Alexander Nissen was called to the Bar in 1985 and became a Queens Counsel in 2006. He specialises in advisory work, adjudication, arbitration, litigation and the mediation of construction, engineering, energy and professional negligence disputes.
Alexander’s practice covers a wide variety of cases ranging from client/developer claims to professional negligence cases (architects, surveyors, valuers, solicitors and civil, structural and geotechnical engineers). He deals with both contractors’ and sub-contractors’ claims. His work also covers disputes relating to bonds (both domestic and international), power stations and oil and gas projects.
Alexander is a Chartered Arbitrator, an accredited adjudicator and mediator. His arbitration work covers both domestic and international disputes. He has been appointed both through party selection and by the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris. He was appointed as a Recorder in 2007.
Recommendations
Construction
“one of the real stars amongst the newer silks,”
solicitors and clients “would recommend him to anyone”. Peers agreed, asserting that “he always gives you a good run for your money.”
Chambers and Partners 2008
"...is a shrewd operator whom solicitors enjoy working with."
Chambers and Partners 2007
“intellectually top-rate”
“knows his way around adjudication enforcement cases like nobody else”
Chambers and Partners 2006
“…a very challenging opponent who gets his successes from pure brainpower.”
“..he wipes the floor with many other juniors.”
Chambers and Partners 2005
“pure brain power”
Legal 500 2003
Examples of recent work
Construction and Engineering
- Acted for client on a substantial defects claim in commercial premises, approximately £3 million.
- Acted for client on structural defects claim in residential development, approximately £2 million.
- Acted for telecommunications client relating to adjudication enforcement proceedings concerning agreements for work done on phone masts.
- Acted for client on adjudication enforcement claim for delay in relation to residential development.
- Acted for contractor on adjudication enforcement claim for final account in respect of major refurbishment to listed building.
- Acted for contractor in High Court and Court of Appeal in relation to limitation issues concerning claims for payment for construction of a mill.
- Acted for contractor in arbitration claim relating to the cost of development works including arbitration appeal on costs.
- Acted for subcontractor on adjudication payment dispute relating to a major central London hotel refurbishment.
- Acted for subcontractor on final account claim and defects counterclaim for electrical works to Blackwall Tunnel.
- Acted for contractor in adjudication enforcement proceedings relating to laying of gas pipeline.
- Acted for contractor in arbitration of professional negligence claim of £5m concerning geotechnical and structural issues at commercial premises.
Professional Negligence
- In arbitration proceedings, acted for contractor/designer on design and build project in which the client sued for the cost of demolishing and rebuilding industrial premises due to settlement conditions. The claim is now being passed on to the structural engineers in proceedings before the TCC.
- Acted for client in respect of a substantial claim against architect, engineer and contractor in relation to substantial defects in works in office premises in City.
- Acted for a developer in relation to a £26 million claim for negligence and breach of warranty against various professionals and contractors in relation to a ground improvement and redevelopment scheme for a DIY superstore.
- Acted for contractor in professional negligence claim relating to architectural lighting feature.
- Acted for client in claim against engineers relating to supervisory obligations on an affordable housing development.
Energy
- Acted for contractor in respect of loss and expense claim for work done at a power station.
- Acted for subcontractor in respect of claims relating to design work done on an offshore rig.
- Acted for contractor in ICC arbitration claim relating to a power station in the Far East. The dispute concerned claims for additional costs, extensions of time and defective work. Value of US$100 million.
- Acted for a foreign contractor in proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court and in the Court of Appeal, culminating in a ten-day trial, concerning a £2 million bonus claim against the employer on a contract for work on a FPSO vessel used to obtain oil and gas from the North Sea.
- Acted for the above foreign contractor in proceedings brought by the employer against it on the FPSO vessel project with an approximate value of £16 million.
Shipping
- Acted as counsel in a matter regarding the installation, commissioning and post delivery of the two main propulsion thrusters fitted to a cable repair Vessel.
Examples of Tribunal Appointments
- Appointed as sole arbitrator by the ICC for a US$6 million claim and counterclaim between international parties relating to a road building project in East Africa.
- Appointed as sole arbitrator on a JCT Arbitration between a contractor and hotelier relating to refurbishment works at a hotel.
- Appointed as adjudicator on dispute relating to payment, extensions of time and loss and expense.
- Appointed as adjudicator in relation to a dispute over a collision involving a tube train.
- Appointed as adjudicator in relation to a dispute on a PFI project involving a school.
- Appointed by the parties as Sole Arbitrator in a dispute relating to design, manufacture, delivery, erection and commissioning of a bio diesel and glycerine production plant.
Publications
- Contributor, Keating on Construction Contracts - Eighth Edition (2006).
- Editorial team, Keating on Building Contracts, (5th, 6th, 7th and 8th editions including supplement to 7th edition).
- Associate Editor of Construction Law Yearbook (1995 – 2000).
- Article: Construction Law Journal (2003).
Professional CV
LL.B., University of Manchester
Called to the Bar (Middle Temple)
Keating Chambers
FCIArb
TECBAR Accredited Adjudicator
Chartered Arbitrator
Accredited Mediator
Queen's Counsel
Recorder
Public Access Training | 1984
1985
1989
2000
2002
2003
2004
2006
2007
2008 |
Membership
Society of Construction Law (former Council Member)
Technology and Construction Bar Association (TECBAR) (former Committee Member and Treasurer)
Commercial Bar Association. (COMBAR)
Law Society Panel of Arbitrators 2006
Rights of audience: Dubai International Finance Centre Court (DIFC)
Other Information
Alexander enjoys theatre and watching (but not playing) tennis.
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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