Sean Brannigan KC > 4 Pump Court (Sean Brannigan KC and Rachel Ansell KC) > London, England > Barrister Profile

4 Pump Court handles a myriad of substantial contentious construction matters both in the UK and abroad, offering a ‘first-class service’. In addition to the members’ work in heavyweight arbitrations across Asia, the Middle East and further afield, Sean Brannigan KC and Jennie Gillies represented the claimants, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, in a high-profile case against Lendlease and Balfour Beatty resulting from the defective construction of a PFI hospital. Members of the set were enlisted by various parties to defend against claims brought forward by Shepherd Construction Limited, pertaining to alleged defects in the design and construction of cladding systems on residential blocks in London. Among them, Lynne McCafferty KC represented Drytech Façades , while Rachel Ansell KC acted for Kingspan. Jeremy Nicholson KC represented Aecom in the complex multi-party proceedings case of Willmott Dixon Construction v. Prater, Lindner Exteriors Holding, Sheppard Robson, AECOM, and AIS Surveyors, which arose from alleged defective cladding in a Woolwich Central commercial and residential development. Jonathan Lewis KC took silk in March 2023, and Fiona Sinclair KC retired.

4 Pump Court ‘has a strong practice and presence in international construction arbitration and related dispute resolution procedures’ with specialist expertise in large-scale commercial engineering and infrastructure disputes, with a strong Middle East focus besides China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Members stand out for their ability to handle complex technical claims before the full range of arbitral institutions and rules acting for an impressive client portfolio. Among the set’s ‘highly competent silks’ is Claire Packman KC who is advising on two high value ICC arbitrations: a professional negligence claim in relation to a large city centre development in the Middle East, and a contractual dispute relating to the supply of solar panels to solar power projects worldwide. Benjamin Pilling KC, Rachel Ansell KC, Sean Brannigan KC and Sanjay Patel KC‘give the set an exceedingly strong depth on construction matters.’ 

4 Pump Court has ‘a culture of thoughtful, hard-worked advocacy’, and clients remark that it is ‘sharpest and most user-friendly of chambers’.  Particularly strong on matters concerning energy infrastructure, its members frequently handle cases involving the energy aspects of commercial and construction law, as well as disputes arising directly from large-scale energy projects. Their work is supported by the set’s experience in the related areas of technology and maritime law. Sean Brannigan KC acted for a Saudi Arabian state entity in a case concerning the construction of power infrastructure for the world’s largest phosphorus plant. Rachel Ansell KC acted for insurers in a claim brought by the owner and developer of a renewable energy plant under an Advance Loss of Revenue policy. Sanjay Patel KC, who acted for the claimants in Energy Works Hull v MW High Tech Projects UK, a high-value construction dispute related to the renewable energy sector, is among the set’s many prominent juniors.

4 Pump Court features a strong team within the construction, infrastructure and energy space, with cases crossing over with shipping matters in this area. Offshore construction matters have been prominent in the group’s recent workload, and the set reports an uptick in renewable energy mandates. Sean Brannigan KC‘s caseload includes handling high-value claims for Korean contractors, and Sean O’Sullivan KC is well known for advising on disputes arising from oil projects. Robert Scrivener has a solid track record in advising on international arbitrations concerning infrastructure and energy projects, and Andrew Stevens is highly regarded for handling disputes from major Asia Pacific arbitral centres.

Boasting in-depth expertise in the full gamut of construction and engineering matters, 4 Pump Court remains at the forefront of airport, hospital, and university developments. Rachel Ansell KC is often instructed on significant energy and engineering disputes, Sean Brannigan KC is reputed for his strength in infrastructure arbitration, and Alexander Hickey KC is a key port of call for energy and natural resources matters across the Gulf. Claire Packman KC’s expertise includes cases with professional negligence elements, while Thomas Crangle has experience of work concerning railways. Simon Hale is noted for his international energy arbitration capabilities, while Laurence Page is also a key member of the set.