (construction) and for international arbitration. Comments in the current editions of these directories include: “Dedicated 100% to the matter before him. His work ethic and focus is commendable. He made himself available so can prepare on short notice and put in a stellar show at the hearing.” (Legal 500: Middle East, construction) “Justin is a persuasive advocate who tears through detail to get to the points that really matter. His advocacy is exceptional – clear, cogent and compelling.” (Legal 500: London Bar, construction) “Simplifies the complicated. Knows his stuff. Great to work with.” (Legal 500: international arbitration) “He is regularly called upon in international disputes regarding energy projects.” (Chambers Global: construction) “His attention to detail is phenomenal and his cross-examination style formidable.” (Chambers Global: construction) These comments, and similar ones appearing in the directories over the last 20+ years, are both accurate and apposite: Justin has an unparalleled reputation as a successful trial advocate, cross-examiner, strategist and lawyer. Justin is a huge team player. He is immediately responsive to client demands and questions at any time of day. He ensures that the wider client team are fully engaged in his proposed trial strategy. Uniquely he provides detailed notes of his proposed oral submissions and cross examination to the client well in advance of any hearing for comment, and in order to ensure that the client team can better follow and appreciate his method during any hearing. His working habits (typically starting at 4am or 5am London time) correspond well with clients based in time zones located to the east of London such as in the Middle East or in China. Justin’s innumerable reported cases arising from court proceedings, particularly in the TCC, and the original and ingenious legal arguments that he has deployed in fighting them, together constitute a formidable contribution to the law governing construction claims and arbitration.

Alexander Nissen KC

Alexander Nissen was called to the Bar in 1985, became a Queen’s Counsel in 2006 and Head of Chambers from 2020-2025. He specialises in advocacy and advisory work, adjudication, arbitration, litigation and the mediation of construction, engineering, energy and professional negligence disputes. Alexander’s practice covers a wide variety of cases ranging from client/developer claims, PFI disputes, and adjudication enforcement to professional negligence cases (architects, surveyors, valuers, solicitors and civil, structural and geotechnical engineers). He deals with both contractors’ and sub-contractors’ claims and defects disputes. His work also covers rail projects, disputes relating to bonds (both domestic and international), power stations, waste recycling facilities and oil and gas projects. He is familiar with all the standard forms of contract including JCT, NEC, I Chem E and FIDIC. Following his successful involvement in the two Grove Development cases, Alexander has acquired a formidable reputation in the field of payment disputes under the HGCRA. Alexander is a Chartered Arbitrator, an accredited adjudicator and mediator. His arbitration work covers both domestic and international disputes. He has been appointed both through party selection and by the ICC. He was appointed as a Recorder in 2007 and as a Deputy High Court Judge in 2013. Since 2015 he has been sitting in the TCC.

Tom Owen KC

Tom Owen KC is recognised as one of the leading silks for TCC litigation in the High Court, and as a formidable advocate on appeal and in international arbitration. Tom is described as “an outstanding advocate, fierce and dedicated when fighting your corner” (Legal 500), and “a tenacious advocate and a trusted adviser” (Chambers & Partners). Of Tom’s cross-examination: “he destroyed the other party’s case – such that they withdrew their claim before a decision was reached” (Legal Week’s ‘Stars at the Bar’). Tom has a “tenacious ability to deal with difficult cross-examinations and the talent of having just about every single fact to hand” (Legal 500). Tom leads large teams in heavy and complex construction, energy, and related disputes. He conducts appeals in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Before taking Silk, Tom was Construction and Energy Junior of the Year (Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners), and recognised in ‘Stars at the Bar’ (Legal Week) and ‘The Hot 100’ (The Lawyer). Tom is a Bencher at Middle Temple.

Marc Rowlands KC

Marc Rowlands KC’s practice covers the full range of construction, engineering and technology disputes, in the UK and internationally. Praised as "One of the most able and bright KCs" and “very slick and very good”, he is regularly instructed in the TCC, Commercial Court and Court of Appeal and in arbitrations in the Middle East, Far East and the Caribbean. Marc is a Part II DIFC registered practitioner and is called to the Bahamian Bar. Marc has particular expertise in the JCT, NEC, FIDIC and LOGIC forms, and PFI contracts, and his offshore experience includes a year off from his studies working onshore and offshore (in the Bay of Benin) for a wireline logging company. He is also highly regarded for rail related work, having acted in numerous high profile cases around the world relating to infrastructure, rolling stock and regulatory work. Marc is particularly skilled at working with a team and managing large cases to achieve cost savings and the best commercial, practical outcomes for clients.

Ben Sareen

A specialist in construction, engineering, energy, shipbuilding, telecoms and related professional negligence disputes, Ben represents clients in the English courts and international and domestic arbitrations. He has been instructed in relation to a number of high-profile construction and engineering projects in London, including Wembley Stadium, the Olympic Village, and the East London Line extension, as well as major construction, energy and infrastructure projects in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. He is regularly instructed in domestic and international shipbuilding, engineering and construction arbitrations by both commercial and government clients. As sole and junior counsel he has represented clients in disputes in which the governing law is not English law. Ben is experienced with many major standard form contracts, including the JCT and NEC standard forms, and is a contributing author to Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering Contracts and Keating on NEC 3.

Thomas Saunders

Thomas Saunders specialises in the resolution of construction and engineering disputes, including professional negligence and energy claims, as well as a wide range of other commercial and property disputes. Thomas’s practice has a particular focus on advocacy, and he regularly appears as sole counsel in the High Court and the County Court. Current and recent cases include: URS Corporation Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd [2025] UKSC 21, [2025] 2 WLR 1095, a wide-ranging appeal concerning liability for dangerous structural defects. The Supreme Court considered the proper approach to ‘voluntariness’ in the tort of negligence, the interpretation of the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Defective Premises Act 1972, and the accrual of a cause of action under the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978. Thomas was instructed for the claimant (and respondent to the appeal), led by Mark Howard KC and Simon Hargreaves KC along with David Sheard and another junior. Vitsœ Ltd v Waugh Thistleton Architects Ltd [2025] EWHC 850 (TCC), a professional negligence claim concerning rot in a timber-framed building. Thomas acted for the claimant, led by William Webb KC. Shepherd Construction Ltd v Kingspan & Ors, a multi-party cladding dispute which was one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases for 2024. Thomas acted for the claimant, led by Sean Brannigan KC along with two other juniors including Sarah Williams. Three-week ICC arbitration concerning the termination of an EPC contract for a 60MW solar power plant in Africa, led by Steven Walker KC and Tom Owen KC. £100 million civil fraud claim relating to a PFI contract, led by David Thomas KC. £150 million TCC litigation arising out of the construction of a gas turbine power plant on a brownfield site in Northern Ireland, led by Tom Owen KC. Thomas has experience with all the major construction and engineering standard forms, as well as public procurement and PFI claims. He is a contributor to Keating on JCT Contracts, Keating on Construction Contracts, Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering Contracts, and the Construction Law Reports.

Gideon Scott Holland

Recommended for his thorough approach and ability to get on well with clients and solicitors alike, Gideon’s practice covers a wide range of advisory, drafting and advocacy work relating to standard form and bespoke construction contracts (including JCT, NEC3, ICE, FIDIC and ICHEME standard forms). He has advised and acted in professional negligence claims (including architects, engineers, surveyors and valuers) and in cases concerning process engineering, energy, PFI contracts, public procurement and nuisance. Gideon undertakes environmental work in civil and criminal jurisdictions, including statutory nuisance under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and similar legislation. He has particular experience of PFI contracts and cladding disputes. Gideon regularly acts in domestic and international arbitrations (including those administered by the ICC) and in the High Court and county courts for both residential and commercial clients. He is regularly appointed as both sole and junior counsel. He has also acted for clients at all stages of the adjudication process: advising, drafting and representation at both adjudication hearings and in court for injunctions or enforcement. He also has substantial experience representing clients in the mediation of construction, engineering and energy disputes. Gideon welcomes instructions via licensed access. He is familiar with working with electronic documents both in the disclosure process and in trial and is happy to receive instructions electronically.

Jonathan Selby KC

Jonathan Selby KC was called to the Bar in 1999 and was made Queen’s Counsel in 2018. He specialises in Construction and Engineering, Energy and Professional Negligence claims (architects, engineers and surveyors) and was the Chambers & Partners Construction Silk of the Year in 2023. He was recently described as “a real fighter who puts his heart into things and gets results” who “gets to the issues straight away, and is very pragmatic and a good tactician.” Jonathan frequently appears in high value litigation in the Technology and Construction Court and has a long list of reported cases from that Court and the Court of Appeal. He is particularly well known for his work on cases concerning apartment blocks, hotels, fire safety and building warranty claims, which has led to Jonathan being appointed as Special Legal Counsel to the Secretary of State for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities – Building Safety. Jonathan is often instructed to act for clients in arbitration, adjudication and mediations and is a practising accredited Adjudicator.

David Sheard

David Sheard has developed a busy and wide-ranging practice, encompassing all key areas of Chambers’ expertise including construction, adjudication, energy and professional negligence work. He has been recommended as an “astronomically clever” and “gifted” barrister by The Legal 500 (Professional Negligence) and as a leading junior who is “absolutely brilliant” by Who’s Who Legal (Construction). David has worked with numerous standard-form and bespoke contracts, including FIDIC, NEC3, PFI, SFA/99, ACE, RICS and many of the JCT forms (past and present), providing advice to various clients ranging from private home-owners to large property-development companies. He also has substantial court experience as sole counsel, representing clients in the County and High Courts both for interim applications and at trial, as well as being instructed on numerous occasions as junior counsel in larger construction disputes, both in international and domestic arbitrations and in the TCC. In addition to Chambers’ core areas of expertise, David also has significant experience in the context of rail disputes, including claims made in arbitration in accordance with the ADRR concerning Restrictions of Use and Sustained Poor Performance.

Piers Stansfield KC

Piers has established a reputation as a “formidable advocate” and a “superb fighter” in the many trials that he has conducted. His advocacy is engaging and persuasive, and he is a tenacious cross-examiner. His written work is described as “first class”. Piers has wide experience of construction, engineering, energy, professional negligence, shipbuilding and IT disputes. He has an “excellent grasp of complex technical issues” including engineering, delay analysis and forensic accountancy. He is known for his meticulous preparation and the clear and attractive presentation of his client’s case to the tribunal. He is described as having “the ear of the Court” and providing “the ideal balance between technical knowledge and effective advocacy”. Piers continues to be instructed to appear in high-value and hard-fought TCC trials and arbitrations. He represented the successful claimants in a complex PFI dispute (Essex County Council v UBB), a termination case involving a petrochemical plant (SABIC UK Petrochemicals v Punj Lloyd), and the building owner in a multi- party dispute concerning defects in a large residential development (Greenwich Millennium Village v Essex Services Group and Others). Piers has also appeared before both domestic and international arbitral tribunals in substantial shipbuilding and construction disputes. Piers also has an extensive advisory practice and is known for his “keen legal acumen and commercial insight”. From 2021, Piers is a joint editor of Keating on Construction Contracts. (All quotations above are from the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 guides.)

John Steel

John Steel specialises in domestic and international construction and engineering disputes as well as public procurement. Notably, John has been instructed as junior counsel: In an ongoing major internationally seated arbitration relating to the green energy sector worth in excess of £100m, led by Fionnuala McCredie KC and Will Webb KC. The claim involves highly technical engineering evidence, as well as extensive delay and quantum disputes. In a London seated arbitration relating to an international project, led by Marc Rowlands KC. In MW High Tech Projects UK Limited v Outotec (USA) acting as junior counsel to Adrian Williamson KC. This included obtaining the strike out of a portion of the claimant’s claim: [2023] EWHC 2885 (TCC) and a point that went to the Court of Appeal: [2023] EWHC 2885 (TCC). In the litigation between Siemens Mobility Limited v HS2 [2023] EWHC 2768 (TCC) acting as junior counsel to Fionnuala McCredie KC. John is equally instructed as sole counsel in domestic and international matters. These include: Acting as sole counsel in the First Tier Tribunal for a major housebuilder in respect of proceedings under the Building Safety Act. The applicants sought a remediation contribution order. John has also advised parties in respect of potential liability relating to claims under the Building Safety Act. As sole counsel in a number of cases relating to adjudication (enforcement and related matters) including Phelan v Elliots [2021] EWHC 428 (TCC) and RHP Merchants v Treforest [2021] EWHC B40 (TCC). As sole counsel on behalf of an international engineering company in a series of matters in the energy industry, spanning serial adjudications and advice on litigation. As sole counsel in respect of an ongoing dispute valued in excess of £1m involving questions of subrogation, co-insurance and technical matters relevant to liability. John specialises in disputes involving all major forms of construction and engineering contracts, including NEC, IChemE and JCT forms. He is also the co-author of Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering Contracts.

Alan Steynor

Alan Steynor was called to the Bar in 1975 and has been a practising barrister in Keating Chambers since 1978. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration and has sat regularly on the County Court as Recorder for over 15 years. His practice covers the full range of work in which Keating Chambers specialise, including building, civil and structural engineering, mechanical engineering and similar technical work, acting for clients in central and local government, property developers, building and engineering contractors, architects, surveyors, project managers, engineers and building owners. He regularly handles cases in the High Court, both in the Queen’s Bench Division and the Technology and Construction Court, in London and in centres such as Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Cardiff. As a part time County Court Judge, he has up to date experience in trying civil cases involving construction and property law claims, breaches of contract, negligence and statutory duty, and the sometimes surprising operation of the Civil Procedure Rules, including case management. Alan has substantial experience of arbitration proceedings at all stages, both in the United Kingdom and overseas, including appeals against arbitrators’ awards and court proceedings relating to arbitrations, including the removal of arbitrators and the resolution of procedural disputes. As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators he is well informed of recent developments in arbitration law and practice. Since the introduction of adjudication he has built up considerable experience in advising and representing construction clients, both in written submissions and at hearings, and in enforcing and resisting adjudicators’ decisions in the High Court. He is a TECBAR Accredited Adjudicator and a supervisor for the MSc degree in construction law and arbitration at King’s College London. In addition to construction matters, Alan Steynor has had considerable experience over more than twenty five years of commercial property work in areas such as landlord and tenant law, dilapidations claims, retail property law and conveyancing, highways and planning, boundary and party wall disputes. He has been involved in a number of high profile party wall disputes in recent years, one involving claims in excess of £1m. Alan has a strong track record in advising clients in Health and Safety disputes and environmental law and defending prosecutions. His areas of work include the application of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994, the Health and Safety at Work of criminal procedure in both the Crown Court and Magistrates court relevant to enforcement proceedings and prosecutions. Alan Steynor has a very good working knowledge of French. He is happy to travel to any part of the world on business and recently appeared in a case in the Falkland Islands. Alan Steynor also undertakes public access work in his areas of practice

Marcus Taverner KC

Marcus Taverner KC has practiced from Keating Chambers for over 40 years specialising in construction, engineering and energy related disputes. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2000 and awarded "Construction Silk of the Year" in 2009 and 2015 by Chambers & Partners. He was appointed Head of Keating Chambers in 2015 and served until 2020. He was recommended as "the leading construction silk at the bar today" (Who’s Who Legal 2016). The Legal 500 UK 2018 reported him as "Incredibly hardworking, consistently energetic, and rightly regarded as a doyen of the construction sector". He was recently identified by Chambers & Partners UK 2020 as "A commanding advocate who is, in our view, second to none in the construction field." Marcus Taverner KC became a fulltime arbitrator and adjudicator in October 2021. He was described by Legal 500 (2020) as "One of the leading new generation construction arbitrators – he has a good incisive brain; listens to arguments carefully but makes his mind up and is decisive." He has since been described by Chambers & Partners (2025) as "super popular and a great asset to any tribunal", "has boundless enthusiasm for the dispute, whatever it is, however it is" and "he’s top flight." Having sat first as an arbitrator over 25 years ago, he has sat on numerous Tribunals governed by ICC, LCIA, SIAC, DIAC, HKIAC, VIAC and other institutional rules, as well as on Dispute Adjudication Boards in the UK and worldwide. His experience as an arbitrator, adjudicator and counsel, includes high value engineering, construction and energy related disputes in the UK and in jurisdictions around the world including: Europe; the Middle East (Qatar, Dubai, Jordan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia); South Africa and other African nations (including Nigeria and Uganda); the USA; India; Vietnam; Hong Kong; and Australia. He has vast experience of an array of standard forms in mechanical, electrical and civil engineering. He is particularly well known for his understanding of the commercial aspects of litigation and his mastering of the technical detail of complex and high value cases. The combination of "unparalleled advocacy skills" and "sound judgment" made him a popular choice for international and domestic clients. Clients have included UK governmental bodies, foreign governments and many of the world’s largest construction, engineering and oil companies, developers, related professionals and their insurers. His experience includes disputes subject to civil, common, Islamic and international jurisdictions and law. In the last 5 to 10 years, as counsel and arbitrator, Marcus Taverner KC has been involved in an array of large disputes relating to waste to energy plants; on-shore and off-shore oil and gas extraction projects; power stations; LNG facilities and pipelines; mining; various types of complex process plants; and, in the UK in particular, disputes relating to the fire protection of buildings.

Simon Taylor

Simon Taylor is an experienced competition and procurement specialist, with a background in EU law. He was originally called to the Bar in 1987 but left to study in Brussels and re-qualified as a solicitor. After 20 years or so practising in Brussels and London, including 7 years as a partner in a leading law firm, he returned to the Bar in 2012 and joined Keating Chambers. His career has been based on the regulation of public bodies and network industries, subsidies/state aid and the competition rules. These rules have historically been based on EU Treaty provisions and directives, but remain in modified form in UK law post Brexit. Simon was involved in 2001 in one of the first UK public procurement case, Severn Trent v Dwr Cymru and has since been at the forefront of development of procurement law. He has published and spoken widely on the area and has a busy contentious practice, acting both for bidders and buyers in public procurement disputes. He has acted in some of the most high-profile procurement cases in recent years, including acting for HS2 in Bechtel Ltd v HS2 Ltd (construction of Old Oak Common) and Siemens Mobility Ltd v HS2 Ltd (rolling stock) and also provides strategic advice on the conduct of tenders. He has also acted as a mediator on procurement disputes. He advises companies, utilities and public bodies on competition, subsidy control and regulatory issues arising from disputes, transactions such as mergers or joint ventures and commercial agreements or conduct. He has specific expertise in regulated sectors such as healthcare, communications, rail and water and also acts on commercial disputes and public law cases, particularly in these areas.

Wen Jin Teh

Wen Jin Teh was called to the Bar in 2020 and became a tenant at Keating Chambers in 2021. Wen Jin is developing a thriving practice in all of Chambers’ main practice areas and is comfortable acting as either sole counsel or as part of a wider team. He has particular experience with large and/or technically complex disputes (both domestic and international). Recent highlights include acting: In a c. £100 million multi-party HKIAC arbitration concerning defects to a post tensioned concrete bridge (led by Philip Boulding KC and Justin Mort KC); In a c. £175 million ADCCAC arbitration concerning delays to the construction of an airport in the Middle East (led by Marc Rowlands KC); In a c. £1.7 million adjudication concerning the compliance of an animal vaccine manufacturing facility with bio-containment and sterility regulations (led by Harry Smith); and In two related ICC arbitrations (totalling c. £500 million) concerning the termination of contracts to design and build deepwater semi-submersible drilling rigs (led by Adam Constable KC). Having grown up in Singapore, Wen Jin is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and is familiar with the East Asian and Southeast Asian region. He is also a contributor to Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering Contracts.

Christopher Thomas KC

Dr Christopher Thomas was called to the Bar in 1973 and appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1989. Dr Thomas has built an impressive reputation as an advocate and arbitrator in construction and engineering, energy and IT disputes. Dr Thomas has over 30 years experience acting for clients in the UK Courts, domestic and international arbitration and other forms of ADR. His experience extends to most types of construction projects including EPC Contracts for the construction of new power stations, major utility projects, bridge and tunnelling projects and major processing facilities. In addition to his extensive expertise in the UK Courts, Dr Thomas has also acted on some of the biggest claims to be decided by the UK adjudication process. These have included a series of adjudications in relation to works on motorway viaduct and major claims relating to upgrade work at an oil refinery. Dr Thomas is also a respected arbitrator, adjudicator and mediator. He is chairman and member of International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitral panels and his experience includes major international arbitrations for the ICC and the London Court of International Arbitration, adjudications in the UK and contractual adjudications for international projects. He is also a practising mediator dealing with international disputes such as oil concession agreements. The locations of his cases have included Barbados, Dubai, Gibraltar (where he was admitted to the Bar), Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, Sudan, Tobago, and Yemen.

Charlie Thompson

Charlie is described as “just a class act with quality of work beyond his call“. His experience covers not only domestic but also international disputes, such as CAR matters in respect of Saudi Arabian engineering projects, Qatari gas processing facilities and contractual disputes relating to developments in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Charlie, who is described as “a star of the future” has also been working as a junior in high value CAR claims arising out of sand ingress damage in wind turbines in Saudi Arabia, as part of a team on a large arbitration arising out of gas processing works in Qatar and on Contractors’ All Risks (“CAR”) matters closer to home. Charlie has experience in relation to a variety of standard form contracts including FIDIC, NEC and the JCT forms. Of late, he has also been involved in numerous construction, adjudication and related professional liability matters in his own right; these include a multi-million-pound final account loss and expense dispute arising out of hotel development works in Piccadilly, allegations of professional negligence against a firm of architects in relation to a large-scale commercial development in North Wales and a contractual dispute in respect of a data processing facility in Belgium. Whilst on a Pegasus Scholarship in the Middle East, Charlie worked with the DIFC Courts. During this time, he was involved in the DIFC Courts of the Future Forum (convened to meet the demands of future litigation and design the courts of the future) and, in particular, drafted the first round of the procedural rules for the courts of the future, speaking at the launch event for this international project.

James Thompson

James acts in a wide range of domestic and international disputes encompassing onshore and offshore construction and engineering, energy, technology, infrastructure and international arbitration. He is ranked in Chambers & Partners for construction litigation and international arbitration, The Legal 500 UK for construction, international arbitration and energy, and in The Legal 500 EMEA for his UAE expertise. James was shortlisted for ‘Construction Junior of the Year’ at the Legal 500 Middle East Awards 2025. His clients recommend him as “a rising star”, and an “exceptionally bright” and “technically excellent” barrister who has “a brilliant analytical mind”. He has an excellent reputation for trial advocacy, and his “cross-examination skills are at the level you might expect of a vastly more senior counsel”. James appears regularly in the TCC in disputes relating to a wide range of construction projects, including large-scale residential and commercial developments, power stations and infrastructure projects. He is also regularly instructed in cases involving issues of fire safety in a wide range of projects including schools, hospitals, leisure centres and residential buildings. He has extensive experience of adjudication, acting for clients in the adjudication process itself and subsequent enforcement proceedings. James has extensive experience of international arbitration, acting in disputes in Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, the Gulf and the Far East under various institutional rules (including DIFC-LCIA, ICC and DIAC). Described as “something of an expert in Qatari, Omani and UAE-related matters”, James has extensive experience of projects in the Middle East. He has acted in numerous high value disputes in the region arising out of energy-related projects, infrastructure projects, airports, educational facilities and commercial developments. Examples of James’ recent work include acting in a dispute concerning fire safety defects at a residential project; in adjudication proceedings concerning alleged defects in the design and construction of a ground source heating system; in multiparty TCC litigation arising out of a luxury residential redevelopment in London; in a US$1 billion dispute concerning the construction of an airport in the Middle East; in arbitration proceedings concerning the construction of a new university in Abu Dhabi; in TCC proceedings concerning liability for a major fire at a power station in the UK; and in arbitration proceedings concerning a final account dispute relating to a project to upgrade and expand an LNG process plant in the Middle East.

Samuel Townend KC

The immediate past Chair of the Bar of England and Wales, Samuel is an enormously respected Silk with a heavy practice across the spread of Chambers’ work, domestic and international. Samuel is known to be “a first-class advocate with the tenacity of a pit bull and manners of an English gentleman.” Along with mainstream construction, international arbitration, energy and professional negligence work, he specialises in offshore construction and marine engineering including dredging, together with infrastructure and utilities. In all he is cited as a Leading Silk in eight categories across the two main legal directories. Reported testimonials for 2026 describe Samuel as “A fierce intellect, a gritty fighter and a fantastic advocate. Sam is user-friendly and combines a UK and international practice with ease.” (Construction, Legal 500). “Sam is great to work with- a fantastic lawyer, good with clients and knows how to tackle thorny issues delicately.” (International Arbitration: Construction, Chambers & Partners). Further that “Sam is a go-to silk for high-value construction disputes. He is very able technically, quick to come back to you and a first-rate tactition.” (Professional Negligence: Construction, Chambers & Partners). Whether instructed as sole counsel, leading juniors, or co-counsel, Samuel is an energetic and enthusiastic member of the team known to be “a first-class advocate who is great with clients and has no problem rolling up his sleeves when the team is up against it”. His written pleadings and advocacy are noted as “very clear, logical and persuasive”. Samuel relishes getting stuck into the most legally complex and factually detailed disputes, known to be “particularly strong on arguing difficult points of law” providing “great advice” and championing the client in whatever forum is specified. Samuel regularly acts for clients in the courts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and he has a thriving practice in international and domestic arbitration (recently acting in arbitrations to final hearing in Australia, Singapore, Paris, the IDRC and, most recently, a fully remote ICC arbitration), along with all forms of alternative dispute resolution. Samuel is also one of only a few international lawyers to be on the list of international arbitrators for the Indian International Arbitration Centre. It is a reflection of the high regard in which he is held by the industry, that for over a decade Samuel has been Standing Counsel for the National House Building Council (NHBC), the market leading insurer of new and refurbished residential properties in the UK, for whom he acts for claims, recoveries and against personal guarantors. He successfully appeared in the Court of Appeal for NHBC in Herons Court v NHBC Building Control Services Ltd [2019] EWCA Civ 1423, concerning an attempt to extend s.1 of the Defective Premises Act 1972 to approved inspectors. Samuel is an Accredited Mediator, Adjudicator and Dispute Resolution Board panellist, he has acted as Mediator in domestic, international and remote mediations, and as Arbitrator. He also regularly acts as mediation and negotiation advocate.

John Uff

John Uff originally trained as a civil engineer, becoming a specialist in geotechnics, but after five years practice he transferred to the Bar and became Donald Keating’s last pupil. While developing an extensive practice in all areas of engineering and construction, he has maintained close interests in writing, lecturing and academia. In 1987 he became the founding Director of the Centre of Construction Law and Dispute Resolution at King’s College, London, and was appointed to the Nash Chair of Engineering Law at the University of London in 1992. Since 2003 he is Emeritus Professor of Engineering Law at King’s College. John Uff’s national and international reputation has led to many appointments as arbitrator in substantial disputes in most parts of the world as well as being appointed to chair Public Inquiries in the UK and abroad. He has maintained close contact with the engineering world through the ICE and the Royal Academy of Engineering. John has been closely involved in many developments in the construction industry over the past two decades, through committees and publications and has most recently spearheaded the engineering profession’s drive to establish new code of ethics in the engineering profession. In 1996 he served as Chairman of a Public Inquiry into Yorkshire water. In 1998-2001 chaired two Public Inquiries into rail accidents: first the Southall inquiry and secondly, sitting jointly with Lord Cullen, into rail safety systems, following the Paddington crash. Most recently he was invited to a chair panel of Commissioners inquiring into the activities of the public construction industry in Trinidad and Tobago. His report, which received wide publicity throughout the Caribbean, was delivered to the President in March 2010. His professional activities have included serving on the Court and appointment as a Vice President of the London Court of International Arbitration and serving as President of the Society of Construction Arbitrators and Master of the Worshipful Company of Arbitrators.

Tom Walker

Tom has a broad and busy practice across Chambers’ main specialisms. These include construction and engineering, adjudication, professional negligence, and procurement. He is ranked by The Legal 500 as a rising star across two categories and is described by clients as “an excellent junior”, “a pleasure to work with”, and “very diligent”. He accepts instructions to advise, draft, and provide representation at all stages of litigation or other dispute resolution process, and particularly relishes being on his feet having gained extensive advocacy experience both prior to and during his time at Keating Chambers. He joined Chambers following the successful completion of his pupillage in 2022 Recent experience as sole counsel includes: Successfully enforced an adjudicator’s award where enforcement was resisted on the basis of various jurisdictional grounds and allegations of fraud. Secured costs on the indemnity basis. Represented the Defendant an international arbitration in Singapore concerning a contract dispute worth approximately $2.4 million. This included a two-day final hearing. Represented the Claimant in an international arbitration in the UAE concerning a dispute over a performance guarantee, with a three-day final hearing. This included conducting the cross-examination of several witnesses of fact and an expert witness. Successful application in the High Court for an ex parte interim prohibitory injunction restraining a trespass and an ex parte interim mandatory injunction requiring a contractor to make safe the roof of the applicant’s property. This involved appearing in three separate hearings. Represented the defendant architect in a professional negligence claim in the High Court. Represented the claimant (an unsuccessful bidder) in a procurement claim concerning an abnormally low bid (High Court). Recent experience as junior counsel includes: Represented the Respondent in an adjudication concerning a delay claim (led by Jonathan Selby KC). Represented a high-net-worth individual in a domestic arbitration concerning a professional negligence claim arising out of defective works to a residential property (led by Lucy Garett KC). Represented HS2 (led by Sarah Hannaford KC) in a procurement challenge brought in relation to a £2.75bn rolling stock contract. This included a 4-week TCC trial and two strike out applications. Represented the Respondent in a £200 million ICC Arbitration concerning a project in the Middle East (led by Will Webb KC). Appeared in the Court of Appeal representing Lancashire County Council in an appeal concerning a limitation defence under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (led by Rhodri Williams KC). Before coming to the Bar, Tom worked as a county court advocate for a law firm, LPC law. During this time Tom would conduct several hearings a week in his own right in relation to mortgage possession; landlord and tenant possession; infant settlement; setting aside default judgment; and bankruptcy. Whilst studying for the Bar Course, Tom represented his Inn of Court, Middle Temple, in the Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot. This saw Tom compete in several European countries over the course of the year and win two awards for his advocacy. Tom is also a contributor to Keating on Construction Contracts, and the Construction Law Reports.

Adam Walton

Adam Walton specialises in domestic and international construction, engineering, energy, and professional negligence disputes. He accepts instructions to advise, draft, and provide representation at all stages of litigation or other dispute resolution process. Unusually for his year of call, the majority of Adam’s work is as sole counsel and a significant majority of his instructions come to him either as a product of his reputation or on a repeat basis. Notable experience as sole counsel includes: Acting for the claimant in ongoing multi-party High Court (TCC) proceedings against a contractor, an architect, and a structural engineer. Preparing, advising on, and appearing at numerous applications in both the county court and the High Court (TCC and Chancery Division). Appearing at multiple CCMCs. Acting for the claimant in a multi-party High Court (TCC) claim, which concerned recovery under the indemnity provisions of the JCT 2016 suite of contracts. Defending a multinational cladding manufacturer in High Court (TCC) proceedings, which related to alleged defects on a high-profile infrastructure project in Dubai. Acting in numerous adjudications, which together have included disputes relating to payment, true valuation, professional negligence, assignment and transferred loss, and reasonable settlement. Acting for the claimant in ongoing High Court (TCC) proceedings, which relate to the defective design and installation of a substructure. Notable experience as junior counsel includes: Acting as part of the counsel teams led by Tom Owen KC on two complex, high value claims: one concerning the largest ever road infrastructure project in Northern Ireland, the other concerning alleged fire-stopping and structural defects in a commercial development. Two ongoing defect (fire-stopping and water ingress) claims in the High Court (TCC), led by Brenna Conroy. Acting as part of the counsel team led by Vincent Moran KC on a c.£200 million DAB arising out of a substantial infrastructure project in Africa. Acting as part of the counsel team led by Simon Hughes KC on a £400 million ICC Arbitration concerning a project in the Middle East. Adam has published work in several leading law journals, and a number of those published works have been cited in court, leading textbooks, and further academic pieces. Most notably, Adam’s work on scope of duty is cited in Chitty on Contracts, whilst his work on the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978 is cited in Clerk and Lindsell on Torts. He is also a contributor to Keating on Construction Contracts. Prior to joining Keating, Adam worked at the Law Commission of England and Wales as a Research Assistant and at the Court of Appeal as Lord Justice Coulson’s Judicial Assistant. Whilst working as a Judicial Assistant, Adam’s work was consistently lauded by members of the Court of Appeal for its quality and clarity; Lord Justice Coulson notably describing him as “incredibly clever” and “exceptionally good at identifying the issues at the heart of a case”.

William Webb KC

Described in legal directories as a “brilliantly analytical barrister” whose advocacy is “elegant and persuasive”, William is a specialist silk working in all aspects of construction and engineering disputes. Over the years, William has been involved in countless claims relating to defects, variations, delay and disruption on projects ranging from minor residential developments to substantial infrastructure projects such as power stations, refineries and highways. William has a particular familiarity with cladding and other fire safety disputes, having been involved in many such claims in the TCC and having been instructed to act for an interested party to the Grenfell Inquiry. He is also very familiar with PFI/PPP disputes having acted for public bodies, ProjectCos, building contractors and maintenance contractors in a wide variety of matters arising under such contracts. William frequently appears in the Technology and Construction Court, where he has been instructed in some of the largest recent cases involving multiple parties and trials lasting several weeks. He also regularly appears in the Court of Appeal, as well as the Commercial Court and Chancery Division. He is also a TECBAR accredited adjudicator and has received appointments as adjudicator and arbitrator in both domestic and international disputes. In addition to domestic court work, William is regularly involved in substantial international arbitrations including claims arising out of projects in Qatar, Oman, Dubai, Yemen, Greece, Spain, Africa, Singapore and Russia. He is familiar with ICC, LCIA and UNCITRAL rules as well as bespoke national provisions. William is heavily involved in academic and practitioner texts on construction law, being an Editor of Chitty on Contracts (since 2015), an Editor of Keating on JCT Contracts and an editor of the Construction Law Reports.

Sean Wilken

Sean Wilken KC has practiced in high profile, complex, international and domestic litigation for over 20 years. His caseload has included: the major litigation arising from the 1990’s UK domestic property collapse; the consequences of 9/11 and 7/7 domestically and internationally; the international consequences of the 2008 collapse; as well as various international, environmental and commercial crises. He has advised and acted in major disputes dealing with practical and legal ramifications of disease outbreaks; toxic spills; terrorist incidents; local and international lockdowns and no fly orders. He acted in one of the most recent large scale force majeure disputes before the English Courts dealing the impact of border disputes on charterparties. Since March 2020, Sean has been advising and acting for various companies and bodies on the legal impacts of SARS-CoV-2 – including the application of the Coronavirus Act and the Regulations, the various forms of Guidance as well as associated delay. contract, frustration and force majeure, financing, insurance and supply chain issues. Since February 2022, Sean has been advising multinationals and other Ukrainian entities on public international and domestic law issues including: reconstruction, sanctions (UK and international), asset freezing, the law of war, impunity and associated legal remedies and recoveries. He is also an advocate/advisor to the Ukraine Justice Association. Sean’s recent cases have included: Advising and acting in a £50m liquidated damages arbitration relating to the late delivery of rolling stock Advising and acting in a £30m PFI TCC claim over a terminated PFI project Successfully resisting an injunction seeking to prevent a party from adjudicating claims arising out of the development of a luxury hotel Advising on the issues arising from the recent cancellation of large scale infrastructure projects including the A303 Bypass Advising and acting in numerous PFI disputes covering schools, hospitals, power facilities, police and other government facilities Advising developers as to the Pledge and Standard Remediation Terms in relation to cladding Advising international companies as to the issues arising from orders under section 130 Building Safety Act He has detailed experience resolving or litigating disputes in the financial; energy; infrastructure; insurance; commodities and construction sectors. His extensive domestic caseload ranges from North Sea energy disputes; to large scale PFI Projects (M6 Toll Road; Olympics infrastructure; the National Programme for Infrastructure in IT; numerous schools, hospitals, roads, prisons and light rail systems); to the application of UN sanctions in domestic law; to RIPA; to high value property developments in the UK; to the 2012 Olympics; to national security and telecoms issues. Internationally, his case load has included: acting as counsel for Leighton Contractors Asia in the Shatin-Central Link Public Inquiry in Hong Kong; a US$5bn dispute over block allocation in the energy sector in Africa; a £1bn dispute over infrastructure in the Middle East; a US$50m dispute over the funding of oil fields offshore Africa; a US$400m dispute over offshore drilling in Africa; disputes totalling over £1.5bn in the UAE; a HK$3bn dispute over infrastructure; a US$1.5bn dispute over energy in the Middle East; a BIT dispute over inbound investment; as well as major mutual and bank collapses in the Caribbean. In addition to the above, Sean has been instructed in multiple other cases in Hong Kong including: disputes over the design and construction of social housing; a dispute over the renovation of the water systems for Kowloon and Mong Kok; potential disputes over the financial issues arising from the redevelopment of properties in Sha Tin as well as advising on numerous property based HKSE issues. Sean has also been appointed to sit as Deputy Judge of the Court of the First Instance of the High Court in Hong Kong in September 2026. He has advised and acted in numerous international investment and trade disputes covering international investment treaties, Bilateral Investment Treaties, sovereign guarantees and international financial instruments as well as World Bank, WTO and GATT issues. He also has extensive experience in crisis management in multiple jurisdictions from the Far to the Middle East to Africa. Sean has experience in all domestic courts and tribunals as an advocate or arbitrator. His institutional experience embraces (in no particular order) the ICC; LCIA; HKIAC; SIAC; DIAC; ICSID; SCC and UNCITRAL as well as ad hoc arbitrations. Sean’s recent arbitral experience includes: six ad hoc arbitrations; two SCC arbitrations; two DIAC arbitrations; HKIAC arbitrations; SIAC arbitrations; four ICC arbitrations; two LCIA arbitrations; 3 UNICTRAL Arbitrations in the energy and projects sectors. Sean has sat as an arbitrator and as Chair of the Appellate Panel on sports arbitrations arising out of the Winter and Summer Olympics (2010; 2012 and 2018). Sean has also acted as an expert witness on English law before foreign courts and as an examiner taking depositions for US Courts. As well as being a silk at the English Bar, Sean is licensed to appear before the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC). Since taking silk in 2010, Sean has earned plaudits as a “heavyweight silk” (The Lawyer) who is “fantastically efficient and exceptionally user friendly” and whose intellectual capabilities and understanding of technically important details are widely recognised (Chambers & Partners). He is listed in Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 as a leading silk in Energy, Construction and International Arbitration. Sean was shortlisted for Construction and Energy Silk of the Year at the Legal 500 UK Awards 2018. Sean was consistently named as a leading lawyer in International Arbitration (Counsel) and Construction Law by Legal 500 and by Chambers & Partners and in Legal Experts 2002-2015. He had been rated as a Leading Junior in Administrative and Employment Law by The Lawyer and Legal Business on three occasions and as one of the top 80 barristers under the age of 40 by Legal Business. In terms of Scottish experience, Sean has acted in numerous Scottish Adjudications as advisor and expert witness. He has also been involved in a long running Scottish Arbitration as advisor.

Sarah Williams

Sarah Williams is an award-nominated barrister, specialising in construction, engineering, infrastructure and energy disputes. A feature of Sarah’s practice is the technical complexity of the subject matter, whether it be the intricacies of structural engineering in a large-scale infrastructure project, of an off-shore gas-compression facility in the Caribbean, or of the compliance of construction in mixed commercial-residential properties. Sarah’s most recent instructions represent the diversity, breadth and depth of Sarah’s practice. In the last 12 months, she has been instructed on a repeat basis in a case concerning allegations of fraud in oil and gas contracts in offshore Africa, on behalf of an architect in respect of a social housing project in north London, and by a major telecommunications company in respect of a hydrocarbons spill involving allegations of nuisance. Sarah is recognised for the quality of her oral and written advocacy, and her approachable, straightforward style. She is recommended in the directories as one who is “top-notch”, “punches above her weight in seniority“, that “her cross-examination has been precise and incisive” and “she is completely on top of the detail”. Sarah accepts public access and licensed access instructions in appropriate cases.

Rhodri Williams KC

Rhodri Williams KC is recommended in the legal directories for public procurement, local government, and public and administrative law where he is described as a “very shrewd tactician” and an “advocate with strong powers of persuasion”. He was called to the UK Bar in 1987 and to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 2009, and he took silk in 2010. Prior to joining Keating Chambers in October 2022, he was a member of Henderson Chambers in London and 30 Park Place Chambers in Wales. Rhodri specialises in public procurement cases and clients report that he is “very good on really difficult complex cases and very strong on his feet.” A longstanding expert in the field, his experience includes representing the successful appellants in the first ever case concerning public procurement to be heard before the Supreme Court in Brent LBC v Risk Management Partners Ltd & London Authorities Mutual Ltd & Harrow LBC [2011] UKSC 7. More recently he was instructed in a claim for breach of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, concerning provision of orthodontic services during the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to public procurement, Rhodri also deals with a wide range of local government issues, including judicial review of post office closures, school re-organisation plans and school transport decisions. He handles cases involving both local and regional government, including advising the Welsh Government and other Government Departments and local authorities, in England, Wales and in Northern Ireland. In 2000, he was appointed to the Attorney General’s list of approved Counsel and to the list of the Counsel General to the National Assembly for Wales (subsequently Senedd Cymru/the Welsh Parliament) and has represented the United Kingdom Government on several occasions before the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxemburg.