Energy & Natural Resources

Atkin Chambers is home to an outstanding group of energy barristers with significant construction and engineering experience. Members stand out for their representation of upstream and downstream oil and gas clients in high-profile disputes, and also have an increasing presence in renewable energy cases. Barristers at Atkin Chambers regularly appear in disputes relating to large projects across the world, as well as in cases regarding UK-based schemes. For example, members of the chambers acted on both sides of Energy Works (Hull) Ltd v MW High Tech Projects UK Ltd & Others, a five-week hybrid TCC trial involving multimillion-pound claims arising from the construction of a waste to energy power plant. The parties received the first judgment in December 2022 and settled the same month. A source describes Atkin Chambers as "a premium set with extraordinary practitioners at all levels."

"Justin Wilson, senior clerk, is brilliant. He is very responsive and is excellent at business development. He looks after his barristers and the set's clients."

"David Barnes, director of clerking, can be singled out for particular praise."

"David Barnes leads an outstanding team that is very accessible and solutions-oriented."

Chantal-Aimée Doerries KC
Chantal-Aimée Doerries KC is head of Atkin Chambers and has a widely respected energy practice with a significant international element, spanning both traditional and non-traditional resources. She regularly undertakes construction and professional negligence work and is frequently instructed in arbitrations. Her work often impacts globally significant and highly complex oil and gas projects. "She has a very authoritative yet relaxed style, which works very effectively." "Chantal is extremely impressive." "Her submissions are elegantly written. She can make the best job of a difficult case." "Chantal is great. She's very grounded and sensible and has good judgement."

David Streatfeild-James KC
David Streatfeild-James KC has earned a strong reputation among peers and clients for his formidable intellect and ability to handle technically complex matters. He frequently leads cases involving overseas as well as domestic parties, and represents a wide range of energy clients both in litigation and in arbitration. His expertise is centred on providing advice on cases relating to LNG and power plant projects. "David Streatfeild-James is one of the most outstanding silks." "He's incredibly easy to listen to, very persuasive and extremely clever. It's a devastatingly effective combination." "David Streatfeild-James is a brain of the Bar. He's got a great skill of making incredibly difficult topics understandable."

Fiona Parkin KC
Fiona Parkin KC displays a noted mastery of detail in technically complex disputes. Her broad caseload sees her handling matters relating to the construction of oil rigs and wind farms and the commercial supply of electricity. She also has a strong PFI/PPP practice, advising industry clients on contractual issues. "She's very good with tribunals. They listen to her, because she can express herself in a way that anyone listening can understand." "Her written work is very good."

Lauren Adams
Lauren Adams is increasingly sought after for complex disputes concerning traditional and renewable energy projects, particularly those involving construction and professional negligence-related claims. "She's always confident and on top of the material."

Stephen Dennison KC
Stephen Dennison KC is well known for his ability to get on top of the details of a matter and his success in establishing a positive relationship with clients. He offers a broad spectrum of expertise and is effective in cases concerning engineering and infrastructure projects, ranging from oil and gas facilities to renewables, such as waste-to-energy plants. "He is very good at cutting through all the detail and really focusing on issues."

Stuart Catchpole KC
Stuart Catchpole KC is a well-respected silk who wins praise for his effective advocacy and his knowledge of the energy sector. He specialises in construction and design disputes concerning various facilities, including power plants and transport infrastructure. Catchpole frequently represents clients in international arbitrations, and has acted in cases relating to some of the biggest mining and drilling projects worldwide. "He has an extremely effective advocacy style, where it comes across as there just could be no other answer." "Stuart Catchpole is superb and a pleasure to work with." "He understands engineering and technical issues very well. He's very on top of the detail."

Andrew White KC
Andrew White KC is acclaimed for his diligence and deep experience handling matters in the energy sector, particularly those relating to the exploration and production of oil and gas. He has additional strength in claims of breach of contract, including those concerning conventional power projects.

Manus McMullan KC
Manus McMullan KC is a highly impressive advocate whose reputation among solicitors and peers goes from strength to strength. His work in the energy sector centres on construction and engineering disputes, including cases relating to power station facilities and large-scale transport infrastructure. He has experience acting for clients in delay and quantum disputes. "His court craft is very good, and he knows a hell of a lot about construction and energy."

Nicholas Dennys KC
Nicholas Dennys KC is a well-regarded construction, professional negligence and insurance expert who regularly handles energy-related cases. His caseload in the sector centres on contractual disputes between players in large civil and non-civil engineering projects, including those relating to mining, hydro facilities and electrical cabling. His frequent appointment as an arbitrator in institutional and ad hoc arbitrations provides him with additional insight into the best way to handle disputes. "Nicholas Dennys is a clever guy who knows the law and produces persuasive documents." "He's very impressive, very practical and very good at understanding human characteristics, not just commercial and legal issues."

Steven Walker KC
Steven Walker KC is popular with instructing solicitors, and he has a solid practice that is focused on contractual disputes concerning the construction of renewable power facilities, especially waste-to-energy plants. He acts for both developers and contractors, and frequently appears in adjudications, as well as proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court. "He is super responsive, easy to work with, open-minded, pragmatic and clever." "Steven Walker is a very effective cross-examiner and is exceptional at reading the room and understanding the best approach in a courtroom." "Stephen is a very sensible, grounded advocate."

Christopher Lewis KC
Christopher Lewis KC continues to offer high-quality representation of clients in commercial energy disputes. He is frequently used for significant international arbitration matters and has a noticeable bent towards issues arising from the construction of power and oil facilities. "He's a superb advocate and an excellent cross-examiner."

James Howells KC
James Howells KC is recommended for his impressive technical expertise and diligence in cases. He handles a range of disputes, including those relating to defect and damages and alleged wrongful terminations arising from power and oil and gas projects. He is equally at home representing his clients in the domestic courts or in claims seated in other jurisdictions. "James Howells is an extremely talented and hard-working silk." "He's an excellent lawyer."

Mark Chennells KC
Mark Chennells KC is an experienced practitioner who enjoys a growing reputation among peers and clients. He acts in a variety of high-value energy disputes, many of which have a construction slant, and is regularly instructed in cases involving oil field development and operation, as well as offshore wind farm construction. Chennells frequently appears in the Technology and Construction Court and the Supreme Court, and routinely handles international arbitrations. "Mark Chennells works incredibly hard, really gets into the documents and does a good job setting up his clients for good results." "He's mega-bright." "Mark provided clear advice that is readily understood by the client."

Rupert Choat KC
Rupert Choat KC is a highly thought-of barrister for construction matters who frequently appears in energy disputes. He has appeared in both court hearings and international arbitrations relating to the full gamut of energy cases, notably handling disputes involving offshore wind farms and drilling rigs. "Rupert presents in a convincing and forthright way." "He's excellent."