Atkin Chambers has ‘vast experience and remarkable knowledge in international arbitration in construction disputes’ and is seen as the ’go-to’ set for construction, energy and infrastructure matters across the Middle East. Chantal-Aimée Doerries KC and Simon Lofthouse KC continue to excel in disputes and arbitrations arising out of large construction projects across the Gulf, while Stuart Catchpole KC’s broad practice includes energy and natural resources, insurance and professional negligence disputes. Junior members of the set include Zulfikar Khayum, whose strong arbitration practice includes numerous complex construction disputes in the DIAC and ICC, Rónán Hanna, who has experience in transport and oil pipeline disputes and Samar Abbas Kazmi, who has recently been active on disputes relating to mixed-use commercial developments and luxury resorts. Recently promoted silk Camille Slow KC continues to handle power plant and desalination project disputes.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Zulfikar practices across all areas of the construction, engineering, energy and IT sectors in both the domestic and international context.
His practice combines substantial UK infrastructure projects (with a number under PFI) along with major projects in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. His recent experiences includes projects relating to major hospitals, airports, city centre transport, oil refineries and energy plants.
He has a particular focus on large, technically complex, international disputes.
He has been instructed in as counsel in a range of dispute resolution procedures including litigation, arbitration, adjudication and mediation. He has experience in advising and drafting pleadings in relation to all aspects of his practice. As part of his role he has been asked to advise on tactical as well as legal issues and is experienced in pre-action matters. He is regularly instructed as both junior and sole counsel, and has appeared in a number of trials in both court and arbitration, as well as at various interim hearings.
In addition to purely legal and tactical issues, he has been involved in cases dealing with a wide range of highly technical issues in the construction and engineering sector. His experience extends to cases requiring the involvement of multiple experts in a number of different disciplines and in particular experts dealing with architectural, engineering, fire safety, delay and quantum issues.
Career
LLB (Hons); BCL (Oxon). Called 2006.
Memberships
Zulfikar is a member of the SCL, TECBAR and COMBAR.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team is highly professional and dedicated, making it a pleasure to collaborate with them. In particular, Justin Wilson stands out as an excellent clerk. He is always available to assist and is proactive in managing client relationships, ensuring that communication flows smoothly and efficiently. Highly recommended!'
- 'Great clerks. David Barnes particularly outstanding.'
- 'Excellent clerks - always very helpful and responsive and providing clear communications. Andrew Burrows and Freddie Buckle have been particularly helpful.'
- 'David Barnes has a business acumen like no other - he is extremely well connected, responds super quickly with great suggestions, is very kind.'
- 'Atkin is one of the best construction law sets with a very dynamic head clerk David Barnes who inspires confidence. The market of top quality barristers in this field is relatively small and this chambers is a go to place.'
- 'Akin Chambers has no weakest link - from junior to young silk to experienced silk.'
- 'For construction, Atkin Chambers is obviously go-to. There is very good strength-in-depth, counsel availability is good and the clerks are very well able and placed to ensure that client needs are met.'
- 'What makes the practice of Atkin Chambers unique is its vast experience and remarkable knowledge in international arbitration in construction disputes.'