Adam Constable specialises in construction, engineering, energy, shipbuilding and technology disputes along with professional negligence and insurance claims related to these sectors. Adam has extensive advocacy experience in the Courts of the United Kingdom, having appeared in the Technology and Construction Court (TCC), Commercial Court and Court of Appeal. Adam is also regularly instructed in arbitration proceedings, both domestic and international, and has experience of proceeding under a variety of Rules, including ICC, LCIA, SIAC, and LMAA.
He also has considerable expertise in adjudication work, from initial advice, drafting submissions and representation in front of adjudicators, to enforcement proceedings at first instance and in the Court of Appeal. In addition, Adam regularly advises clients on all forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution and has represented clients in mediations, early neutral evaluations and expert determinations. He has also been appointed on a number of occasions as adjudicator, arbitrator and independent expert.
In 2007 and 2010, Adam was awarded the accolade of Construction Junior of the Year, by the Chambers and Partners Bar Awards, and has been nominated on four separate occasions. Before taking silk, he alone was ranked as a 'Star Individual' in the Construction Juniors section in 2011 edition of Chambers and Partners, having been similarly recommended in 2009 and 2010.’
Adam is a co-editor of Keating on JCT Contracts, a contributor to Keating on Building Contracts and a consultant editor of Construction Law Reports.
Recommendations
Construction Junior of the Year 2010-11 and 2007-8. Chambers and Partners Bar Awards.
Chambers and Partners 2012 Recommended silk in four categories: Construction and Engineering (Star Individual 2009 and 2010), International Arbitration, Energy, and Professional Negligence.
Legal 500 2012 Recommended silk in three categories: Construction, Professional Negligence and Energy.
Recent Work
Construction and Engineering
Recommendations from the directories:
"A real star, who will no doubt become an outstanding QC"..."A real fighter, who is excellent on his feet," ...“he is in demand for some of the biggest disputes”...“Outstanding”..."definitely justifies his accolades"..."formidable advocate…” ...“The complete barrister; always formidable” "... there can't be many that would be better"..."a good, determined fighter on any decent-sized dispute." “...his hands-on approach and enthusiasm for "rolling his sleeves up" is widely commended by observers.”
Experience includes:
- Multi-million Commercial Court litigation relating to the construction of two naval support vessels
- Numerous M&E related disputes, involving concert halls, hospitals and the London Aquarium.
- Advising on PFI agreements relating to the construction and operation of schools, academies, hospitals, and prisons.
- Retained in relation to many high profile construction disputes, including the Cambridge Busway litigation, the refurbishment of Wimbledon Lawn Tennis complex, the ‘B of the Bang’ litigation, the Channel Tunnel high speed rail link; Weston Super Mere pier, Westfield Shopping Centre
Energy
Recommendations from the directories:
“highly rated for his superlative energy practice”..."easily understanding complex, document-heavy projects and boiling them down quickly to key issues"..."extremely helpful,"..."Likeable and hardworking"..."Forceful in his advocacy and imaginative in his legal analysis"..."a smooth and relaxed advocate” ..."Simply one of the best - he is totally reliable, very focused, extremely hard-working and a great advocate"...“Adam effortlessly grasps technical issues and goes two or three steps beyond – he just seems to glide through documents.”
Experience includes:
- LMAA arbitration relating to the construction of two semi-submersible rigs
- Substantial Commercial Court claim arising out of a blow-out at an Oil Well in Uzbekistan, involving numerous technical and legal issues, under Uzbekistan law.
- ICC arbitration relating to a major international gas pipeline project.
- Substantial adjudication and arbitration relating to the design and construction of a UK biofuels plant.
- Expert determination relating to the design, construction and operation of a combined cycle gas turbine cogeneration facility producing electricity and industrial steam.
Professional Negligence
Recommendations from the directories:
"first-class new silk"..."commercially minded, practical and client-friendly"..."is so highly thought of that one leading silk commented: "I would kill to have him in my chambers"...“able to analyse facts quickly and effectively"... “hugely accomplished..."very bright and very efficient, and he gets on well with judges and clients”
Experience includes:
- High value TCC litigation against professional team in relation to a hotel construction.
- Representing the Claimant in relation to negligent advice, design and interim valuation and certification by architect and contract administrator in a residential refurbishment.
- Action against professional Project Manager and QS in relation to the construction of student accommodation.
- Substantial adjudication proceedings against civil and structural designers in relation to a major UK bypass scheme.
International Arbitration
Recommendations from the directories:
“sure to do well in his role as a new silk”..."First class"..."a name to be reckoned with" ..."ability to put his arguments in a way that catches the tribunal's ear"...."clever, thorough and very commercial"..."a very bright and imaginative lawyer, who is excellent at cutting through complex issues and presenting them in a lucid form."
Experience includes:
- ICC arbitration relating to a major international gas pipeline project.
- ICC arbitration relating to supply of gas turbines.
- Appointed arbitrator under Stockholm Chamber of Commerce arbitration rules.
- LMAA arbitration relating to the ownership of Charterer’s spread installed on a Vessel.
Shipbuilding/Offshore construction
Experience includes:
- Commercial Court litigation relating to the construction of two vessels in Abu Dhabi
- Construction of semi-submersible rigs in Korea
- Disputes relating to the completion and handover of ships constructed in Chinese shipyards.
- Commercial Court litigation relating to construction of special personnel vessels.
IT / Telecommunications
Examples of recent work:
- Substantial litigation relating to extensive damage to BT's telecommunications network tunnels
- Substantial TCC litigation arising out of the provision and integration of a computerised management system for a national mobile telecommunications network.
- Dispute arising out of development of traffic management systems.
- Substantial claim arising from extensive fire damage to telecommunications network.
Education and Professional Career
MA Jurisprudence, Balliol College, Oxford
Called to the Bar
Appointed as Treasury Counsel
MCIArb
Inner Temple Advocacy Training Committee
Recorder of the Crown Court
Silk
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1994
1995
2002-2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
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Other Information
Adam Constable enjoys spending time with his young family, rugby, golf and the odd card trick.
Contact Us
If you would like to discuss ways in which Keating Chambers can assist you or your organisation, please contact the Director of Clerking,
Paul Cooklin, or the 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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