Paul Buckingham KC > The Chambers of Alexander Nissen KC > London, England > Barrister Profile

As an ‘excellent specialist set’ in construction law, Keating Chambers continues to impress with its representation in an array of high-profile cases, both in the UK and abroad. In addition to the set’s global presence in arbitrations, domestic instructions include Martlet Homes v Mulalley, the first post-Grenfell cladding fire safety case to go to trial, where Jonathan Selby KC and Tom Coulson represented the claimants, while Simon Hughes KC and James Frampton acted for the defendants. Other key cases include Cambridgeshire County Council v BAM Nuttall Limited, a long-running case concerning a guided busway in Cambridgeshire, involving Piers Stansfield KC, Sarah Williams, and Harry Smith acting for the claimant. Paul Bury, acting for Resource Recovery Solutions (Derbyshire) Limited, and Lucy Garrett KC, who is representing Derbyshire CC & Derby CC, are instructed to appear on opposite sides of a dispute revolving around the termination of a PFI contract for the Derby waste-to-energy plant. The set has seen the addition of Alexandra Bodnar from 39 Essex Chambers. Paul Buckingham KC and William Webb KC both took silk in March 2023, while Adam Constable KC (as was) is now on the High Court bench.

‘Leading chambers for construction and energy disputes’, Keating Chambers houses barristers ‘at the top of their game with strong technical ability’ and offers comprehensive expertise across a wide range of sectors and across multiple rulesets. Thanks to an array of international members, most notably in the Middle East, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Africa, the set has an impressive international presence demonstrated by global instructions. Senior silk Veronique Buehrlen KC is currently instructed on several high-profile energy arbitrations, both in relation to renewables and oil and gas. At the junior end Rachael O’Hagan often acts as sole counsel going up against silks in high-value arbitrations with particular ability in the construction and infrastructure sectors. William Webb KC and Paul Buckingham KC bolstered the senior end of the set having joined the silk ranks in March 2023, the latter with particular expertise in complex technical disputes as a former engineer in the oil and gas industry.

Keating Chambers principally focuses on construction projects but spans many markets, among them oil and gas, nuclear, energy-from-waste, windfarms, renewable energy, and mining. 2022 silk appointment Paul Buckingham KC, who is ‘very measured, and gives very clear non-nonsense advice’, specialises in major construction, energy and engineering disputes, particularly those involving international projects – he is currently acting for Surrey County Council in relation to a waste treatment and energy from waste facility in Shepperton, which has £205m in PFI credit funding from DEFRA. Simon Hughes KC is currently involved in a high-profile matter concerning the Hinkley Point C nuclear reactor, and turning to the set’s juniors Tom Owen KC appeared as sole counsel for the defendants in Premier Engineering v MW High Tech Projects, a TCC matter final account dispute.

Experienced in DIAC, ICC, and LCIA arbitration, Keating Chambers is well-informed in heavyweight construction disputes arising from airport, road, and rail development projects. David Thomas KC enjoys a regional footprint and his broad construction experience encompasses Saudi Arabian mixed commercial developments. Simon Hughes KC and Justin Mort KC specialise in disputes arising from energy projects, while Calum Lamont KC is often engaged in international marine construction arbitration. James Thompson is knowledgeable of disputes arising from commercial and educational facility developments, while Paul Buckingham KC and William Webb KC took silk in 2023.