Simon Hargreaves was called to the Bar in 1991 and has practised in Keating Chambers ever since. He specialises in all legal aspects of construction and engineering, and in particular in professional negligence. He has first hand experience of all types of dispute resolution and in particular the growing area of adjudication and enforcement. He also specialises in energy and utilities disputes. Recently he has been involved in a number of IT cases and is adding such work to his areas of specialism.
Simon Hargreaves was appointed by the Attorney-General to the B-Panel (i.e. up to 10 years’ call) of Treasury Counsel in January 2002. This appointment has led to a number of instructions to act on behalf of the Government in cases concerning construction and engineering disputes, principally motorways, and has also resulted in him advising the Office of the Rail Regulator.
His recent cases include appearing or advising in two of the more significant IT disputes of recent years, including one arising from London Transport’s recent upgrading of the capital’s transport systems (including, for example, Oystercard); a professional negligence/fraud arbitration in relation to a nuclear power station where the claim was over £100m; a construction claim arising from a major flood; a commercial claim arising out of distribution hardware and technology; a professional negligence claim against an engineer and project manager arising out of the construction of a factory and a claim against a contractor and architect arising out of a supermarket fire.
Recommendations
Construction
"incisive mind and pleasing bedside manner"…"little doubt that he is going to be one of the most impressive of us all, given time"…"stands out from the crowd for being “just brilliantly clever,”…“able to expertly negotiate the most difficult cases,”
Professional Negligence
"A practical, highly reliable lawyer of strong opinions"…is described by opposing counsel as “a formidable and tenacious senior junior”
Energy
"user-friendly and has the ability to convey difficult concepts in an easy to understand manner"…“exceptionally strong performer”…"a fine reputation for thoroughness"
Chambers and Partners 2008 & 2009
Nominated for Construction Junior of the Year
Chambers & Partners Bar Awards 2008
"extremely bright"
Legal 500 2007
"clever, literate and persuasive"…"rave reviews and with good reason"...is extremely good at "shaking a case by the scruff of the neck"…"intelligent and dedicated"…"exceptionally good and totally reliable"…”produces excellent paperwork”…”strong attention to detail"...wildly impressive”...considered "the junior most likely to”..."enjoys an active professional negligence practice”…...attention to detail in advising on and drafting pleadings has won him a following among solicitors...continues to work his way up the rankings, with many commentators describing him as a "star of the future"
Chambers and Partners 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2007
Simon Hargreaves has been consistently mentioned in Chambers and Partners since 1995.
Examples of recent work
Construction and Engineering
- Drafted proceedings in an adjudication claim for £2 million and advised on strategy.
- Appeared at an eight day trial of preliminary issues in the Technology and Construction Court concerning duties of care (professionals and contractors), accrual of causes of action, limitation and estoppel.
- Advised and drafted proceedings on behalf of a commercial landlord against professionals and contractors arising out of a retail park development now undergoing major subsidence.
- Advised the Secretary of State for Transport in relation to defects in a major viaduct and responsibility for those defects, and drafted proceedings.
- Advised and drafted standard terms for use by a manufacturer and supplier of building products.
- Appeared in a Security for Costs hearing in Gibraltar as part of an ICC arbitration taking place in London.
- Advising in respect of a claim of £20m arising out of the Chancery Lane underground derailment and connected issues.
- Advised in respect of, and drafted proceedings against, underwriters and insurance brokers in the context of an engineering dispute for failure to indemnify, followed by advice and drafting proceedings against insurers and insurance brokers for negligence in failure to ensure continuous cover following the transfer of insurance business.
Professional Negligence
- Advising and pleading for a multi-disciplinary defendant (architect, engineer, QS, project manager) in relation to allegations of professional negligence concerning a development in Birmingham.
- Advising and pleading for a major retailer in relation to the professional negligence of its Structural Engineer and Project Manager.
- Advising and pleading for a major retailer in relation to professional negligence proceedings against its M&E engineer. Now settled.
- Advising a major land owner in relation to possible professional negligence proceedings against an engineer under a term contract.
- Advising and pleading for a standards company in relation to allegations of professional negligence in respect of the certification of storage vessels for use at sea.
Energy
- Advised a major nuclear company on its £100 million claim against a designer/supplier, based on fraud, misrepresentation, breach of contract and negligence. Drafted pleadings. Prepared and opened the case at the hearing. Now settled.
- Advising a wind turbine manufacturer and contractor in relation to a major UK wind farm project.
- Advising a major subsea engineering company in relation to interpretation of a contract dealing with offshore applications in Africa.
Information Technology
- Successfully conducting an eight day trial concerning the provision of software for a command and control centre governing ambulance and fire in Eire.
- Advising and drafting proceedings in an arbitration concerning software and materials handling hardware issues arising (c.£4m) out of the new distribution centre for a major publisher.
- Advising, drafting pleadings and extensive written openings in an £80 million arbitration between major parties arising out of London Transport’s upgrade to the capital’s transport systems (including, for example, Oystercard).
- Advising in relation to a c. £95 million claim concerning IT services including a data centre and hosting services.
- Advising on merits, amendments to pleadings, appearing on a case management conference in TCC in a software case concerning a complete IT upgrade for a firm of accountants.
- Advised and drafted pleadings and witness statements in a claim concerning software and materials handling issues (c. £20m) arising out of a new distribution centre for a major record company.
Publications
Assistant Editor, Construction Law Yearbook 1994, 1995 and 1996.
Editorial team, Keating on Building Contracts 7th edition 2001.
Simon Hargreaves has presented seminars to the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, firms of solicitors and major contractors.
Professional CV
BA in Jurisprudence, Worcester College, Oxford
Called to the Bar (Inner Temple)
Keating Chambers
Appointed Treasury Counsel (B-panel 5-10 years call)
TECBAR Accredited Adjudicator | 1989
1991
1992
2002-
|
Memberships
Technology and Construction Bar Association (TECBAR)
Professional Negligence Bar Association
Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR)
Society of Construction Law
Society for Computers and Law
Other Information
Simon Hargreaves lives in West London and enjoys skiing, walking and diving.
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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