Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Energy & Natural Resources - London (Bar)

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Atkin Chambers is home to an outstanding group of energy barristers with significant construction and engineering experience. Members stand out for their representation of upstream and downstream oil and gas clients in high-profile disputes and also have an increasing presence in renewable energy cases. Barristers at Atkin Chambers regularly appear in disputes relating to large projects across the world, as well as in cases regarding UK-based developments such as BP v McDermott International, involving the largest gas field development in the world. An interviewee comments: "I have never found them to be lacking in their ability to handle the most complex and sophisticated matters."

David Barnes is the chief executive and director of clerking.

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Chantal-Aimée Doerries
1
Chantal-Aimée Doerries
1
Band 1

Chantal-Aimée Doerries KC is head of Atkin Chambers and has a widely respected energy practice with a significant international element, spanning both traditional and non-traditional resources. She regularly undertakes construction and professional negligence work and is frequently instructed in arbitrations. Her work often impacts globally significant and highly complex oil and gas projects.

Chantal-Aimée is excellent. Wickedly smart and able to control any situation.

Chantal-Aimée has the intellectual rigour and reputation that both sides will live with the decision made.

1
David Streatfeild-James
1
Band 1

David Streatfeild-James KC has earned a strong reputation among peers and clients for his formidable intellect and ability to handle technically complex matters. He frequently leads cases involving overseas as well as domestic parties, and represents a wide range of energy clients both in litigation and in arbitration. His expertise is centred on providing advice on cases relating to LNG and power plant projects.

David is technically brilliant - he cuts through swathes of information to get to the heart of the issue.

Lauren Adams
2
Lauren Adams
2
Band 2

Lauren Adams is increasingly sought after for complex disputes concerning traditional and renewable energy projects, particularly those involving construction and professional negligence-related claims.

Lauren is impressive in court hearings - she always prepares fully and is good at reading the room.

Samar Abbas Kazmi
2
Samar Abbas Kazmi
2
Band 2

Samar Abbas Kazmi impresses due to his skilful handling of construction and commercial disputes in the energy sector. His practice spans renewables and oil and gas disputes, but he is particularly notable for his understanding of energy-from-waste technologies.

Samar is top-quality. Extremely hard-working and very well prepared. He is a skilled advocate and very responsive.

2
Stephen Dennison
2
Band 2

Stephen Dennison KC is well known for his ability to get on top of the details of a matter and his success in establishing a positive relationship with clients. He offers a broad spectrum of expertise and is effective in cases concerning engineering and infrastructure projects, ranging from oil and gas facilities to renewables, such as waste-to-energy plants.

What an advocate Stephen is! He's great on his feet and decisive.

Stephen is very calm and measured - there is no drama or theatrics; he simply gets to the point, and that is always very well received.

Stuart Catchpole
2
Stuart Catchpole
2
Band 2

Stuart Catchpole KC is a well-respected silk who wins praise for his effective advocacy and his knowledge of the energy sector. He specialises in construction and design disputes concerning various facilities, including power plants and transport infrastructure. Catchpole frequently represents clients in international arbitrations, and has acted in cases relating to some of the biggest mining and drilling projects worldwide.

Stuart is particularly good at cross-examination and his attention to detail is outstanding.

Andrew White
3
Andrew White
3
Band 3

Andrew White KC is acclaimed for his diligence and deep experience handling matters in the energy sector, particularly those relating to the exploration and production of oil and gas. He has additional strength in claims of breach of contract, including those concerning conventional power projects.

You do not get many really big energy disputes without Andrew involved - he's got a wealth of experience.

3
Fiona Parkin
3
Band 3

Fiona Parkin KC displays a noted mastery of detail in technically complex disputes. Her broad caseload sees her handling matters relating to the construction of oil rigs and wind farms and the commercial supply of electricity. She also has a strong PFI/PPP practice, advising industry clients on contractual issues.

Fiona Parkin is on top of the facts, prepared to roll up her sleeves and get into the detail.

Karim Ghaly
3
Karim Ghaly
3
Band 3

Karim Ghaly KC is a respected silk held in high regard for the quality of his representation in disputes relating to construction, engineering and energy. He is frequently engaged by large-scale international clients to deal with issues all over the world, and he regularly handles arbitrations. He has a particularly strong practice concerning the legal fallout from the construction, hire and failure of heavy-duty oil and gas facilities.

Karim is absolutely amazing. His cross-examination is incredible, and he has a complete grasp of the factual background to the case.

3
Manus McMullan
3
Band 3

Manus McMullan KC is a highly impressive advocate. His work in the energy sector centres on construction and engineering disputes, including cases relating to power station facilities and large-scale transport infrastructure. He has experience acting for clients in delay and quantum disputes.

It's hard to find adequate superlatives for Manus - he's an amazing advocate, talented and intellectual.

Manus is user-friendly, has a nice way of expression and is very good on his feet.

Manus is one of the smartest, most effective barristers I've come across. He is also very easy to work with.

3
Nicholas Dennys
3
Band 3

Nicholas Dennys KC is a well-regarded construction, professional negligence and insurance expert who regularly handles energy-related cases. His caseload in the sector centres on contractual disputes between players in large civil and non-civil engineering projects, including those relating to mining, hydro facilities and electrical cabling. His frequent appointment as an arbitrator in institutional and ad hoc arbitrations provides him with additional insight into the best way to handle disputes.

Nicholas is unflappable on complex stuff, he has such a calm head.

Nicholas provides decisive advice, turns items around quickly and has a great sense of confidence in what he is talking about.

Steven Walker
3
Steven Walker
3
Band 3

Steven Walker KC is popular with instructing solicitors, and he has a solid practice that is focused on contractual disputes concerning the construction of renewable power facilities, especially waste-to-energy plants. He acts for both developers and contractors, and frequently appears in adjudications, as well as proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court.

I trust Steven emphatically, he has sound judgement and is an excellent cross-examiner. I am in awe of his ability to have such a detailed knowledge across all aspects.

Steven is sharp, calm and commercial. Highly responsive and great to work with.

James Howells
4
James Howells
4
Band 4

James Howells KC is recommended for his impressive technical expertise and diligence in cases. He handles a range of disputes, including those relating to defect and damages and alleged wrongful terminations arising from power and oil and gas projects. He is equally at home representing his clients in the domestic courts or in claims seated in other jurisdictions.

James Howells is outstandingly good.

4
Mark Chennells KC
4
Band 4

Mark Chennells KC is an experienced practitioner who enjoys a growing reputation among peers and clients. He acts in a variety of high-value energy disputes, many of which have a construction slant, and is regularly instructed in cases involving oil field development and operation, as well as offshore wind farm construction. Chennells frequently appears in the Technology and Construction Court and the Supreme Court, and routinely handles international arbitrations.

Mark has a nice manner, he's across all the details and part of the next generation of silks.

4
Rupert Choat
4
Band 4

Rupert Choat KC is a highly thought-of barrister for construction matters who frequently appears in energy disputes. He has appeared in both court hearings and international arbitrations relating to the full gamut of energy cases, notably handling disputes involving offshore wind farms and drilling rigs.

Rupert is good at thinking outside the box and brings fresh ideas and perspectives in advocacy; he takes a very different approach which is really appreciated.

Ranked Barristers at
Atkin Chambers

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Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Energy & Natural Resources

Chantal-Aimée Doerries KC
1
Chantal-Aimée Doerries KC
1
Band 1
1
David Streatfeild-James KC
1
Band 1
2
Stephen Dennison KC
2
Band 2
Stuart Catchpole KC
2
Stuart Catchpole KC
2
Band 2
Andrew White KC
3
Andrew White KC
3
Band 3
3
Fiona Parkin KC
3
Band 3
Karim Ghaly KC
3
Karim Ghaly KC
3
Band 3
3
Manus McMullan KC
3
Band 3
3
Nicholas Dennys KC
3
Band 3
Steven Walker KC
3
Steven Walker KC
3
Band 3
James Howells KC
4
James Howells KC
4
Band 4
4
Mark Chennells KC
4
Band 4
4
Rupert Choat KC
4
Band 4

Juniors

London (Bar)

Energy & Natural Resources

Lauren Adams
2
Lauren Adams
2
Band 2
Samar Abbas Kazmi
2
Samar Abbas Kazmi
2
Band 2