Department profile
Exchange Chambers

Construction

UK Bar Guide 2026 : Northern/North Eastern (Bar)

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Exchange Chambers

Rankings

About

Provided by Exchange Chambers

Our barristers are renowned for their knowledge of construction law. The team comprises members with industry specific qualifications such as Chartered Quantity Surveyors and a Chartered Builder who call on their invaluable insight and practical knowledge of the construction and engineering sectors.

Members have extensive experience of all stages of construction disputes and act for a wide variety of clients including international employers, developers, insurers, local authorities, major contractors, specialist sub-contractors and consultants.

They are familiar with all major standard forms of contract such as JCT, NEC and FIDIC, and advise clients on the drafting of contracts and on the interpretation of contractual provisions during the project life-cycle. Members regularly appear in the TCC in London and the North of England.

Our barristers are routinely instructed in construction adjudications, arbitrations (domestic and international), expert determinations and mediations with several also regularly acting as adjudicator, arbitrator or mediator.

Members also act for and against construction professionals in professional negligence disputes.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Construction - Northern/North Eastern (Bar)

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Exchange Chambers is able to handle a wide range of construction matters. Multiple members of the construction team previously practised as

solicitors before being called to the Bar, enhancing the depth of knowledge and expertise. The members of the team have extensive experience involving a variety of clients including local authorities, developers and insurers. A commentator reports: "Exchange Chambers is a growing powerhouse in the Northern Circuit." A work highlight for this year sees the set acting successfully in a dispute concerning substantial demolition works to a commercial property development.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Exchange Chambers has good availability and a willingness to enter into discussions with clients and instructing solicitors. They provide frank and honest advice throughout.

    Construction respondentUK Bar

  • The clerks are always quick to respond, easy to work with and happy to lend a helping hand when needed.

    Construction respondentUK Bar

  • The clerks at Exchange are brilliant, particularly Nicole Luna, business and property clerk, and Luke Heywood, senior civil and business and property clerk.

    Construction respondentUK Bar

  • Clerking is always top-draw. Luke Heywood is particularly commercially minded and a pleasure to work with.

    Construction respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • David Fearon
    David Fearon

    David Fearon

    David Fearon is a respected construction specialist with an impressive background as a former solicitor, chartered quantity surveyor and chartered builder. He is active in ADR as well as traditional dispute resolution, and represents all parties from private individuals to subcontractors, developers and insurers, particularly in cases pertaining to the house-building industry.

    • David Fearon is a proper construction specialist.

      Construction respondentUK Bar

    • David Fearon is our go-to for construction. He is very hands-on and involved from the outset. He is very much part of the legal team.

      Construction respondentUK Bar

    • David Fearon has a quantity surveying background and a solicitor background - he understands most, if not all, things, which is handy. He is an excellent one-stop shop.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
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  • James Malam
    James Malam

    James Malam

    James Malam is an experienced practitioner acting for a range of professionals, including architects and engineers, in complex construction cases. He regularly handles contract disputes, including those heard in the TCC.

    • James Malam is very good with clients - calm and collected.

      Construction respondentUK Bar

    • James is excellent all around - he can tackle the most complex of factual and legal issues and fills you with confidence when on his feet in court.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
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  • Simon Whitfield
    Simon Whitfield

    Simon Whitfield

    Simon Whitfield is an impressive junior counsel and a well-known name on the Northern Circuit. A former solicitor, he brings a practical approach to disputes over civil engineering contracts and construction projects. He is an accredited construction adjudicator and also acts as a mediator in various matters.

    • Simon Whitfield worked as a construction solicitor for a long time, which is helpful.

      Construction respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at Exchange Chambers (3)

Northern/North Eastern (Bar)

Members

Provided by Exchange Chambers

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