UK Bar London (Bar) Professional Negligence: Technology & Construction

4 Pump Court is a chambers which blends legal prowess with huge technical expertise, and boasts an excellent standing at the crossover of professional negligence and construction law. Its barristers handle a range of complex and high-value TCC disputes, representing and opposing architects, engineers and surveyors as well as building contractors. The set offers additional expertise in ICC arbitrations concerning major energy projects, notably in African countries and the Middle East. 4 Pump Court is also a leading chambers for disputes concerning IT infrastructure. Barristers from the set have represented number of the design and engineering firms in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and have acted in Northumbria Healthcare v Balfour Beatty, a high-value negligence claim relating to the design of a hospital. An interviewee praises the set as being "deeply experienced at dealing with the interface between professional negligence and construction disputes."

Atkin Chambers possesses an outstanding reputation in the construction industry, and barristers at the set have broad experience representing both claimants and defendants in related professional negligence claims. They regularly participate in high-profile and complex disputes involving engineers, architects, consultants, construction managers and other key professionals. The barristers have been instructed in matters relating to a range of construction matters including fire safety issues associated with cladding, such as in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Other notable work includes acting for the Trustees of UNISON in a TCC dispute concerning its London headquarters. One source concludes: "The barristers are market leaders and specialists in this area."

Keating Chambers' 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 been involved in Martlet Homes v Mulalley, a novel claim concerning cladding fire safety which went to the Court of Appeal. An interviewee comments: "The set has outstanding, hard-working and dedicated barristers who become integral team members."

39 Essex Chambers offers a cadre of highly rated silks whose expertise covers difficult professional negligence elements of construction contract disputes. Key recent instructions include Blue Manchester v NWGR, a claim against an architect involved in the cladding design of the Manchester Hilton. Members are experienced in the representation of architects, specialist engineers and consultants.

4 New Square fields a wide array of professional negligence expertise to both claimants and defendants in claims stemming from the construction industry. Its members are much in demand for matters concerning architects and engineers, but also other technical professions such as designers of software or IT infrastructure. The set frequently acts in relation to high-value, complex and sensitive matters including a number of post-Grenfell cladding-related claims. Recently, members have appeared in Shepherd Construction Limited v Cladtech Associates, a claim against cladding consultants relating to alleged defects in a mixed-use development.

Crown Office Chambers benefits from a number of high-profile silks and junior barristers who have a wealth of experience acting in negligence claims for and against architects, engineers and surveyors. They have been heavily involved in high-profile litigation including One Hyde Park v Laing O'Rourke, a claim relating to systemic design defects in a luxury residential development.

Gatehouse Chambers is home to barristers possessing deep expertise covering professional negligence claims brought against architects, engineers and others, typically in the context of major construction defects litigation. The barristers have acted in Morrisons v Lorien and JE Hall, a long-running TCC claim relating to alleged defective construction of an abattoir.