Thomas Saunders
Call: 2019
Thomas Saunders specialises in the resolution of construction and engineering disputes, including professional negligence and energy claims, as well as a wide range of other commercial and property disputes. Thomas’s practice has a particular focus on advocacy, and he regularly appears as sole counsel in the High Court and the County Court.
Current and recent cases include:
Thomas has experience with all the major construction and engineering standard forms, as well as public procurement and PFI claims. He is an editor of Keating on JCT Contracts, and a contributor to Keating on Construction Contracts, Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering Contracts, and the Construction Law Reports.
Thomas is instructed both led and unled in substantial and complex construction and engineering disputes.
Thomas regularly advises and represents both construction professionals and their clients in relation to claims for breach of duty and non-payment.
Professional negligence and conduct
Payment claims by professionals
Thomas has a wide range of experience arising out of adjudications, including:
Adjudications.
Enforcement.
In addition to construction, engineering and property disputes, Thomas has experience of a range of other commercial litigation.
Insolvency
Applications arising from insolvency proceedings, whether relating to construction disputes or otherwise, including:
Civil fraud
Civil fraud claims arising out of both misrepresentation and bribery, including:
Insurance
Claims arising out of insurance policies, including:
Sale and supply of goods
Sale and supply of goods disputes, including claims concerning the supply of construction plant and materials such as:
General commercial
Thomas regularly appears in court as sole or junior counsel, and has experience of a range of hearings, including:
Recent advocacy experience includes:
Professional Career
Tenant, Keating Chambers, 2020
Pupil, Keating Chambers, 2019–20
Called to the Bar, Middle Temple, 2019
Education
Bar Professional Training Course, City Law School (Outstanding), 2018–19
Graduate Diploma in Law, City Law School (Distinction), 2017–18
Researcher, Chambers & Partners, 2016–17
MA (Philosophy), St John’s College, University of Cambridge, 2013–16
Thomas is a keen rugby player, a middling skier and a poor ballroom dancer. When time permits, he reads widely and somewhat indiscriminately, in particular fiction of all descriptions.
Jane Lemon QC Essay Competition (third prize), 2020
Rosamund Smith Mooting Competition, Middle Temple (winning team, Ede & Ravenscroft prize for best individual), 2019
Everard ver Heyden Foundation Prize, City Law School, 2019
Henderson Chambers Prize, City Law School, 2019
Sachs Prize, Middle Temple, 2019
Certificate of Honour, Middle Temple, 2019
Nicholas Pumfrey Memorial Scholarship, Middle Temple, 2018