SILK PROFILE

Karim Ghaly KC

UK Bar 2026

Atkin Chambers

Ranked in 5 practice areas

Construction

London (Bar)

17 years ranked

International Arbitration: Construction/Engineering

London (Bar)

16 years ranked

Construction: Professional Negligence

All Circuits

2 years ranked

Energy & Natural Resources

London (Bar)

10 years ranked

Commercial Dispute Resolution

London (Bar)

5 years ranked

About

Provided by Atkin Chambers

Practice Areas

Karim Ghaly KC specialises in the arbitration and litigation of substantial commercial disputes in the fields of construction and engineering, energy and natural resources, infrastructure, insurance, and PPP/PFI.

He is recognised internationally as a leading practitioner in each of these areas of practice.

Karim has acted as counsel or arbitrator in complex disputes arising out of projects in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, North America, South America and the UK.

Career

2001 - Called to the Bar.

2017 - Appointed Queen's Counsel.

Professional Memberships

CIArb, COMBAR, IBA, LCIA, SCL, TECBAR.

Publications

The Law of Waiver, Variation and Estoppel; Wilken & Ghaly; OUP; 3rd Edition.

Wilmot-Smith on Construction Contracts; OUP; 4th Edition.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

International Arbitration: Construction/Engineering - London (Bar)

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Karim Ghaly KC regularly appears as sole counsel in various international arbitrations for a number of significant international clients. He is particularly impressive when handling construction and engineering disputes in the Middle East and Asia. He is adept at handling ICC arbitrations, as well as ad hoc arbitrations.

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Construction - London (Bar)

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Karim Ghaly KC attracts praise from industry observers for his consummate advocacy. He is regularly instructed to represent clients in TCC and appellate proceedings and in complex international arbitrations. He frequently handles cases involving energy and professional negligence issues, and is noted for his deep understanding of the mechanisms of PFI and PPP disputes. His international client base includes contractors, subcontractors and employers.

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Construction: Professional Negligence - All Circuits

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Karim Ghaly KC undertakes significant professional negligence work as part of his busy construction law practice. He appears for and against engineers, architects, specialist subcontractors and other construction professionals, at both first instance and appeal. He also has a strong reputation for handling international arbitrations.

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Energy & Natural Resources - London (Bar)

Band 3

Individual Editorial

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.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Karim is a legal genius. He is approachable and very easy to work with.
International Arbitration: Construction/EngineeringUK Bar
Karim Ghaly is the best barrister I have worked with. He is incredibly effective at cross-examination.
ConstructionUK Bar
Karim is very able, good with clients and a very nice bloke.
Construction: Professional NegligenceUK Bar
Karim Ghaly was very user-friendly, and it was clear that he quickly got to grips with the technical elements of the claim. The decision was technically good and well reasoned.
Construction: Professional NegligenceUK Bar
Karim is absolutely amazing. His cross-examination is incredible, and he has a complete grasp of the factual background to the case.
Energy & Natural ResourcesUK Bar
His cross-examination is incredible, and he has a complete grasp of the factual background to the case. He's really very impressive.
Commercial Dispute ResolutionUK Bar