Atkin Chambers Barristers
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Practice
One of the first of the 1992 call to take Silk in 2008, Chantal-Aimée Doerries is widely recognised as a leading practitioner in commercial dispute resolution. She has a well established practice, representing clients in a wide range of sectors including construction, engineering and infrastructure projects, energy and natural resources, professional negligence, shipbuilding and IT and telecommunications.
As an advocate, she has considerable experience appearing in the Technology and Construction Court, Chancery Division, Commercial Court and Court of Appeal, as well as, in domestic and international arbitration. She is well versed in all alternative forms of dispute resolution including mediation and adjudication.
Many disputes on which she is instructed have an international aspect (she is fluent and can also advise in German), and her work has taken her all over the world including to South and East Asia, the Middle East, and, of course, to Europe.
In addition to this, Chantal also accepts appointments as an arbitrator in commercial arbitrations.
She is regularly recommended by the leading legal directories, Chambers and Partners and Legal 500, including in the most recent edition of Chambers and Partners for construction, energy and natural resources, professional negligence and international arbitration. Further, she was identified this year by The Lawyer in the litigation section of its 'Hot 100' list for 2009 as one of only 10 barristers. Please see the pdf download at the bottom for more details.
Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Projects
Chantal has extensive experience in construction, engineering and infrastructure projects. Examples include acting for/advising:
(a) Construction and Engineering
o International contractor in 3 substantial Hong Kong arbitrations against developer about a hotel, an office block and residential accommodation.
o Local authority in disputes about PFI project about the provision, servicing and maintenance of school facilities.
o Robert McAlpine in Court proceedings re Lloyd Register of Shipping headquarters. Claims of £25 million for delay, disruption, variations and defects.
o The British Museum in Court proceedings dispute with contractor re supply of stone for prestigious Great Court project, involving allegations of fraud.
o Clugston in multi-party Court proceedings about the design, manufacture, installation/commissioning of an aircraft surface treatment facility and cranes within it.
o Marks & Spencer in Court proceedings for loss of profit arising out of design and construction of a large shopping centre car park.
o Main contractor in arbitration against sub-contractor concerning design and installation of structural steelworks at a leisure centre project.
o Contractor defending claim by employer about delay caused by water ingress through piling works. Claims over against sub-contractors and engineers.
o Mowlem in injunction proceedings against the local authority arising out of the Bath Spa project.
o Employer in dispute with contractor and bank about performance guarantee provided by bank, proper construction of the guarantee and it release.
o Global biopharma company in dispute with contractors concerning specialist fit-out works to laboratories.
(b) Infrastructure projects
o London Underground in Court proceedings against Tubelines, the supplier of train, station and related infrastructure services to part of the London Underground Network concerning payment for services. Dispute arisng under contract between the parties, part of the Public-Private Partnership for the London Underground
o Major UK contractor in number of substantial rail infrastructure disputes covering issues of track renewal, maintenance and remedial works.
o Contractor, supplying services for national transport system, in dispute (determined by adjudication) with employer arising out of contract for the upgrade of the control system.
o Middle Eastern government in arbitration proceedings in Oman brought by Middle Eastern contractor arising out of the construction of highway.
o Contractor in an arbitration concerning the fabrication of a pontoon and linkspan bridge, forming party of a ferry terminal.
Energy and Natural Resources
Chantal’s practice reflects the range of disputes arising in this sector. Examples include acting for/advising:
o Specialist engineering equipment manufacturer in a dispute arising out of the supply of the equipment to a UK nuclear power station.
o Norwegian oil service company in dispute with Australian engineering company about fabrication of topside process modules for North Sea FPSO project.
o Liquidator of German engineering contractor in an ICC arbitration against a European joint venture about claims of € 100 million concerning rehabilitation/upgrade of power and desalination project in the Middle East.
o FPSO offshore services company in dispute concerning recoverability of typhoon damage sustained by FPSO offshore Philippines.
o Thyssen in UK Court proceedings, defending claims by RWE about the construction of a fluegas desulphurisation plant.
o Oil exploration company in dispute with contractor about contract for fabrication, pre-commissioning and load out of wellhead platform. Dispute about variations, liquidated damages and handing over of materials.
o International energy contractor in a dispute relating to the design, construction and commissioning of boiler in power station in China.
o Employer in dispute with FPSO contractor concerning delayed delivery of FPSO for use offshore of Thailand.
o Joint venture in a dispute concerning onshore and offshore contracts for supply of services, equipment and materials for the construction of a coal fired thermal power plant in Indonesia.
o Engineers in UK appeal Court proceedings in dispute with an off-shore contractor under a contract for design of boiler foundations and supervision of works for a power station in the Philippines.
Professional Negligence
She is frequently instructed in professional negligence disputes acting for and/or against a range of professionals (incl. engineers, architects, surveyors, project managers, solicitors and accountants) and has been involved in some of the largest such disputes arising from construction projects. Examples include acting for/advising:
o Mott McDonald, defending claim for some £250 million brought by Brookfield, formerly Multiplex, in relation to the design of structural engineering works at the new Wembley Stadium.
o English firm of quantity surveyors, defending claim brought by developer of German shopping centre. Allegations about project feasibility advice. 3rd party claim against German professionals.
o Halcrow in substantial proceedings brought by public body arising out of construction of state of art firefighter training facility. Allegations re. cost advice, design and valuation services. Disclosure issues. 3rd party claims vs. engineers and QS.
o Building services and environmental consulting engineers in Court proceedings concerning design of mechanical services for commercial unit.
o Contractor alleging professional negligence against engineers re design services provided at tender stage of warehouse development and in monitoring services during installation of piles.
o Employer in Court proceedings against WS Atkins in relation to design of a refrigeration facility for a chilled food factory.
o Estate of deceased solicitor in proceedings re services provided by a firm of accountants, involving allegations of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty against accountants and directors.
o Multi-national project management company and one of its directors in High Court proceedings re infrastructure project. Central allegations concerned role of project managers and issues of independence.
o Employer claiming professional negligence against engineers and project managers re design of paper tissue producing machine, deinking facility and effluent plant.
o Project manager in Court proceedings concerning the design/ provision of mechanical handling equipment/computerised management system at a distribution facility.
Shipbuilding
Chantal is increasingly instructed in disputes arising out shipbuilding and related contracts. Recent examples include acting for/advising:
o Chinese shipyard in Commercial Court proceedings brought by Norwegian marine design company about contract for the supply of design and classification documentation for anchor handling tug supply vessels.
o German specialist drilling equipment manufacturer in Commercial Court proceedings also involving Saipem and National Oilwell concerning incident on an ultra deep water drill ship engaged in oil exploration services off coast of West Africa. Claim about construction and commissioning of ship. Damages in excess of $100 million claimed.
o Shipyard in relation to claims for payment under contract for building of ship.
o Advising Chinese shipbuilding company about a London Maritime Arbitrators Association arbitration against American offshore marine service company. Payment and warranty dispute.
o Representing Stena Sealink, owner of Port of Holyhead, in Commercial Court proceedings against Irish Ferries, users of the port, about a contract for the construction of a berth and an accident while a vessel was departing its berth.
IT and Telecommunications
Chantal has been instructed by suppliers and contractors in relation to claims concerning computer hardware/software and telecommunication systems. Examples include acting for:
o Multinational supplier of computerised inspection equipment for the glass manufacturing industry in an ICC arbitration involving allegations of software failures.
o Computer hardware company purchaser seeking injunctive relief in the High Court.
o Telecommunications services provider in Court proceedings. Dispute with provider of internet services and network access.
o Employer in High Court proceedings concerning provision of surveillance equipment across large infrastructure project.
o Contractor in High Court proceedings relating to the supply and installation of a fibre optic cable route.
o Contractor in connection with dispute arising out of fitness for purpose of a Defence System, involving consideration of software and hardware.
o Seller of accounting software in Court proceedings against software consultants and suppliers. Disputes arising under dealership agreements.
General Commercial
In addition to the specialised areas above, Chantal is also regularly instructed on general commercial disputes. Examples include acting for:
o Middle Eastern company in proceedings in the Chancery Division in connection with Dubai airport, involving questions of jurisdiction, choice of law and enforcement.
o Liquidator in Chancery Division. Section 212 Insolvency Act proceedings against a director involving allegations of misfeasance, breach of fiduciary duty and negligence.
o Thyssen in Court proceedings involving claims under an agreement for the sale and purchase of shares.
o Overseas client in Court proceedings involving allegations of defects in electronic manufacturing equipment supplied to production plant for the glass industry.
o German supplier of industrial conveyors for a car factory involving issues of design, installation and commissioning as well the appropriate jurisdiction and law.
o Developers in dispute with vendors of site of a chemical productions factory site. Claims relating to sale agreement and written representations concerning contaminated land.
o American manufacturer of roofing material in High Court proceedings concerning quality of the product.
o UK Port in a dispute arising out the supply/installation of a number of pumping systems forming part of a jet fuel berthing facility.
Qualifications and Awards
Fluent in German. Basic French.
Major Harmsworth Entrance Exhibition, Middle Temple
Diplock Scholarship, Middle Temple
Gertrude de Gallaix Achievement Award for study of law, FAWCO
TECBAR accredited adjudicator
1987-1991 Cambridge University, New Hall
1989 President of the Cambridge Union Society
1986-1987 University of Pennsylvania, USA
Legal texts
Joint Editor of Building Law Reports since 1999
Other Professional Interests
American Bar Association Associate member
Bar Branded Arbitration Working Group of the Bar Council (Chair 2008- )
Commercial Bar Association Member
International Bar Association (Co-Chair, Forum for Barristers & Advocates 2009- )
International Business Development Group of the Bar Council (Chair 2009)
International Committee of the Bar of England and Wales (Vice Chairman 2009- )
Technology and Construction Bar Association (Vice Chairman 2007– )