The other ‘pre-eminent’ construction set is Keating Chambers . With 16 QCs and 32 juniors, its ‘strength across the board is excellent’. John Marrin QC remains an ‘impressive’ authority, although some feel he currently spends the greater part of his time on international arbitration. Richard Fernyhough QC also largely acts as an arbitrator but is nonetheless still considered to be ‘one of the best’ for advice. The’ thorough’ Stephen Furst QC is active as counsel, recently appearing in the high-profile Bath Spa dispute. Paul Darling QC is a ‘charismatic, powerful advocate’ who enjoys a high profile. Philip Boulding QC worked on a big TCC trial in 2006 concerning an oilrig in the North Sea, while Tim Elliott QC remains ‘authoritative’ and ‘client-friendly’. The esteemed John Uff QC largely handles arbitration and Treasury cases these days, although he does appear in construction adjudications. David Thomas QC is a good choice for heavily detailed cases, particularly those relating to design liability. His ‘analytical mind is second-to-none’. The ‘enthusiastic’ Marcus Taverner QC enjoys a ‘huge reputation for the big cases’. ‘Strategically very sound’, he can ‘can change his game to suit the circumstances’. Finola O'Farrell QC is ‘very good on the detail’, while Adrian Williamson QC is ‘very strong on cross-examination’, recently appearing in Associated British Ports v HSS.  Rosemary Jackson QC is an active advocate who recently made silk, as did Alexander Nissen QC, who is ‘full of energy’, yet is ‘very measured’ in his advice. The quality of the juniors at the set is ‘exemplary’. ‘Incredibly bright, personable and user-friendly’, Adam Constable appeared in Associated British Ports v HSS and the ongoing Thelwall Viaduct case. Nerys Jefford QC is a ‘subtle sledgehammer’, while the ‘extremely bright’ Simon Hargreaves’ recent cases include Cleveland Bridge v Wembley in the TCC. Senior junior Sarah Hannaford QC is ‘conscientious and hard working’. The ‘very effective’ Richard Harding boasts a solid big Middle East practice. Simon Hughes appeared in the Thelwall Viaduct litigation, while Marc Rowlands appeared with Richard Fernyhough QC in Multiplex v Honeywell. Piers Stansfield whose ‘calm exterior hides a really tough fighter’, appeared in a TCC case concerning a building at Heathrow Airport. Jane Lemon, Jonathan Lee, Paul Buckingham and Jonathan Selby are other popular choices, while Lucy Garrett and Elizabeth Repper are up and coming. Notably, former TCC judge His Honour Peter Bowsher QC now practises as an international arbitrator, adjudicator and mediator

 

Keating Chambers also has a host of fantastic arbitrators, that include ‘construction expert’ John Uff QC, Robert Gaitskell QC, John Marrin QC who is ‘an efficient and effective operator with a relaxed manner,’ and Richard Fernyhough QC who is ‘a client pleaser’ and ‘authoritative and easy to work with.’  New to the section in recognition of his practice as an arbitrator is His Honour Peter Bowsher QC . Juniors Simon Hughes and Richard Harding (who is fluent in Persian) also sit as arbitrators. Both Tim Elliott QC and Marcus Taverner QC are recommended for their experience in this field. New entries to the section are Finola O'Farrell QC whose clients include Van Oord, an employer against a Far Eastern shipyard, and a Middle East state owned Oil Company. Philip Boulding QC and Stephen Furst QC are highly spoken of by solicitors. Talented juniors are plentiful at this set. Robert Evans, Sarah Hannaford QC, Paul Buckingham, Nerys Jefford QC and Adam Constable are all gaining impressive experience in international arbitrations. New entrant Marc Rowlands has recently acted in Channel Tunnel Rail Link arbitrations.

 

Robert Gaitskell QC is a seasoned advocate and an authority in construction and engineering matters. His expertise as a mediator is widely recognised, and he is often called upon to act on overseas matters. He is considered demanding of clients and parties prior to mediation, but nevertheless his ‘genial manner’ and meticulous preparation continue to win plaudits.

 

Keating Chambers’ Robert Gaitskell QC is a ‘leading light in the construction and energy field’ and has recently mediated disputes concerning power stations in North Africa and the Mediterranean, as well as arbitrating disputes concerning a defective rig and an oil tanker terminal on the African coast. Paul Darling QC is a ‘remarkable negotiator’, while Finola O'Farrell QC ‘knows energy inside out’. Alexander Nissen QC was appointed silk in 2006 and clients praise his ‘awareness of the issues’, while Simon Hughes is highly regarded for his knowledge of the nuclear power sector.

 

Adrian Williamson QC and Simon Hargreavesare recommended.

 

Leading construction set Keating Chambers covers the full range of work emanating from the construction industry, including professional negligence. Marcus Taverner QC, Alexander Nissen QC and the ‘extremely impressive’ Nerys Jefford QC, all come highly recommended. The clerks at the set received high praise from solicitors for the excellent service they provide.

 

"pre-eminent"

"strength across the board is excellent"

"host of fantastic arbitrators"
Legal 500 2007/2008

”This set has used its renowned construction expertise and client base to push into the energy sector”
Energy & Natural Resources, Chambers & Partners 2007

This “consistently good” set “really knows its stuff on construction.”
Professional Negligence, Chambers & Partners 2007

“Keating Chambers houses some of the best-known and most highly regarded barristers in the field.”
International Arbitration: Construction/Engineering, Chambers & Partners 2007

"Barrister for barrister, many solicitors consider this set to be ‘the best, all the way down the line.'  Much of its success is ascribed to a progressive recruitment programme that ensures 'quality never falters, whether at silk or junior level.' "

 

Its ‘depth of expertise and administrative efficiency' allows Chambers justifiably to claim that it stands ‘head and shoulders above all other construction sets’

"This set is distinguished by the ‘true star quality’ it has to offer"
Chambers UK: A client's guide to the UK legal profession 2006, International Arbitration

"Excelling in both international and domestic markets"
Legal 500 2005, Construction.

Our “success is ascribed to a progressive recruitment programme that ensures ‘quality never falters, whether at silk or junior level’”
Chambers UK:  2006.

Keating Chambers’ involvement in high profile litigation was recognised by Chambers UK: 2006 when it noted  its “stellar reputation for its members’ involvement in many of the landmark decisions that form the current law on construction professional negligence.”

The Legal 500, 2005 (Construction section) also remarked on Chambers’ consistency in “Excelling in both international and domestic markets, its members [having] appeared in 40 reported cases during 2004, eight of which were in the Court of Appeal”.

Chambers is “known for its expertise in construction law, [and] provides a host of arbitration specialists and arbitrators”
Legal 500, 2005, Commercial Arbitration.

"The clerks at the set received high praise from solicitors for the excellent service they provide"
Legal 500 2007/2008

 

…Solicitors continue to praise the excellent service they receive from the clerks, the “unsung heroes of the backroom,” and draw attention to the “vast array of clever people” who cater for the full spectrum of domestic and international construction disputes….
Construction, Chambers & Partners 2007

 
Keating Chambers retained the title of "Construction Set of the Year" at the Chambers & Partners Bar Awards which were held at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Thursday 4th October 2007.

Keatings were praised by the judges for being “utterly adept as counsel in both domestic and international construction, energy and professional negligence matters” and for having “an impressive number of appointments as adjudicators, mediators and arbitrators – a testimony to their all-round excellence”.

 

The clerks at the set received high praise from solicitors for the excellent service they provide.
Legal 500, 2006