‘Well known for its specialisation in the area of construction law’, Atkin Chambers remains engaged in significant construction disputes, covering issues from fire safety claims to delays and defects in international megaprojects. On the domestic front, Fiona Parkin KC appeared in the Supreme Court in the highly consequential case URS Corporation Ltd Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd, which clarified professional negligence questions under the Building Safety Act. Katie Powell led Max Twivy in the landmark cladding dispute, Shepherd Construction v Kingspan and Others, deciding the extent of professional liability for defective cladding. Chantal-Aimée Doerries KC is acting in a major PFI dispute concerning defect fire safety systems in a hospital, while Mark Chennells KC is instructed in Providence Building Services v Hexagon Housing Association, examining the interpretation of termination provisions. Dominique Rawley KC is instructed in a high profile plumbing and electrical defects dispute in relation to One Hyde Park. Internationally, Manus McMullan KC, Christopher Lewis KC, and Peter Land continue to act for the Panama Canal Authority in multi-billion pound arbitrations, one of many examples of the set's bread and butter work in heavyweight international construction arbitrations.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Katie Powell specialises in commercial disputes with a particular emphasis on construction, professional liability and insurance disputes.
Clients have recognised her as “an absolute star, with sharp intellect and an amazing work ethic” and she wins “universal praise”. She has a formidable reputation both on paper and on her feet, being described as an “outstanding construction and construction related junior”, as “unfailingly charming, super bright, incredibly hard-working and highly competitive;” “very tough and persuasive, and incredibly good in court”; “pure class: super-clever and down to earth”, “phenomenally bright” and as being “simply brilliant and passionate about everything she does”.
Katie is confident in conducting all major forms of dispute resolution on both a led and an unled basis. She has substantial experience in large litigation, arbitrations, adjudications and appeals, and is frequently instructed in place of silks.
Career
Magdalen College, Oxford (PPE, 2003); City University (Diploma in Law, 2004); Called 2005.
Katie is the current editor of the insurance section in Hudson’s Building and Engineering Contracts.
Memberships
Katie is a member of COMBAR, SCL, TECBAR and PNBA.
Content supplied by Atkin Chambers
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Atkin Chambers clearly have strength in depth and an impressive array of top quality barristers in their set when it comes to construction. David Barnes, CEO and Director of Clerking is excellent at identifying a barrister who is an ideal fit.'
- 'Atkin are in a league of their own. The clerks are super responsive, particularly Rob Bryant. They always find the right person for the job.'
- 'Rob Bryant and Freddie Buckle are particularly excellent, making sure that they understand, not only the substantive issues involved in any instruction, but the context.'
- 'Clerks are helpful and responsive, and keen to build relationships. Rick Bulatis is particularly helpful, along with Andy Burrows and Justin Wilson.'
- 'Atkins Chambers is my go-to arbitration set for construction disputes. Good collection of the construction silks and very responsive and client oriented clerks.'
- 'Atkin has expertise in construction related matters at all levels of seniority. The set's specialisation makes members comfortable in a wide range of disputes arising from construction, infrastructure and energy projects in many jurisdictions.'
- 'Atkin Chambers is obviously the pre-eminent construction set, and they are excellent to deal with. The clerking team was able to offer a very good range of counsel options at the outset of the moment, and was thoughtful in the leading junior counsel combinations they put forward.'
- 'Atkin Chambers is a great set; the barristers I have worked with are obviously leaders in their fields as well as being approachable, willing to roll up their sleeves, and great team players. The clerks are super responsive, helpful, commercial.'