A ‘leading set for construction arbitration’, members of Keating Chambers are regularly appointed in arbitrations across the globe, including those arising in the UK, Europe, the Caribbean and the Middle East. On top of its construction expertise, the set also contains experience in disputes within the infrastructure and energy sectors. Its members are appointed by the ICC, LCIA, LMAA, DIAC and SIAC, among other leading arbitral institutions. Robert Gaitskell KC brings his knowledge gained as a chartered engineer to complex construction disputes involving a broad array of arbitral bodies and rules, including UNCITRAL, ICC and LCIA. A full-time arbitrator and adjudicator, Marcus Taverner KC acts on construction, engineering and energy disputes across the globe. Veronique Buehrlen KC ’manages cases with skill and deep common sense’, having experience as a Deputy High Court Judge and an arbitrator in institutional and ad hoc arbitrations. Other key names include John Marrin KC, Alexander Nissen KC and Richard Harding KC.
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Profile
Position
Richard Harding KC has been described as “without a doubt the leading English barrister practising in the field of international arbitration of construction disputes in the Middle East and Gulf regions.” He studied Arabic and Persian at Oxford University and in Egypt, and was then called to the English Bar. He acts as counsel for governments, private employers, contractors and professionals, and is regularly appointed as an arbitrator in international commercial matters.
His cases have related to:
- Oil and gas projects – on and off shore
- Railways
- Airports
- Roads
- Civil engineering
- Factories and process engineering
- Power generation
- Water infrastructure
- Commercial and residential property
- High rise buildings
- Mining
- Professional negligence
- Marine structures and ports
- IT systems
- Dredging
- A theme park
Richard Harding KC has a working knowledge of Arabic, German, Spanish, French, and some Persian. He regularly acts in cases, as either counsel or arbitrator, under the laws of the Middle East, and has particular experience of the laws of the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan.
As counsel, he is instructed by law firms (particularly from UK, the Middle East and USA) and also directly by in-house counsel and professionals. He has a particular interest in disputes relating to Iran.
He is the current and founder Chairman of the Society of Construction Law in the Arabian/ Persian Gulf, and is the Middle East co-ordinator for the ICC Task Force on the enforcement of foreign arbitration awards. He is also an acclaimed conference chairman and speaker.
Career
Called 1992; Middle Temple; chairman Society of Construction Law (Gulf); QC 2009.
Languages
Arabic, German, Spanish, French, Persian.
Memberships
TECBAR; COMBAR; LCLCBA; Society of Construction Law (UK); Society of Construction Law (Gulf); list of arbitrators of: ICC, LCIA, Tehran Regional Arbitration Centre, ACIC Tehran.
Education
Latymer Upper School; Pembroke College, Oxford (1990 MA Oxon Oriental Studies (Arabic, Persian)); University of Alexandria, Egypt; Common Professional Examination (1991).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'James Luxmoore and Will Shrubsall are incredibly hard-working, responsive, intuitive, knowledgeable and accommodating.'
- 'Well regarded - leading set for construction arbitration.'
- 'The clerks are very responsive, friendly and efficient.'
- 'Keating has a deep bench of barristers at all levels with strong arbitration and wider disputes experience in construction across multiple sectors.'
- 'Great strength in terms of construction expertise. Barristers make themselves available at short notice.'
- 'Keating is my go-to set for construction work both nationally and regionally. They offer a unique strength-in-depth and can typically find the appropriate level of experience for any kind of matter.'
- 'The clerks' room at Keating is exceptional with a responsiveness that enables us to be similarly responsive to our client base.'