David Thomas KC
An exceptional barrister, calm, meticulous, with excellent cross-examination skills and always professional.
Keating Chambers is widely regarded as a leader in international arbitration with expertise spanning major arbitral institutions, including ICC, LCIA, DIAC, HKIAC, SIAC, and UNCITRAL rules. The set has extensive experience acting in arbitrations involving complex infrastructure and construction projects, including airports, power plants, oil and gas facilities, and major residential and commercial developments. David Thomas KC is regularly instructed on arbitrations arising from major energy and infrastructure projects across the globe, while Richard Harding KC has a well-established construction and engineering disputes practice in the Middle East. Keating Chambers’s junior bench is equally impressive with Tom Walker, who focuses on construction and engineering matters, and Wen Jin Teh, who recently acted in high-value IChemE and ICC arbitrations concerning construction and energy disputes.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Excellent depth in construction specialists.
- An impressive set.
- All the clerks are very responsive and eager to help.
- Keating has a great range of counsel, all of whom are specialists, and their training is sector-focused and very helpful.
Lawyers
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Veronique Buehrlen KC
Richard Harding KC
Simon Hughes KC
Simon is a standout strategist and leader, with a remarkable ability to distill the most complex factual and technical issues into a clear path forward. Commercially sophisticated and deeply knowledgeable about the construction industry in particular, he is invariably focused on the points that matter most and how best to achieve the client's objectives.
Sean Wilken KC
Marc Rowlands KC
Marc Rowlands KC is an effective arbitration counsel with significant experience in complex international disputes. He is particularly strong in construction-related arbitrations, where his technical expertise is a key asset. He is clear and persuasive in his written and oral advocacy and adopts a pragmatic approach to case strategy. He works well with the wider team and is a reliable choice for high-value disputes.
Calum Lamont KC
Calum is a delay expert and the barrister who is most likely to get into the detail. When I instruct Calum, I know he is entering a dispute knowing more about it than anyone else in the room. He rolls up his sleeves and gets firmly into the detail, leaving no stone unturned. He is very user-friendly and often develops a good relationship with the rest of the legal team and clients alike.
Lucy Garrett KC
Lucy's attention to detail and ability to clearly explain and explore the position are great strengths. She is able to build a relationship with clients quickly and easily and is happy to dig in and be part of the overall legal team working together to achieve the result. Her experience and knowledge make her a safe pair of hands and make it easy to recommend and work with her.
Samuel Townend KC
A fierce intellect with a "rolled sleeves up" attitude. Sam is great on his feet in advocacy but also excellent with clients.
Paul Buckingham KC
Vincent Moran KC
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
Peter Brogden
Meticulous preparation, effective cross-examination, and a delight to work with.
John McMillan
John is an excellent advocate. His written advocacy cut to the nub of the issue and presented our case in its most favorable light. His cross-examination was equally effective.
James Thompson
He’s excellent with clients and immerses himself in the details of a case. That work ethic and attention to detail make his advocacy top-notch.
Abdul Jinadu
Jennie Wild
Jennie is already a star. Her work is technically excellent and her client service is second to none.
David Sheard
Ben Sareen
Sarah Williams
Bright, hardworking, and not overtrading. Sarah is great to have on your team. What more could you ask for?
Rachael O’Hagan
Such a great barrister! She got acquainted with a very complex case in a very short period of time. Her cross-examination of experts was amazing, and so were her advocacy skills. I can definitely recommend her.
James Frampton
James is an exceptionally capable junior with a strong grasp of both the technical and legal dimensions of complex construction disputes. He is particularly adept at analyzing large-scale projects involving competing issues and navigating the interaction between contractual claims and expert evidence. He is able to assimilate detailed factual and technical material quickly while maintaining focus on the key strategic and commercial issues. He is also very knowledgeable about the nuances of adjudication and arbitration and provides clear, personable, and pragmatic advice throughout the lifecycle of a dispute.
Rising stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
