John Marrin QC has 35 years experience as a specialist in construction law. His practice encompasses the construction, engineering, energy and technology sectors as well as disputes arising from PFI projects and from the rail industry. He represents clients primarily in the High Court and the Court of Appeal in England and before various other national and international tribunals.
He has vast experience in disputes concerning disruption and delay and in disputes concerning the formation of and the termination of contracts. He also has extensive experience of claims related to the energy sector and has been involved in a number of high-profile disputes concerning defective piled foundations.
He is frequently appointed to act as arbitrator in both domestic and international disputes and has long experience of acting as an adjudicator and as a mediator. He is a Deputy High Court Judge, a Deputy Judge of the Technology and Construction Court and a Recorder of the Crown Court.
Recommendations
Construction and Engineering
"Extremely bright"...”valued for his wealth of arbitral tribunal experience and his great understanding of TCC judges”..."diligence, patience and willingness to take difficult decisions when necessary"...“particularly commended for his expertise in Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates”...“has an aura of enormous authority whether it be as adjudicator, arbitrator or mediator”...“draws admiration for his elegant cross-examinations.”
Energy
“Over three decades of experience in handling the full gamut of construction disputes”...”a real safe bet when you have complex energy related claims”...”very meticulous”...“ability to forecast the way a case is going to go is second to none."
Mediators
"Measured approach and excellent management skills."
International Arbitration
"Experience in the international arbitration field is much valued"..."enormously conscientious"...“doesn't waste time or let counsel ramble for too many hours unnecessarily; he gets to the issues quickly. He is very measured, with a light touch, but you know he commands a room very well.”
Professional Negligence
"Established presence at the Bar earns him the respect of peers and clients, who attest to the skill with which he handles complex issues."
Recent Work
- Representing the contractor in the House of Lords on an adjudication appeal.
- Representing the employer in an air conditioning dispute.
- Representing the building owner in claims arising out of a major collapse.
- Advising the contractor in a PFI service and maintenance dispute.
- Advising the contractor in a rail construction dispute.
- Advising the employer in a wind farm dispute.
- Advising the consulting engineers in a hospital design dispute.
- Advising on the application of force Majeure provisions in a wind farm dispute.
- Advising on termination rights under a ship building contract.
- Advising a UK Government Department on a software dispute.
- Advising contractor on the quantum of damages in a procurement dispute.
Recent Appointments
Arbitrator appointed as a sole arbitrator:
- By the Railway Industry Disputes Resolution Council in a dispute arising out of a rail franchise agreement.
- By the ICC in a dispute between joint venture parties relating to a project in Romania.
- By the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (“the DIAC”) in a dispute relating to the construction of car parking facilities.
- In an ad hoc arbitration relating to the refurbishment of a semi-submersible drilling unit in Brazil.
Appointed as party-nominated arbitrator:
- By the ICC in a dispute concerning the design and construction of aero engines.
- In an ad hoc arbitration relating to the termination of a software contract.
- In a dispute under UNCITRAL rules relating to the installation of an oil pipeline in the Indian Ocean.
- In a dispute under UNCITRAL rules relating to road works in Tanzania.
Appointed to chair arbitration tribunals:
- By the ICC in a dispute relating to a development in Tajikstan.
- By the DIAC in a dispute relating to earthworks in Dubai.
- By the ICC in a dispute concerning the construction of an Isomerisation Complex at an oil refinery in Trinidad.
- In two disputes governed by the Indian Conciliation and Arbitration Act 1996 relating to a power plant in India.
Adjudicator:
- Dispute relating to the quality of maintenance services a hospital under a PFI contract.
- Five separate disputes relating to rail construction works.
- Dispute between an SPV and an NHS Trust relating to management services to be provided under a PFI contract.
Mediator:
- Dispute relating to a football stadium.
- Dispute relating to the construction of two drilling platforms.
- Dispute relating to the sale of a private jet.
Selected Reported Cases
The above are some recent reported cases.
Education and Professional Career
|
MA in Law, Magdalene College, Cambridge
Called to the Bar, Inner Temple
Queen’s Counsel
Assistant Recorder of the Crown Court
CEDR Accredited Mediator
Recorder of the Crown Court
Deputy Judge of the Technology and Construction Court
Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb)
Bencher of the Inner Temple:
Deputy High Court Judge |
1973
1974
1990
1993
1993
1997
1997
1998
2002
2008 |
Other Information
Until recently John Marrin was the Head of Keating Chambers, having previously served both as Treasurer and as Deputy Head of Chambers. He regularly presents papers on topics relating to the Construction Industry and International Dispute Resolution. He supervises students undertaking MSc studies in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution at King’s College, University of London.
Contact Us
If you would like to discuss ways in which Keating Chambers can assist you or your organisation, please contact Senior Clerk,
Nick Child, in the first instance, on +44(0)20 7544 2600. The teams of Clerks will be pleased to advise you on the member of Keating Chambers appropriate to your requirements.
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Recent Work
Representing the contractor in the House of Lords on an adjudication appeal.
Representing the building owner in claims arising out of a major collapse.
Advising the contractor in a PFI service and maintenance dispute.
Advising the contractor in a rail construction dispute.
Advising on termination rights under a ship building contract.
Advising contractor on the quantum of damages in a procurement dispute.
Barristers:
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