Building, Construction and Engineering
The verdict from the market is clear: “St John’s Chambers is an excellent alternative to the usual suspects in London, offering a local and professional service at appropriate rates.” Counsel at this set, who represent contractors, lenders, employers and individuals across a wide range of construction disputes, are also supported by an “extremely helpful and friendly team of clerks.” Chambers UK 2012
Members of the team are regularly involved in a wide range of matters including international construction & engineering, power & renewable energy projects, and commercial construction & residential building disputes.
We are able to provide specialist advice and representation at all stages of a construction or engineering project, disputes large or small.
Members also frequently advise and appear in professional negligence claims involving industry professionals and advisers.
In formal disputes, members appear before the TCC and Court of Appeal, conduct ing both written and oral advocacy in arbitration and adjudication. Increasingly, disputes are the subject of mediation, and the team has considerable experience in this field.
The team includes members of the specialist Bar association TECBAR, and of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Society of Construction Law and Adjudication Society. Some senior members also act as Adjudicators, Mediators and Arbitrators’ both in England and Wales, and internationally.
Junior members of the team appear regularly in the County Court in commercial and residential building disputes. The clerks are happy to advise on appropriate members for any particular case.
Members are normally able to accept instructions from industry professionals under the Licensed Access scheme – which allows members of the many accredited organisations such as the RIBA, RICS and ICE to instruct barristers direct.
Members are also available to act, where appropriate, for members of the public, as well as commercial and non-commercial organisations, on a Direct Access basis in suitable cases. This can be of particular assistance on discrete points of contractual interpretation which arise, in the fields of adjudication and adjudication enforcement, and in some lower value domestic disputes.
Recommendations
Chambers UK 2012
Clients do not hesitate in singing the praises of Andrew Kearney, who “cannot put a foot wrong” and is felt to “really enjoy working in construction law.” Observers also add that he has a “great eye for detail” and a valuable background as a former solicitor and DDJ. In spite of his many years of experience, sources say, Richard Stead “remains incredibly enthusiastic” and is known for his “forensic investigation of detail” and “direct manner with clients.”
Members
David Fletcher
John Blackmore
Richard Stead
Robin Neill
William Godwin *
Andrew Kearney
James Pearce-Smith
Matthew White
Julian Horne
Rebecca Taylor
Christopher Jones
Katie Hooper
*Associate Members
