Philip Boulding QC was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1979 and has been a member of Keating Chambers since 1980. He specialises in the fields of construction, engineering, technology law and related professional negligence work.
Philip’s practice comprises of both domestic and international work and is clients include local authorities, government departments, major national and international construction and engineering companies, energy and utility companies.
Recent cases have included arbitrations in Hong Kong relating to two separate major housing projects in Kowloon (set down for hearing for a substantial part of 2007 in Hong Kong), advising the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation in relation to the new bullet train line between Taipei and Kaohsiung (Tsoying), advising contractors working on the Nino Aquino International Airport in the Philippines and acting for a Hong Kong Government Department in arbitration proceedings relating to a dispute arising out of enabling works for the construction of a well known theme and leisure park. He has also advised Australian contractors involved in a dispute over the construction of a cigarette factory in the Philippines, Korean contractors in relation to a large engineering project in Singapore and an International Joint Venture involved in a dispute arising out of the construction of a railway in Scandinavia.
Philip has also worked domestically on adjudication proceedings (both as advocate and the adjudicator), and the subsequent High Court enforcement, relating to delays during the construction of a gas pipeline and on arbitration proceedings arising from disputes over a new computerised ticketing system for the London Underground. In 2006 Philip spent a substantial part of his time appearing in the High Court as Lead Counsel in a case involving a North Sea oil and gas platform which was alleged to be suffering from potentially dangerous gas escapes.
Recommendations
Construction
“a user-friendly and excellent barrister,”
International Arbitration
A major heavyweight of the arbitral Construction Bar.
“thorough, hard-working and fully prepared to roll up his sleeves”.
Chambers & Partners 2008
“excellent and user-friendly”
Chambers & Partners Asia 2008
Lawyers instructing Philip Boulding QC should expect "no flimflammery" from this commercial and to-the-point silk. At the same time, clients avow that he "passes the triple-A test: approachable, affable and affordable."
Chambers & Partners 2007
Philip Boulding QC has a tremendous following in Hong Kong where he spends much of his time appearing in building and civil engineering disputes. Recent ‘high profile’ instruction involved acting for the Hong Kong Airport Authority in a series of disputes arising from the design and construction of the roof of the Chek Lap Kok airport and for a Hong Kong Government Department in relation to a dispute arising out of the construction of a renowned international theme and leisure park. Representation of an American corporation in an arbitration relating to the construction of an automated fare collection system for the London rail network and for American contractors involved a dispute arising out of work carried out to a North Sea oil and gas rig provide a couple of examples of his equally superb domestic practice.
Chambers & Partners
Recommended in the top 20 Construction Silks.
'strong in intellect'
The Legal 500
Examples of recent work
Construction and Engineering
- Advising contractors designing and constructing a motorway in Ireland in relation to a claim for unforeseen archaeological conditions against employing Government department. Claim value £40m.
- Acted for the Hong Kong Airport Authority on various substantial actions arising out of the construction of the Chek Lap Kok international airport in Hong Kong.
- Advised a major international airline on disputes over a new hangar for jumbo jets.
- Acting for a major supermarket chain in a Technology and Construction Court (TCC) action regarding the construction of a multi deck car park.
- Advised and acted for civil engineers in TCC proceedings regarding a fire at a cold storage unit.
- Acted for a subsidiary of a major international corporation on arbitration proceedings relating to the development of a landfill site.
- Advising property developers in relation to loss and expenses claims regarding a substantial residential development in the North West of England.
- Acted for a multi national joint venture in arbitration proceedings relating to the construction of the Tsing Ma Bridge suspension bridge in Hong Kong.
- Acted for the Hong Kong Government on disputes with an International Joint Venture relating to sewage disposal project in Hong Kong.
- Advising the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation in relation to the construction of and disputes relating to the high speed 'bullet train' project in Taiwan linking Taipei and the south of the island.
- Acted for a sub-contractor on disputes relating to the construction of RORO car ferries.
- Advising Australian contractors involved in a dispute arising out of the construction of a cigarette factory in the Philippines.
- Acting for a Hong Kong Government Department in a dispute arising out of the construction of an internationally renowned leisure and theme park in Hong Kong.
- Acting for an International Joint Venture involved in a dispute with a Scandinavian Government arising out of the construction of a metro.
- Advising a rail company in relation to a subsidence claim against a mining company resulting in damage to railway tracks, interrupted services and a large claim for repairs costs and consequential losses.
Energy
- Acting for EC Bank in an adjudication in relation to a dispute concerning an nuclear energy facility in Lithuania. Claim value E41m.
- Acting for Toshiba in relation to a dispute concerning the construction of and of a power plant in the East of England incorporating a steam turbine.
- Acted for a South American engineering company in ICC arbitration proceedings arising from the design, fabrication and construction of an oil pipeline, pumping stations and associated communication system and marine oil terminal in East Africa.
- Acting for a multinational Joint Venture in arbitration proceedings relating the construction of an oil treatment and stabilisation facility in the Middle East.
- Advised a major Italian oil and gas construction contractor regarding a facility comprising of an oil treatment and stabilisation and gas compression facility.
- Advised a regional subsidiary of a major oil company concerning issues relating to the fabrication of oil rig platforms to be erected in the South China Sea.
- Advised various customers of the British Nuclear Fuels Industry on disputes over the terms of agreements concerning the safe treatment and disposal of nuclear waste.
- Acted for a network utility company in adjudication and court proceedings regarding delay and defects claims arising from the laying of a gas pipeline.
- Advising an oil and gas company on the contract documentation relating to the opening up of a new oil field in the North Sea.
- Advising a construction company on environmental issues arising out of the construction of a power station in Northern England.
- Acting for a Texan company involved in a Technology and Construction Court dispute arising out of work carried out to a North Sea oil and gas rig.
Professional Negligence
- Arbitration proceedings in Hong Kong concerning the enforceability of an insurance policy issued by a Hong Kong insurer which was intended to indemnify the contractor in respect of injuries to and deaths of its workmen.
- Acting for a Hong Kong Government Department in arbitration proceedings alleging negligence against its professional advisers in connection with the design and construction of a tunnelling scheme.
Information Technology
- Acted for a technology company in an intellectual property case against a Swiss company relating to the manufacture worldwide of Ball Grid Array products and Microvias using laser technology for use in electrical products such as mobile telephones.
- Acted for a major Hong Kong based corporation in dispute with Japanese manufacturers of computerised quay cranes for use at the Hong Kong container port.
- Acted for the Port Authority in Singapore in a dispute arising out of faulty computer technology installed in bridge cranes supplied by Japanese manufacturers.
- Advising a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company in relation to claims relating to time over run on the installation of a unified computer system.
- Advised an international computer company in relation to the provision of an enhanced computerised ticketing system (the London Oyster Smartcard which was intended to replace the existing magnetic stripe type tickets) for London Underground and Buses which was designed, amongst other things, to increase revenues and reduce fraudulent transactions.
Appointments as arbitrator
- Appointed by the International Chamber of Commerce as co-arbitrator on a dispute relating to commercial property in Bahrain.
- Appointed sole arbitrator on a matter relating to a commercial property complex in the Caribbean.
- Appointed sole arbitrator on an engineering dispute in the United Kingdom.
Appointments as adjudicator and mediator
- Acting as adjudicator in dispute between railway service provider and engineering professional arising out of a contract for civils and signalling installation, signalling design, E& P testing and commissioning in the SE of England.
- Acting as mediator in a dispute between a leading retail DIY store and a paint supplier in relation to breach of a vendor supply agreement. Claim value approx £10m.
- Acted as adjudicator on two adjudications relating to target price mechanisms.
- Acted as adjudicator on a £35 million commercial development dispute relating to damages for defects and delay.
- Acted as mediator on a dispute relating to the construction of a shopping centre in the North of England.
Professional CV
1965–1972
1973–1977
1976
1976
1976
1976
1976
1977
1977
1978
1979
1979
1979
1980
1994-1999
1996
1997
1997-2006
2004
2005
2006
2008 | Cambridgeshire High School, Cambridge
Downing College, Cambridge University
B.A. (Law) (1st Class Honours)
Elected to title of Scholar of Downing College
Harris Scholar
Pilley Scholar
Rebecca Flowers Squire Scholar,
Awarded by the Cambridge University Law Faculty
Senior Harris Scholar
Postgraduate LL.B. (now LL.M.)
Gray’s Inn Holker Entrance Award
Gray’s Inn Senior Holker Award
MA
Called to the Bar (Gray's Inn)
Keating Chambers
Committee Member of the Official Referees' Bar Association (now Technology and Construction Bar Association)
Queen’s Counsel
Called to Hong Kong Bar
Chairman, Keating Chambers Pupillage Committee
Elected Bencher of Gray’s Inn
TECBAR Accredited Adjudicator
Public Access Training
Gray's Inn Continuing Education Committee
Consultant Editor of the Construction Law Reports |
Membership
Rights of audience: Dubai International Finance Centre Court (DIFC)
Other Information
1975 and 1976
1976/7
1976
1977
1975-82
1990-94
1994-1999
1996–1999 | Cambridge Rugby 'Blue'.
Member of Cambridge University Hawks Club Committee.
Hon. Sec. of Cambridge, University R.U.F.C.
England U-23 XV.
Bedford R.U.F.C. 1st XV.
President, Cambridge University Amateur Boxing Club.
Vice-President C.U.A.B.C.
Governor of Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge |
Philip is a regular contributor as both speaker and Chairman of Construction Conferences held in the UK and abroad.
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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