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Construction and Engineering

What our construction barristers offer

39 Essex Chambers is home to leading construction barristers at every level of experience. Its barristers litigate, arbitrate and adjudicate the full range of construction matters, as well as advise on the drafting of EPC, civil engineering and consultancy contracts.

Examples of recent cases include:

the Privy Council case of Botas Petroleum v Tepe (where 39 Essex barristers successfully acted for the Turkish contractor).
the Grenfell Inquiry (where silks and juniors from 39 Essex act for the cladding contractor and as counsel to the Inquiry).
the TCC case of Swansea Stadium Management Company Ltd v City & County of Swansea on practical completion and limitation (where a silk from 39 Essex acted for the successful contractor).
a US$500m ICC arbitration concerning the construction of an oil refinery in the Caribbean (where 39 Essex silks and juniors acted for both contractor and employer).
the TCC case of Costain v Tarmac Holdings on the NEC3 adjudication provisions (where a 39 Essex silk and junior acted for the contractor).
Advising CERN on the drafting of the civil engineering contracts and consultancy contracts for the latest upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider.

We can draw together teams of barristers, ranging from experienced silks to recently qualified barristers, with expertise in every construction sector (from infrastructure, to shipbuilding, to housebuilding) and every related practice area (from procurement, to PFI/PPP, to bonds and insurance).

Who our construction barristers act for

Our clients are private companies and state entities based in the UK, Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East, North America and South America.

We act for and against:

Employers
PPP ProjectCos.
Contractors
Sub-contractors.
Construction professionals.
Funders
Insurers

Where our construction barristers work

39 Essex Chambers’ barristers litigate, arbitrate, adjudicate and mediate in the UK and across numerous international jurisdictions. As well as barristers with rights of audience in the UK courts, we are able to offer barristers who have rights of audience in the British Virgin Islands, California, Caribbean, Dubai, Ireland, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New South Wales, New York, Pakistan, Singapore and Queensland.

Chambers’ Singapore and Kuala Lumpur offices enable us to offer a highly responsive and cost-effective service to our Asian client base.

Related practice areas

Uniquely among the leading set of chambers, 39 Essex can offer related specialist advice and advocacy services in the fields of energy, environmental, health and safety, insurance, procurement and regulatory law. We are familiar with the funding and partnering arrangements that have developed around large-scale projects and regularly advise on bonds, guarantees and indemnities.

What the directories say

39 Essex Chambers is recognised as a leading construction set by the international and domestic legal directories.

Chambers & Partners 2019 says “Chambers boasts a bench of impressive and experienced construction barristers, complemented by an excellent wider offering at the set. It is well suited to handle all forms of construction disputes and has industry expertise in energy, utilities, infrastructure, PFI and PPP. Its client base includes contractors, subcontractors, developers, central and local government entities across the UK and elsewhere, notably Europe, the Caribbean, Middle East and Far East.”

Who to contact

Alastair Davidson is the Senior Clerk for the Construction and Engineering team and will, along with the clerking team below, be able to help you with any questions.

Alastair Davidson