Nerys Jefford QC has been a practising barrister in Keating Chambers since 1988, specialising in construction and engineering disputes, and domestic and international arbitration. Her practice covers a wide spectrum of advisory work, drafting and advocacy related to standard form and bespoke contracts; contractors’, sub-contractors’ and employers’ claims; professional negligence claims (architects, engineers, surveyors, valuers); bonds and guarantees and financing arrangements.
In the UK, Nerys Jefford’s work is principally contentious and she has been involved in disputes arising out of a wide range of projects from the construction of substantial commercial, residential and public developments (including schools, hospitals and museums) to major engineering and infrastructure projects (including roads, tunnels, underground and overground stations, water treatment and sewage plants), off-shore work, shipbuilding, energy recovery and power generation projects.
Nerys has represented clients from a variety of jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Korea, France, Russia and Brazil and appeared in ICC, LMAA and HKIAC arbitrations. She has been involved in a number of major international arbitrations including arbitrations relating to substantial infrastructure projects in Hong Kong, an ICC arbitration about a process plant in Saudi Arabia; an oil production facility in Kuwait; and a long-running dispute about a ship conversion project in Singapore and the UK.
Nerys Jefford has acted for clients in various forms of alternative dispute resolution and at all stages of the adjudication process (advising, drafting, representing clients at hearings and enforcement proceedings).
She has a working knowledge of French and German (with a Diploma from the University of Vienna).
Recommendations
Construction
“Absolutely outstanding”... she is very approachable and friendly and will give you a legalistic view to the extent that you want one, whilst also being pragmatic and helpful.
Chambers and Partners 2013
International Arbitration
"Extraordinary and formidable barrister"
Chambers and Partners Asia 2012
Construction
"Excellent advice in respect of heavyweight, complex construction disputes."
Chambers and Partners 2012
Professional Negligence
“A busy silk with a first-class practice"
Chambers and Partners 2012
Construction
"Practical, down-to-earth manner"
Chambers and Partners 2011
Professional Negligence
"Fiery but very client-friendly."
Chambers and Partners 2011
Arbitration – Construction
“Maintains a strong reputation for her handling of construction, engineering and shipbuilding arbitrations in Hong Kong and Singapore”
Chambers and Partners Asia 2011
Construction
"always impresses with her tenaciousness and her command of detail."
Chambers and Partners 2010
International
“this member of Keating Chambers remains a popular choice with Hong Kong firms for construction, shipbuilding and finance-related disputes.”
Chambers and Partners Asia 2010
Professional Negligence
“praised for her incredible judgement"..."recognised as a star by anyone who has been against her."
Chambers and Partners 2010
Construction & International Arbitration
"a superb advocate with an incisive legal mind,” she is well liked by judges and gets stuck in for the good of the team.
Chambers and Partners 2009
“acting for a combination of local and foreign construction companies and the Hong Kong government, she is admired for her “hard-working, no nonsense approach and ability to deliver on time.”
Chambers and Partners Asia 2009
Construction
one of the standout juniors of the last few year.
Chambers and Partners 2008
International Arbitration
“a hard working detail person and a good team player”...“her written work perfectly complements her skilful and effective advocacy.”
Chambers and Partners 2008
“supremely competent and highly talented.”
Chambers and Partners Asia 2008
"extremely impressive"..."subtle sledgehammer."
Legal 500, 2007
“has been active in construction disputes as far afield as Hong Kong and smoothly handles all aspects of the work with a clean efficiency”..."stands out among the set’s high-quality juniors due to her expertise in relation to claims against architects, engineers, surveyors and valuers"...Solicitors applaud her "imperturbable manner."
Chambers and Partners 2007
“first class”...“good at cutting through the crap”...“seniority and authority”..."an exceptional talent."
Chambers and Partners 2006
“terrier-like”...“extremely tough in Court, a real battler”...“has empathetic client skills”..."an awesome opponent"..."brilliant in court, she is appreciated for the effort she takes to build up a real rapport with professional clients.”
Chambers and Partners 2005
“heads the juniors table at the insistence of various impressed clients, who praised her thorough preparation.”
Legal 500, 2004
Before taking silk, Nerys Jefford was nominated as Construction Junior of the Year, Chambers and Partners Bar Awards 2005.
Recent Work
Construction and Engineering
- Advising and representing employers in adjudications relating to design liability and claims for time and money arising out of the construction of the UK’s largest flood protection pumping station.
- Acting for a Joint Venture of the four contractors responsible for the construction, on a PFI basis, of the UK’s first modern toll road on a series of claims arising out of the project.
- Representing a number of employers and contractors involved in PFI projects for the construction of new schools in the West Midlands, London and the South East.
- Defending suppliers of piping in a claim arising out of a major flooding incident.
- Representing sellers on a multi-million Euro breach of warranty claim arising under a share purchase agreement and relating to alleged defects in the design and manufacture of portable accommodation units.
- Advising contractors on issues of design liability for a new museum development.
- Representing contractors in claims for delay and disruption in the construction of a city centre shopping and leisure complex.
- Acting for contractors against designers in delay and disruption claims arising out a major hotel construction project.
- Arbitration in respect of claims arising out of the M&E works for a major research facility.
- Acting for a Singaporean shipyard in a long-running arbitration about a ship conversion project.
- Hong Kong arbitration relating to a substantial housing development.
- Acting for a UK/Japanese Joint Venture in a Hong Kong arbitration relating to the construction of the Tsing Ma Bridge (part of the new airport infrastructure).
- Hong Kong arbitration relating to tunnelling for major new sewerage scheme.
- ICC arbitration (representing Korean clients) relating to construction of a process plant in Saudi Arabia.
Energy
- Acting for main contractors in an arbitration arising out of the construction of an oil production facility in Kuwait.
- Advising and representing UK clients in claims relating to power generation in Africa.
- Representing contractors in disputes arising out of coal production in South Wales.
- Disputes arising out of the construction and commissioning of a North Sea oil and gas floating production facility.
Professional Negligence
- Professional negligence claims involving architects; civil, mechanical and electrical engineers; quantity surveyors; project managers.
- Representing designers of ground stabilisation works for a new water treatment plant in claims for delay and disruption to the contractor’s works.
- Representing designers in claims arising out of fire damage to a shopping complex
Publications
- Contributor, Keating on Construction Contracts - 8th Edition (2006) and 9th Edition (2012).
- Editorial Team, Keating on Building Contracts, (5th, 6th and 7th editions).
- Joint Author, European Harmonisation in the Field of Construction, 1993 (with John Uff QC) [1993] ICLR 122.
Nerys Jefford lectures widely to audiences including the SCL, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the RICS and firms of solicitors and has addressed conferences in the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and Mauritius.
Education and Professional Career
MA in Jurisprudence, Oxford
Scholar of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
LLM, University of Virginia (specialising in international and commercial law)
Fulbright Scholar
Called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn)
Keating Chambers
MCI Arb
Bencher, Gray's Inn
Recorder
TECBAR Accredited Adjudicator
Queen's Counsel |
1984
1985
1986
1988
2006
2007
2008
|
Memberships
Society of Construction Law: former Council member and Chairman (2007 - 2008)
Technology and Construction Bar Association (former Committee Member) (TECBAR)
Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR)
Other Information
Nerys Jefford takes an active interest in education at the Bar. She is a member of the Bar Standards Board Education and Training Committee and a trained advocacy teacher. She sings regularly with the London Welsh Chorale and Gray’s Inn Chapel Choir and is involved in horse racing as an owner and breeder.
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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