Nerys Jefford QC was called to the Bar in 1986 and has been a practising barrister in Keating Chambers since 1988, specialising in construction and engineering disputes, and domestic and international arbitration. Her practice covers a wide spectrum of advisory work, drafting and advocacy related to standard form and bespoke contracts; contractors’, sub-contractors’ and employers’ claims; professional negligence claims (architects, engineers, surveyors, valuers); and bonds and guarantees.
She has been involved in a number of major international arbitrations including arbitrations relating to two substantial infrastructure projects and a housing development in Hong Kong, an ICC arbitration about a process plant in Saudi Arabia and a long-running arbitration about a ship conversion project in Singapore and the UK. Her work in this country encompasses the full range of construction disputes from domestic housing to substantial commercial developments and major engineering projects, including infrastructure projects, off-shore work, energy recovery and power generation projects.
Nerys Jefford has acted for clients at all stages of the adjudication process (advising, drafting, representing clients at hearings and enforcement proceedings) and in alternative dispute resolution.
She has a working knowledge of French and German (with a diploma from the University of Vienna).
Recommendations
Construction & International Arbitration
"A superb advocate with an incisive legal mind,” she is well liked by judges and gets stuck in for the good of the team.
Chambers and Partners 2009
Professional NegligenceAlso specialises in construction and engineering disputes, and is noted for her strong advisory practice. She is, however, no stranger to litigation, and has been involved in major international arbitrations in Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. At home her practice covers disputes ranging from domestic housing to major commercial developments.
Chambers and Partners 2009
Construction
one of the standout juniors of the last few years.
Chambers and Partners 2008
International Arbitration
“a hard working detail person and a good team player”
“her written work perfectly complements her skilful and effective advocacy”.
Chambers and Partners 2008
“supremely competent and highly talented”
Chambers & Partners Asia 2008
"extremely impressive"..."subtle sledgehammer"
Legal 500 2007
“….has been active in construction disputes as far afield as Hong Kong and smoothly handles all aspects of the work with a clean efficiency.”
"...stands out among the set’s high-quality juniors due to her expertise in relation to claims against architects, engineers, surveyors and valuers."
Solicitors applaud her "imperturbable manner."
Chambers and Partners 2007
“first class”
“good at cutting through the crap”
“seniority and authority”
"an exceptional talent"
Chambers and Partners 2006
“…terrier-like…”
“….extremely tough in Court, a real battler…”
“…has empathetic client skills…”
"...an awesome opponent..."
"brilliant in court, she is appreciated for the effort she takes to build up a real rapport with professional clients”
Chambers and Partners 2005
“ … heads the juniors table at the insistence of various impressed clients, who praised her thorough preparation”
The Legal 500, 2004
Nerys Jefford has been rated as one of the top juniors in Construction, in both Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, since 1998 and was nominated as Construction Junior of the Year, Chambers and Partners Bar Awards 2005.
She is also recommended in Professional Negligence and International Arbitration and her prominence in international arbitration is reflected in her inclusion in Chambers Asia 2008.
Examples of recent work
Construction and Engineering
- Acting for a Joint Venture of the four contractors responsible for the construction of the UK’s first modern toll road on a series of claims arising out of the project.
- Representing both employers and contractors involved in PFI projects and acting for a “preferred bidder” on claims in respect of a PFI project that did not result in a contract.
- Acting for a Singaporean shipyard in a long-running arbitration about a ship conversion project.
- Hong Kong arbitration relating to a substantial housing development.
- Acting for a UK/Japanese Joint Venture in a Hong Kong arbitration relating to the construction of the Tsing Ma Bridge (part of the new airport infrastructure).
- Hong Kong arbitration relating to tunnelling for major new sewerage scheme.
- ICC arbitration (representing Korean clients) relating to construction of a process plant in Saudi Arabia.
- Disputes over contractors’ and employers’ claims in respect of office developments, residential developments, sporting facilities, leisure and retail facilities, public buildings (including hospitals), educational facilities, student housing, factory and storage facilities, sea defences.
Energy
- Acting for main contractors in an arbitration arising out of the construction of an oil production facility in Kuwait.
- Advising and representing UK clients in claims relating to power generation in Africa.
- Representing contractors in disputes arising out of coal production in South Wales.
- Disputes arising out of the construction and commissioning of a North Sea oil and gas floating production facility.
Professional Negligence
- Professional negligence claims involving architects; civil, mechanical and electrical engineers; quantity surveyors; project managers.
Publications
- Contributor, Keating on Construction Contracts - Eighth Edition (2006).
- Editorial team, Keating on Building Contracts, (5th, 6th and 7th editions).
- Joint Author, European Harmonisation in the Field of Construction, 1993 (with John Uff QC) [1993] ICLR 122.
Nerys Jefford lectures widely to audiences including the SCL, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the RICS and various firms of solicitors.
Professional CV
MA in Jurisprudence, Oxford
Scholar of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
LIM, University of Virginia (specialising in international and commercial law)
Fulbright Scholar
Called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn)
Keating Chambers
MCI Arb
Bencher, Gray's Inn
Recorder
TECBAR Accredited Adjudicator
Queen's Counsel | 1984
1985 1986
1988
2006
2007
2008 |
Memberships
Society of Construction Law: Council member and former Chairman
Technology and Construction Bar Association (former Committee Member) (TECBAR)
Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR)
Rights of audience: Dubai International Finance Centre Court (DIFC)
Other Information
Nerys Jefford takes an active interest in education at the Bar. She is a member of the Bar Standards Board Education and Training Committee and a trained advocacy teacher. She sings regularly with the London Welsh Chorale and Gray’s Inn Chapel Choir and is involved in horse racing as an owner and breeder.
Contact UsIf you would like to discuss ways in which Keating Chambers can assist you or your organisation, please contact the Senior Clerks,
John Munton and
Nick Child, in the first instance, on +44(0)20 7544 2600. They and their teams of Clerks will be pleased to advise you on the member of Keating Chambers appropriate to your requirements.
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