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Joining chambers in 1981, Sir Vivian Ramsey had previously enjoyed a notable earlier career in civil engineering. Gaining a degree in Engineering Science from Oriel College, Oxford, he went on to work with Ove Arup in both London and Libya. Following his move to the Bar, Sir Vivian quickly established his expertise in construction and engineering disputes. Showing a particular affinity for international cases, he was soon practising all over the world, including appearances before courts in the Far East and West Indies and arbitrations on four continents.
Sir Vivian Ramsey became a Queen's Counsel in 1992, rapidly consolidating his practice as a global leader, and including appearances in the House of Lords in Lafarge Redland v Shepherd Hill Civil Engineering [2000] BLR 385 and, more recently in the Court of Appeal, in AMEC Civil Engineering v Secretary of State for Transport [2005] BLR 227.
Appointed to the High Court Bench in 2005, Sir Vivian Ramsey was also voted Construction Silk of the Year by Chambers Directory in the same year. He served as Head of Chambers from 2002 until his appointment to the Bench, where he is currently the Judge in charge of the Technology and Construction Court. He continues as joint editor, with Stephen Furst QC, of the seventh and eighth editions of Keating on Construction Contracts.