Rónán Hanna

Rónán is experienced in dealing with all major standard form building contracts (FIDIC, JCT, ICE, NEC3). He has represented contractors and employers in claims relating to delay and disruption, variations, defects and liquidated damages and regularly advises on issues of contractual interpretation, limitation, exclusion clauses and contract formation. Recent cases include:

• An ICC arbitration concerning a new international airport in the Arabian Gulf. Amounts in dispute circa $750m. Over several years Rónán has appeared at multiple evidentiary hearings, has worked extensively on technical and quantum aspects of the dispute and has cross-examined factual and expert witnesses.
• Acting for a contractor in a dispute concerning a major public transport project in England.
• A dispute concerning defects in the commercial port facility in England.
• Representing an employer in a defects claim relating to a major residential development in Spain.
• An ICC arbitration in relation to a major energy project in the Middle East.
• An international arbitration concerning the final account for a motorway project in Eastern Europe.

Rónán is regularly instructed in in relation to both offshore and onshore energy projects, ranging from CCGT and CHP plants to gas pipelines, wind farms and hydro-electric stations. Recent cases include:

• Represented the employer in a dispute with an EPC Contractor about alleged structural defects and extension of time claims regarding an offshore wind farm. Amounts in dispute circa £1bn. Rónán appeared at two lengthy evidentiary hearings and was heavily involved in the technical aspects of the dispute, working extensively with engineering and testing experts and fact witnesses.
• Represented the employer in a high value delay and disruption dispute concerning a new oil refinery in North Africa.
• Acting in relation to a main contractor’s final account and extension of time dispute arising out of a hydro-electric plant in Scotland.
• Acting for an energy JV in relation to disputes arising out of the termination of an EPC Contract for the construction of a pipeline in West Africa.
• A final account dispute concerning an EPC contract for a petroleum fuel terminal.
• A final account dispute on the main contract for construction of an offshore wind farm.
• Acting for a contractor in a dispute over alleged defects in piping for an offshore oil and gas field in the Caspian Sea.

Rónán is regularly instructed in negligence claims against engineers, architects, project managers and surveyors. He has also appeared in the Court of Appeal in a case concerning a solicitor’s negligence. He is experienced in drafting professional negligence pleadings and is well-versed in dealing with experts on questions of technical evidence and advising on the preparation of expert reports. He is also familiar with all major forms of professional services contracts. Rónán has recently been involved in:

• Acting for a consultant in a high value ICC arbitration concerning the design and construction of a landmark residential and leisure development in a CIS country.
• Representing an engineer in a domestic arbitration concerning alleged design deficiencies in the construction of a PFI project.
• An action against a civil engineer concerning the failure of a bridge.
• A claim against an M&E consultant by its employer, alleging that its design negligence caused delay to the fit-out works of a corporate headquarters in London.
• A dispute between an employer and its environmental engineer, concerning contaminated land.
• An arbitration arising out of the negligent design of a Church.
• A claim by a school against its design consultants and contractors, relating to the construction of a swimming pool complex.

Recent instructions include acting for a global provider of technology-based “design and build” process facilities solutions to the upstream oil & gas industry in its Commercial Court claim concerning the supply of topside process modules for an FPSO to operate offshore of New Zealand.

Rónán is familiar with all aspects of adjudication. He is regularly involved in drafting statements of case for adjudication proceedings and has experience in enforcing (or resisting the enforcement of) adjudicators’ decisions. Reported cases concerning adjudication enforcement include Roe Brickwork Ltd v Wates Construction Ltd [2013] EWHC 3417 (TCC) and RWE Npower Renewables Ltd v J N Bentley Ltd [2014] EWCA Civ 150.