Chambers Review

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Construction: Professional Negligence - All Circuits

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

4 Pump Court blends legal prowess with huge technical expertise, and boasts an excellent standing at the crossover of professional negligence and construction law. Its barristers handle a range of complex and high-value TCC disputes, representing and opposing architects, engineers and surveyors as well as building contractors. The set offers additional expertise in ICC arbitrations concerning major energy projects, notably in African countries and the Middle East. 4 Pump Court is also a leading chambers for disputes concerning IT infrastructure. Barristers from the set have acted in Shepherd Construction Limited v Drytech Façades & others, a £70 million dispute related to alleged design and construction defects in different cladding systems on five residential blocks. An interviewee praises the set's "excellent strength and depth of specialists."

Carl Wall and Stewart Gibbs are the senior clerks.

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

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1
James Bowling
1
Band 1

James Bowling has strong experience of construction disputes involving professional negligence claims, particularly those associated with large energy facilities, whether in the UK or overseas. His work often involves claims brought against energy consultants, quantity surveyors and others.

James's advice is commercial, sound and technical but easy for clients to follow. He is a great advocate with a charismatic approach.

He's very user-friendly, good with clients and highly responsive.

1
Kate Livesey
1
Band 1

Kate Livesey has a broad professional negligence practice that sees her acting in technology and construction disputes. She has appeared in multiple cases acting for civil and structural engineers.

Kate Livesey is very strong.

Lynne McCafferty
1
Lynne McCafferty
1
Band 1

Lynne McCafferty KC acts in professional negligence claims for and against a broad range of construction and technology-based clients, including surveyors, architects, computing consultants and software designers. She also has considerable experience in advising professional indemnity insurers in associated coverage matters.

She is very technically good and strong on her feet.

Lynne McCafferty is excellent and one of my go-to KCs.

Lynne McCafferty is very strong and I really rate her.

Lynne is brilliant, just brilliant.

Lynne is one of the leading KCs for high-value complex construction professional negligence matters.

1
Rachel Ansell
1
Band 1

Rachel Ansell KC impresses with her handling of negligence claims brought against engineers, contractors and other parties in connection with large construction projects, and has developed particular expertise in cases involving geotechnical engineering. In addition to her strong domestic practice, she regularly handles cases in the Middle East.

She's very good. I really rate her and she's a fantastic practitioner.

Rachel Ansell provides great advocacy skills.

Rachel is strategically astute and a cut above most other KCs. Her written advocacy is strong.

1
Sean Brannigan
1
Band 1

Sean Brannigan KC is a renowned professional negligence silk who acts in complex and high-value claims arising out of major infrastructure and construction projects. He handles domestic and cross-border disputes, and has particular experience in Northern Ireland. His practice additionally takes in disputes arising in locations such as the United Arab Emirates.

He is probably the leading trial advocate in the space and has just got a strong tactical brain and is really at the top of his game. He works very well with clients and gains their confidence.

He is the advocate of his generation. Sean has a huge brain and is a real go-to for heavy litigation.

He is genuinely top-tier and so good at giving strategic, commercial and practical advice.

Sean Brannigan brings great commercial awareness and to-the-point advice.

Sean is super-commercial and practical. He is really excellent at getting to grips with a vast amount of information.

2
Benjamin Pilling
2
Band 2

Benjamin Pilling KC is a well-regarded silk who acts for claimants and developers in a wide array of professional negligence cases arising in the construction and information technology sectors. He is particularly well versed in claims against engineers. His clients include project managers, surveyors and architects.

A thoroughly enjoyable person to work with - super-sharp, but commercially savvy and always feels like he is part of the team.

2
Claire Packman
2
Band 2

Claire Packman KC is well regarded for her construction practice and is instructed in negligence claims against architects, subcontractors and project managers. She has experience in dealing with matters in the Middle East.

Claire is very strong and highly rated.

Claire is intellectually rigorous and highly effective in front of clients. Also, she is very persuasive and provides a practical, results-focused approach.

2
Jennie Gillies
2
Band 2

Jennie Gillies has an impressively strong professional negligence practice focused on the construction industry. She has been involved in high-profile commercial-related matters as well as residential cases. She is regularly sought out by designers and engineering consultants, as well as representing claimants in disputes.

She is a tenacious advocate and wise counsel.

Jennie has good market insight and is brilliant at professional negligence work.

Jennie Gillies is incredibly clever, thorough and rigorous in her approach.

2
Jeremy Nicholson
2
Band 2

Jeremy Nicholson KC is a vastly experienced silk who focuses on professional negligence claims relating to construction projects, particularly those with significant multiparty interests. He is eminently capable of handling highly technical cases concerning architects, engineers, surveyors and other construction professionals. He handles proceedings in the Dubai International Arbitration Centre and other international seats.

Jeremy Nicholson is very good.

2
Jessica Stephens
2
Band 2

Jessica Stephens KC offers considerable expertise in a range of professional negligence disputes. A notable strength is her experience of high-profile cases involving cladding.

Jessica is direct, to the point and responsive.

Luke Wygas
2
Luke Wygas
2
Band 2

Luke Wygas is an impressive barrister who represents architects, engineers, surveyors and other professionals in negligence claims that tend to be heavy on technical detail. His practice is notably strengthened by his engineering background.

Luke Wygas is concise and to the point.

He cuts through the technical detail and gives common-sense advice.

Luke is very client-friendly and a very creative and innovative thinker.

He is great with clients and has a strong engineering background. He is very popular and a go-to for us.

Luke is a safe pair of hands and great in front of clients.

2
Martyn Naylor
2
Band 2

Martyn Naylor is very well versed in professional negligence claims, with a particular focus on the construction and technology spheres. He is frequently instructed to appear for approved inspectors, surveyors and contractors. He has significant experience in claims involving cladding issues.

Martyn is into the detail and brings very good results.

Martyn Naylor provides excellent attention to detail, clarity of advice and a focus on case strategy.

2
Matthew Thorne
2
Band 2

Matthew Thorne frequently appears in the TCC in professional negligence cases that are often related to high-profile construction matters such as cladding issues. He has in-depth experience of matters involving residential and commercial construction design and defect disputes.

Matthew Thorne is absolutely brilliant.

He offers great attention to detail and a lovely manner.

He is a class act with a real eye for detail.

2
Mek Mesfin
2
Band 2

Mek Mesfin has significant experience in professional negligence cases relating to construction and technology, and has appeared in the TCC, commercial courts and arbitrations. He is frequently sought out by a wide variety of clients, including engineers, property owners and architects.

Mek Mesfin is super-responsive and is really helpful and pragmatic. He knows what a court wants and is able to balance factors to get a solution.

Mek's client care skills are second to none.

Mek is well beyond his call in terms of ability, and his oral advocacy is very strong. He will go to the absolute top in fairly short order.

Mek is very user-friendly and good at what he does. He gets the law right, gives good advice and communicates well.

He's very user-friendly, very bright, detail-driven, intellectual and personable.

2
Simon Henderson
2
Band 2

Simon Henderson is a strong performer in the areas of construction and information technology, and is able to advise comprehensively on professional negligence matters within these fields. He is a particularly strong choice for defending IT companies in professional negligence disputes. He also regularly represents engineers and other professionals in the construction industry.

2
Thomas Crangle
2
Band 2

Thomas Crangle has a strong presence in the professional negligence arena, drawing on his established reputation in general construction law. He frequently acts in cases involving surveyors and architects.

Thomas is a pleasure to work with. He is a great counsel to have on your side - hard-working and diligent.

He is one of the most diligent juniors, very creative and commercial.

Thomas Crangle has a really calm demeanour and instils client confidence.

Simon Hale
New Silks

Simon Hale KC is a well-respected barrister who offers expertise in both sides of claims against construction professionals including engineers, fire engineers and architects.

He's so user-friendly and he could handle himself in front of anyone.

He is highly effective and word-perfect. Simon delivers cogent and persuasive advocacy.

Simon is an excellent advocate who can dig out the issues and provide commercial and robust advice.

Ranked Barristers at
4 Pump Court

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Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

All Circuits

Construction: Professional Negligence

Lynne McCafferty KC
1
Lynne McCafferty KC
1
Band 1
1
Rachel Ansell KC
1
Band 1
1
Sean Brannigan KC
1
Band 1
2
Benjamin Pilling KC
2
Band 2
2
Claire Packman KC
2
Band 2
2
Jeremy Nicholson KC
2
Band 2
2
Jessica Stephens KC
2
Band 2
Simon Hale KC
New Silks

Juniors

All Circuits

Construction: Professional Negligence

1
James Bowling
1
Band 1
1
Kate Livesey
1
Band 1
2
Jennie Gillies
2
Band 2
Luke Wygas
2
Luke Wygas
2
Band 2
2
Martyn Naylor
2
Band 2
2
Matthew Thorne
2
Band 2
2
Mek Mesfin
2
Band 2
2
Simon Henderson
2
Band 2
2
Thomas Crangle
2
Band 2