Atkin Chambers - A leading set of commercial barristers
Home / People / Her Honour Frances Kirkham CBE
Her Honour Frances Kirkham CBE Barrister

Her Honour Frances Kirkham CBE

For enquiries call: +44 (0)20 7404 0102
Download CV (PDF)
Emailfkirkham@atkinchambers.com
Print
Download vCard
Save Profile

David Barnes

CEO & Director of Clerking

Details

Daniel Jones

ADR Clerk

Details

Overview Expertise Related Insights, Events & Cases

Her Honour Frances Kirkham CBE acts as arbitrator in high-value construction and commercial disputes.

She also accepts appointments as an adjudicator and expert determiner in relation to international and domestic disputes. She also acts as a mediator (evaluative, facilitative or hybrid), including in multi-party disputes, and has recently assisted parties in innovative evaluative mediations.

Frances is widely recognised for her contribution to law and the administration of justice, for example she was awarded Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2011, the Clare Edwards award from TeCSA, honorary membership of Arbrix and the award of honorary lifetime membership of the Society of Construction Law.

Frances qualified as a solicitor in 1978. She was a construction and engineering law specialist, assisting professional and corporate clients with contract formation and dispute resolution. In 2000 Frances was appointed the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) judge in Birmingham, a post she held until her retirement from the bench in 2011.

"Frances has a very good brain; her legal analysis is first-class. She is hard working and easy to work with."

The Legal 500

"Widely recognised for her contribution to law and the administration of justice."

Expertise

  • Appointed as party nominated arbitrator, ICC London seat, under the laws of Nigeria regarding Oil exploration off the coast of Nigeria.
  • Appointed as party nominated arbitrator in an ad-hoc arbitration regarding an offshore windfarm project in the UK. Claims in excess of GBP20million.
  • Appointed as party nominated arbitrator in a DIAC arbitration regarding an international airport in the Middle East. Claims in excess of USd100million.
  • Appointed as sole arbitrator in an ad-hoc arbitration regarding a PFI agreement for street lighting and traffic signals for a local authority in England.
  • Appointed as party nominated arbitrator in an ICC arbitration regarding an LNG facility in Oman.
  • Appointed as sole arbitrator under CIMAR rules regarding fire safety defects for a development in England. Claims in excess of GBP4million.
  • President in an ICC arbitration regarding a desalination plant in the Middle East. Claims in excess of USD50million.
  • President in an ICC arbitration regarding am Anaerobic Digestion Plant in Europe. Claims in excess of USD60million.
  • Appointed as sole arbitrator (RICS). The matter relates to a JCT contract for the construction of 198 dwellings and commercial units in London. Multiple defects occurred including fire safety and cladding issues.
  • Appointed as party nominated arbitrator (ICC) regarding a number of contracts to carry out various installation and testing works at a Biomass Power Station in UK.
  • Appointed as party nominated arbitrator in an ad-hoc arbitration under South African law regarding 2 power stations in South Africa.
  • President in an ADCCAC arbitration regarding a hotel in UAE. Claims in excess of AED300million.
  • Party nominated arbitrator (UNCITRAL rules, Qatari law)) regarding a wastewater recycle reduction plant in Qatar. Claims in excess of USD15milllion.
  • Appointed as sole arbitrator (ICC) regarding an integrated tourism complex development in UAE. Claims in excess of USD6million.
  • President of a DIFC-LCIA arbitration, Dubai seat, under the laws of Dubai regarding the construction of a Gas pipeline in UAE.
  • Appointed as president of an arbitral tribunal (ICC, Dubai seat) regarding defects in relation to a metro system in the Middle East. Claims in excess of US$40million.
  • Appointed as sole arbitrator (ICE Arbitration) in relation to the construction of a road and associated infrastructure located in the UK. Claim over £26million.
  • Appointed as president of an arbitral tribunal (DIAC) regarding construction works for a mixed-use development in the Middle East. Claims over AED$80million.
  • Appointed as party nominated arbitrator (ICC, Dubai seat) regarding sub-contractor claims at a mixed-use development comprising 257acres of land in the Middle East.
  • Appointed as arbitrator concerning the defects in the design and construction of a roof of a leisure centre operated by a local authority.
  • Appointed as president in an ICC arbitration concerning a large chemical complex located in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Claims in excess of US$139million.
  • Appointed as sole arbitrator by the QICCA.
  • Appointed as co-arbitrator on an ICC dispute relating to the design and construction of a sub-sea pipeline.
  • Appointed as co-arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration in respect of an EPC Contract for the construction of a recovered wood fuel chip fired power plant in the UK.
  • Appointed as president in an ICC arbitration in respect of the design and construction of 2 multi use towers located in Middle East.
  • Appointed as co-arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration regarding the design and construction of a data centre located in Ireland.
  • Appointed as mediator in a dispute regarding the refurbishment and maintenance of more than 1500 properties in the north of England under a PFI agreement.
  • Successfully mediated a case arising from claims from a fire in a commercial property.
  • Appointed as mediator in a dispute with a contractor regarding the construction of new college buildings in the north of England claim circa £4million (successful).
  • Appointed as mediator regarding a trade agreement concerning a freight and customs brokerage contract (successful).
  • Appointed as mediator concerning the delays in the refurbishment of a property in London under a JCT IFC contract (successful).
  • Appointed as mediator regarding the construction of a social housing development in UK.
  • Appointed as mediator regarding the provision of plumbing and heating services.
  • Appointed as mediator regarding the delays in the construction basement works at a residential property in London.
  • Appointed as mediator regarding the delays in the installation of a baggage handling system at a major airport in UK.
  • Appointed as adjudicator in respect of the refurbishment of five high rise residential tower blocks. Issues concerned the defects in the design and implementation of the over cladding and external wall insulation.
  • Appointed as adjudicator in connection with the construction of a prestigious 5-star hotel located in an iconic London building.
  • Appointed as adjudicator in respect of delays to the redevelopment of a large property in London and the conversion from offices to 35 luxury apartments.
  • Appointed as adjudicator in respect of delays to the upgrade of a major road in UK of approx. 40km.
  • Appointed as Adjudicator regarding a Battery energy storage project in England.
  • Appointed as Adjudicator under TECSA rules regarding payments due in relation to the design and construction of eight high quality residential apartments in London.
  • Appointed as Adjudicator under TECSA rules regarding works associated with part of the High Speed Rail HSR2 project.
  • Appointed as Adjudicator under TECSA rules regarding cladding claims related to a large residential development consisting of over 160 dwellings in London. Claims circa GBP7million.
  • Appointed as Adjudicator under TECSA rules. Claims under an insurance policy regarding fire safety defects, specifically cladding, for a mixed use project in London.
  • Appointed as an expert concerning the design and delay refurbishment of a luxury development in London.

Additional Information

  • Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  • Chartered Arbitrator
  • Justice of the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre
  • UKA Panel of Adjudicators

Accolades include:

  • Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2011
  • The Clare Edwards (TeCSA)
  • Honorary membership (Arbrix)
  • Honorary membership (TECBAR)
  • Honorary membership (TeCSA)
  • Honorary lifetime membership (Society of Construction Law)

Her Honour is ranked in the Legal 500 for International Arbitration: Arbitrators.

Related Insights

Serena Cheng KC and Her Honour Frances Kirkham CBE to join Pinsent Masons and King’s College London Panel Discussion

Serena Cheng KC and Her Honour Frances Kirkham CBE will be joining a panel talk…

Discover more

31 Members of Atkin Chambers Recognised in Lexology Index: Construction 2025

Atkin Chambers is delighted that 31 members have been recognised in Lexology Index: Construction 2025,…

Discover more

Atkin Chambers at London International Disputes Week 2025

Atkin Chambers is delighted to be involved in a number of events during this year’s…

Discover more

Get in touch

For more information please contact our clerks on
+44 (0)20 7404 0102 or clerks@atkinchambers.com

Portfolio Builder

Select the expertise that you would like to download or add to the portfolio

Download    Add to portfolio   
Portfolio
Title Type CV Email

Remove All

Download

Click here to share this shortlist.
(It will expire after 30 days.)