Keating Chambers

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.

Chair of the Bar 2024 Vice-Chair of the Bar 2023 Bencher of Lincoln’s Inn 2023 Chair, Bar Council Legal Services Committee 2022 Member, Bar Council Legal Services Committee 2017 Call to the Northern Ireland Bar 2014 TECBAR Accredited Adjudicator and Dispute Resolution Board Member 2013 TECBAR Accredited Mediator 2012 Standing Counsel to the NHBC 2008 Member of the Bar Council 2006-2008 Called to the Bar (Lincoln’s Inn) 1999

The Latymer School, Edmonton, London; Trinity College, Cambridge (1996 History (2(1)); City University, London (1998 Diploma in Law).

Samuel stood as a parliamentary candidate for Reigate (2005) and Bristol North West (2010). He is Vice-Chair of the Society of Labour Lawyers. He was a Councillor of the London Borough of Lambeth from 2006-2009. In that role and as a school governor Samuel was involved in a number of appointment and disciplinary panels. For a number of years he was appointed by the Bar Council to supervise the elections of the Executive of the National Union of Students.