Overview Expertise Related Insights, Events & Cases
Martin Bowdery KC practises as an advocate, arbitrator, mediator and adjudicator in construction and engineering disputes, including geotechnical, and has been involved in many high-profile cases in this sector.
Martin’s principal areas of expertise are complex disputes arising out of major capital projects. In recent years he has appeared principally in the High Court, the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and before various international arbitral tribunals. He has had numerous appointments as arbitrator or adjudicator.
As an experienced arbitrator, whether he is party nominated or sole arbitrator, Martin is frequently appointed under the auspices of the major international institutions such as ADCCAC, AIAC, DIAC and ICC. Projects and seats have covered the globe such as Botswana, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Malaysia, Mozambique, Kuwait, Taiwan, Tanzania, UAE and Oman ranging from Bridges, Hotels, Offshore platforms, Roads and Power Stations.
As counsel, he has advised upon all major forms of infrastructure, PFI, transport and engineering contracts. He acts for and against all parties to the construction process, including foreign and domestic government departments, owners, employers, architects, engineers, surveyors, project managers, contractors, sub-contractors and insurers.
Martin has been recognised for many years by the legal directories, Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500, as a leading silk in the fields of construction and professional negligence.
Martin sits as a Deputy High Court Judge of the Technology and Construction Court.
Martin has been appointed by the Chairman of the Bar and the President of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors to sit on tribunals, and to act as adjudicator and arbitrator in respect of major construction and engineering disputes. He is a Fellow of the Dispute Board Federation, a full (Arbitrator) Member of The Society of Construction Arbitrators, a member of ADGM Arbitration Centre’s Panel of Arbitrators and in 2024 he was appointed to the Dubai International Arbitration Centre’s Arbitrator List.
Examples of cases:
Examples of cases:
Increasingly appointed as a Mediator, recent examples of cases:
“Martin is a go-to KC for any complex construction disputes” Construction, Chambers & Partners
In recent years Martin’s practice has mainly been concerned with international commercial arbitration acting for overseas commercial clients and governments in a series of ICC arbitrations or other international arbitrations where the claims have been in excess of $400 million. His role has been as lead advocate acting with the assistance of teams of foreign and/or English lawyers. These disputes involved complex engineering, including geotechnical aspects, insurance and financial issues requiring large numbers of expert witnesses based in many different jurisdictions.
As part of his general domestic practice in recent years, he has advised upon all forms of standard form contracts and has drafted various engineering and construction contracts. He has also been asked to advise in respect of substantial procurement and PFI contracts, and has been instructed in respect of numerous TCC trials, adjudications and arbitrations, and various applications to enforce or to resist the enforcement of adjudication decisions and arbitration awards.
“One of the most imaginative barristers I’ve come across – sees things from angles other people don’t and which other people have missed.” Construction, The Legal 500
Martin has broad experience representing domestic and international contractors on disputes arising out of the development and exploration of oil and gas fields all over the world, and the design and construction of power stations. His recent cases include:
“An excellent and very astute lawyer, and a subtle and effective operator in court.” “A great legal mind and great on his feet too.” Construction, Chambers & Partners
Martin’s practice also encompasses a substantial number of computer and IT related disputes. He has advised in respect of, and settled, contracts for the installation of new computer systems as well as preparing and drafting final settlement agreements in respect of disputes involving under-performing computer systems. In recent years he has been instructed in the following matters:
“Tenacious and inventive” The Legal 500
Martin has experience acting for or against a wide range of professionals including engineers, architects, surveyors, accountants, solicitors and financial services advisers in numerous multi-million-pound professional negligence actions.
Recent cases include:
“An excellent strategist and extremely adroit at handling tribunals.” Construction, The Legal 500
“A silk who takes into account the commercial reality of disputes, is good with clients and is prepared to argue a client’s case sensibly.” Construction, Chambers & Partners
Brookhouse Group Limited v Lancashire County Council [2023] EWHC 2921 (TCC)
Mallino Development Ltd v Essex Demolition Contractors Ltd [2022] EWHC 1418 (TCC)
J Wanstall & Sons v Fridays Ltd [2022] EWHC 2759 (TCC)
Toppan Holdings Ltd and Abbey Healthcare (Mill Hil) Ltd v Simply Construct (UK) Ltd [2021] EWHC 2110 (TCC)
Rotamead Ltd v Durston Scaffolding Ltd & Ors [2020] EWHC 2738 (TCC)
Philip Freeborn, Christina Goldie v Daniel Robert De Almeida Marcal (Trading as Dan Marcal Architects) [2019] EWHC 454 (TCC)
4MA Ltd v P. Nash [2019] EWHC 3760 (TCC)
Burgess & Anor v Lejonvarn [2018] EWHC 3166 (TCC)
Southern Gas Networks PLC v Thames Water Ltd [2016] EWHC 1669 (TCC)
Hirst & Anor v Dunbar & Ors [2022] EWHC 41 (TCC)
Boxwood Leisure Limited -v- (1) Gleeson Construction Services Limited (2) M J Gleeson Group Limited [2021] EWHC 947 (TCC)
Blackpool Borough Council v Volkerfitzpatrick Ltd and Range Roofing and Cladding Ltd & Ors [2020] EWHC 387 (TCC)
Stelio Stefanou v A Culmer Fixing Service Limited [2018] EWHC 2208 (TCC)
Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd v Merit Merrell Technology Ltd (Costs) [2017] EWHC 2299 (TCC)
Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd v Merit Merrell Technology Ltd [2017] EWHC 1763 (TCC)
Hastings Borough Council v Manolete Partners PLC [2016] UKSC 50
Amey LG Limited v Cumbria County Council [2016] EWHC 2856 (TCC)
Ampleforth Abbey Trust v Turner & Townsend Project Management Limited [2012] TCLR 8
PHI Group Limited v Robert West Consultancy Limited C.A. [2012] BLR 329
Whessoe Oil & Gas Limited v William John Dale [2012] PNLR 33
Vision Homes Limited v Lancsville Construction Limited [2009] BLR 525
Galliford Try Infrastructure Ltd v Mott MacDonald [2008] 120 ConLR 1
Haden Young Ltd v Laing O’Rourke Midlands Ltd [2008] ABC LR 05
Multiplex Construction (UK) Ltd v Honeywell Control Systems Ltd [2007] BLR 195
Multiplex Construction (UK) Ltd v Honeywell Control Systems Ltd [2007] BLR 167
Associated British Ports v Hydro Soil Services [2006] All ER (D) 269
(1) Taylor Woodrow Holdings Limited (2) George Wimpey Southern Counties Ltd v Barnes & Elliott Ltd [2006] BLR 377
Baker & Davies PLC v Leslie Wilks Associates [2005] 3 AER 603
Jarvis Facilities Ltd v Alston Signalling Ltd [2004] 95 Con LR 55
Cameroon Airlines v Transnet Ltd [2004] EWHC 1829 (Comm)
Martin was Chairman of TECBAR 2015 – 2017. He is a member of COMBAR, the SCL and a Fellow of the Dispute Board Federation. In 2018 he was elected a full (Arbitrator) Member of The Society of Construction Arbitrators.
“Martin Bowdery prepares persuasive submissions and is easy to work with.”
Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2025
“Martin provides superb analysis. He is very good on his feet and has the ear of the court. Absolutely top notch.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2025
“Martin is a superb advocate. He’s charming yet effective.”
Professional Negligence, The Legal 500 2025
“Martin provides unbelievably robust advice, which clients love. Not afraid to go into battle for seemingly lost causes and comes out on top. He is the most imaginative barrister and his advocacy is feisty and mischievous.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2024
“Excellent advocacy and tactician in developing a strategy that best fits the clients’ interests and the nature of the case. He has a good way with clients who tend to have confidence in his approach and his advice.”
Professional Negligence, The Legal 500 2024
“Martin Bowdery is considered, wise and utterly on point.”
“He’s incredibly bright and has an ability to pick up the details of a case extremely quickly and get up to speed very quickly. He has a standout intellect and ability to grasp detail.”
Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2024
“He’s really good on merits-based approaches, and he’s incredibly positive and big picture-focused as well.”
“He works with a great deal of determination, skill and tenacity, drawing on years of experience.”
“Martin is very experienced, and this shows in his ability to deal strategically with cases and his clear, technical advocacy.”
Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2023
“Martin is a persuasive advocate with huge gravitas. He is a great creative thinker and has been a go-to Silk when in particular tricky situations that need considered input to achieve the best outcome possible.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2023
“Martin is a very fine advocate, eloquent, forceful & tenacious. He advises decisively and has an excellent way with clients. Approachable yet intellectually rigorous.”
Professional Negligence, The Legal 500 2023
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.
Supreme Court Abbey Healthcare (Mill Hill) Ltd v Simply Construct (UK) LLP [2024] UKSC 23…
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