Sweet & Maxwell Professional DevelopmentLegal Conferences

Described as ‘one of the best construction lawyers and silks of his generation,’ (Chambers and Partners, 2018), Adam Constable QC (of Keating Chambers) specialises in onshore and offshore construction, engineering, energy, shipbuilding and technology disputes along with professional negligence and insurance claims related to these sectors. His client base is both domestic and international, and he has extensive experience appearing in the UK Courts (TCC, Commercial Court and Court of Appeal), and representing multi-national clients in front of Tribunals constituted under numerous international arbitral rules, including ICC, LCIA, SIAC, DIAC, NAI, UNCITRAL, SCC and LMAA. Industry commentary notes Adam’s reputation for his mastery of complex factual and technical detail, devastating advocacy with a client-friendly approach.

Rare amongst those from a specialist set, Adam is currently recommended by the Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 directories across five categories: construction, energy, international arbitration, professional negligence and shipping.

Adam is the General Editor of the new title, Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering (published September 2015). In addition, he is a co-editor of Keating on JCT Contracts, a contributor to Keating on Construction Contracts, a co-editor of Keating of NEC, a consultant editor of Construction Law Reports and contributing author to Oil & Gas: Contracts and Principles

Alexander Nissen QC of Keating Chambers specialises in advocacy and advisory work, adjudication, arbitration, litigation and the mediation of construction, engineering, energy and professional negligence disputes. His practice covers a wide variety of cases ranging from client/developer claims, PFI disputes, and adjudication enforcement to professional negligence cases (architects, surveyors, valuers, solicitors and civil, structural and geotechnical engineers). He deals with both contractors’ and sub-contractors’ claims and defects disputes.

Alexander’s work also covers rail projects, disputes relating to bonds (both domestic and international), power stations and oil and gas projects. Earlier this year Alexander successfully represented Grove Developments in one of the most talked about construction cases of 2018, overturning previous cases related to the issue of payment notices and adjudication.

Alexander is a Chartered Arbitrator, an accredited adjudicator and mediator. His arbitration work covers both domestic and international disputes. He has been appointed both through party selection and by the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris. He was appointed as a Recorder in 2007 and as a Deputy High Court Judge in 2013, now authorized to sit in the TCC.

Currently shortlisted by Chambers & Partners as construction junior barrister of the year, their 2018 directory recognised Paul as: “An impressive advocate, both oral and written. He formulates persuasive reasonings, works well with instructing solicitors and is extremely well prepared.” “Thorough and hard-working.” Chambers & Partners, 2018. “Pragmatic, commercial and razor-sharp.” Legal 500, 2017.

A leading practitioner in construction matters, Paul Cowan has two decades of experience as a specialist in international and national construction practice, advising on many of the world’s largest and highest-profile projects and disputes. This has included uniquely detailed experience in the construction of new-build nuclear power plants, as well as other large power and oil & gas projects, through to major UK developments, including the construction of the Rolls Building of the High Court in London.

Paul has particularly strong experience in presenting and defending delay and disruption claims. This includes having recently successfully represented his client in establishing new case law on the operation of extension of time provisions, both in the High Court and in the Court of Appeal (Carillion v Woods Bagot & Others), as well as successfully defending against a € multi billion disruption claim brought by a contractor on a major power sector project.

Paul has long experience with the JCT forms of contract, as a long-standing member of the JCT Council and Chair of the JCT’s Construction Dispute Resolution Group. He also has extensive experience with the NEC form of contract having advised on and conducted numerous disputes about it in recent years.  In addition, Paul is a long-standing member of the Construction Committee of the City of London Law Society, in which he co-authored its standard form of novation agreement and guidance note.

Sarah Hannaford QC is a leading commercial barrister at Keating Chambers whose work spans both the United Kingdom and international markets. She specialises in construction, engineering, infrastructure and energy disputes together with professional negligence work within these areas of expertise. She has also carved out a strong procurement practice in recent years. Sarah was called to the Northern Ireland Bar in 2015.

Sarah is recommended as a “multi-talented QC with a remarkably wide practice”. She is regularly instructed in complex construction and commercial disputes in the UK Courts, adjudication and international arbitration. She has experience in the full range of contractual claims which arise out of construction projects, including claims relating to defects, termination, delay and professional negligence. Recent work has included acting for the Ministry of Justice in relation to electronic monitoring claims against Serco and G4S, and acting for the Secretary of State for Defence in two substantial disputes relating to a nuclear submarine base. She also has considerable expertise in energy, offshore construction and shipping disputes, including acting high profile disputes such as the Solitaire and the Varg.

In addition to her work as Counsel, Sarah sits as arbitrator and is a trained mediator and accredited adjudicator.

Fenella is the Head of Burness Paull’s Construction & Projects team, one of the largest construction law teams in Scotland. Fenella has been ranked by Chambers and Legal 500 as a leading construction specialist for over 20 years and is listed by Legal 500 as one of only four Leading Individuals in Scotland.  Clients praise her for her “astute mind and methodical style” and her “strong sense of direction and leadership”.

Fenella has acted for both the public and private sector on their construction projects in a variety of sectors including PPP/PFI, transport, commercial developments, leisure, housing, renewables and nuclear decommissioning.  Her current focus is on dispute resolution for the private sector. Fenella is currently advising on the resolution of high profile Scottish disputes with a value in excess of £100 million.

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Recognised as a Leading Construction Silk by both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. Ben has very considerable experience in construction and engineering disputes.  Described as “calm under pressure and always willing to stick his neck out on a case”; “technically he’s one of the best around. He is also highly responsive”, he acts for both claimants and defendants in a wide range of cases in the TCC, Arbitrations, Adjudications and the Court of Appeal. Ben frequently acts for employers, contractors and construction professionals in high value TCC cases and arbitrations. He is particularly experienced in engineering and design disputes and is frequently instructed to act on behalf of insurers. He is the co-author of Professional Negligence in Construction [Routledge] and his current caseload includes acting for contractors in respect of a major fire damage claim, acting for engineers sued for damage to a very large warehouse project and acting for the design and build joint venture in respect of a project concerning the University of Ulster.