Overview Expertise Related Insights, Events & Cases
Nicholas Collings specialises in commercial litigation and arbitration with a particular emphasis on construction, engineering, energy and utilities, technology and related disputes.
He has broad experience of all methods of dispute resolution with expertise in domestic and international arbitration, mediation and adjudication.
Nicholas is recommended in the most recent editions of the legal directories Chambers UK Bar Guide and The Legal 500, as a leading junior in the fields of construction, professional negligence and energy.
Nicholas has represented employers, contractors, sub-contractors and consultants on many cases, both domestic and international, concerning numerous types of building and engineering projects. On the pure construction side he has acted on a wide range of disputes including those relating to defects, measurement and valuation, delay, procurement and contract administration. His expertise on engineering matters extends to mechanical and electrical, structural, civil, fire, and geotechnical cases.
Recent experience includes acting for:
Recent experience includes acting for:
He acts for claimants and defendants (as well as their professional indemnity insurers) in respect of claims brought against a wide range of professional advisers including architects, engineers, surveyors, project managers, solicitors, insurance brokers and IT consultants. Recent experience includes acting for:
Nicholas has wide experience acting for contractors and suppliers in litigation arising out of the design and construction of power plants, pipelines, process plants, water and sewage treatment facilities. Examples of his recent work include acting for:
He has experience in the IT and Telecommunications’ field acting for suppliers, contractors and users in relation to telecommunication systems and computer software and hardware systems.
Examples of his recent work include acting for:
Nicholas undertakes the full range of general commercial practice. Examples of his recent work include acting for:
CC Construction Ltd v Raffaele Mincione [2021] EWHC 2502 (TCC)
Hitachi Zosen Inova AG v John Sisk & Son Ltd [2019] EWHC 495 (TCC)
Victory House General Partner Ltd v RGB P&C Ltd [2018] EWHC 102 (TCC)
John Sisk & Son Ltd v Duro Felguera UK Ltd [2016] EWHC 81 (TCC)
Brookfield Construction (UK) Ltd v Mott Macdonald [2010] EWHC 659 (TCC)
Multiplex Construction (UK) Ltd v Mott Macdonald [2007] EWHC 20 (TCC), 11 Con LR 63
R J Knapman v Richards [2006] EWHC 2518 (TCC)
Rossco Civil Engineering Limited v Dwr Cymru Cyfryngedic [2004] Adj. LR 07/15
Specialist Ceiling Services Northern Limited v ZVI Construction (UK) Limited [2004] BLR 403
Mostcash plc v Fluor Limited [2002] EWCA Civ 975, [2002] BLR 111
Ferson Contractors Limited v Levolux AT Limited [2002] EWCA Civ 11
The Bay Resort Hotel and Resort v Cavalier Construction Company [2001] UKPC 34, APP LR 07/16
Discain Project Services Limited v Opecprime Developments Limited [2001] BLR 285
Nicholas speaks French and Spanish.
Nicholas is a member of COMBAR, TECBAR, LCLCBA, CIArb and the SCL.
“His advice is clear and concise, his drafting powerfully persuasive, and his grasp of technical issues first-class.”
Energy, Chambers UK Bar 2025
“His quality of work, industry and sector expertise and practical approach to a case are very good.”
Professional Negligence, Chambers UK Bar 2025
“Nicholas Collings is an experienced and hard-working senior junior, whose style is very well suited to international arbitration.”
Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2025
“Nicholas’ advocacy is excellent. He presents the case powerfully, professionally and respectfully.”
Construction, The Legal 500 EMEA 2024
“Nicholas’ strength is his ability to clearly and concisely explain technical points of law to lay clients. Further, his written advocacy is extremely well-drafted, persuasive and effective.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2024
“Nicholas is a great advocate, cool under pressure, very well spoken and unflappable.”
Energy, The Legal 500 2024
“Nicholas’ strength is his ability to clearly and concisely explain technical points of law to lay clients. Further, his written advocacy is extremely well drafted, persuasive and effective.”
Professional Negligence, The Legal 500 2024
“Nicholas shows great commitment, client-facing skills and a very good understanding of technical issues, which allow him to perform brilliantly in cross-examination of witnesses and experts.”
Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2024
“Nicholas is a punchy advocate who is good at cross-examination. He is responsive and down to earth.”
Professional Negligence, Chambers UK Bar 2024
“Nick pays attention to the detail while keeping an eye on the ball, and he always works collaboratively with the team.” “He is very thorough and measured, calm and persuasive as an advocate, and he reads the judge well.”
“His expertise and service delivery are very good; he has a good, self-assured style and he’s very pleasant to deal with.”
Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2023
“Nicholas is experienced and has precision focus on his cases when preparing and delivering advocacy.”
“His expertise and service delivery are very good and he has a good, self-assured style – very pleasant to deal with.”
Professional Negligence, Chambers UK Bar 2023
“Nicholas is an outstanding junior. A knowledgeable team player, and good cross examiner, with experience across the construction field. One to watch.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2023
“The perfect senior junior, he provides clear, concise advice and is a good strategic thinker.”
Energy, The Legal 500 2023
“He is really down to earth and offers practical guidance.”
“His submission writing is extremely good.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2022
His submission writing is extremely good and he has a very good style of cross-examination.”
Professional Negligence, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2022
“A strong team player who is great with clients. Rolls sleeves up and gets into the detail – he is able to assimilate a lot of information quickly. Very reliable.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2022
“A strong team player who is great with clients and is able to assimilate a lot of information quickly.”
Professional Negligence, The Legal 500 2022
“Nicholas is measured and thoughtful. His advice is carefully delivered.”
Energy, The Legal 500 2022
“Gets across the detail of the case.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2021
“Knows his stuff and is not afraid to run difficult points.”
Professional Negligence, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2021
“He is a great advocate.”
Professional Negligence, The Legal 500 2021
“A strong junior who is good on technical detail and is client-friendly.”
Energy, The Legal 500 2021
“Pragmatic, easy to work with, convincing and compelling advocate.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2021
Nicholas is an Accredited Adjudicator with the CIArb, RIBA and TECBAR. He is also an accredited TECBAR Arbitrator and Dispute Resolution Board Member. He sits as an arbitrator and as an adjudicator.
He is a former editor of Hudson’s Building and Engineering Contracts and regularly lectures both domestically and internationally.
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For more information please contact our clerks on
+44 (0)20 7404 0102 or clerks@atkinchambers.com