Alexander Nissen was called to the Bar in 1985 and became a Queen's 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
With a “brain the size of a planet,” Alexander Nissen QC is “particularly outstanding in the context of adjudication matters, where his knowledge and instinct is unrivalled.” In addition, he is “awfully steady and incredibly thorough - he often sees arguments that the other side fails to spot.”
Chambers and Partners 2010
Construction
"His knowledge and instinct is unrivalled in adjudications" and there is no doubt that he has acquired a reputation as someone who can handle difficult cases.
Chambers and Partners 2009
“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 in litigation for client in respect of a £20m claim for defective air conditioning installation at office accommodation.
- Acted for subcontractor in adjudication and subsequent litigation concerning the application of a pay when paid clause.
- Acted in litigation for contractor in respect of a £2m defects claim for defective installation of windows.
- Acted for client on a substantial defects claim in commercial premises, approximately £3m.
- Acted for client on structural defects claim in residential development, approximately £2m.
- Acted for client on adjudication enforcement claim for delay in relation to residential development.
- 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 the Blackwall Tunnel.
- Acted for contractor in adjudication enforcement proceedings relating to the laying of a gas pipeline.
- Acted for contractor in arbitration of professional negligence claim of £5m concerning geotechnical and structural issues at commercial premises.
Professional Negligence
- In litigation, acted for civil engineer sued for £6m in respect of claim for defectively designed commercial premises which were the subject of heave.
- In litigation, acted for quantity surveyor sued for £14m in respect of negligent procurement and valuation.
- 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. Subsequently acted for contractor in passing on claim 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 £26m 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 claim for installation of wind turbines in Scotland.
- Acted for subcontractor in adjudication concerning variations (£33m) and liquidated damages (£4m) on coal fired power station.
- Acted for contractor in respect of arbitration claims for work done at mineral sands extraction process plant and associated sub-station works in Mozambique.
- Acted for employer on £2m adjudication dispute relating to the installation of a gas pipeline.
- Acted for contractor in respect of dispute concerning the installation of an energy from waste facility, including claim for £16m liquidated damages.
- Acted for contractor in respect of dispute concerning conversion of wood to energy plant.
- Acted for contractor in TCC litigation concerning £4.5m claim in respect of the design and construction of a petroleum complex in Qatar.
- 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$100m.
Shipping
- Acted for party in connection with late delivery of vessel for use in North Sea.
- Acted for party in connection with claims (value circa £100m) under EPC contract for delivery of topsides, process and utility equipment.
- Acted for party in connection with diving services contract in North Sea.
- Acted 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 by the Supreme Court of Turks and Caicos Islands as sole arbitrator in connection with a US$3.5m dispute between contractor and hotel developer in Turks and Caicos.
- Appointed as sole arbitrator by the ICC in connection with a dispute concerning the audit of records on a project for the production and delivery of two off-shore production structures, production decks and related equipment in the Black Sea.
- Appointed by the parties as sole arbitrator in a £14m dispute relating to design manufacture, delivery, erection and commissioning of a bio diesel and glycerine production plant.
- Appointed as sole arbitrator by the ICC for a US$6m 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 by parties as adjudicator on dispute concerning a PFI project relating to sheltered housing.
- Appointed as adjudicator on dispute relating to payment, extensions of time and loss and expense.
- Appointed by parties as adjudicator in relation to a dispute over a collision involving a tube train.
- Appointed by parties as adjudicator in relation to a dispute on a PFI project involving a school.
Publications
- Contributor, Keating on Construction Contracts - Eighth Edition (2006) and supplement (2008).
- Editorial team, Keating on Building Contracts, (5th, 6th and 7th 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)
Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates
Other Information
Alexander enjoys theatre and watching (but not playing) tennis.
Contact Us
If you would like to discuss ways in which Keating Chambers can assist you or your organisation, please contact 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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