Overview Expertise Related Insights, Events & Cases
Simon Crawshaw is ranked as a leading junior in The Legal 500 for construction (UK and Middle East directories) and energy (UK directory) and Chambers & Partners UK for construction.
Clients have commented that “His cross-examination style is calm and factual, his attention to details and ability to find cross references within evidence made him one of a kind and an irreplaceable team member.”
A significant proportion of Simon’s practice is international in nature acting as sole counsel or being led by senior silks from inside and outside Chambers, on major disputes in construction, infrastructure and energy in London, the Middle East and elsewhere. His practice in the Middle East has been dominated of late by his close involvement in a long-running, mega project arbitration in the Middle East concerning a major infrastructure project.
Simon has broad experience of construction disputes, both domestic and international, including delay and disruption claims, variations claims and extensions of time. He is very familiar with Standard Form Contracts (JCT, ICE and ACE) and has advised on the DOM/1 form of subcontract. Examples of his work in this sector include:
Simon has experience of dealing with a variety of professional negligence claims involving a wide range of professional and consultants in the construction engineering sector, including engineers, contractors, architects and surveyors. Recent experience includes:
Simon also appeared as junior counsel in an Appeal to the Privy Council from Trinidad and Tobago concerning the proper interpretation of statutory provisions permitting the recovery of loss in personal injury actions from uninsured persons driving with the consent of an insured driver; The Presidential Insurance Company Limited v Resha St. Hill [2012] UKPC 33; 3 LRC 7.
Simon has considerable experience in relation to adjudication and the HGCRA. This experience includes advising upon the enforcement of awards and adjudications under the Act. For example, appearing as Junior Counsel in Part 8 proceedings for pre-emptive declaratory relief in relation to the enforceability of an Adjudication Award in circumstances where the appointment of the Adjudicator preceded service of the Notice of Adjudication; Vision Homes Ltd v Lancsville Constructions Limited [2009] BLR 525.
In addition to advising on and preparing referral/response submissions, Simon has also conducted adjudications as adjudicator. Examples of Simon’s practice in this area include advising generally and appearing at an adjudication hearing for a sub-contractor in relation to a multi-million pound dispute arising out of defects in a concrete floor, drafting adjudication submissions in a final account dispute for the owner of a large hotel development and drafting adjudication submissions for a large energy supplier in connection with several adjudications relating to renewable energy projects.
Obrascon Huarte Lain SA v Govt of Gibraltar [2014] BLR
Makudi v Lord Triesman [2014] EWCA Civ 179; [2014] 2 WLR 1228; 164 NLJ 7597
RWE Npower Renewables v J N Bentley [2013] EWHC 978 (TCC)
The Presidential Insurance Co v St. Hill [2012] UKPC 33; [2013] 3 LRC 7
Transport for Greater Manchester v Thales [2012] 146 ConLR 194
Vision Homes Ltd v Lancsville Constructions Limited [2009] BLR 525
Liberty Mercian v Dean & Dyball [2009] BLR 29
PC Harrington v. Multiplex Constructions (UK) Ltd [2008] BLR 16
Simon is a member of TECBAR, LCLCBA, COMBAR and the SCL.
“Simon is an excellent barrister, and is constantly asking the right questions. In years to come, Simon for sure will become a great KC.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2025
“He possesses a remarkable ability to grasp complex legal issues swiftly and effectively, and his analytical skills are exceptional.”
Energy, The Legal 500 2025
“His analytical skills are exceptional, enabling him to dissect intricate legal as well as technical matters with precision. Additionally, his strong communication skills, both written and oral, greatly contribute to his effectiveness in presenting arguments persuasively.”
International Arbitration: Counsel, The Legal 500 2025
“Simon possesses an extraordinary attention to detail. His awareness of even the minutest aspects of our project is invaluable.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2025
“Thoughtful, hard-working and determined. Plainly very clever.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2024
“Simon is hardworking, thorough and very bright.”
Energy, The Legal 500 2024
“Simon has shown a remarkable intelligence and capability to grasp a very complex technical multidisciplinary project, understand the project organisation and multifaceted contractual relationships, and drafts comprehensively. His communication is clear and concise, to the point, which is easy for the client to understand and make decisions accordingly. His cross-examination style is calm and factual, his attention to details and ability to find cross references within evidence made him one of a kind and an irreplaceable team member.”
International Arbitration, The Legal 500 2024
“Simon’s ability to grasp extremely difficult technical issues and always be two steps ahead, diligent and ready was remarkable.”
“Simon is one of the most intelligent barristers at the Bar. His grasp of detail is phenomenal; I’ve never seen anything like it. He is also really good with clients.”
Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2024
“He’s incredibly hard-working, with incredible attention to detail.”
“Simon Crawshaw is very reliable.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2023
“Fantastic ability to digest complex issues quickly and define clear strategy of solution. Simon is a brilliant negotiator, a good listener, and has thorough knowledge of relevant subject matters.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2023
“He has a fantastic ability to digest complex issues quickly and not get bogged down by emotion but see a best path to resolution.”
Energy, The Legal 500 2023
“Brilliant negotiator, good listener, thorough knowledge of subject matters, effective communications.”
International Arbitration: Counsel, The Legal 500 2023
“A fantastic junior with an eye for detail.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2022
“Simon is very thorough, professional, hard working and responsive.”
Energy and Construction, The Legal 500 2022
“His ability to read, digest and understand complex matters over vast swaths of paperwork in a short timeframe is wonderful.”
International Arbitration, The Legal 500 2022
“He’s a hard-working and user-friendly barrister who is thorough in his work and gets the job done.” “He’s a responsive, efficient and reliable advocate.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2021
“Extremely responsive, practical and precise, with a considered professionalism.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2021
“An experienced junior with a great eye for detail.”
Energy, The Legal 500 2021
“His written work is excellent and he has a real eye for detail and leaves no stone left unturned.” “Gutsy, no-frills, exacting and meticulous, which is exactly what you need from a junior advocate on a dispute of monstrous technical and legal complexity.”
Construction, Chambers & Partners UK Bar and Global 2020
“Excellent analytical skills, very good at legal research.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2020
“Fantastic attention to detail.”
Energy, The Legal 500 2020
“Reliable, forceful, highly intelligent and effective.”
Construction, The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) 2020
Atkin Chambers has been recognised as a Tier 1 set for Construction by The Legal…
Atkin Chambers has been recognised as a Tier 1 set for construction by the new The…
Atkin Chambers has been recognised as a Tier 1 set for construction by the new…
Atkin Chambers has been recognised by the new The Legal 500 EMEA guide to the…
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