25 Feb 2021: Looking back at the Year of the Rat: Top 5 Construction Cases from Around the World
Events
Andrew Goddard QC, Samar Abbas Kazmi and Lauren Adams will present to the Society of Construction Law Hong Kong on […]
"A creative thinker."
"He's very easy to work with and very responsive - nothing is too much trouble"
Chambers and Partners
Andrew Goddard QC specialises in the law of commercial obligations, professional negligence and international arbitration, particularly in the context of disputes concerning major construction and engineering contracts and IT projects. He has had much involvement in infrastructure, telecoms and energy disputes, and has acted for main contractors, sub-contractors, professionals and employers, including national and foreign Governments. Andrew has experience of PPP and PFI projects in the UK and various Commonwealth jurisdictions, and is a director of the Caribbean Procurement Institute.
Andrew is “a creative thinker” and “very analytical” (Chambers and Partners), he is strategic in his approach to the prosecution and resolution of disputes. He believes that the process can be improved by increased party collaboration, where sensible to do so, and early identification of the real issues, thereby improving the client’s overall experience and, crucially, outcomes. His expertise in international commercial arbitration stems from appearing in numerous disputes referred to arbitration under the auspices of the ICC, the HKIAC, the LCIA and the LMAA. He also has experience of investor-state disputes proceeding before the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
Related areas of law in which he has detailed knowledge and experience include ship construction and conversion, insurance and performance bonds. He is also experienced in judicial review and issues relating to public procurement.
He is an accredited civil and commercial mediator, and has been appointed as arbitrator, adjudicator, legal assessor, and legal expert in various disputes. He has also been admitted on an ad hoc basis to the Bars of Hong Kong, Trinidad and Tobago, and Tanzania.
Andrew is listed as a leading silk in Construction and International Arbitration by The Legal 500, the Chambers UK Bar Guide, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, the Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide, the Chambers Global Guide and Who’s Who Legal.
“He is strategically excellent.”
Construction, Chambers and Partners
Andrew has represented a large number of employers, Governments, contractors, sub-contractors and consultants on many cases, both domestic and international, concerning numerous types of building and civil engineering projects.
Andrew has wide experience acting for contractors on domestic and international disputes arising out of the design and construction of, among others, power plants and waste water treatment plants. Examples of his work include:
Andrew has represented, among others, governments and contractors on disputes arising from road, rail and infrastructure projects. His experience includes:
In the professional negligence field Andrew has acted for claimants, defendants and their indemnity insurers in relation to claims brought against a wide range of professionals including solicitors, architects and construction professionals. Examples include:
Instructed by foreign Government in respect of the procurement and construction of several Island-class patrol vessels. The vessels are based on the Royal Navy‘s River-class patrol vessels, are 90 m (295 ft) long, and have 80 man crews plus accommodation for 40 troops. They are designed to perform a range of Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ) management, special operations and maritime law enforcement tasks.
Andrew gained significant experience as a junior, and then as leading counsel, over several years in a massive international dispute arising out of a contract for the conversion of a bulk carrier into a dynamically positioned pipe-laying vessel. The claims, arbitrated in London, raised numerous issues of contractual interpretation, fraud, proof and quantification of loss, and currency of award (with successive appeals to the High Court) Sembawang Corporation v Pacific Ocean Shipbuilding [2004] EWHC 2743 (Comm); [2004] App. LR 11.
Andrew has recently instructed by a foreign shipyard to advise on issues of contractual interpretation, including termination provisions of marine contract, and institution of arbitration proceedings under LMAA arbitration clause.
Andrew acted on behalf of a foreign investor arbitrating claims pursuant to bilateral investment treaty (BIT) proceeding before the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
“Extremely bright, hardworking and a pleasure to deal with.”
Construction, Energy and Infrastructure, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021
“He’s one of the best silks at the construction Bar,” “he’s extraordinarily intelligent, he really rolls his sleeves up to get into the detail, and the degree to which he has specialised knowledge of construction disputes is a real strength.”
International Arbitration, Chambers Asia-Pacific 2021
“Extremely effective.”
International Arbitration, Chambers UK Bar 2021
“A persuasive and seasoned advocate particularly at cross-examination, he is capable of delivering submissions with complicated arguments in a way that is convincing yet easy to understand.”
International Arbitration, The Legal 500 2021
“A very experienced construction barrister. His opinions are thorough and easy to understand. His advocacy is extremely modern and effective.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2021
“One of the finest construction silks in the business” and “a very commercial and pragmatic barrister, much liked by clients. I cannot praise him enough; he’s really the best in his class.” Peers also esteem him highly, one calling him “a highly sought-after, tenacious and very effective silk.”
International Arbitration, Chambers Asia-Pacific and Chambers Global 2020
“An aggressive advocate that is good to have in your corner.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2020
“A standout arbitration silk.”
International Arbitration, The Legal 500 2020
“He works hard to draw out the best in other members of the team and to achieve an optimal outcome.”
Construction, Energy & Infrastructure, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020
“A very good advocate.” “He has a sharp mind and is able to quickly distil complicated issues into straightforward concepts.”
International Arbitration, Chambers UK Bar 2019
“A sharp mind, able to quickly distil complicated issues into straight-forward concepts, never compromising his tenacious advocacy.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2019
“Commands a “huge amount of respect” as an “incredibly busy” advocate in construction and infrastructure-related arbitrations” “Andrew has a sharp mind and is able quickly to distil complicated issues into straightforward concepts. His analysis is pragmatic and commercial, he never loses sight of the underlying objective of the client and is always looking for creative solutions.”
International Arbitration, Chambers Asia-Pacific 2019
“He has an uncanny ability to cut to the chase with commercially-minded advice.”
Construction, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2019
“Measured, creative and a good thinker.” “Clients warm to him very quickly as he is commercial and cuts straight to where the battleground is.”
Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2018 and Chambers Global 2018
“He developed a complicated argument in a simple manner, with a very smooth and logical delivery which made the tribunal understand the issues very quickly.”
International Arbitration, Chambers Asia-Pacific 2018 and Chambers Global 2018
“He is strong in advocacy and cross-examination, making persuasive and intelligible submissions.”
Construction, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2018
The above are a selection of recent client endorsements from the leading legal directories, both UK and internationally. For a complete list of endorsements, please contact the practice management team at Atkin Chambers.