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.
• An ICC arbitration concerning a major public transport project in The Gulf.  Amounts in dispute $800m.
• Acting for the developer in a claim concerning Grenfell-style cladding on a series of residential towers built under a PFI scheme. Amounts in dispute >£100m.
• 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 developer in an ICC arbitration concerning a renewables project in the CIS region. Amount in dispute $1bn.
• 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 structural engineer in a claim concerning structural defects in a series of high rise buildings in the UK (BDW Trading Ltd v URS Corporation Ltd). This is a high profile case involving a number of landmark legal issues, including the application of the Building Safety Act.  Ronan has appeared in two Court of Appeal hearings arising out of this dispute and will appear in a Supreme Court hearing in December 2024.
• Acting as sole counsel for the main contractor in High Court proceedings concerning fire safety defects in a PFI hospital. Amounts in dispute >£20m.
• 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.

URS Corporation Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd [2023] EWCA Civ 772

Cameron Taylor Consulting Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd [2022] EWCA Civ 31

Zurich Insurance Plc v Nightscene Ltd [2019] EWHC 352 (QB) (25 February 2019)

Persimmon Homes Ltd v Ove Arup & Partners Ltd & Anor [2017] EWCA Civ 373

Science and Technology Facilities Council v MW High Tech Projects UK Ltd [2015] EWHC 2889 (TCC)

Parkway Construction Ltd (In Liquidation) v Howard De Walden Estates Ltd [2014] EWHC 1533 (TCC)

RWE Npower Renewables Ltd v J N Bentley Ltd [2014] EWCA Civ 150

Roe Brickwork Ltd v Wates Construction Ltd [2013] EWHC 3417 (TCC)

BA Jurisprudence (Upper Second Class), Magdalen College, Oxford

BCL Bachelor of Civil Law, University of Oxford

Called to the Bar of England and Wales, and the Bar of Northern Ireland

Rónán is a member of TECBAR, SCL and the LCLCBA.

“Rónán is excellent and a real pleasure to work with. He grasps complex issues very quickly and is able to explain them to clients in a straightforward manner.”
“He’s a very clever, brilliant all-rounder with great attention to detail who is very good on strategy.”
“Rónán Hanna is able to produce compelling and detailed legal submissions on difficult facts and is also helpful in advising our client directly.”
Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2024

“Rónán is good at getting through lots of technical issues and is wonderful with clients.”
Professional Negligence, Chambers UK Bar 2024

“A supremely able technician who never makes a badly formulated submission to the court. Able to see a problem from all directions, instilling confidence in both the court and client alike.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2024

“Rónán provides excellent service and advice. He always makes himself available and cuts through complicated issues swiftly and clearly. His submissions are well-structured and very persuasive. He is highly regarded by lay clients and colleagues.”
Professional Negligence, The Legal 500 2024

“Ronan is a pleasure to deal with and makes himself available to solicitors and clients alike. He builds an encyclopaedic knowledge of tens of thousands of pages of arbitration record and is diligent in developing a case strategy.”
Middle East: Construction, The Legal 500 2024

“He grasps complex, often highly technical issues quickly and deals with them effectively and commercially.”
He’s very clever and persuasive in his written arguments, he easily grasps technical details and he’s very accessible.”
“He turns work around quickly and shows a swift and full grasp of the issues.”
Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2023

“He has outstanding technical and legal skills which are invaluable. He would consistently be my first choice.”
“He’s very good on the detail and his client service is also very good.”
Professional Negligence, Chambers UK Bar 2023

“Highly analytical, intimidatingly bright, and very commercial. Ronan’s ability to understand the technical detail of engineering disputes is outstanding. He gives clear and very direct advice and has excellent advocacy skills.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2023

“Personable, insightful, enthusiastic. Clients are extremely positive about Ronan’s work as advocate.”
Middle East: Construction, The Legal 500 2023

“He is clearly an expert in quantum and delay.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2022

“An extremely tenacious advocate.”
Professional Negligence, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2022

“An impressive junior.”
Middle East: Construction, The Legal 500 2022

“He is personable to work with and good at preparing witnesses and outlining the details to focus on.” “Ronan is a great communicator and quick thinker.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2021

“He got up to speed on highly technical points very quickly, which I found impressive. I’m also impressed with his client management skills.”
Professional Negligence, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2021

“Technically strong with an engaging advocacy style.”
Construction, The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) 2021

“An absolute work horse and technically excellent.”
Professional Negligence, The Legal 500 2021

“An able junior, technically very strong.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2021

“Ronan is an excellent practitioner, hard-working and great with clients.” “I have found him to be very effective and think he is a good senior junior.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2020

“He is excellent, very hard-working and will always find time to assist.” “He is very good analytically and very effective in complex disputes.”
Professional Negligence, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2020

“Very good to work with, down-to-earth and very knowledgeable.” “His work is highly detailed and completed to a high standard.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar and Global 2020

“An able junior, technically very strong.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2020

“Brilliant technically and is also very commercial.”
Professional Negligence, The Legal 500 2020

“His work includes challenging disputes around key GCC infrastructure.”
Construction, The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) 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.