Practice

Edmund specialises in all aspects of Chambers’ work for a broad range of domestic and international clients, particularly in the fields of construction and engineering, information technology and professional negligence. Edmund’s background in engineering and information technology provides a solid grounding for the more detailed and technically complex areas of dispute.

He has worked on a wide range of disputes concerning commercial construction contracts, ship building, combined cycle gas turbine plants, residential developments, professional negligence of architects, construction of a visual arts facility, waste disposal facilities, national IT contracts and residential building disputes.

Edmund has appeared been instructed to appear in the TCC, Commercial and Chancery division of the High Court, HM Land Registry, adjudications and numerous County Courts across the country. In addition to dispute resolution Edmund is also frequently instructed in an advisory capacity.

Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure

Edmund is familiar with standard form engineering contracts (including JCT, NEC and GC/Works) and has been instructed by both contractors and employers in a number of international and domestic disputes.

Recent examples include,

• Acting for an employer as junior counsel in a substantial, complex international ship building dispute. The case involves variation, delay, and defect issues with an estimated value in excess of $10 million. He has been involved in advising on tactical issues, disclosure, pleading, including substantial schedules, in addition to being instructed for procedural hearings.

• Part of a team of counsel pleading an arbitration claim against the MoD for prolongation costs, delay and disruption, and variation claims
• Instructed as junior counsel in a substantial multi-national shipping dispute which was compromised shortly prior to trial in the Commercial Court.

• Instructed for a four-day trial in an ongoing dispute between a builder and a homeowner.

• Instructed to appear in a two-day County Court trial regarding a claim for unpaid invoices in relation to a loft conversion with a counterclaim for defects.

• Instructed to appear on behalf of a property developer seeking enforcement of an adjudication award being resisted on the basis of the applicant’s insolvency.

• Obtained security for costs on behalf of a residential homeowner against a firm of builders.

• Advised a homeowner of the merits of his proposed claim against a firm of double-glazing installers and draft pleadings.

• Instructed to appear in a neighbour dispute concerning trespass to land that was compromised at the door of court.

• Advised a contractor on limitation issues in respect of long overdue unpaid invoices.

Professional Negligence

Edmund has advised and acted in a number of professional negligence claims against lawyers, architects and other construction professionals. Edmund has also advised architects and other construction professionals on aspects of professional indemnity insurance.

Recent examples include,

• Drafting a defence and third party claim as well as providing tactical advice for a firm of architects defending a professional negligence claim regarding the conversion of an historic castle in Ireland.

• Junior counsel in pleading a defence and contribution claim against a third party for a firm of architects in a claim involving technical aspects of bulk earthworks in the conversion of a large industrial site.

• Junior counsel for a local authority in a multi-million, high profile claim against cost and project managers including drafting pleadings and providing general tactical advice.

• Conducted an adjudication on behalf of an employer under the RIBA Standard Form of Agreement alleging professional negligence against a firm of architects in the design and supervision of refurbishment works of a luxury property. Providing tactical advice before, during and after the adjudication and drafting submissions.

• Pleading and providing tactical advice to a firm of architects in a claim resulting from the restoration and refurbishment of a listed building.

• Pleading a defence and counterclaim and appearing in procedural hearings for a lighting consultancy in a multi-handed claim involving a luxury house.

• Conducted a mediation on behalf of a property developer in a dispute with an architect claiming for the diminution in value of a property.

• Instructed for a firm of engineers to assist in-house lawyers with readiness for a potential claim. Edmund’s involvement required spending several weeks at the firm managing a team of the client’s employees.

Energy

Edmund has experience in this area, particularly in relation to the construction of power plants and industrial sites.

Recent examples include,

• Pleading as junior counsel in a case concerning a manufacturer and installer of waste management and recycling units.

• Edmund has recently been involved with a hearing, submissions and tactical advice as junior counsel in an adjudication concerning an extension of time brought by the principal contractor of a power plant. His involvement included spending time on site, taking witness statements from the client’s employees, as well as attending an adjudication hearing.

Information Technology and Telecommunications

Prior to becoming a tenant at Atkin Chambers, Edmund undertook pupillage at a specialist intellectual property chambers. During pupillage, he assisted both leading and junior counsel with advisory work, settling pleadings, tactical advice as well as preparation for trials and other interim hearings. Work undertaken was of a highly technical nature, including complex multinational licence agreements for substantial commercial software.

In addition Edmund is familiar with the technical demands of IT and Telecommunications disputes from his background as an engineer.

Recent work includes,

• Acting as junior counsel in a multi-million pound arbitration for the provision of health care software.

• Acting as junior counsel in an international claim concerning the production of alleged defective electrical components in the automotive industry.

Education and Qualifications

Called in 2008, Lincoln's Inn

2007-2008 Inns of Court School of Law, BVC

Awarded the Lord Denning Scholarship from Lincoln's Inn

2006-2007 City University, CPE

Awarded the Lord Haldane scholarship from Lincoln's Inn

2002-2006 University of Oxford, Christ Church, MEng (Hons)
Masters in Engineering Science including specialist options in civil engineering, biochemical engineering. Thesis on "Finding fiducials in MRI and PET images" written in collaboration with Siemens Molecular Imaging.

Edmund is also a contributing editor to Hudson’s Building and Engineering Contracts, 12th Edition and is a member of the SCL, Combar, TECBAR and LCLBA.

Please contact our senior clerks, Simon Slattery and Justin Wilson, for further information.

Download CV