Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Energy & Natural Resources - London (Bar)

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

4 Pump Court is an esteemed commercial construction set with a plethora of experience in energy sector construction, engineering, shipping and technology disputes. Its international client roster includes shipyards, contractors, insurers and reinsurers, in addition to leading energy companies. Although offering a breadth of experience across various energy sectors, 4 Pump Court garners particular acclaim for its standout work in relation to oil and gas projects, including onshore and offshore oil fields, pipelines and LNG plants. Recently, members of the set have represented a Saudi Arabian utility in two arbitrations resulting from a termination of a contract to build power stations. A source highlights that the set have "excellent counsel with a modern and commercial approach."

Carl Wall is a senior clerk.

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

1
Kate Livesey
1
Band 1

Kate Livesey is a talented junior, particularly sought after for her skill in project insurance matters, as well as contractual and payment disputes. Her energy expertise spans renewables through to oil and gas.

Kate is very client-friendly and always wants the best outcome for her client.

Kate is extremely thorough, very analytical and good to work with.

1
Sean Brannigan
1
Band 1

Sean Brannigan KC is a pre-eminent member of the Construction Bar who carries his expertise into the field of energy law, allowing him to handle energy infrastructure disputes of considerable magnitude. He is consistently highlighted by market sources for his good client manner and no-nonsense attitude, and is frequently involved in litigation involving overseas clients. The lion's share of his client base is composed of contractors active in the construction of large-scale facilities in sectors ranging from oil exploration to wind energy.

Sean is a superb advocate - he's very comfortable in court and also generally right.

Sean is always the first silk clients will talk about instructing, he is a big name in the market.

Sean Brannigan is a pleasure to work with, and he supports novel ideas, delivering complex arguments brilliantly.

1
Thomas Crangle
1
Band 1

Thomas Crangle is a respected construction barrister with an excellent reputation in the energy and utilities sectors. He has acted for a number of major players in contractual disputes relating to the construction and decommissioning of power plants at home and abroad. Crangle is also an expert in cases relating to offshore energy facilities and regularly handles oil and gas disputes.

Thomas is very good - he is responsive and gets involved in claims.

Thomas Crangle's technical and legal advice is well drafted and clear.

2
Daniel Goodkin
2
Band 2

Daniel Goodkin is routinely instructed on large energy disputes, around liquid natural gas, construction of offshore and onshore energy facilities and commercial disputes arising from energy disputes. Goodkin has had experience representing clients in tribunals.

Daniel provides effective cross-examination in cases.

2
Nigel Tozzi
2
Band 2

Nigel Tozzi KC has a broad practice that takes in energy and construction matters. His particular expertise lies in the midstream oil market, and he has handled a variety of cases pertaining to the supply and transportation of raw materials. Cases concerning shipping and pipeline infrastructure are a particular specialism of his. He supplements his litigation practice with frequent appearances as an arbitrator.

Nigel is very experienced, savvy and practical.

Nigel still picks up the phone and will roll up his sleeves, he is exceptionally bright and takes no time at all to get on top of matters.

Sean O'Sullivan
2
Sean O'Sullivan
2
Band 2

Sean O'Sullivan KC is a widely acclaimed, technically and commercially sound advocate with great knowledge of the energy industry. Particularly well known for his expertise in the marine engineering sphere, he specialises in drilling, shipping and offshore issues and has particular experience of representing contractors. He has a strong arbitration practice but is equally adept at handling straight commercial litigation.

Sean is an excellent advocate and very commercial in his approach.

Sean is very thorough and always goes the extra mile. His advocacy is strong, very measured and he has a good read on what a tribunal panel are thinking.

Sean is a true expert is his field with deep knowledge. He's highly skilled in complex litigation with impressive courtroom presence and advocacy.

3
James Leabeater
3
Band 3

James Leabeater KC has a loyal following among solicitors, who see him as a tried and tested resource for big-ticket cases. He has well-rounded energy expertise stemming from his construction, shipping and insurance experience, and he deals with disputes concerning both the engineering and operation of onshore and offshore drilling and transportation facilities. Leabeater frequently appears in arbitrations both domestically and internationally, including those in Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore.

James is consistently excellent and very user-friendly.

Lynne McCafferty
3
Lynne McCafferty
3
Band 3

Lynne McCafferty KC is highlighted for her effective advocacy both in written submissions and in the courtroom. She is frequently instructed by engineers, utilities companies and other industry professionals for her expertise in the energy sector.

Lynne has a strong track record and a lot of expertise in complex disputes including in the Middle East.

3
Nick Vineall
3
Band 3

Nick Vineall KC has a reputation for being able to handle some of the most technically challenging cases, especially on the construction and engineering side of the market. He has been involved in numerous upstream issues, including those relating to the construction and operation of offshore facilities. Vineall is active in both traditional litigation and large-scale international arbitrations. He is widely praised for the breadth of his practice and handles a broad range of commercial energy disputes.

Nick is easy to work with and down to earth. He has a beautiful light touch in written and oral advocacy.

Nick is always valued for being an excellent lawyer; he's very measured and gentle but also thorough and forensic.

Nick is very experienced, practical and a lovely advocate.

3
Rachel Ansell
3
Band 3

Rachel Ansell KC is a leading construction silk with an increasingly solid reputation in the energy sphere, who is known for her involvement in large infrastructure disputes in this market. Her work centres on defects and damages claims relating to projects ranging from wind farms to oil facilities. She has a strong Middle Eastern practice and regularly advises clients on disputes in the region.

Rachel can find a clear path through a minefield of trouble, and brings the whole team along.

Rachel is the last person you would want to be cross-examined by as she is relentless but also has good judgment as well.

Alexander Wright
4
Alexander Wright
4
Band 4

Alexander Wright KC is deeply experienced in energy disputes and regularly instructed by large energy companies in international arbitrations as well as the Commercial Court. His two areas of particular expertise include offshore construction and trading disputes, usually involving oil, coal and liquid natural gas.

Alex is lovely to deal with, he's very focused and good at cutting through to the details that matter.

Alexander is a super-clever guy. He's all over the details, has a photographic memory and is also a strong advocate.

Alexander is highly intelligent and diligent, consistently providing strong, reliable support to our team.

4
Claire Packman
4
Band 4

Claire Packman KC is a renowned construction specialist with experience in high-value and technically complex renewable energy disputes. Whether the dispute concerns a solar farm or energy-from-waste plant, she possesses a firm grasp on the technical and contractual facts of her work.

Claire Packman is involved in the big cases in the space.

4
Stephen Cogley
4
Band 4

Stephen Cogley KC is noted as a creative advocate with a strong background in shipping. He increasingly channels his breadth of expertise into substantial cases in the upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas sectors. He has experience handling complex disputes arising from the construction of solar parks.

Stephen is a natural lead litigator.

Ranked Barristers at
4 Pump Court

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Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Energy & Natural Resources

1
Sean Brannigan KC
1
Band 1
2
Nigel Tozzi KC
2
Band 2
Sean O'Sullivan KC
2
Sean O'Sullivan KC
2
Band 2
3
James Leabeater KC
3
Band 3
Lynne McCafferty KC
3
Lynne McCafferty KC
3
Band 3
3
Nick Vineall KC
3
Band 3
3
Rachel Ansell KC
3
Band 3
Alexander Wright KC
4
Alexander Wright KC
4
Band 4
4
Claire Packman KC
4
Band 4
4
Stephen Cogley KC
4
Band 4

Juniors

London (Bar)

Energy & Natural Resources

1
Kate Livesey
1
Band 1
1
Thomas Crangle
1
Band 1
2
Daniel Goodkin
2
Band 2