Manus McMullan KC

Manus has experience of the whole range of disputes that arise in all varieties of construction and engineering projects including variations, defects, loss and expense, prolongation and acceleration. As well as dealing with such claims he has been instructed in cases involving fires, floods, structural collapse and subsidence.

In relation to engineering disputes his case load has covered the chemical, civil, electrical, electronic, geotechnical, industrial, manufacturing, marine, mechanical, piping, process, structural and tunneling disciplines. He has also been involved in technical engineering disputes concerning defective equipment, machinery and systems of all kinds.

Manus’ practice includes acting for parties concerning the development and exploitation of oil and gas fields all over the world, as well as the extraction and processing of other natural resources and minerals. Domestically, his work in utilities is more broadly-based. He has acted for and against utility providers (water, electricity and gas) in disputes with developers and also on projects such as power plants and sewage treatment works. In addition to cases concerning development, he has advised and fought cases upon the statutory framework in England and Wales and the rights and duties provided thereby. Matters include disputes over payment rates for renewable energy, royalties, and energy service agreements.

Manus has acted for and against many professionals, particularly in the construction and engineering fields. Cases have involved architects, engineers of many different disciplines, project managers and quantity surveyors as well as valuers, building surveyors and other designers.

He also acts in some cases of alleged professional negligence in other fields. On more than one occasion he has acted in cases concerning negligent legal drafting and advice, and against management consultants for failure to perform. As a result of his experience in information technology, he has acted for and against software designers.

In addition to the specialist areas referred to above, Manus is often instructed in disputes that concern other areas of commerce. He has experience of licence, distribution, royalty and franchise agreements. He was junior counsel in the House of Lords in a case concerning the effect of joint insurance.  He has fought a number of cases concerning bonds and guarantees. He has argued cases on jurisdiction and at times his cases concern insolvency.

2007: Called to the bar of Northern Ireland

2004: Ad hoc call to the bar of the Cayman Islands

1994: Called to the bar of England and Wales

1991: 1^st Class Honours, Oxford University (Jurisprudence).

Manus is fluent in Spanish and has competent professional proficiency in French.

He is a member of the disciplinary board of the RIBA and a trustee of the Harold G Fox Scholarship.

“Manus is an outstanding advocate with excellent analytical skills; his advice is always clear, to the point and convincing.”

“He has brilliant knowledge of the law, he’s tactically extremely astute, extremely experienced and he’s able to handle some of the biggest disputes in the world.”

Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2023

“He’s an absolutely excellent advocate.”

Energy & Natural Resources, Chambers UK Bar 2023

He’s just superb. I’ve been watching him cross-examine and he very much takes the lead strategically.”

“Clients love him; he’s outstanding.”

Professional Negligence: Technology & Construction: Chambers UK Bar 2023

“Manus is a superior advocate. He has excellent judgment and a first-rate legal mind, his cross- examinations are incisive and powerful, and his oral arguments are crisp, persuasive and go straight to the heart of the matter.”

Construction, The Legal 500 2023

“A superior advocate with excellent judgment and a first-rate legal mind, his cross-examinations are incisive and powerful.”

Energy, The Legal 500 2023

“A very authoritative advocate with an outstanding ability to master the most complex of cases. Manus has excellent analytical skills and gives clear and very pertinent advice based on a thorough review of the relevant material.”

International Arbitration: Counsel, The Legal 500 2023

“He’s very good on his feet, good with clients and good at looking at the big picture.”

A complete superstar, who is calm and produces assured advocacy and drafting.” “He was brilliant at every instance: shrewd, credible, direct.”

Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2022

“He is a very talented individual and one who can handle every situation.” “He is incredibly well respected and bright.”

Energy, Chambers UK Bar 2022

“A complete superstar who is calm and produces assured advocacy and drafting.”

“He was brilliant at every instance: shrewd, credible, direct. All in all, we were very happy to be working with him.”

Professional Negligence, Chambers UK Bar 2022

“He is an excellent barrister. He is very well respected among his peers and the legal community. He is a brilliant cross-examiner, and he has the ability to give an immediate and smart response to the unexpected.”

International Arbitration, Chambers UK Bar 2022

“Manus always has a problem solving attitude which is very helpful in an environment when different interests are at stake. He is a brilliant cross-examiner.”

Construction, The Legal 500 2022

“Extremely highly intellectual and substantial knowledge on relevant areas of law, and extensive experience with international arbitration which shines through in his work.”

International Arbitration, The Legal 500 2022

“He shows precision to detail and strategic planning and has an extremely high intellect and extensive experience in international arbitration.”

Energy, The Legal 500 2022

“Manus is simply fantastic. He is extremely intelligent yet so user friendly, and clients love him.”

Professional Negligence, The Legal 500 2021

“He is brilliant at his work, a very smooth cross-examiner with a deep understanding of construction disputes and someone who commands the tribunal’s respect.” “Our brief was to choose the best counsel and Manus was our first choice.”

Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2021

“A very fair, open and skilled advocate who has a great ability to unnerve the opposition with a few quick remarks and is quick on his feet.” “Hugely in demand, good with clients, good on the detail and a good advocate.”

Energy, Chambers UK Bar 2021

“Outstanding – at the top of his game. He’s very calm and level-headed and cuts though the facts.”

Professional Negligence, Chambers UK Bar 2021

“An impressive individual who has real gravitas at a tribunal.” “He is extremely detailed, very user- friendly, approachable and he secures the confidence of the client.”

International Arbitration, Chambers UK Bar 2021

“First class, extremely hard-working, knowledgeable and fantastic with clients. Great strategist.”

Construction and Professional Negligence, The Legal 500 2021

“He is brilliant, knowledgeable, experienced, calm, and very precise and accurate on which points to impress on the tribunal – he is a huge asset to any team.”

International Arbitration, The Legal 500 2021

“Smart, confident, open minded and a good listener, he has an extensive technical knowledge about construction disputes.”

Energy, The Legal 500 2021

“He’s a hard worker with a brilliant and practical mind.” “He’s absolutely first-class with an instant likeability factor.”

Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2020

“He has a very good ability to see through all of the words and get to the heart of issues.” “He is technically superb and has a brain the size of a planet.” “He is very personable and good at communicating with clients and getting to a good strategy.

Energy, Chambers UK Bar 2020

“Very smart, to the point, principled and a pleasure to work with. He is very experienced and draws from his construction knowledge and global experience where necessary.”

International Arbitration, Chambers UK Bar 2020

“He is a very smooth, attractive advocate.” “He has a very good cross-examination style, which is very forensic but also strategic. He has really good judgement and really good legal knowledge of complex issues.”

Professional Negligence, Chambers UK Bar 2020

“Outstanding, probably the most sought after construction silk.”

Construction, The Legal 500 2020

“A prominent silk in disputes concerning the development and exploitation of oil and gas fields.”

Energy, The Legal 500 2020

“A very effective cross-examiner and communicator, who at the same time gains the tribunal’s respect with his conduct.”

International Arbitration, The Legal 500 2020

“He has a very attractive manner in court.”’

Professional Negligence, The Legal 500 2020

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.