Jessica Stephens was called to the Bar in 2001. She completed her pupillage with Keating Chambers and joined Chambers in October 2002 to develop her specialist practice in construction and engineering disputes.
Since becoming a member of Chambers, Jessica has advised and appeared in a range of cases - varying from disputes concerning residential premises to high value commercial premises - in both the County and High Courts. She has experience in adjudication including advising, drafting submissions and appearing at hearings before adjudicators. She has appeared on applications for the enforcement of adjudicators' decisions and is regularly instructed in disputes concerning professional negligence of construction professionals.
Jessica was junior counsel in a large multi-party construction dispute in the High Court and in the Court of Appeal in relation to a case involving allegations of nuisance by flooding.
In recent years, she has been instructed in very large international arbitrations including disputes relating to the construction of two ultra harsh environment oil rigs and a project relating to the conversion of a bulk carrier into a pipe laying vessel.
Additionally, she represents clients in party wall, tree roots and boundary disputes and also advises and appears in cases concerning landlord and tenant matters as well as general commercial disputes.
Recommendations
Construction
“rated highly by peers for her expertise in construction and engineering disputes.”
Chambers and Partners 2010
Construction
“confident and methodical” “more than capable of handling cases that might have daunted others of her age”
Chambers and Partners 2009
“....notable praise from clients and peers who valued her input as a junior.”
Chambers and Partners 2008
...quick turnaround of work and "straight to the point" attitude.
Chambers and Partners 2007
“…few more popular construction juniors around…”
...a big hit with clients.
Times Online "Future stars of the Bar" 2007
Examples of recent work
Construction
- Acting for an Indian manufacturer of process plant equipment in a dispute concerning delay and defects relating to the construction of a demineralised water treatment plant.
- Acting for Bovis Lend Lease Limited in disputes involving delays and loss and expense in relation to a large retail development in Warrington.
- Acting for a Korean shipyard in a US$500 million international arbitration under LCIA rules concerning specification and delay issues relating to the construction of two ultra harsh condition jack up oil rigs.
- Acting for an Arab contractor in a $45 million dollar dispute in relation to a project in Kuwait constructing oil pipelines and tanks.
- Acted for Secretary of State for Transport in claims in relation to alleged defective design and construction of the Thelwall Viaduct on the M6 Motorway.
- Acted as Junior to Mr Vivian Ramsey QC on a multimillion pound dispute relating to the Chek Lap Kok international airport in Hong Kong.
- Acting for Canary Wharf Contractors Limited on various disputes including claims arising from the collapse of tower crane and claims arising from cost overruns on several new developments.
- Appearing as advocate in the High Court on applications to enforce and oppose adjudicator’s decisions.
- Advising on disputes relating to industrial property including industrial units and warehouses.
Professional Negligence
Information Technology
- Acting for a manufacturer of automotive testing equipment and developer of associated software in a dispute involving specification and copyright issues relating to the supply of automotive testing equipment in India.
Party Walls and Rights of Light
- Advising contractors and developers in relation to rights of light disputes in relation to commercial and domestic developments.
- Advising and acting for contractors, private individuals and developers in relation to party wall disputes.
Professional CV
Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) University of
Western Australia
Judicial Assistant to the Honourable Justice Lee, Federal
Court of Australia
Called to the Bar (Lincoln's Inn)
Pupillage, Keating Chambers
Keating Chambers
Public Access Training | 1998
1999
2001
2001-2002
2002
2008 |
Memberships
Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR)
Other Information
Jessica enjoys running and has completed the London Marathon.
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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