London Bar

Keating Chambers
Arbitrators

Rachael O\'Hagan
Keating Chambers, London
Position
- Described as : ”an extremely bright and effective advocate, and a real hit with clients”; “very intellectual, she gets to the heart of a dispute quickly and is very engaging”; and “unflappable” barrister “who understands the issues straightaway”.
- Specialises in high-value construction, engineering, technology, infrastructure, nuclear/energy along with professional negligence and insurance claims related to these sectors. She also acts in public procurement disputes.
- Has a real passion for oral advocacy at trials and evidentiary hearings, which is reflected in the client comments published in the legal directories (see the Recommendations section below). Her clients are domestic and international, and she has a wealth of experience in the English Courts and also representing parties under various international arbitral rules, including: ICC, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, UNCITRAL and DIAC.
- Recommended in leading UK and Global directories, including for her work in construction, international arbitration, professional negligence and procurement. Reflective of her practice, nominated as “Junior of the Year” at the 2023 Legal 500 UK Awards and International Arbitration Junior of the year in 2019. Also, recognised as a Future Leader in the WWL Global Guide and appears in the Lexology Index Thought Leaders: Global Elite 2024.
- Advises clients on all forms of commercial dispute resolution and has represented clients in mediations (including under the Court Scheme), adjudications and disputes under the Railway Industry Dispute Rules. She has been appointed as the legal nominee on a Dispute Advisory Board and is also a TECBAR Adjudicator. Also represented a Corporate Core Participant as part of the Grenfell Inquiry.
- Contributes to various construction legal texts, including: two chapters of Keating on Construction Contracts.
Career
TECBAR Adjudicator 2020 TECBAR Committee Member – (ongoing appointment) Keating Chambers, Barrister 2019 – 39 Essex Street, Barrister 2009 – 2019 Called to the Bar 2006
Languages
French
Memberships
Society of Construction Law TECBAR COMBAR
Education
Bar Vocational Course, Nottingham Law School (Very Competent): 2005-2006 LLB, Law with French, Birmingham University (2.1 (Hons)): 2001-2005 Diplôme d’Etudes Juridiques Françaises, L’Université de Limoges: 2003-2004
Mentions
London Bar
Public procurement
Leading junior‘Really good to work with, hardworking, and excellent written advocacy.’
London Bar
Professional negligence
Leading junior ‘She is very thorough.’
London Bar
Construction
Leading junior‘Rachael’s open but no-nonsense manner means that she builds good rapport with the tribunal and even opposing counsel. She is particularly effective at sorting the wheat from the chaff, and only cross-examining on the points that really mattered.’
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