Construction: Professional Negligence

David Streatfeild-James KC brings to bear over 30 years' experience at the Bar when handling complex and often high-profile negligence claims. He is regularly instructed in claims arising out of significant public infrastructure and energy projects. He is able to serve as an arbitrator or adjudicator, as well as an advocate for claimants and defendants. He has acted before the Appeal and Supreme Courts.

"One of the top lawyers in his field."

David's analysis is brilliant. He considers all points and has a very good mastery of the technical details.

Katie Powell often acts unled in matters involving engineers, architects and surveyors. She regularly appears in the TCC and has experience of advocacy before the Court of Appeal.

"Katie is a hard-working team player."

"Katie is an excellent advocate. She is approachable, down to earth and extremely hard-working."

"She is incredibly focused and a very good communicator."

Manus McMullan KC advises on a wide array of professional negligence claims in construction and technology contexts, including claims of an international nature. He handles cases relating to architects, surveyors and engineers, as well as software developers, systems analysts and computer programmers. His expertise is sought out by professionals, insurers and claimants.

"He is a very experienced and sophisticated counsel, as well as being very practical. Manus is very quick to understand very complicated technical problems and provide remarkable solutions."

Stephanie Barwise KC is a well-regarded silk who acts in professional negligence claims brought against surveyors, architects, engineers and other professionals. Her practice is international in its scope, with past work spanning the UK, parts of Africa and the Middle East.

"Stephanie's advice and input give a fresh and commercial perspective that is instrumental in helping reach a resolution."

"Stephanie Barwise cuts to the chase with very clear and incisive advice."

Stuart Catchpole KC has a strong practice in the construction and technology sectors, and is often instructed in large-scale and highly complex professional negligence claims in those industries. As well as being an advocate, he is also a qualified adjudicator, mediator and arbitrator who handles disputes around the world. He is well suited to highly technical claims involving the allegedly defective construction of energy and industrial infrastructure projects.

"Stuart is extremely user-friendly and industrious, and has good judgement."

"He is a formidable cross-examiner."

Andrew White KC handles a wide range of domestic and international disputes, including professional negligence claims arising from major oil and gas, shipbuilding, rail and engineering projects. His clients include contractors, public bodies, private employers, manufacturers and other professional advisers in the UK and internationally. He also accepts instructions from indemnity insurers.

"Andrew delivers complex issues into a simple strategy for the client."

"He is very knowledgeable."

Chantal-Aimée Doerries KC undertakes a considerable amount of professional negligence work, often involving large construction and infrastructure projects. She has recently been instructed in claims against engineers, quantity surveyors and architects, among others. Her capabilities include international arbitration as well as domestic litigation.

"Chantal-Aimée has excellent judgement and considerable experience."

"Chantal is exceptionally intelligent, incisive, commercially and strategically savvy and an outstanding advocate."

Dominique Rawley KC acts in a wide array of high-value engineering and construction matters, including professional negligence cases, often revolving around complicated technical and contractual issues. She regularly appears in the TCC and also handles adjudications and arbitrations, both domestically and internationally. Her cases involve allegations against surveyors, architects and engineers.

"A great leader."

"One of the best thinkers at the Bar – very quick to understand the issues and help work with the team to deliver a solution."

Fiona Parkin KC is instructed on behalf of professionals, multinational companies and public bodies in a wide range of professional negligence claims. She regularly advises on matters emerging out of major international infrastructure projects, and is skilled in multi-party disputes involving technical questions of liability, including those before the Court of Appeal.

"A tenacious fighter who will find a way out of the most difficult situations."

Lucie Briggs defends architects, engineers and valuers in a wide variety of professional negligence claims, and has notable expertise in fire engineering.

"Lucie's expertise and advocacy skills are very high calibre. She will develop the case strategically, having clearly grasped the facts and details of the matter."

"She's very thorough and a great advocate, with star quality."

Nicholas Collings has a busy professional negligence practice encompassing the IT, construction, natural resources and energy sectors. He is instructed in domestic and international disputes on behalf of designers, developers, contractors and other construction professionals, as well as insurers and brokers. He has strong experience of litigation at appellate level.

"His quality of work, industry and sector expertise and practical approach to a case are very good."

Simon Lofthouse KC is frequently instructed in complex professional negligence disputes on behalf of both claimant and defendant parties. He is capable of handling highly technical claims relating to major residential and commercial developments, engineering projects and IT installations. He has experience covering international arbitration as well as TCC litigation and ADR.

"Simon is an incredibly hard worker and puts his heart and soul into understanding the issues."

Steven Walker KC is a respected barrister who advises various construction industry professionals in relation to sensitive disputes, typically concerning design defects or project management.

"Steven is excellent. He provides clear and concise advice, and is always highly responsive."

James Howells KC offers expertise in both technology and construction law, acting in major claims involving negligence in software design and implementation as well as those against architects and other construction professionals. He has appeared in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

"His ability to grasp huge amounts of technical information and show complete mastery of the detail, while at the same time helping to articulate and explain the bigger picture, is truly outstanding."

Marc Lixenberg regularly acts in substantial construction cases involving claims brought against both main contractors and specialist professional teams.

"Marc Lixenberg covers every angle and is flexible and client presentable."

Riaz Hussain KC focuses on litigation and arbitration arising in the construction and engineering sectors. He is regularly instructed in negligence claims pertaining to design and construction defects in major building works, including PFI projects. He acts for insurers and claimants.

"Riaz Hussain is a very intelligent barrister who handles cross-examination very well."

Rónán Hanna has wide-ranging expertise in engineering and construction disputes, and significant experience in professional negligence cases involving engineers, contractors and architects, among others. He is adept at managing claims through the courts, including on appeal, and also regularly undertakes adjudication and arbitration work.

"He is extremally clever, very good with strategy and tactics, and highly collaborative and commercial. He can master a huge amount of information quickly."

"Rónán is clever and easy to work with. A great team player."

Rupert Choat KC is an intellectually gifted barrister and former solicitor who has established a construction law specialism, and is a contributor to related journals as well as a lecturer in construction law and dispute resolution. He is recognised for his work in professional negligence claims involving architects and engineers.

"Rupert gets into the detail, leaving no stone unturned, and this shows in his advocacy because he wipes the floor with the lesser prepared."

"His commercial appreciation teamed with a remarkable understanding of the law make him a standout KC. His strategic advice is spot-on."

"Rupert has an exceptional grasp of the detail and a demonstrable desire to push the matter forward for the client."

Serena Cheng KC is an accomplished professional negligence advocate with in-depth knowledge of construction-related matters. She is extremely well versed in design defect claims and fire safety issues, and has experience in working both domestically and internationally.

"Serena is very detailed and very thorough."

"She is very tenacious, with an impressive mixed practice."

Camille Slow KC is an experienced barrister who specialises in construction and professional negligence, often taking on multi-party claims of significantly high value, including those relating to prime residential property. She is instructed by claimants as well as defendants.

"Camille was very responsive and approachable."

"She is an unbelievable worker and processes things very quickly. She has a really sharp brain and processes it very quickly. She is very user-friendly."

"Camille is very practical and willing to do all that is needed for the client."

Jennifer Jones KC excels when acting as sole counsel, representing project managers, quantity surveyors or architects in professional negligence claims. She often handles large multi-party disputes in the TCC and has experience in cross-border litigation.

"Jennifer is very detailed and quick."