39 Essex Chambers houses ‘many leading KCs as well as very sound juniors’ who cover a range of infrastructure, energy and natural resources construction disputes and arbitrations. Among the silks who maintain an active practice are Karim Ghaly KC, who advises governments, contractors and developers in infrastructure arbitrations and Marion Smith KC, who has experience as counsel and as an arbitrator in construction disputes across the Middle East. Adrian Hughes KC has experience in construction arbitrations before a range of centres, including the ICC, DIAC and DIFC-LCIA and Alexander Burrell is an active junior.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Barrister specialising in complex commercial contract work. Main areas of expertise lie within the construction/engineering and commercial fields and include also information technology, rail, energy, project finance, insurance, shipping, international trade and professional negligence cases. Much of his work involves international arbitration and dispute resolution with a particular focus on China and the Far East. He acts as Counsel and also as Arbitrator in many different jurisdictions and under all the main international institutional rules.
Career
Formerly an Officer in the Royal Navy. Called to the Bar 1981. Examiner of the Court 1998. Recorder 2001. Queen’s Counsel 2006. Adjudicator (TECBAR). Mediator (Resolex panel; CEDR qualified); Dispute Board chairman/member for major infrastructure projects.
Languages
French (working knowledge).
Memberships
Chairman UK Society of Construction Law (2010-11); Chairman China Law Council in the UK; Bar Council International Committee; TECBAR; COMBAR.
Education
Warwick School; Wadham College, Oxford (MA in jurisprudence).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- '39 Essex are considered one of the top constriction chambers and have a long list of very well known Barristers and KCs. There clerks are very knowledgeable and approachable.'
- 'Excellent. Easy to work with and very responsive.'
- 'Very user-friendly.'
- 'The clerks respond to queries in a swift manner, especially in urgent cases where deadlines are tight. Darcey Bourne and Helaina Padda communicate clearly. They are good at managing barristers’ time and keeping us informed of availability well in advance. Generally, the clerks are approachable and easy to work with, especially during difficult or complex situations.'
- 'They have many leading KCs as well as very sound juniors.'
- 'Strength in depth.'
- 'The set have multiple barristers who specialise in construction practice. This provides flexibility in case of availability issues and ensures a range of perspectives. They have a good balance of senior barristers and juniors. The set is able to respond to inquiries, book hearings, or provide assistance in urgent matters.'
- 'Great selection of counsel focused on construction arbitration.'