The Lawyer ‘s Top 20 Cases of 2024 have been released and feature two cases in which members of Atkin Chambers, namely Katie Powell, Samar Abbas Kazmi and Max Twivy, are instructed.
Shepherd Construction v Kingspan and Others
A landmark construction and cladding dispute worth almost £70m will head to trial in the Technology & Construction Court this October.Shepherd Construction, a UK-based construction company, was engaged as the main contractor for the Northern Quarter mixed-use development in Colindale, London. Its claim centres around numerous issues with the construction of the external wall systems of the buildings, particularly the use of insulation alleged to be non-compliant with building regulations.The 12-party case will be one of the first to consider the new cause of action against cladding manufacturers under s149 of the Building Safety Act and will have a large effect on the legal principles surrounding fire safety issues.
The case is listed in the Technology and Construction Court for 11 weeks from 7th October 2024.
For the defendant, Leach Rhodes Walker:
Atkin Chambers’ Katie Powell and Max Twivy, instructed by Brabners partner Barry Goodall
Athena Capital, Raffaele Mincione and Others v Secretariat of State of the Holy See
This Commercial Court dispute sees the Holy See versus management companies Athena Capital, WRM Capital and British-Italian financier Raffaele Mincione. The case flows from the €350m purchase of Harrods’ former furniture depository on Sloane Avenue by the Holy See’s Secretariat of State – its principal administrative and diplomatic arm. The claimants seek declaratory relief that they have no liability concerning the property’s purchase.
The case is listed in the High Court for a 14 day trial from 24th June 2024.
For the defendant, Secretariat of State of the Holy See:
Brick Court’s Charles Hollander KC, Atkin Chambers’ Samar Abbas Kazmi, and 39 Essex Chambers’ James Bradford, instructed by Hill Dickinson partner Paul Walsh and legal director Jon Scally
View all of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases 2024 here (behind paywall).
