Calum Lamont KC
Call: 2004
Silk: 2022
"An excellent cross-examiner, who is brilliant on the detail, and a master of disputes."
Legal 500 EMEA 2024
Languages:
Clerk Details
Practice Summary
Calum is an energetic and enthusiastic lawyer, commanding a broad commercial practice in line with Chambers’ profile with experience in construction, engineering, shipbuilding and energy disputes, together with related insurance and professional negligence matters. He is familiar with leading disputes arising out of a variety of commercial, public and residential construction projects, with particular expertise in infrastructure and offshore matters in both domestic and international arbitration as well as the TCC and Commercial Court.
Calum has significant experience in international arbitrations involving construction disputes, particularly in the Gulf, Korea & Hong Kong. He is familiar with acting under various different rules (including ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, DIAC and LMAA). He also has a busy offshore practice with extensive experience in delayed delivery claims, as well as disputes arising out of defective construction and operation of drilling vessels and rigs.
Prior to taking Silk in 2022, Calum was ranked as a Band 1 junior in three practice areas by Chambers & Partners, Chambers Global, Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal, which recommend him as “astonishingly bright and absolutely brilliant on technically complex cases” , and note that his “intellect, and ability to find solutions to seemingly impossible problems and work-rate are unparalleled at the Bar.”
Calum was awarded Construction Junior of the Year in 2016 and International Arbitration Junior of the Year in 2018 at the Chambers & Partners Bar Awards.
Calum accepts instructions on a public access, licensed access and pro bono basis, and is a TECBAR accredited mediator and adjudicator.
Calum is concerned about access to justice, and sits on the steering committee for www.probonoskills.com, a not-for-profit platform providing pro bono law clinics with quality on-demand training.
Practice Areas
Construction & Engineering
- Acting for main contractor in litigation concerning the defective roof design of an industrial facility in the North of England.
- Acting for EPC & O&M contractor in relation to the termination of an energy from waste plant.
- Instructed by funders in respect of fire safety claims (external and internal) in student accommodation in London.
- Instructed by government in relation to a final account dispute arising out of the termination of a contract for the construction of two tunnels and motorway bridges in Slovakia (Slovak law).
- Acting for commissioning engineering contractors in relation to a pipeline extension in Qatar (Qatari law).
- Acting for design and build contractor in relation to financial claims arising out of the construction of a data centre in Ireland (Irish law).
- Acting for subcontractor with regard to multiple disputes arising out of design and construction of two power stations in South Africa (Law of South Africa).
- Instructed by the leaseholder in relation to defective structural flooring at a distribution warehouse in Avonmouth, UK.
- Instructed by the purchaser of a warehouse conversion suffering from defects and contraventions of building control.
- Instructed by the occupying tenant in relation to a claim for negligent geotechnical, geo-environmental and structural engineering design in relation to a large commercial warehouse premises in Bristol, UK.
- Acting for Korean contractor in relation to construction of roads to new cities in Qatar (Qatari law).
- Acting for Korean contractor with regard to a rates dispute over the construction of a pipeline in Kuwait (law of the State of Kuwait).
- Instructed by the employer in claims arising out of defective factory machinery for chemicals, cement and confectionary.
- Instructed by the engineer in a dispute relating to the design and detailing of a pre-cast concrete car park in Dorset, the largest of its kind in Europe.
- Acting for the employer in claims arising out of defective foundation design at a factory in the Thames Estuary and at a housing development in Essex.
- Acting for the employer in a dispute arising out of defective M&E and glazing specifications at an educational institution in Suffolk.
- Acting for the funder in relation to a claim arising out of spontaneously imploding glazed cladding at a development in the City of London.
- Extensive experience of adjudication, arbitration, and ADR proceedings in the UK and internationally.
International Arbitration
- Instructed by government in relation to a final account dispute arising out of the termination of a contract for the construction of two tunnels and motorway bridges in Slovakia (Slovak law).
- Acting for commissioning engineering contractors in relation to a pipeline extension in Qatar (Qatari law).
- Acting for EPC & O&M contractor in relation to the termination of an energy from waste plant.
- Acting for subcontractor with regard to multiple disputes arising out of design and construction of two power stations in South Africa (Law of South Africa).
- Instructed by salvage contractor with regard to removal of wreck from oil terminal in Iraq (Iraqi law).
- Instructed by design & build contractor with regard to delayed construction of data centre in Dublin (Irish law).
- Acting for subcontractor in pay-when-paid dispute in Dubai (UAE law).
- Acting for engineer in fees claim concerning additional design services delivered in respect of subterranean metro stations in Saudi Arabia.
- Acting for Korean contractor in relation to construction of roads to new cities in Qatar (Qatari law).
- Acting for Korean contractor with regard to a rates dispute over the construction of a pipeline in Kuwait (law of the State of Kuwait).
- Acting for an Indian contractor in a final account claim resulting from a delayed photosilicon plant in Qatar.
- Acting for a bank in relation to a funding dispute concerning a hotel development in Dubai, UAE (UAE law).
- Acting for an engineer in relation to a dispute over the delayed construction of a viaduct in Hong Kong (Hong Kong law).
- Acting for a mutual company in disputes arising from a defective interconnector cable in the Irish Sea.
- Acting for Korean contractor in relation to delayed construction of sewer conveyance system in Bahrain.
- Acting for Korean shipyard following cancellation of shipbuilding contracts for AHTS vessels.
- Contractor’s termination claims arising out of the construction of an international airport in Qatar (Qatar law).
- Claims arising out of the delayed construction of a hospital facility in Qatar (Qatar law).
- Subdeveloper claims arising out of plot sale and purchase agreements in Dubai (UAE law).
- Claims arising out of defective canal construction in Dubai (UAE law).
- Proceedings over the delayed construction of a freeway intersection in Dubai (UAE law).
- Claims arising out of substantial land reclamation projects in Dubai (UAE law).
- Advising in relation to contractual disputes arising out of the construction and operation of an airport in St Helena.
Offshore Construction & Marine Engineering
- Acting for commissioning engineering contractors in relation to a pipeline extension in Qatar (Qatari law).
- Instructed by salvage contractor with regard to removal of wreck from oil terminal in Iraq (Iraqi law).
- TCC proceedings concerning delayed and disrupted module construction and knock on delay claims to HLV contract up the line.
- LMAA proceedings concerning cancellation of AHTS vessels in Korea.
- TCC proceedings regarding a defective drillship and disrupted drilling operations in Guinea ($100m).
- Claims brought by the Owner in relation to late and defective delivery of chemical tankers in China ($30m).
- Instructed on behalf of a shipyard in a $35m claim relating to the delayed completion of two semi-submersible oil rigs in South Korea.
- Instructed in relation to disputes regarding the handover of an FPSO vessel in New Zealand.
- Instructed in relation to disputes arising out of maintenance and upgrade works undertaken to a semi-submersible rig in Norway.
- Disputes relating to the completion and handover of ships constructed in Chinese shipyards.
Infrastructure & Utilities
- Acting for subcontractor with regard to multiple disputes arising out of design and construction of two power stations in South Africa (Law of South Africa).
- Acting for JV contractor in relation to a dispute concerning inadequate tender design services for a large river crossing in the North of England.
- Acting for contractor in a dispute arising out of the delayed construction of a dual carriageway in Wales (NEC3).
- Acting for an engineer in relation to a dispute over the delayed construction of a viaduct in Hong Kong.
- Acting for an Indian contractor in a final account claim resulting from a delayed photosilicon plant in Qatar.
- Acting for a mutual company in construction and insurance disputes arising from a defective interconnector cable in the Irish Sea.
- Acting for a government department in relation to the construction and operation of an international airport in St Helena.
- Instructed in relation to claims arising out of the derailment of goods wagons in the Midlands and related network closures.
- Advisory work in relation to delayed completion of a tramline development in the north of England.
- Contractor’s termination claims arising out of the construction of an international airport in Qatar.
- Proceedings over the delayed construction of a freeway intersection in Dubai.
- Actions for and against highway authorities regarding contracting out of highways functions, cost sharing provisions, and all relevant legislation (including New Roads and Street Works Act).
- Acted for and against local and regional authorities in PFI contract disputes.
- Acted for and against undertakers concerning diversionary works and cost sharing provisions.
- Claims arising out of defective canal construction in Dubai.
- Advising in relation to contractual disputes arising out of the construction and operation of an airport in St Helena.
- Disputes arising out of delayed and defective construction of depleted uranium processing facility in the North of England.
Professional Negligence
- Instructed in relation to dispute arising out of cliff collapse during residential development in Jersey. Issues include liability of architects, engineers, contractors and contract administrators (Jersey law).
- Acting for subcontractor with regard to multiple disputes arising out of design and construction of two power stations in South Africa (Law of South Africa).
- Acting for an engineer in relation to a dispute over the delayed construction of a viaduct in Hong Kong.
- Acting for a leaseholder in relation to negligent certification by independent building control inspectors concerning a warehouse conversion.
- Instructed in relation to a claim for negligent geotechnical, geo-environmental and structural engineering design in relation to a large commercial warehouse premises in Bristol, UK.
- Instructed in a significant structural engineer’s negligence dispute in relation to the design and detailing of a pre-cast concrete car park in Dorset, the largest of its kind in Europe.
- Acting for the employer in a claim arising out of defective foundation design at a factory in the Thames Estuary.
- Acting for the developer in an engineer’s negligence dispute arising out of defective foundation design at a housing development in Essex.
- Acting for the employer in an architect’s negligence claim arising out of defective M&E and glazing specifications at an educational institution in Suffolk.
- Acting for the funder in relation to a claim arising out of spontaneously imploding glazed cladding at a development in the City of London.
- Instructed on behalf of insurers resisting a claim for negligent supervision relating to a contractor’s PI cover in relation to the Wembley stadium project.
- Advisory work and preparation of claim against architects in professional negligence claim arising out of deficient specifications and project management issues relating to the construction of an aparthotel in Central London.
- Instructed in building surveyor’s negligence claim in relation to the purchase of a £6m property in Central London.
- Actions for and against professional valuers with regard to the alleged undervalue of residential and commercial properties in pre-purchase surveys.
- Actions for and against construction claims consultants with regard to the preparation of extension of time claims and adjudication services.
- Instructed on behalf of a contractor in proceedings against insurers relating to the scope of a policy indemnifying losses arising out of unpaid invoices due to employer insolvency.
- Instructed in proceedings concerning brokers’ negligence in relation to scope of policy coverage under a construction credit insurance policy.
Energy and Natural Resources
- Acting for subcontractor with regard to multiple disputes arising out of design and construction of two power stations in South Africa (Law of South Africa).
- Termination dispute arising out of delayed construction of energy from waste plant in Glasgow (Scots law).
- Instructed by salvage contractor with regard to removal of wreck from oil terminal in Iraq (Iraqi law).
- Acting for Korean contractor with regard to a rates dispute over the construction of a pipeline in Kuwait (law of the State of Kuwait).
- Acting for a mutual company in construction and insurance disputes arising from a defective interconnector cable in the Irish Sea.
- Acting for an Indian contractor in a final account claim resulting from a delayed photosilicon plant in Qatar.
- Dispute arising out of the defective design of structural steelwork supports at a new energy from waste plant in Kent.
- Acting for the supplier and installer of solar panels in a dispute over delayed and defective delivery of a solar farm.
- Acting for the employer in a dispute over delayed drilling operations in Equatorial Guinea.
- Advising in relation to cement and raw material supply chain operations to a new build power station in Somerset.
- Disputes arising out of delayed and defective construction of depleted uranium processing facility in the North of England.
PFI/PPP
- Termination dispute arising out of delayed construction of energy from waste plant in Glasgow (Scots law).
- Instructed on behalf of an NHS trust in relation to firestopping issues at a major new hospital.
- Acting for JV contractor in relation to a dispute concerning inadequate tender design services for a large river crossing in the North of England.
- Acting for contractor in a dispute arising out of the delayed construction of a dual carriageway in Wales (NEC3).
- Instructed in relation to disputes arising out of performance of regional waste PFI contract.
- Acting for authority in relation to deemed authority changes and changes in law under water treatment PFI contract.
Procurement
- Acting for an aerospace engineering and ATC operations provider in a challenge to the award of the contract for Gatwick Airport air traffic control services.
- Acting for the claimant in the first application to uphold an automatic suspension under Regulation 47H in the TCC.
- Acting for a large construction company in relation to a challenge for the redevelopment of New Covent Garden Market in London.
- Advising a university over the application of the Public Contracts Regulations to redevelopment of educational facilities and receipt of ERDC funding.
- Instructed in disputes over an allegedly illegal direct award of highways maintenance contracts to the incumbent contractor.
- Acting for a local authority in relation to the administration of a long-term waste contract, including issues relating to the permissibility of variations thereunder.
- Advising regarding challenging tenders for the award of contracts for medical supplies to the NHS.
Other Information
Education & Career
Silk, 2022
DIFC Registered Practitioner, 2016
TECBAR accredited Adjudicator, 2011
TECBAR accredited Mediator, 2011
Public Access Training, 2009
Keating Chambers, 2004
Bar Vocational Course, Inns of Court School of Law (Outstanding), 2004
Diploma in Law/CPE (Distinction), City University (Distinction), 2003
L’Oréal (UK) Ltd, 2002
M.Phil. Historical Studies, St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge University 2001
MA History (Double First Class), St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge University 2000
Privacy Policies
Additional information
Calum follows Bath Rugby and thankfully can still remember the good times. He plays in a competitive pipe band and has competed at national and international level, including the World Championships. Calum retains a strong interest in British imperial history and has completed two papers on nineteenth-century East Africa.
Appointments & Awards
International Arbitration Junior of the Year (Chambers & Partners), 2018
Construction Junior of the Year (Chambers & Partners), 2016
TECBAR Committee (2009)
Inner Temple BVC Prize, 2004
BVC Major Scholar of the Inner Temple, 2003
Falcon Chambers Prize for Land Law, City University 2003
CPE Major Scholar of the Inner Temple, 2002
Scholar of the British Academy, Arts and Humanities Research Board, 2001
Lady Katherine Barnardiston Scholar, St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge, 2000
Figgis Memorial Prize for History, St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge, 2000
Memberships
Society of Construction Law (SCL)
Technology and Construction Bar Association (TECBAR)
Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR)
Seminars & Publications
Litigation in the Technology & Construction Court, co-author.
Keating on Offshore Construction, editor.
Keating on Construction Contracts, 9th and 10th edition contributor.
Construction Law Reports, editor.
Construction Claims, co-author (RICS Case in Point Series).
Contract Administration, co-author (RICS Case in Point Series).
Building Defects, co-author (RICS Case in Point Series).