Department profile
Keating Chambers

Construction: Professional Negligence

UK Bar Guide 2026 : All Circuits


Keating Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Construction: Professional Negligence - All Circuits

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Keating Chambers is noted for "the breadth of market-leading counsel available" within the set. Its leading reputation in the construction and engineering sector extends to related professional negligence claims. The chambers has notable strength in matters involving project managers, architects and engineers. The set can offer strong expertise in claims stemming from high-value, complex and sensitive construction projects. Barristers from the set have appeared in BDW Trading v AECOM Infrastructure & Environment UK, URS Corporation, Cameron Taylor Consulting, a claim arising out of defective structural engineering.

Will Shrubsall and James Luxmoore are joint directors of clerking.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks are efficient, professional and consistently responsive, which ensures smooth case management and client support.

    Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • There is a high number of clerks and they all make sure they put forward the best counsel and make sure they give the clients what they need. They are really user-friendly.

    Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are amazing, genuinely enthusiastic about their work and willing to go above and beyond to help.

    Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Keating Chambers has the best clerks around.

    Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are very diligent and client-focused.

    Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Alexander Nissen
    Band 1Alexander Nissen

    Alexander Nissen

    Alexander Nissen KC is a seasoned practitioner mainly representing professionals in the energy, engineering and construction spheres, as well as regularly appearing in legal and property services cases. His professional negligence capabilities include advisory work, litigation, adjudication, arbitration and mediation. He regularly appears in the TCC and the Court of Appeal.

    • Alexander Nissen is at the top of the game. He gives top-quality advice.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Alex is a magisterial figure and a titan of the Bar. For anything sensitive or high-value, he's someone to whom you can really turn.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Lucy Garrett
    Band 1Lucy Garrett

    Lucy Garrett

    Lucy Garrett KC practises across the sectors of energy and construction (including shipbuilding), and handles significant professional negligence disputes in these areas. She is often called upon to litigate high-value matters in the TCC, and also gets involved in major international arbitrations. She acts for claimants, defendants and insurers in highly technical professional negligence claims. Her clients include architects and engineers.

    • Lucy is very professional and provides succinct advice, addressing the key issues in the claim with a practical and commercial perspective for clients.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Lucy is always accessible and client-friendly, but with excellent gravitas and credibility of delivery of advice and advocacy.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She has a fantastic way of dealing with experts and is very good on the law.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Lucy provides excellent, commercially minded advice on both strategy and specific legal issues.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Her written work and advocacy are extremely well prepared. She's very calm and measured and passionate about her cases and her clients.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Simon Hargreaves
    Band 1Simon Hargreaves

    Simon Hargreaves

    Simon Hargreaves KC has extensive experience of negligence claims against professionals across an array of industries, including the technology, engineering and construction sectors. He is a talented litigator and also handles alternative dispute resolution. His strong track record includes instructions in claims arising out of sizeable infrastructure and energy projects.

    • I really rate Simon Hargreaves. He is very good.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Vincent Moran
    Band 1Vincent Moran

    Vincent Moran

    Vincent Moran KC is well known as an experienced advocate and adviser on a wide range of professional negligence matters connected with the construction industry. He regularly represents and opposes contractors, architects and designers, among other parties. He has experience of adjudication, as well as TCC proceedings, and has also authored a number of publications relating to construction matters.

    • His incisiveness and clarity have been invaluable.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Alexandra Bodnar
    Band 2Alexandra Bodnar

    Alexandra Bodnar

    Alexandra Bodnar is known for her work in both litigation and arbitration within construction law. She has experience in representing contractors, architects and engineers in professional negligence cases, both domestically and internationally.

    • Alexandra Bodnar is very good.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She is a go-to for construction and big contract stuff.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2David Sheard
    Band 2David Sheard

    David Sheard

    David Sheard has considerable experience in acting as junior or sole counsel in major claims, including those relating to fire safety defects, structural engineering and other areas.

    • David Sheard is very knowledgeable, able to grasp new concepts quickly and offer practical advice. David is responsive and his written advice is clear and easy to follow.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • David has provided exceptional support. His attention to detail and grasp of the complexities of the case were superb. He is very user-friendly and a pleasure to work with.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Jonathan Selby
    Band 2Jonathan Selby

    Jonathan Selby

    Jonathan Selby KC is a well-established construction silk and a strong choice for professional negligence claims concerning architects, engineers, surveyors and design-and-build contractors. He is particularly knowledgeable about cladding and other design issues relating to large residential developments.

    • Jonathan is technically exceptional whilst being commercially astute.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Jonathan Selby is a go-to barrister for fire safety defect work. He demonstrates awareness of practicalities and commercial realism.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Paul Bury
    Band 2Paul Bury

    Paul Bury

    Paul Bury is well versed in construction-related professional negligence cases. He has significant experience of acting in the TCC as well as leading in arbitration matters. Bury is frequently sought out to act in disputes connected to student accommodation design defects.

    • He is really excellent and one to watch for the future. The quality of his written work is excellent.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He is a good practitioner.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Samuel Townend
    Band 2Samuel Townend

    Samuel Townend

    Samuel Townend KC has amassed a considerable body of expertise in fire safety issues affecting major residential developments. He has acted for claimants and defendants, including fire engineers, in associated professional negligence claims.

    • Sam is a go-to silk for high-value construction disputes. He is very able technically, quick to come back to you and a first-rate tactician.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Samuel Townend is a very able practitioner.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Tom Coulson
    Band 2Tom Coulson

    Tom Coulson

    Tom Coulson is a well-regarded barrister who tackles both defence and claimant work in professional negligence claims brought against architects, engineers and surveyors.

    • He goes the extra mile in terms of going through things in short order. He is able to digest large amounts of information and turn it into practical suggestions and input.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Tom Coulson's written work is outstanding and some of the best I've seen recently.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Tom Owen
    Band 2Tom Owen

    Tom Owen

    Tom Owen KC is an erudite and commercially minded barrister notable for his appearances, led and unled, in professional negligence claims in the construction industry, particularly those surrounding fire safety.

    • Tom is a class act. He is always willing to help and squeeze things in. His pleading style is excellent, he very easily gets to grips with the issues and he is a very safe pair of hands.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Tom is excellent in every facet of the role of a barrister, and remains a go-to choice for counsel in any commercial dispute.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Tom Owen is very clever, very hard-working and very on top of things.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Ben Sareen
    Band 3Ben Sareen

    Ben Sareen

    Ben Sareen is a much sought-after junior for construction-related professional negligence matters. He has impressive experience of acting in high-profile residential and commercial development design disputes, along with matters involving issues of fire safety. He is extremely well versed in large energy project cases.

    • He is exceptional on the technical detail.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Ben Sareen is absolutely excellent.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Brenna Conroy
    Band 3Brenna Conroy

    Brenna Conroy

    Brenna Conroy is an impressive barrister with significant experience in high-profile professional negligence matters concerning engineers. She has in-depth knowledge of a variety of projects including those involving hospitals, hotels and student accommodation.

    • Brenna Conroy provides a solid mastering of a technical case and the ability to cut through expert evidence. She has a great grasp of the legal and commercial strategy of the matter.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Brenna is very approachable and adept at dealing with and distilling complex issues. She is very user-friendly.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Calum Lamont
    Band 3Calum Lamont

    Calum Lamont

    Calum Lamont KC is a well-established construction-focused barrister who has strong expertise in the field of professional negligence and related insurance issues. He is instructed in high-value claims in the UK and abroad, with a significant practice in Middle Eastern jurisdictions.

    • Calum is head and shoulders above other barristers of his year of call.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Emma Healiss
    Band 3Emma Healiss

    Emma Healiss

    Emma Healiss has notable experience in claims brought against architects and surveyors. Alongside acting in professional negligence claims, she has represented core participants in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

    • Emma is a hard-working, responsive junior and a pleasure to work with. Her drafting and advice are clear and precise.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Emma is extremely capable technically, responsive, diligent and does not pull any punches.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Gideon Scott Holland
    Band 3Gideon Scott Holland

    Gideon Scott Holland

    Gideon Scott Holland has a notable professional negligence practice that focuses on high-profile construction and engineering cases. He regularly appears at all levels of court, including the Court of Appeal, acting for claimants and defendants. He has experience of acting as sole counsel.

    • Gideon assisted us hugely with clear, sensible and understandable advice.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Harry Smith
    Band 3Harry Smith

    Harry Smith

    Well-regarded junior Harry Smith has a budding professional negligence practice. Smith is particularly known for his representation of defendants backed by professional indemnity insurers, and frequently appears in the High Court.

    • Harry provides excellent advice and drafting.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Harry has strong analytical abilities, exceptional communication and a results-driven approach, all while remaining keenly aware of the case-related commercial realities.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Harry is an exceptional advocate, with great technical knowledge and is very approachable.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Harry's drafting is clear and well structured.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Harry is very impressive, quick-thinking and knows his stuff.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3James Frampton
    Band 3James Frampton

    James Frampton

    James Frampton is a highly praised junior barrister with a strong practice in negligence claims relating to construction professionals, including architects, project managers and engineers. He has particular knowledge of cases involving fire safety defects.

    • James Frampton is helpful, flexible and understands the technical detail.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • James is second to none. He is a fantastic all-rounder and excels in every attribute.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • He's exceptional. James needs limited guidance and gets into the detail quickly.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • James gave very sensible and timely tactical advice.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Krista Lee
    Band 3Krista Lee

    Krista Lee

    Krista Lee KC is recognised for her construction law expertise and has applied this to building a strong reputation in the related professional negligence sphere. She acts across a broad range of areas, from energy and transport infrastructure to residential development.

    • Krista is a super-smart person who is very user-friendly. She is well liked by clients and has a calming presence, which is a real strength.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • She is very calm and collected and her legal advice is spot-on.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Krista is very diligent with great attention to detail. She is careful and thorough.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Krista Lee takes really technical matters and cuts right to the heart of them quickly. Clients love her.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Rachael O'Hagan
    Band 3Rachael O'Hagan

    Rachael O'Hagan

    Rachael O'Hagan has a very impressive professional negligence practice that focuses on construction-related matters. She has been involved in high-profile commercial disputes acting for engineers, designers and insurers, among many others. She has in-depth expertise in large infrastructure project-connected matters.

    • Rachael is very clear and considered in her advice and drafting. She understands the pitfalls involved in a matter and contributes ideas to help avoid them.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Up and ComingCallum Monro Morrison
    Up and ComingCallum Monro Morrison

    Callum Monro Morrison

    Callum Monro Morrison is a well-regarded up-and-coming construction barrister with experience in complex and high-profile professional negligence cases. He has acted in many levels of court, including the High Court and Court of Appeal. Morrison is regularly instructed by construction companies and insurers, among others, in matters involving disputes over fire safety and structural defects. He is also developing a strong reputation in construction adjudication matters.

    • Callum is very capable, with well-focused submissions, and punches above his weight.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Callum is excellent at drafting and a real team player. He is a future star.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksRichard Coplin
    New SilksRichard Coplin

    Richard Coplin

    A qualified engineer who previously worked in the renewable and alternative energy sectors, Richard Coplin KC can provide highly specialised advice on technology and construction negligence matters. He regularly handles claims involving engineers, architects and surveyors, and is adept at both litigation and ADR.

    • Richard is fantastic; he is technically first-class and his engineering background adds a useful dimension. He is approachable and responsive.

      Construction: Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Keating Chambers (22)

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