Adrian Williamson was called to the Bar in 1983 and has been a practising barrister in Keating Chambers since 1989. Adrian specialises in construction, engineering and technology disputes and he is also highly regarded for his expertise in professional negligence actions within these specialist areas. He took silk in 2002.
Adrian’s practice covers all aspects of law within his specialist fields, including advisory work relating to standard form and bespoke contracts; contractors’, sub-contractors’ and employers’ claims; and professional negligence claims (architects, engineers, surveyors and project managers). This work includes advisory work, drafting and of course advocacy for which he is widely regarded as a formidable opponent. He regularly appears in the Technology and Construction Court in London and on arbitrations in many parts of the U.K. and abroad. Adrian has also appeared in the Court of Appeal on many occasions and in the Privy Council. He has represented clients in adjudication and mediation and is himself an adjudicator and arbitrator.
Recommendations
Construction
"personable and intellectual." A lawyer who is "heading for the top," he has played a leading role in the progression of the Multiplex v Cleveland Bridge case, appearing in the Court of Appeal.
Chamber sand Partners 2009
Professional Negligence
“highly regarded.”
Construction
in terms of the way he manages a case, is “someone you can do business with.”
Chambers & Partners 2008
"he can absorb massive amounts of detail, grasp technical merits and come up with a great answer."
Chambers & Partners 2007
"Great on tricky points of law," Adrian Williamson QC has expanded his construction dispute practice to encompass IT and professional negligence litigation.
Chambers & Partners 2006
Recommended as a leading silk.
The Legal 500, 2005
Examples of recent work
Construction and Engineering
- Representing steelwork contractors in High Court proceedings relating to Wembley Project.
- Acting on behalf of Main Contractors in £10 million plus contractual claim arising out of a warehouse development in Scotland in the Technology and Construction Court and Court of Appeal.
- Advising UAE clients regarding a claim for delay and financial loss for the supply of Cargo x-ray equipment.
- Appearing on behalf of Franco-Japanese Joint Venture in a US$80 million Hong Kong arbitration concerning the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme.
- Appearing for a UK/Japanese Joint Venture in a London arbitration concerning the Tsing Ma Bridge in Hong Kong (claim for HK$480 million).
- Representing structural steelwork contractors in respect of a £10 million claim arising out of a crane collapse at Canary Wharf.
Energy
- Advised on a professional negligence/fraud Arbitration in relation to a nuclear power station where the claim was over £100m.
- Advised on a Negligence action relating to a coal-fired power station which is the largest energy-provider of its type in China.
- Advised Contractors on claims regarding the Little Barford CCGT Power station.
- Advised Contractors on claims regarding cooling water pipe works at a Combined Cycle Power Plant.
- Advisory and drafting work for a Main Contractor in relation to various UK power station projects.
Professional Negligence
- Represented Project Managers in £10 million plus Brompton litigation in the Technology and Construction Court and Court of Appeal. Recently he has been involved in a series of large contractual and professional negligence disputes both in the High Court and in arbitration.
- Numerous professional negligence matters, including appearance at trial of surveyor’s negligence claim in Queen’s Bench Division and acting on behalf of solicitors in relation to professional negligence claim being tried in the Technology and Construction Court.
Insurance
- Appearing for contractors in relation to High Court proceedings in respect of “Claims made” policy.
- Representing Trade Contractors in respect of dispute over Contract Works Insurance Policy.
Adjudication
- Various adjudication matters, including advising and preparing documents, appearing at hearings of £2 million professional negligence dispute and accepting appointment as Adjudicator.
Information Technology
- Acted as leading Counsel for the Claimant in arbitration proceedings arising from major disputes relating to the contract for a new computerised ticketing system for the London Public Transport Network.
- Advised UK Global Technology Services and Outsourcing Company in its services agreements relating to a new case records system.
PFI/PPP
- Advising and representing a major UK contractor in a series of adjudications in connection with a number of issues connected with large disputes (regarding a building contract and payment entitlement) arising out of two major PFI projects connected with the design and construction of two hospitals.
Publications
- Keating on JCT Contracts - General Editor.
- Contributor, Keating on Construction Contracts - Eighth Edition (2006).
- Editorial team of Keating on Building Contracts, 5th, 6th and 7th edition.
- Joint Editor Halsbury’s Laws of England, Volume 4(3) Building Contracts.
Professional CV
BA in Law, Trinity Hall, Cambridge (1st Class Hons.)
Called to the Bar, Middle Temple
2 Crown Office Row
Keating Chambers
Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb)
Queen’s Counsel
Recorder (Civil)
Public Access Training
TECBAR Accredited Adjudicator | 1982
1983
1985-89
1989
1999
2002
2004
2007
|
Membership
Technology & Construction Bar Association (TECBAR)
Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR)
The Society of Construction Law
Other Information
Interests include supporting Arsenal FC, squash, jogging and reading.
Contact UsIf you would like to discuss ways in which Keating Chambers can assist you or your organisation, please contact the Senior Clerks,
John Munton and
Nick Child, in the first instance, on +44(0)20 7544 2600. They and their teams of Clerks will be pleased to advise you on the member of Keating Chambers appropriate to your requirements.
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