Atkin Chambers and 22 of its members ranked in The Legal 500 EMEA 2024 Guide
News - Awards
Atkin Chambers has been recognised as a Tier 1 set for Construction by The Legal 500 EMEA 2024 guide (English […]
27th Mar 2024
“One of the best barristers I’ve worked with. Amazing work ethic and consistently produces the highest quality work.”
The Legal 500
David Johnson is described as “an exceptional barrister – hard working with exceptional advocacy skills” and “clearly a silk in the making” by Chambers & Partners UK Bar Guide. Ranked as a leading Construction junior at the UK Bar and in the Middle East, he has been described in The Legal 500 as “One of the best barristers I’ve worked with” and “able to identify the legal issues and come up with innovative solutions to complex problems”. He has also been described by clients as “an excellent junior, tenacious, charming and thoughtful with strong advocacy skills”, and “super pragmatic, very knowledgeable and approachable”.
David practises in the fields of domestic and international construction, engineering, energy, and information technology. He acts both as sole counsel and junior counsel and has appeared in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and in arbitration disputes in the Far East and Middle East. He has recently acted for clients in disputes arising out of Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Oman, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Jersey, Ukraine, Nigeria and Liberia. He also works on-site with clients where extensive on-the-ground support has been required and has recently spent time working in Singapore.
Domestically, David appears regularly in the Technology and Construction Court and has recently been engaged in number of disputes involving cladding and fire-stopping issues following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, including the construction of MediaCity in Salford. David also accepts instructions in a range of general commercial matters. He is also an accredited adjudicator.
“One of the best barristers I’ve worked with. Amazing work ethic and consistently produces the highest quality work.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2022
David has experience of a number of cases involving issues of private international law.
Recent examples include:
In addition to all major standard contract forms (JCT, FIDIC, NEC3, ICE), David has experience of numerous bespoke contracts in the construction, shipping and energy industries
Prater v. Sisk [2021] EWHC 1113 (TCC)
Bennett (Construction) Ltd v. CIMC MBS Ltd (formerly Verbus Systems Ltd) [2019] EWCA Civ 1515
Clancy Docwra Ltd v. E.ON Energy Solutions Ltd [2018] EWHC 3509 (TCC)
Portsmouth City Council v. Ensign Highways Ltd [2015] EWHC 1969 (TCC)
Vivergo Fuels Ltd v. Redhall Engineering Solutions Ltd [2013] EHWC 4030 (TCC)
Walter Lilly & Company Ltd v. (1) Giles Mackay & (2) DMW Developments Ltd [2012] EWHC 1773 (TCC)
Contributing editor to ‘Hudson’s Building and Engineering Contracts’, 14th Edition (2020)
General editor of the Building Law Reports
“Contractual Interpretation After Arnold v. Britton: What Does It All Mean?” ADR Digest, Issue 21, Autumn 2016
“Looking in the Right Direction? The Philosophy of NEC3” ADR Digest, Issue 19, Winter 2016
Contributing editor to ‘Hudson’s Building and Engineering Contracts’, 13th Edition (2015)
“Security of Payment and Adjudication in Hong Kong” ADR Digest, Issue 18, Spring 2015
“Defective Premises Law: Time for Remedial Works?” published by the Society of Construction Law, June 2011; (2012) 2 Construction Law Journal 131
David edits a regular column in Building magazine with Sir Robert Akenhead, former Judge in Charge of the Technology and Construction Court.
2015 TECBAR accredited adjudicator
2011 Hudson Prize, Society of Construction Law, Joint Prize-Winner
2010 Called to the Bar of England and Wales
2009 – 2010 BVC, City Law School London – Outstanding
Astbury Scholarship, Middle Temple
2005 – 2009 Bachelor of Civil Law, St Peter’s College, Oxford University
2005 – 2008 BA (Jurisprudence), Mansfield College, Oxford University
BCL – Distinction
Finals – 1st Class
Law Moderations – Distinction
College Scholarship (Mansfield College)
David is a member of TECBAR, COMBAR and the Society of Construction Law. He was a member of the TECBAR Committee for a number of years.
David gives talks and seminars at solicitors’ firms and to lay clients. He has recently given talks in Madrid, Seoul, Singapore, Cardiff and Dubai on subjects of contractual interpretation, concurrent delay, remoteness, liquidated damages, global claims and arbitration procedure. He has also given talks on topics including contractual and common law termination, adjudication enforcement, costs budgeting, design liability in construction contracts, and legal professional privilege.
“David Johnson is very bright and a real pleasure to work with.”
“David is very good at grappling with complex technical points, and not just strong on the law but also on the general construction issues.”
Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2024
“David is very responsive, detail-orientated, a team player and provides practical and timely advice. He is good with clients and understands their requirements.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2024
“He has the right skill set and mindset and he’s good with clients.”
“David Johnson is particularly responsive and displays a real enthusiasm for the cases he’s involved in.”
“He has a keen eye for detail, which is needed in a technically complex matter.”
“David is very responsive and his written work is of a very high standard.”
Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2023
“David never fails to impress with his submissions and oral advocacy. He really gets into the detail of the case and is never one to shy away from taking on the difficult technical issues.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2023
“David is a very hardworking barrister. He knows construction law inside and out and his advocacy skills are exceptional. Mr Johnson is a pleasure to work with.”
Middle East: Construction, The Legal 500 2023
“His legal analysis is always spot on and he comes up with innovative solutions to complex legal issues.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2022
“One of the best barristers I’ve worked with. Amazing work ethic and consistently produces the highest quality work.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2022
“He is an exceptional barrister – hard-working with exceptional advocacy skills.” “He is able to get up to speed quickly when dumped with documents; he is clearly a silk in the making.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2021
“He is tenacious, highly intelligent, and drafts with fine style. He is culturally adept, grasps concepts quickly, gets across vast swathes of material with skill, speed, and stamina.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2021
“Shows strong knowledge and great attention to detail when handling complex construction disputes.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar and Global 2020
“He is able to identify the legal issues and come up with innovative solutions to complex problems in the case. He is not afraid to take on difficult points.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2020