Alexander Nissen QC announced as new Head of Chambers
Date: 4 November 2020
Keating Chambers are pleased to announce the appointment of Alexander Nissen QC as Head of Chambers, with effect from 4th November 2020. Alexander follows Marcus Taverner QC who has been leading the set since October 2015. Alexander has been a member of Keating since 1989, was appointed Queens Counsel in 2006 and a Deputy High Court Judge in 2013. He sits in the TCC and is a former Chair of TECBAR. In addition, he has an active practice as counsel, arbitrator, mediator and adjudicator. Directories describe him as “unparalleled in his field” and a “super-leader who really gets into the detail”. He will be assisted by three deputies.
Commenting on this appointment, Alexander said “I would like to extend my thanks to Marcus for his hard work and dedication during his five-year term. I am honoured to succeed him in this role and to accept the position as Head of Chambers of such a prestigious and forward-thinking set. I take over at an unusual time, but all the signs are that, despite Covid 19, Chambers’ success will continue and that we will remain one of the leaders in the field.”
During his time as Head of Chambers, Marcus oversaw many key developments within the set, building on our long-standing success. He has been involved in:
- The expansion of our membership with lateral hires including Sean Wilken QC, Charles Banner QC, Rachael O’Hagan, Brenna Conroy, John McMillan and Charlie Thompson.
- A comprehensive rebrand including the launch of a new website and a top to bottom refurbishment of our premises on Essex Street.
- Continuing and widening the development of the international reputation of Keating in several jurisdictions including the Gulf, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, Australia, and South Africa.
This has led Keating to a number of industry award nominations in recent years, culminating in winning the Lexis Nexis 2020 “Chambers of the Year” in March and The Lawyer’s prestigious “Chambers of the Year” award on his last day of service – a marker of the hard work he has put in with the Executive Committee during his five years as Head of Chambers.
Marcus remains a full member of Keating Chambers. To coincide with his end of term as Head of Chambers, he has decided to step back from advocacy in order to develop his burgeoning Arbitration practice. Commenting on his time as Head of Chambers, Marcus said: “I have greatly enjoyed my time as Head of Chambers and would like to thank my deputies, the extended Executive Committee and all of the barristers and staff at Keating for helping to make the last five years such a success. I cannot think of a better person to hand the baton over to than Alexander.”
CEO and Director of Clerking, Declan Redmond, added: “On behalf of all the staff at Keating Chambers I would like to express our gratitude to Marcus for the encouragement he has given us all over the past five years to help Chambers achieve the unquestionable success it has. We look forward to continuing to build on that success with Alexander at the helm.”
