Legal 500 EMEA 2022 highlights Atkin Chambers’ leading status for construction disputes
Awards
Atkin Chambers has been recognised as a Tier 1 set for construction by the new The Legal 500 EMEA 2022 […]
14th Apr 2022
"He is a go-to person for high-value, complex, business-critical disputes, in particular those with an international flavour to them."
Chambers and Partners
“He is a go-to person for high-value, complex, business-critical disputes, in particular those with an international flavour to them.” – The Legal 500
“The current doyen of construction silks.” – The Legal 500
Andrew enjoys an international reputation as a commercial silk. He regularly appears as counsel in English High Court litigation, and international and domestic arbitrations, as well as mediations and expert determinations. He appeared in the House of Lords for the landmark decision of Murphy v Brentwood District Council.
Clients talk of his abilities as an authoritative, heavyweight, measured and incisive advocate with an ability to master the most complex of cases while also being a commercial team player who works “ferociously hard” on behalf of his clients. He is regularly instructed by the world’s largest law firms on behalf of major construction, engineering and energy companies, governments and state entities.
Andrew’s practice includes large civil engineering and building disputes such as hospitals and airports, shipbuilding and ship conversion, rail and rolling stock, and significant work in energy – both oil and gas, and renewable projects. He is also called on for related disputes, such as contracts for the sale and purchase of oil and gas, and more general commercial work.
Most of his work is international in nature and in recent years he has acted in disputes in Europe, North and South America, Australia, the UAE and across Asia. He has been instructed as counsel in the Court of Appeal in Gibraltar, in the High Court of Hong Kong and in arbitrations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brussels, Gibraltar, and Tanzania.
Andrew has also been appointed as an arbitrator – both as chair and party-appointed – in UNCITRAL, ICC, SIAC, LCIA and ad hoc arbitrations in England, Singapore, Nigeria, Switzerland, Paris, Trinidad, Australia, New Zealand and New York. In 2018 Andrew was appointed to the approved panel of arbitrators at the Astana International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) in Kazakhstan.
In energy he is “acclaimed for his dedication to the area, having done ‘lots of the big energy cases’” according to Chambers and Partners. He has recently worked on one of the largest claims before the TCC arising out of the Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm off the coast of East Anglia acting for a major Chinese state-owned multinational engineering company (Fluor v Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co, [2016] EWHC 2062 (TCC) and also [2016] EWHC 2500 (TCC), [2018] EWHC 1 (TCC), [2018] EWHC 490 (TCC)).
Other recent energy disputes include representing one of the world’s largest offshore drilling companies in a dispute related to exploration operations offshore Libya; an ad hoc arbitration under an amended EPC agreement on behalf of the Chinese contractor in a dispute in relation to a coal-fired power plant in India, and a multi-million-pound ICC arbitration with an Abu Dhabi seat in relation to a contract dispute concerning the upgrading of one of the world’s largest oil refineries.
His wider commercial experience is significant. In recent years this has included a Middle East dispute over a royalty agreement. He also has considerable experience in the professional indemnity, IT and telecommunications, and procurement fields.
He has been recognised for many years as a leading silk by the legal directories – Chambers and Partners Guide (Global, Asia and UK Bar) and The Legal 500 (UK Bar, Asia-Pacific and Middle East) – in the fields of international arbitration, energy and natural resources, construction and professional negligence.
In 2011 Andrew was awarded Construction Silk of the Year and in 2015 he was awarded International Arbitration Silk of the Year – both at the Chambers UK Bar Awards.
Andrew’s arbitral appointments include:
Andrew has dealt with the whole range of issues including claims for loss and expense, defects claims, cost overrun claims and liquidated damages in relation to the design and construction of power stations, airports, shipbuilding and conversion, roads and other transport infrastructure, and town and city redevelopments, including hospitals and schools. Examples of work include:
Middle East
Far East
Andrew has extensive experience of both domestic and international disputes regarding oil and gas exploration and exploitation particularly in relation to the design and construction of on-shore and off-shore installations including oil rigs, pipelines and FPSO units. Andrew has also acted as counsel in disputes regarding the sale and purchase of oil and gas.
Andrew has extensive experience acting for a wide variety of employers and contractors on disputes arising from major road, rail, tram and tunnel infrastructure projects all over the world. His cases include:
Andrew has a great deal of experience in the professional negligence field acting for claimants, defendants and their indemnity insurers in relation to claims brought against a wide range of professionals primarily, although not exclusively, in the construction and infrastructure industries. In the field of negligence generally, Andrew appeared as counsel in the House of Lords in the landmark decision of Murphy v Brentwood District Council.
Cases include:
Andrew has been instructed in various disputes concerning the design and construction of computers and the development of software. Cases include:
Andrew has considerable experience in disputes under UK and European procurement rules. He was instructed by the Corporate Office of the House of Commons in connection with a lengthy High Court Action brought by the tenderers for fenestration works on the new parliamentary building at Westminster.
Andrew has been appointed to sit as sole and party appointed Arbitrator on numerous occasions both domestically and around the globe. Example cases include:
Fluor v Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co, [2016] EWHC 2062 (TCC) and also [2016] EWHC 2500 (TCC), [2018] EWHC 1 (TCC), [2018] EWHC 490 (TCC)
Mirant Asia Pacific Construction (Hong Kong) Ltd v Ove Arup & Partners [2004] C/A BLR 75 90, ConLR 40
Lesotho Highland Development Authority v Impreglio SpA and Others [2003] C.A. Lloyds Rep.497
Road Management Services (AB) Plc v London Power Networks [2003] BLR 303
Amec Process and Energy Ltd v. Stork Engineers & Contractors BV [2000] BLR p. 70
Harmon CFEM UK v Corporate Officer of House of Commons [1999] 67 Con LR 1
Balfour Beatty v. Eurotunnel H.L. [1992] 2 Lloyds Rep. 7
Murphy v. Brentwood B.C. H.L. [1991] 1 AC 398
Lampitt v. Poole Borough Council C.A. [1991] 2 QB 545
L.B. Barnet v. London Residuary Body C.A. [1990] 154 LG Rev.
Martin Grant v. Sir Lindsay Parkinson C.A. 29 BLR 31
ABB Lummus Global Ltd v. Keppel Fels Ltd [1999] Lloyds Rep. p. 24
BICC Ltd v. Parkman 78 CLR p. 18
Bovis Lend Lease v. Braehead Ltd 71 CLR p. 208
2018: Appointed to the approved panel of arbitrators at the Astana International Arbitration Centre (AIAC)
2003: Bencher of Lincoln’s Inn
1979: LLB (Hons) Wales, Hardwicke Scholar, Megarry Scholar
Andrew is a member of TECBAR, COMBAR and the Western Circuit.
“An excellent advocate who is the epitome of the steel fist in a silk glove.”
Construction, Energy and Infrastructure, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022
“He deals with complicated legal issues in a practical manner. His opinions are very persuasive and his advocacy very smooth and efficient.”
“A absolute delight to work with. He has massive gravitas but at the same time is humble and approachable.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2022
“He is a very good tactician and very good at absorbing large amounts of detail in a very short time.” “He is patient in terms of communicating with a tribunal and witnesses being cross-examined.”
Energy, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2022
“A very clear thinker who is great with the client. He is very clear when expressing views to the client and when delivering his message in court. He has a wealth of experience combined with a helpful manner and delivery.”
Professional Negligence, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2022
“Andrew is a tough opponent and advocate with the ear of the arbitral tribunal.”
“He is good with clients and is also well prepared.”
International Arbitration, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2022
“Andrew is emerging as one of the foremost presiding arbitrators in construction.”
International Arbitration, Arbitrators, The Legal 500 2022
“He is methodical, calm under pressure and frank and accurate in his advice.”
Energy, The Legal 500 2022
“Andrew is a leading light at the construction Bar and an absolute delight to work with. He has massive gravitas but at the same time is humble and approachable. A real heavyweight who understands the industry and provides exceptional client service.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2022
“The leading light at the construction Bar and an absolute delight to work with. He has massive gravitas but at the same time is humble and approachable.”
International Arbitration, The Legal 500 2022
“He is methodical, calm under pressure and frank and accurate in his advice.”
Construction, Energy and Infrastructure, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021
“The current doyen of construction silks.” “A brilliant strategist. Particularly good on complex, multiparty disputes.” “Great with clients.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2021
“Andrew is amazing.” “A brilliant strategist. Particularly good on complex, multiparty disputes.”
Energy, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2021
“A smooth operator and an incredibly thorough advocate.” “A dean of the Construction Bar.”
Professional Negligence, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2021
“A true class act.” “He is very authoritative with the tribunal.”
International Arbitration, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2021
“One of the most highly respected players” “I have found him extremely user-friendly, quick to grasp the essentials of complex matters, and able to provide clear and cogent advice and direction.” “He is certainly one I would have at the top of my list.”
International Arbitration, Chambers Asia-Pacific 2021
“He is exceptionally talented and a real details person.”
Professional Negligence, The Legal 500 2021
“A superb tactician and uses his immense experience and uncanny ability to read tribunals and opponents to plot clear and effective campaign strategies from the outset.”
International Arbitration, The Legal 500 2021
“A real star for construction work he is exceptionally talented, astute and strategically on the button.”
Energy, The Legal 500 2021
“Andrew is a superb tactician and uses his immense experience and uncanny ability to read tribunals and opponents to plot clear and effective campaign strategies from the outset.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2021
“A highly effective Presiding Arbitrator who commands respect, whilst maintaining a relaxed style.”
International Arbitration, The Legal 500 2021
“Always more than happy to roll his sleeves up and get stuck in”
Construction, The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) 2021
“Very, very good, busy and effective advocate.” “Just excellent on all fronts and as smooth as silk in his advocacy.”
International Arbitration, Chambers Asia-Pacific 2020
“Has gravitas, confidence and charm and is authoritative with the tribunal.” “Very experienced and knowledgeable.”
International Arbitration, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2020
“He has got a very authoritative manner.” “He has a fantastic reputation and is very user-friendly and approachable. He is good as an arbitrator as well.”
Energy and Natural Resources, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2020
“Andrew is exceptionally talented, and has a good understanding of the commercial imperatives and an ability to articulate the risks and what actions should be taken to manage or mitigate them. He is very astute, strategically on the button and approachable but with an aura of gravitas.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2020
“He’s very experienced, well respected and extremely knowledgeable.”
Professional Negligence, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2020
“Very thorough and knowledgeable.”
Construction, Energy & Infrastructure, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2020
“A superb advocate, meticulous in preparation.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2020
“Happy to roll his sleeves up and get stuck in; once he gets the bit between his teeth he is unstoppable.”
Energy, The Legal 500 2020
“Exceptionally talented, very astute, and strategically on the button.”
International Arbitration, The Legal 500 2020
“A real details person; he is more than happy to roll his sleeves up and get stuck in.”
Professional Negligence, The Legal 500 2020
“A superb advocate, meticulous in preparation.”
Construction, The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) 2020
“An incredible strategist who is very good in terms of the long game and thinking how the strategy has to be deployed.”
“He loves getting into the detail and understanding the guts of the case. A very impressive performer.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2019
“He is an exceptionally able advocate on his feet, who can turn potentially poor points into winning arguments.” “He’s very clear about what he wants to present and has very good judgement.”
Energy, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2019
“His experience and expertise are quickly apparent to lay clients.”
“He has a very calm manner which really helps.”
Professional Negligence, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2019
“Incredible strategist.” “He has a first-class reputation.”
International Arbitration, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2019
“Tremendously busy” across the Asia-Pacific region. “Excellent, high-quality and user-friendly counsel who is at the top of his game,”. “First-class reputation”. “He is very clear on what his objectives are.”
International Arbitration, Chambers Asia-Pacific 2019
“He’s impressive and adds gravitas.”
Construction, Energy, The Legal 500 2019
“An excellent construction silk.”
International Arbitration, The Legal 500 2019
“He has superb client skills and is a thorough and persuasive advocate.”
Professional Negligence, The Legal 500 2019
“Extremely bright and equally personable.”
Construction, The Legal 500 Asia–Pacific 2019
“Instructed in cases with Chinese elements.”
Energy, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2019
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.