6 Dec 2022: Construction law – an introduction for aspiring barristers
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Tuesday 6 December 2022 | 5.30pm – 6.30pm Virtual event (Zoom) Applicants often ask us if they can make an […]
"Nicholas is extremely bright and personable. His knowledge is well beyond his years. Excellent drafting, advice and handling of clients."
The Legal 500
Nicholas Maciolek’s practice includes disputes relating to construction, engineering and infrastructure, energy and utilities, information technology, and professional negligence in both court and arbitration.
In addition to these specialist areas, he also acts in respect of a range of other general commercial disputes, with a particular focus on insurance related matters. Nicholas has been ranked as a ‘rising star’ in The Legal 500 since 2021, with clients commenting that he is “a very bright junior, he has a very good manner when being challenged – listens and reflects, but also has firm resolve” and “he is incredibly bright and his drafting is very clear and persuasive. I have found him a pleasure to work with”.
Nicholas appears regularly in the High Court. In 2021 Nicholas was been instructed as a junior in a leading case concerning liquidated damages before the Supreme Court, Triple Point Technology Limited v PTT Public Co Ltd [2021] UKSC 29. Other recent experience includes acting for a claimant joint venture in relation to a £50 million claim under a policy of insurance in respect of delay to the construction of biomass waste wood burning energy power plant, acting as sole counsel in a £7 million claim arising out of the termination of a contract for the inspection of fire doors across the UK, and acting as sole counsel in respect of a £5 million claim for negligent design and construction in a project for the erection of a state-of-the-art cancer research facility.
He works closely and collaboratively with solicitors – he has spent several months liaising between leading counsel, his solicitors and his lay client in order to develop and advise upon a substantial claim for extension of time and additional services for an MEP design firm in relation to the design of a hospital under a PFI contract and has undertaken a secondment with a large City law firm, where he worked on a range of construction disputes within the property litigation team.
Nicholas has experience of an extensive range of construction disputes, spanning from large and complex projects to residential works contracts. He has worked on disputes over defects, extensions of time, variations, loss and expense, and termination in respect of a range of projects from domestic and commercial construction to airport, railway, harbour and bridge engineering works. Recent examples of his work include:
Nicholas has a substantial practice arising out of the intersection of construction and insurance law, and has particular expertise in coverage disputes arising out of 10-year new home insurance policies. He has also acted in a range of general commercial disputes. Recent work includes:
Nicholas energy experience includes disputes concerning oil and gas projects and renewables.
Recent examples include:
Nicholas has acted on matters arising out of information technology and telecommunications disputes.
Nicholas has advised on and acted in various cases of professional negligence. Recent examples include:
Nicholas has experience of all aspects of statutory adjudication. He has drafted adjudication submissions as well as particulars of claim in enforcement proceedings:
Triple Point Technology Limited v PTT Public Co Ltd [2021] UKSC 29
Manchikalapati v Zurich Insurance Plc (t/a Zurich Building Guarantee and Zurich Municipal) [2019] EWCA Civ 2163
Stelio Stefanou v A Culmer Fixing Service Limited [2018] EWHC 2208 (TCC)
Zurich Insurance PLC v Nightscene [2017] EW Misc 27 (CC)
2012-2013 BPTC (Very Competent)
2009-2013 PhD, ‘Justiciability before the International Court of Justice’ (Cantab)
2008-2009 LLM (First Class) Wolfson College, Cambridge
Jennings Prize, Wolfson College, Cambridge
Bevan Prize, Wolfson College, Cambridge
2005-2008 LLB (First Class), University College London
Nicholas is a contributing editor of the new Hudson’s Building and Engineering Contracts (14th ed., 2020).
“The dearest things in life may be free!” Construction Law Guest Editor, October 2017
Grove Developments Limited v Balfour Beatty Regional Construction Limited [2016] EWHC 168 (TCC) TECBAR Review, Spring 2016
Nicholas speaks French, Italian, German and basic Polish.
He is a member of TECBAR, COMBAR and the Society of Construction Law.
“Nicholas is calm, professional, excellent at retaining detail and understanding complex issues.”
Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2024
“Nicholas is highly recommended for his work ethic, manner and expertise.”
Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2024
“Nicholas is very attentive, commercial, and pragmatic. At the same time, he is ready to get stuck into the technical detail.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2023
“He is incredibly bright and his drafting is very clear and persuasive. I have found him a pleasure to work with.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2022
“A very bright junior, he has a very good manner when being challenged – listens and reflects, but also has firm resolve.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2021