Construction

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 needs no introduction and yet his ability and performance surpass his reputation."

"Sean does it all. He leads huge teams on the most complex big-ticket disputes in the industry and at the same time he is across the detail."

"Sean Brannigan is user-friendly, commercial and a seamless member of the team. He is a first-class act."

"Sean's robust advocacy style means he is the right person for the job in hard cases."

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 Bowling is a very strong barrister. He is user-friendly and good at mastering the detail of technically complex cases."

"James is very good with clients, extremely intelligent and a very good advocate."

"He is a key asset to any legal team with his persuasive and authoritative style of advocacy. He is charismatic, influential and dedicated."

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 combines profound knowledge of commercial legal issues with a highly effective advocacy style and an amiable, yet rational approach."

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 has extremely broad knowledge and an exceptionally pleasant manner."

"Luke Wygas is an extremely hard-working barrister with an excellent can-do attitude."

"He is enthusiastic and hard-working. He really rolls his sleeves up in technical disputes and gets stuck into the detail."

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 has a real understanding of what judges are thinking."

"Lynne McCafferty is a winner."

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.

"Rachel Ansell is the most user-friendly barrister. She is also excellent technically and a very good advocate."

"Rachel is a very good technical lawyer. She is extremely lucid and clear in her advice."

"She is a tremendous advocate – one of the best I have seen in my entire career."

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 the best junior at the Bar."

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 Hickey is a really good advocate. He is really sharp and penetrating, and really on top of the detail."

"Alexander is very good and personable with clients. He gives clear advice."

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.

"Benjamin Pilling is a joy to work with. He is exceptionally user-friendly, very diplomatic and fantastic at trial."

"He has a great mind for strategy and a very effective cross-examination style."

"Benjamin's cross-examination style is extremely powerful and he is very commercial."

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.

"Jennie is personable, incredibly intelligent and brilliant on her feet in hearings."

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 very user-friendly and is able to give good practical advice."

"I love the way Jessica pleads in the papers and also in cross-examination."

"She is very user-friendly,with an excellent, direct and combative style."

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.

"Claire Packman's client management is excellent and her advocacy is really good."

"Claire quickly gets up to speed. She has a command of construction law and principles."

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 always has an eye to the overall case strategy."

"Daniel Churcher is enthusiastic. He thrives when working on complex issues."

"Daniel is extremely user-friendly, and very clear and precise in his written material."

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 fantastic to work with. He is very happy to get into the detail and talk through the issues."

"He provides exemplary advice and support."

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 multi-party proceedings in the TCC.

"Jeremy Nicholson is a very reassuring presence. He is always across the details."

Simon Hale 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's written work is without question exceptional. He simplifies work down to its barest concepts."

"He gives clear advice, he does not sit on the fence and he is also very flexible and willing to do what is required to get the job done."

"Simon's greatest strength is his depth of knowledge. He communicates complex legal concepts in a clear and understandable way."

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 is a very good performer."

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 a fantastic advocate. He has an unassuming style that is devastating to opponents."

"He works in a highly efficient manner and is able to digest complicated matters involving multiple jurisdictions in a short time-span."

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 Khoo is very astute legally, but good at presenting advice in a way that is readily understandable by the lay client."

"Daniel is extremely commercial and pragmatic."

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 really understands the client's needs and always makes himself available at short notice to assist."

"Ed is a pleasure to work with and extremely knowledgeable."

"Ed Jones has a calm authority about him. Strategically he is also very strong."

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 accessible and very experienced."

"Gideon is a very good advocate and very easy to deal with."

James Cross KC is a highly regarded practitioner with a broad practice. He is particularly noted for his high-quality work in professional negligence-related construction matters. His clients include a wide range of prominent players in the construction industry, including government departments and major insurers from the UK and abroad. PFI and PPP-related disputes have become an especially active part of his practice.

"James Cross is excellent. He is polished and calm, and deals with cases very skilfully."

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 straight to the point. He gives very sharp analysis."

"He can distil mass volumes of case law and documentation quickly."

"Jonathan is very sharp and very good with clients, and he delivers an impressive product at the end."

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 continues to excel and be a go-to senior junior. He is exceptional."

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 thinks very clearly. He analyses his way to rigorous and sensible conclusions."

"Mek Mesfin is a really clever guy. He understands where the client is trying to get to and positions the team accordingly."

"Mek has an incredibly large brain. He is able to assimilate concepts and legal issues incredibly easily and quickly."

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 Patel gets to the point quickly and delivers advice in a very clear way. He clears out the distractions and finds the heart of the issue."

"He has a real skill of marrying up legal issues with complex technical issues."