Atkin Chambers at Dubai Arbitration Week 2024
News - Events
James Howells KC, Riaz Hussain KC and Rob Bryant will be attending Dubai Arbitration Week 2024, taking place between 11th […]
"Excellent in court, a top-notch legal mind and an excellent cross-examiner."
Chambers and Partners
Riaz acts as leading counsel in high value, complex disputes and advises clients on difficult legal and tactical issues. He is ranked as a leading silk for Construction, Professional Negligence and International Arbitration in The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.
Aside from his construction expertise, Riaz has solid experience of a variety of heavy-weight general commercial and investment disputes, and arbitral claims in the English Courts.
The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners describe his working style as “wonderfully hands-on, with a real ‘can do’ attitude, excellent client skills, very calm under pressure, highly responsive, hardworking, proactive, efficient, user friendly, approachable and always a pleasure to work with.”
Commendations of his legal ability describe him as “a supreme strategist, a top-notch legal mind who always provides excellent and clear advice, has a commercial and pragmatic approach, is quick to spot solutions that other counsel may miss, concise, incisive and very good at getting to the point.”
As an advocate he is commended as “brilliant in court and hearings, a very persuasive advocate, who is a tough, forensic, ferocious and excellent cross examiner.”
Riaz has direct access rights and is often instructed directly by in house counsel from governmental bodies and commercial organisations. He has been appointed as arbitrator in ICC, UNCITRAL and DIFC-LCIA arbitrations including as chair of a tribunal. He is on the LCIA list of arbitrators and a Chair of the Nominations Subcommittee for the ICC in the UK.
Riaz is experienced in high court and appellate litigation in the Technology and Construction Court and the Commercial Court, in construction contract adjudications and enforcements, in disputes under PFI contracts, in domestic arbitrations under the Arbitration Act 1996 and in advisory work. He is experienced with use of all the major standard form construction contracts such as the JCT, NEC, ICE and FIDIC forms.
Examples of recent domestic experience include:
GENERAL COMMERCIAL AND ENERGY DISPUTES
Riaz advises on issues arising in general commercial contracts and acts in related litigation and arbitration. In particular he advises on sale of goods contracts, claims under bonds and guarantees, actions arising from bribery and corruption, supply contracts and joint venture agreements.
Examples of recent domestic experience include:
Riaz is instructed as leading counsel in international arbitrations including in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and wider Middle East, the Caribbean, Africa, Far East and Europe. Riaz is familiar with the particular challenges of international arbitration disputes including managing mega disputes, the commercial realities of large value Projects, issues between joint venture partners, dealing with foreign law (including civil law systems), conflict of laws and jurisdictional issues. He is accustomed to dealing sensitively with a diversity of tribunal members and clients. He has led arbitrations under the major institutional arbitral rules including ICC, LCIA and DIAC. His counsel practice is informed by his experience as an arbitrator.
Examples of recent cases include:
Riaz has wide experience of professional negligence disputes, acting for both claimants and insurers in relation to claims brought against a variety of professionals, including engineers, contract administrators, architects and planning consultants. Riaz is experienced in leading disputes to trial, including cross examination of technical experts, advising on issues of contribution between defendants and in helping attain a successful negotiated settlement where appropriate.
Recent experience includes:
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria v AIC Limited UKSC 2020/0206.
SRS Middle East FZE v Chemie Tech DMCC [2020] 11 WLUK 14.
John Doyle Construction Ltd v Erith Contractors Ltd [2020] BLR 671 – listed for appeal in the Court of Appeal.
Styles & Wood v GE CIF Trustees [2020] 9 WLUK 460.
Balfour Beatty v Astec Projects Ltd 189 Con LR 154
Doosan Enpure Ltd v Interserve Construction Ltd 187 Con LR 153
Cyril Chern v (1) Apilosa Corp (2) AR Architecture Ltd [2019] BLR 128
Swansea Stadium Management Co Ltd v (1) Swansea City & County Council (2) Interserve Construction Ltd [2019] 4 WLUK 366
Lobo v Corich & Anor [2017] All ER (D) 132 (Jun)
Ground Developments Ltd v FCC Construccion SA and others [2016] BLR 532: 167 Con LR 192
Husband and Brown Ltd v Mitch Developments Ltd [2015] All ER (D) 156 (Oct)
Oakrock Ltd v Travelodge Hotels Ltd and Others [2014] BLR 593
Co-Operative Group Ltd v Carillion JM Ltd & Anor LTL 11/2/2014
Honeywell International Middle East Ltd v Meydan Group Llc [2014] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 133: [2014] BLR 401 : 154 Con LR 113 : [2014] Bus LR D13
KNN Colburn LLP v GD City Holdings Ltd [2013] All ER (D) 33 (Oct)
Clark Electrical v JMD Developments UK Ltd [2012] BLR 546: [2012] CILL 3249
McCain Foods GB Ltd v Eco-Tec (Europe) Ltd [2011] CILL 2989
YCMS LTD (T/A Young Construction Management Services) v (1) Stephen Grabiner (2) Miriam Grabiner [2009] BLR 211: 123 Con LR 202: [2009] CILL 2692
Letchworth Roofing v Sterling Building Co [2009] CILL 2717
Bole v (1) Richard Money (T/A Richard Money Associates) (2) Huntsbuild Ltd (2009) 127 Con LR 154
McAlpine v Tilebox [2005] BLR 271
Haden Young v Laing O Rourke LTL 29/09/08
YCMS v Grabiner [2009] BLR 211
2021: Elected Master of the Bench of Gray’s Inn
2016: Appointed Queen’s Counsel
2000-2001: Prince of Wales’ Scholarship (Gray’s Inn)
2000-2001: BVC Inns of Court School of Law
2000: Andrews Medal, Most Outstanding Graduate, Faculty of Laws, University College, London
1997-2000: Awarded Medals for Best Examination Performance for each of the three years of LLB Degree at University College, London
1997-2000: LLB (1st Class), University College, London
“Riaz stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best senior silks of the construction Bar: He is a marvellous trial advocate and has a firm grasp of construction law and indeed a good knowledge of the technical aspects. He is a fantastic advocate and his strength is cross-examination of both lay and expert witnesses. He rolls his sleeves up, works with the team, and gets the job done.”
International Arbitration, The Legal 500 2024
“Riaz is extremely attentive to key strategic issues. His advocacy is sharp and powerful, hitting on the key issues underpinning the case.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2024
“A strong advocate who very persuasive and doesn’t give up.”
Professional Negligence, The Legal 500 2024
“He was thoughtful and robust; I would certainly rate him highly.”
International Arbitration: Construction/Engineering, Chambers UK Bar 2024
“The dispute becomes his world during the hearing. He’s fantastic to work with and he project-manages every detail. He is our go-to person for big-ticket Middle East disputes.”
“Riaz is greatly skilled in international construction matters. He is superb in understanding the commercial aspects and implications of the dispute and adjusts the legal strategy accordingly.”
“Riaz goes to great lengths to understand your business and the way in which you operate. He becomes a truly invaluable member of your team.”
“Clients like his more relaxed style yet he’s still a complete expert in his area. He’s an excellent advocate – it’s known how strong he is in cross-examination and in oral argument.”
Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2024
“Riaz did a fantastic job, he is really smart.”
“Riaz has a super brain, and is very relaxed and approachable. Clients like his more relaxed style, yet he is still a complete expert in this area.”
Professional Negligence, Chambers UK Bar 2024
“He is a fiercely intelligent, approachable and hard-working barrister who is responsive, pragmatic and a true team player.”
“His advocacy is very skilled indeed, and he’s incredibly user-friendly and down to earth.”
“His ability to get his head around technical issues and his commercial awareness are both very good.”
Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2023
“He has an excellent manner with clients, thoroughly embeds himself within a team and is excellent at devising and executing a strategy.”
“Riaz prepares thoroughly before every hearing and is always across every document and issue, and is a true pitbull at cross-examination.”
International Arbitration, Chambers UK Bar 2023
“His ability to get his head around technical issues and his commercial awareness are both very good.”
“Riaz is great to have on your side – very responsive and very quick on the uptake, showing great intelligence.”
Professional Negligence, Chambers UK Bar 2023
“Riaz is unbelievably calm under pressure and incredibly versatile as an advocate – being able to flex his style to deal with any situation. He is great at dealing with very complex issues, fantastic on his feet, and not one to shy away from a difficult and contentious issues.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2023
“He is unbelievably calm under pressure and incredibly versatile as an advocate – being able to flex his style to deal with any situation. He has particular expertise in the energy sector – specifically oil and gas.”
International Arbitration: Counsel, The Legal 500 2023
“Riaz is user-friendly and exceptionally hard-working.” “Amazing in cross-examination.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2022
“An absolute brainbox, he’s both a workaholic and user-friendly. Exceptionally hard-working but also a very well-rounded person.”
Professional Negligence, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2022
“Riaz puts his heart and soul into a matter and gets into the minutiae.” “Riaz is a focused and efficient advocate who has a tremendous ability to cut through the issue and focus on the crux of any matter.”
International Arbitration, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2022
“Riaz is very personable and user friendly, and he goes the extra mile. He is tenacious and leaves no stone unturned.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2022
“Always brilliant to work with, he is not frightened to roll up his sleeves and put in the hard yards – very robust in cross-examination, he has no fear in taking on the most eminent of experts.”
Middle East, Construction, The Legal 500 2022
“A superstar. He is extremely affable to work with and is a meticulously prepared and forceful advocate.“
International Arbitration, The Legal 500 2022
“A very supportive silk who always provides great advice.”
Professional Negligence, The Legal 500 2022
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.