Construction

Crown Office Chambers is a highly regarded set with notable construction silks and a strong group of barristers at the junior end. The set is "experienced in dealing with complex and sophisticated matters and do so well," says an instructing solicitor. The barristers act for the full breadth of construction industry clients, including developers, contractors, and design and engineering professionals. The set offers excellent additional capabilities in construction insurance and professional negligence cases. The barristers are highly experienced in construction disputes arising in the social and transport infrastructure area and the energy sectors. This year, members have appeared in the TCC case Sky, Mace and Prater v Insurers, a GBP200 million defects claim dispute. Barristers at Crown Office Chambers also regularly feature in cases concerning major commercial developments.

"Rob Cowup, senior clerk, is always helpful."

"The clerks are extremely efficient, helpful and responsive. Clients are extremely satisfied with the service provided overall."

"We had great experience with the clerks. They were super responsive and super nice and got the costs sorted early."

Andrew Rigney KC
Andrew Rigney KC is an eminent silk who regularly acts in high-value litigation and arbitration in the UK and internationally. His diverse practice covers a range of disputes, relating to such matters as infrastructure projects, oil and gas plants, and large real estate developments. He is especially proficient in insurance disputes arising in the construction sector. "Andrew is very formidable. He's a very strong barrister." "He's actually one of the cleverest barristers I know and work with, combined with a genuine charm. He has an encyclopedic brain." "He's excellent - very, very good in front of tribunals, and his advocacy is top drawer."

Charles Pimlott
Charles Pimlott is a talented junior who acts in arbitration, adjudications and adjudication enforcements in the TCC. He is au fait with the full range of standard form contracts and also handles disputes arising from bespoke contract arrangements. His experience includes disputes arising out of infrastructure projects as well as high-value residential developments. "Charles Pimlott is really dependable. He's really good at doing the technical construction work. He's excellent with expert witnesses and is an excellent drafter." "He's excellent."

Crispin Winser KC
Crispin Winser KC is a well-respected barrister whose construction practice extends from domestic residential development work and PFI disputes to large-scale international arbitration. He has acted in professional negligence claims as well as adjudication enforcement proceedings. He has tackled a raft of disputes originating in the Middle East. He is frequently sought out as sole counsel in complex construction cases. "Crispin Winser is an exceptionally hard-working and brilliant barrister."

Isabel Hitching KC
Isabel Hitching KC boasts a tally of appearances in important and high-value construction cases, including a Supreme Court case of significance to the status of adjudication decisions. She acts for both private and public sector clients in a wide range of matters, including PFI disputes and defective construction claims. "She's very calm, very level-headed and very strong. She has a very, very strategic approach." "Very sensible, constructive and straightforward to deal with." "Isabel's mind is just razor sharp; she will spot things in huge mounds of paperwork and see a relevance in them and map it all through. Her brain is basically a supercomputer." "Isabel is excellent. She's particularly good on cases that are a bit novel and different. She's very thorough, meticulous and a great strategist."

Michele De Gregorio
Michele De Gregorio has experience in a wide range of construction litigation, arbitration and adjudication including on matters related to fire safety and design defects. He is regularly instructed as sole counsel in domestic and international disputes. "Michele De Gregorio's ability to get to grips with a variety of issues is impressive. He's responsive and pleasure to work with." "Very, very good. He's forensically very excellent and an excellent cross-examiner."

Dermot Woolgar
Dermot Woolgar is a well-regarded junior with a vast expertise in property-related construction disputes. He regularly works on adjudication enforcement proceedings, disputes heard in the TCC and arbitrations. He has experience of acting both domestically and internationally. "Dermot Woolgar's advocacy is exceptional; he is very smooth and judges just love him. He is exceptionally experienced and has seen it all before." "Dermot is as impressive in conference as he is in a written advice. He has unusually broad knowledge and experience without any lack of depth." "A very easygoing, calm advocate who gets on with his opponents, which helps him get what he wants." "He is very calm, very direct and very straightforward." "An excellent advocate - calm and unflappable."

Patrick Maxwell
Patrick Maxwell is regularly instructed on high-profile TCC claims as well as arbitrations and adjudications. He has experience acting in matters related to transport and residential developments, among many others, and he is often sought out to act as sole counsel. "Patrick Maxwell is skilful, knowledgeable, approachable and user-friendly." "Patrick gets to grips with what the claim actually is and his drafting is excellent. There's never a point made that's frivolous. He's very homed in and very keen on the nub of the matters at hand."

Richard Sage
Richard Sage has a strong reputation among instructing solicitors with significant experience acting for clients in litigation in the TCC and Court of Appeal. He has additional expertise in domestic and international arbitration proceedings. "Richard Sage's advocacy was very good, very well prepared. His assistance in drafting submissions was very good and very practical." "He's very accessible, very responsive, very thorough and provides well-thought-out arguments." "Richard quickly understood the issues in dispute, offered practical and innovative advice, and worked well with the client team."

Anna Laney KC
Anna Laney KC is an impressive barrister who is regularly instructed in large and technically complex construction litigation and arbitration. She is frequently sought out to act for major contractors in highly technical disputes arising out of construction projects. Her practice extends into procurement and insurance-related cases. "Anna Laney is the real deal: her ability to grasp the nuances of a technical issue and then to deliver in cross-examination is second to none. She is also a pleasure to work with." "Anna really is exceptional - she has an ability to make even the most complex of matters clear and digestible, both for the client and the tribunal." "She's great: approachable, diligent and very efficient." "She's wonderful - very strong on her feet, tough to beat, she really gets into the cases, and clients and lawyers love working with her."