‘Widely recognised for its strength in construction law’, 39 Essex Chambers is well-geared to handle a wide variety of domestic and international disputes arising out of energy projects, PFI and PPP developments, and the fire safety disputes. Kate Grange KC led a large team, advising on the Grenfell Inquiry on all construction matters. Adam Robb KC has an active international practice, representing Spanish Contractor TSK Elctronica y Electricidad in a cross-border dispute involving elements of English, Finnish, and Indonesian law. Adrian Hughes KC and Karim Ghaly KC have led on a number of international arbitrations across Asia and the Middle East. Marion Smith KC appeared in the TCC leading David Hopkins examining the design if a plant in the energy from waste sector.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
David is a senior junior whose practice spans commercial, construction, and financial services disputes, professional discipline and regulation, and public law. David is regularly instructed in proceedings in the Commercial Court, the Chancery Division, the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) and the Administrative Court and before regulators’ disciplinary tribunals. A substantial proportion of David’s practice has an international element, particularly in the field of international arbitration, where he has acted in disputes subject to the Abu Dhabi Commercial Conciliation and Arbitration Centre (ADCCAC), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA), and Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) rules. He is a Technology & Construction Bar Association (TECBAR) accredited adjudicator and accepts appointments via the TECBAR adjudication scheme.
David is recommended as a leading junior in Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, Chambers Global, and The Legal 500 Asia Pacific. He was nominated for professional disciplinary junior of the year at the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024. David is a contributing editor of the Auction, Bailment and Banking and Bills of Exchange volumes of Atkin’s Court Forms (2023 and 2018 issues), Dovar and Sawtell on the Building Safety Act (forthcoming), The Law of Net Zero and Nature Positive (forthcoming), Making Lawful Decisions (2024) and Wilmot-Smith on Construction Contracts (5th edn, forthcoming; 4th edn, 2021). Prior to coming to the Bar, David worked in the City for five years as a foreign exchange and interest rates derivatives structurer.
Career
Called 2013
2015–present: Barrister, 39 Essex Chambers
2017–2018: Secondee barrister, Clifford Chance Asia
2012–2014: Interest rates derivatives consultant, Barclays Capital, Lloyds, National Australia Bank
2009–2012: Foreign exchange derivatives structurer, Barclays Capital
Languages
English
Memberships
ALBA, AllBar, ARDL, ChBA, COMBAR, FSLA, IBA, IPBA, LCLCBA, PNBA, SCL, TECBAR
Education
MPhil (Oxon), BPTC (BPP), GDL (BPP), BA (York)
Content supplied by 39 Essex Chambers
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Harvey Scott is a great clerk. He is quick to respond, commercial in dealing with fees and always keen to build and develop a good working relationship.'
- 'The service in the clerks' room was excellent throughout and was of great assistance to instructing solicitors. Andrew Poyser in particular was outstanding.'
- 'Lewis Walker is fantastic, knowledgeable and hugely personable. He makes a real effort to remember details, both personal and professional and is a real pleasure to deal with. He is not pushy like other chambers' clerks and it means he retains our business.'
- 'The Clerks are always extremely responsive and helpful, especially Helaina Padda. They make the task of arranging hearings and conferences very easy.'
- '39 Essex is one of our 'go-to' chambers for construction disputes. They are very good at what they do and regularly provide training to my firm.'
- '39 Essex provides a great service and offers a team with great strength-in-depth. Always responsive. They have always offered a good availability of levels of counsel.'
- '39 Essex Chambers is widely recognised for its strength in construction law. The set offers a deep bench of experienced practitioners and is frequently instructed in high-profile domestic and international construction disputes. Its members are active across a broad range of forums, including litigation, arbitration, adjudication, and dispute boards, and the set is known for its collaborative and commercially minded approach.'
- 'This set has a very strong cohort of counsel specialising in construction law from KCs through to junior juniors.'