Department profile
4 New Square Chambers

Construction

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


4 New Square Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Construction - London (Bar)

Band 3

Band 3


What the Team is Known For

4 New Square Chambers is noted for its "specialist expertise" and "go-to barristers." It maintains a strong construction law team, which is highly sought after by contractors and developers to handle the full spectrum of construction disputes, and the set's strong reputation for professional negligence and insurance issues complements the construction law offering. Barristers at the set have acted in notable cladding cases, including Shepherd Construction Limited v Kingspan and Others. Members have also been recently instructed in the high-profile Aylwin v Greystoke Builders. The chambers also has a reputable international construction disputes practice, in addition to its extensive TCC and domestic ADR expertise.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The set has good clerks who are responsive. Senior team clerk Andrew Call is particularly good.

    Construction respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are excellent. They do provide a bridge to the commercial management of a case.

    Construction respondentUK Bar
  • The 4 New Square clerks are always available and responsive, and are always able to find the right counsel for the case.

    Construction respondentUK Bar
  • It is a good chambers with nice client care. It is well organised. Deputy senior clerk Dennis Peck and senior clerk Lizzy Stewart are very efficient.

    Construction respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsBen Patten
    Star IndividualsBen Patten

    Ben Patten

    Ben Patten KC is a strong silk who advises on big-ticket construction matters, including all manner of domestic disputes and international arbitration. His construction expertise is complemented by an acclaimed professional negligence offering. His loyal client base includes contractors, developers and insurers. He is also sought out as a mediator in construction disputes.

    • He is a real class act who is detail-oriented and has a big-picture view of any case. He is the silkiest of silks.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
    • He is very considered and quick but also a very well-prepared, relaxed and charming advocate.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
    • Ben was outstanding. He demonstrated deep experience and confidence, in turn inspiring our confidence and trust in his judgement.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
    • Ben Patten is a very safe pair of hands and well respected.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
  • Star IndividualsRoger Stewart
    Star IndividualsRoger Stewart

    Roger Stewart

    Roger Stewart KC is an exceptional senior silk with a strong reputation for work in construction-related professional negligence. He is also highly active in high-stakes international arbitrations. He receives plaudits for his commercial and client-centric approach. His work includes complex PFI disputes.

    • Roger Stewart has a really strong practice and is very much in demand.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
    • Roger Stewart has been helpful.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Hugh Saunders
    Band 1Hugh Saunders

    Hugh Saunders

    Hugh Saunders has a strong reputation for his successful practice covering various kinds of construction disputes, including those concerning residential and commercial developments, and infrastructure projects. He routinely represents contractors and developers in High Court proceedings as well as arbitrations and adjudications, often appearing as sole counsel.

    • He provides clear and commercial advice, which instils confidence in the clients. He is technically excellent, and his drafting is well crafted.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
    • Hugh is always a pleasure to work with.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Siân Mirchandani
    Band 1Siân Mirchandani

    Siân Mirchandani

    Siân Mirchandani KC is well regarded for her construction work at tribunal and beyond. She undertakes work on both the employer and contractor sides, handling numerous contractual issues in dispute, including defects and delay claims. She has acted in an array of cases, with subject matters including the supply of cladding, concrete and steelwork.

    • She has great attention to detail. She does thorough and comprehensive work.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
    • She is very responsive and gets to grips with complex issues to provide sensible commercial advice. Her advocacy is top-quality.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Paul J Cowan
    Band 2Paul J Cowan

    Paul J Cowan

    Paul Cowan is a respected junior with a broad construction practice. He is especially active in disputes concerning nuclear power and oil and gas. He represents clients in domestic litigation at the TCC and in significant international arbitration hearings. He has experience in handling difficult delay and defect claims. His experience includes handling claims involving allegedly defective cladding.

    • Paul Cowan is excellent and a go-to for us. He's really good and his attention to detail is a key strength.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3George McDonald
    Band 3George McDonald

    George McDonald

    George McDonald is a highly regarded junior with extensive experience in major construction litigation and arbitration. He has particularly notable expertise in disputes arising from large government projects.

    • George McDonald is brilliant and strong on data.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
    • George McDonald is very good and I really rate him.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Richard Liddell
    Band 3Richard Liddell

    Richard Liddell

    Richard Liddell KC is a talented silk with a notably broad practice, who demonstrates particular strength in cases concerning contractors and engineers. He is especially experienced in defending defect claims. He regularly acts in adjudications and arbitration and has appeared in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

    • He provides excellent analysis and his dealings with the clients and the team are exceptional. Richard Liddell is also really good on his feet.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
    • His advocacy and attention to detail are second to none. He is one of the best I've seen for courtroom advocacy.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
    • Richard Liddell digs into the detail and gives pragmatic legal advice that goes above and beyond.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Douglas James
    Band 4Douglas James

    Douglas James

    Douglas James is a talented junior with an international practice. Well versed in construction disputes, he makes frequent appearances in the TCC, the Commercial Court and the Court of Appeal. He also has notable experience in arbitrations and adjudications.

    • Doug has been fabulous. He is responsive, knowledgeable and generally just lovely to work with.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Neil Hext
    Band 4Neil Hext

    Neil Hext

    Neil Hext KC is a popular choice among insurance clients for disputes in the construction sector. He is equally entrusted to represent contractors in cases heard in the TCC and in international arbitration proceedings.

    • Neil Hext is very strong on difficult issues.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Paul Fisher
    Band 4Paul Fisher

    Paul Fisher

    Paul Fisher has extensive experience of domestic construction litigation, regularly appearing unled in the TCC, and of international arbitrations.
    • Paul is very user-friendly, great with the clients, has great analytical skills and razor-sharp advocacy.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
    • He is a standout and a clear go-to for complicated contentious construction matters.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
    • He is really straightforward, really responsive and really great with difficult clients.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
    • I thought he was really good in getting up to speed quickly and understanding the brief.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Tim Chelmick
    Band 4Tim Chelmick

    Tim Chelmick

    Tim Chelmick is an impressive junior barrister managing a busy construction practice. He appears in both domestic and international litigation, adjudication and arbitration proceedings. His diverse workload incorporates professional liability disputes as well as large infrastructure and energy projects.

    • Tim is very well prepared and insightful. He has an excellent manner with the judge and the opponent.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
    • Tim clearly had great expertise and knowledge of the practice area and also was very practical.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Tom Asquith
    Band 4Tom Asquith

    Tom Asquith

    Tom Asquith is a junior with a solid construction practice. Demonstrating his versatile practice, Asquith advises the gamut of construction professionals in disputes, including contractors, architects and engineers, and frequently partakes in litigation, adjudications and arbitrations. He also makes appearances in the TCC.

    • He is able to jump to the crux of something and is a go-to senior junior.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
    • Tom is very charming, capable, gets the work done and is very talented.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
    • Tom Asquith is a stylish advocate who is persuasive and good at getting to the nub of the arguments.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksLucy Colter
    New SilksLucy Colter

    Lucy Colter

    Lucy Colter acts on behalf of major contractors as well as engineers and real estate developers. Her capabilities include professional negligence claims and contractual disputes. She has particular experience in handling construction disputes in the Channel Islands.

    • Lucy Colter has lots of experience.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
    • She's very thorough and a very good lawyer.

      Construction respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 4 New Square Chambers (13)

London (Bar)

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