Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Construction - UK
What the Team is Known For
4 Pump Court is noted for its barristers who show "a willingness to collaborate and go the extra mile to tackle complex and challenging disputes for clients." The set's excellent domestic profile is complemented by a strong international presence, especially in the Middle East. With expertise stretching across the construction sector, the set is equipped to handle litigation arising from energy and infrastructure developments and other landmark construction projects. An interviewee praises the set: "4 Pump Court is a go-to chambers for construction disputes with fantastic strength in depth and first-class barristers as every level."
The senior clerks are Carl Wall and Stewart Gibbs.
Strengths
The clerking is brilliant, helpful, responsive, very friendly and gives us a really good service.
The set has an excellent, proactive and commercially minded clerking team.
The service from the clerks is excellent. Practice director James Duncan-Hartill has been an excellent addition to the team.
The clerks are efficient and provide good responses and are always willing to help with putting forward counsel.
All of the clerks I have dealt with have been very pragmatic and responsive to our commercial needs.
Notable practitioners
Sean Brannigan KC is a top-drawer silk widely hailed for his courtroom presence. He regularly acts in high-value domestic cases and in major international arbitration seated worldwide, with an emphasis on work in the Far and Middle East. He is supremely capable in handling disputes relating to the largest projects internationally, from city-wide transport infrastructure to large-scale hospital developments.
Sean's performance and his skilful cross-examination of witnesses were exceptional.
Sean is rightly recognised as one of the leading construction silks of his generation.
Sean is elite.
If I feel there's going to be a big fight on a big matter, he's my number one.
James Bowling is an excellent junior who regularly appears in both domestic and international arbitration, and frequently advises on complex litigation and adjudications in the UK, as well as enforcement matters. He regularly acts unled for a client base that includes multinational corporations and national governments. His work includes construction mandates arising in the hospitality and real estate development sectors.
James has done some excellent work for us.
James is very user-friendly, popular with clients and gives strong and clear advice.
He is unflappable at hearings and good at responding to changes in dynamics through the course of hearings.
James is incredibly bright, commercially astute and brings a pragmatic approach to problem solving.
James Bowling has an encyclopaedic knowledge of case law. His written work is excellent.
Kate Livesey is a prominent junior who frequently appears unled in the TCC and before international tribunals, with a particular emphasis on construction-related professional negligence cases. She has represented an array of clients, including contractors, subcontractors and insurers in a number of high-value disputes.
Kate was excellent and provided detailed advice.
Luke Wygas is a well-regarded junior who frequently advises on complex construction disputes, arbitrations and adjudications. He is able to draw upon his previous experience as a civil engineer to inform his burgeoning practice, particularly in areas such as concrete and nuclear projects. The geographical scope of his practice continues to expand as he handles disputes arising out of projects in Africa and Asia.
Luke stands out due to his ability to digest technical information, explain it to clients in a way that makes sense and to then apply it strategically to produce a robust defence and/or claim.
Luke Wygas is easy to work with, quickly develops a good rapport with clients and gives clear advice.
Luke is very responsive. He will always put time aside.
He is an impressive junior who would give any KC a run for their money.
Lynne McCafferty KC is lauded for her skill in complex, highly technical construction disputes. Her robust domestic practice complements her impressive international arbitration offering, which is focused on the Middle East. She is particularly active in disputes involving aspects of professional negligence. She receives extensive praise for her client-friendly approach.
Lynne McCafferty is an absolute star. She is massively prepared and nothing was too much trouble. She is great on her feet.
She is robust, her cross-examination is a masterclass to watch and her written advice is so good.
She is a charming individual who is great at leading teams.
Rachel Ansell KC is a highly lauded advocate with a strong reputation for her high-quality casework, domestically and internationally. She has been particularly active in international arbitrations, and has advised on matters arising in Europe, the Middle East and Australia. She is regularly instructed by major clients, such as prominent contractors, on matters in the energy and transport infrastructure spheres.
She is an extraordinary first-class lawyer.
I would say she is at the absolute top of the Construction Bar. She provides phenomenal knowledge of law, is hands-on and her detail-oriented focus is second to none.
Rachel Ansell is an exceptional barrister whose strategic advice is both insightful and effective.
Rachel is excellent. She gets into the detail of the case from the outset, ensuring you are best placed.
Thomas Crangle is a leading junior with a robust litigation offering and a burgeoning international arbitration practice. He is increasingly acting as sole counsel in arbitration, adjudication and TCC proceedings. His experience also includes appearances before the Court of Appeal. He offers particular expertise in disputes arising from developments in the media sector.
Thomas Crangle is very good.
He is robust, easy to work with, knows what he's doing and gives good advice.
Alexander Hickey KC has established a thriving practice in construction-related disputes. His skills as an advocate earn him considerable praise, particularly when deployed in adjudication enforcement cases. He is increasingly involved in cases in the Middle East, especially those in the infrastructure and energy sectors. He has been particularly active in complex PFI disputes.
Alexander is very good and lived up to his reputation.
Alex is an excellent advocate and is very enthusiastic. He is a pleasure to work with.
Benjamin Pilling KC is a high-quality silk with a substantial practice in both the UK and the Middle East. He has worked in a number of large-scale construction disputes in the residential, infrastructure and transport remits.
Ben is a very safe pair of hands.
Claire Packman KC is a robust silk who advises a diverse client base, including major contractors, engineers and developers. Her wide-reaching practice includes significant engagements in high-value adjudications and TCC cases, as well as international arbitration proceedings. She is particularly adept at dealing with disputes concerning engineering or design failures, as well as those with professional negligence elements. She receives considerable praise for her superb drafting skills.
I was really impressed with her ability to get up to speed quickly in a technical dispute.
She is very good and very nice.
She has been excellent and helpful on strategy.
Jennie Gillies is a senior junior with extensive experience of construction law disputes, as well as related professional negligence litigation. She is frequently instructed in high-value domestic claims concerning breaches of contract and defective works.
She is praised for her advocacy by a number of judges. She has great experience and aptitude.
Jennie is excellent and extremely responsive.
Jessica Stephens KC undertakes a wide range of construction mandates, including TCC and arbitration proceedings. She is experienced in handling disputes arising out of energy projects and real estate developments in both domestic and international settings.
Jessica Stephens is direct, to the point and responsive.
Jessica is a polished and confident advocate.
She is clear, concise and very commercial in her thinking and approach.
Jess is great to work with and razor-sharp.
She is outstanding at getting to the heart of a matter and provides clear, simple advice on extremely complex matters. Her strategies are always commercially focused.
Daniel Churcher has an established reputation for handling a wide array of construction disputes. He acts in litigation arising out of domestic and international projects, including major residential, transport and hospitality developments, and is noted for his growing expertise in cases involving large-scale developments in the Middle East.
He is smart, on the ball and very hard-working.
He has good drafting and engages quickly with strategic arguments.
Daniel Khoo has notable experience of both UK-based and international arbitrations, adjudications and litigation, particularly including matters that relate to contracts and agreements such as NEC, FIDIC and JCT forms. His cross-border practice sees him represent clients in venues across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Daniel has impressed us with his thoroughness combined with a calm manner and an ability to communicate effectively with clients.
Daniel Khoo has a calm and reassuring manner in court.
Daniel Khoo is one of the juniors that you can tell what to do and when they give you back the work you struggle to find improvements.
Daniel is very good to work with, responsive, has good attention to detail and is strong on strategy and advocacy.
James Leabeater KC is frequently instructed in complex international arbitration cases as part of his impressive construction practice. He has acted in large claims nationally and internationally, including in the Middle East and Australia. He has been particularly active in disputes involving hospitality and student accommodation developments, and his broad practice includes disputes arising from the shipping industry and cladding and fire safety issues.
James Leabeater is great to work with, incredibly sharp, to the point and can be cutting in a charming way.
James is a very dependable and effective leader with a proven track record in a range of construction cases.
Jeremy Nicholson KC is a respected silk with a wealth of experience in handling construction litigation and arbitrations. He is also noted for his adroit handling of construction-related professional negligence claims. He is frequently instructed in complex multiparty proceedings in the TCC.
Jeremy is a real hard worker and a charming chap.
Jeremy Nicholson is technically brilliant and really knows what he's doing.
Jeremy Nicholson has superb skills and is very hands-on. He is very reliable.
Jonathan Lewis KC is a strong practitioner who regularly represents prominent clients such as major public bodies and large contractors. He has acted in high-profile disputes, adjudications and arbitrations. He has experience in handling disputes relating to oil and gas infrastructure, transportation and housing developments.
Jonathan Lewis is a brilliant lawyer, an excellent advocate, robust and pragmatic.
Jonathan has a sharp, clever mind and is always across the detail of a case.
Jonathan Lewis was incredibly good at trial. He is very patient with clients and has good tactical acumen.
Simon Henderson is a widely respected senior junior who has acted in an impressive range of construction disputes and related professional negligence claims. He acts for employers as well as contractors, and his previous work has seen him act on behalf of architects and engineers.
Simon Henderson is on the ball and very responsive. He is technical and always makes himself available.
Daniel Goodkin operates an impressive construction practice in both international and domestic contexts. He is frequently led on major international arbitrations, particularly those relating to developments in the Middle East. Domestically, he appears in high-value adjudications and cases heard in the TCC.
Daniel Goodkin is fantastic.
Ed Jones is increasingly well versed in handling large-scale energy and infrastructure projects, both domestically and in the Middle East. His work has included numerous adjudications, TCC litigation and international arbitration.
Ed is a key support and a go-to barrister for construction disputes.
Gideon Shirazi is a well-regarded barrister who regularly appears in the TCC on high-value construction disputes. He regularly advises on delay and defect matters in the healthcare and energy sectors.
Gideon Shirazi is very bright, very good and has very nice written submissions.
Gideon is very hard-working and has a quiet passion for his work. This makes him very effective in the legal team.
Martyn Naylor is a versatile and well-reputed junior. He is experienced in a range of construction matters, and often handles complex disputes. Additionally, he is adept at matters relating to cladding and the Building Safety Act.
Martyn Naylor is reassuringly calm, considered and organised in his approach.
He is into the detail and brings very good results.
Martyn is incredibly responsive, able to absorb information and, in doing so, identify in short order the key pieces of information in order to present persuasive arguments.
Martyn Naylor provides excellent attention to detail, clarity of advice and focus on case strategy.
Matthew Thorne has significant experience as both junior and sole counsel in major construction litigation and arbitration. He has notable expertise in cladding claims.
Matthew Thorne's eye for detail and knowledge of the law is second to none. His written advice is clear and easy to digest.
Mek Mesfin acts on an impressively broad span of construction disputes, including professional negligence cases. He routinely appears on cases heard in the TCC, in addition to the Commercial Court and Court of Appeal. He holds particular expertise in the Building Safety Act, and is well versed in arbitration matters, adjudications and mediations.
Mek did a tremendous job. He has strong drafting and analytical skills.
Mek has a real encyclopaedic knowledge of the law. Mek is impressive in his ability to navigate thorny issues.
He is well beyond his year of call in terms of his ability. His oral advocacy is very strong.
His deep understanding of the intricacies involved consistently brings a strategic advantage to the cases he handles.
Mek Mesfin is a good all-round junior.
Sanjay Patel KC has a strong reputation for his handling of complex construction and engineering disputes. He has particular expertise in rail and energy-related construction litigation.
Sanjay has an impressive international practice.
He's user-friendly, commercial and very good at witness handling. He is a creative thinker.
We rate Sanjay as a go-to KC in difficult cases and international arbitration.
His advocacy is incredibly effective. He is clear and convincing on the issues and in cross-examination of witnesses.
Simon Hale KC has established an excellent reputation for his handling of a wide range of construction disputes, both led and as sole counsel. He is well versed in a wide range of construction contracts. His practice increasingly sees him acting in international matters covering an array of jurisdictions.
Simon Hale is a fabulous barrister and has everything in his locker.
He is definitely in the next generation of stars.
Simon is very good. I really rate him highly and he's an exceptional barrister.
He is excellent and will make a fantastic silk.
He has a very nice manner and a lovely way of cross-examining. He is the ideal sparring partner.