Stephen Furst has been a member of Keating Chambers for over 30 years and is the current co-author of Keating on Construction Contracts (8th Edition). He specialises in construction, engineering, energy and technology related disputes along with professional negligence actions within these specialist areas of expertise. Mr Furst regularly acts for clients in U.K. High Courts, Court of Appeal and the House of Lords along with all forms of alternative dispute resolution. Mr Furst also has a significant international practice with recent arbitrations relating to projects in Hong Kong, Korea, Republic of Ireland, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.
Mr Furst has developed a reputation for handling the most technically challenging cases and has frequently undertaken highly complex claims in areas such as tunnelling projects, power station construction, oil rig design, process plants, ship building and software. His clients include developers, engineers, main contractors, shipyards, UK and foreign Governments.
Mr Furst regularly acts as an arbitrator on domestic and international arbitrations for bodies including the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA). He is also an accredited adjudicator and mediator of considerable experience.
Stephen Furst is a Deputy Judge of the Technology and Construction Court and U.K. Criminal Courts.
Recommendations
Construction and Engineering
“deserves all the rave reviews he gets; he quickly grasps the key points in even the most complex of cases.” ... "A great legal brain and pure excellence of presentation" mark out Stephen Furst QC. ... "in a quiet and logical way he goes about making the other side look ridiculous."
International Arbitration
“a tidy, incisive counsel who really knows his stuff”...“solid judgment that allows him to see when something won’t work”..."the highly intelligent Stephen Furst QC purveys a reputation as one of the best arbitrators around"... "sources have labelled Stephen Furst QC the brain for his outstanding intelligence and ability to handle highly technical and complex issues."
Chambers & Partners / Legal 500
Examples of recent work
Construction and Engineering
- Advised and represented client before a Dispute Review Board during the construction of a major road tunnel project in the Republic of Ireland.
- Acted for the steel work contractor during ICC arbitration proceedings concerning the construction of a cement factory in the Far East.
- Advised a US client on a multi-million dollar claim relating to equipment supplied to a glass factory in Egypt.
- Advised and represented employer in arbitration proceedings relating to ‘short-piling” issues on a government housing project in China.
- Advising the local authority on disputes relating to claims against the main contractor for delays in the completion of the Bath Spa project.
- Represented an Irish local authority during arbitration proceedings relating to claims arising from EU funded upgrade work to a city sewer system.
- Advised the World Bank on claims relating to a major dam and road infrastructure contract in Africa.
- Represented a micro boring specialist sub contractor in arbitration proceedings regarding claims of delay arising from the renewal of the Bangkok water and sewage system.
- Advised and represented client in dispute about the impact of building defects on productivity and output in a new factory for the production of car parts.
Energy
- Advised on various contractual disputes in relation to a SIAC arbitration concerning the construction of a process plant facility in China.
- Advised and represented a Japanese main contractor in relation to a new power station construction project in the Middle East.
- Advised a French specialist contractor on claims arising from the construction of new containment and decommissioning facilities at a nuclear power station in the Ukraine.
- Acting for the shipyard in international arbitration proceedings regarding the construction of two ultra harsh condition jack up oil rigs.
- Represented Henry Boot Construction Limited on £30 million claim arising from construction projects at a U.K. power station.
- Obtained injunction on behalf of UK Oil Company to compel a contractor to complete pipeline work in North Sea under contract subject to CRINE conditions.
Information Technology
- Represented government department in relation to an IT dispute arising from a project to construct a human centrifuge training facility.
- Representing clients in relation to fault-free analysis of a computer programme associated with the safety of machinery.
- Advised the in-house legal department of an international telecommunications corporation on disputes relating to electronic communication systems on the London Underground.
- Advising government department on multi-million pound contract for the provision of computers and other IT services.
Recent Appointments
Arbitrator
- Chairman of ICC tribunal: Design, manufacturer and installation of several gas turbines for a power station in Asia.
- Party appointed ICC tribunal: Multinational pipeline project in Asia.
- LCIA appointed arbitrator: Oil exploration operations in central Asia.
- Sole arbitrator: Construction of a landfill repository and associated works in the United Kingdom.
- Sole arbitrator: Prestige housing development in the United Kingdom.
- Sole arbitrator: Opencast mining operations in the United Kingdom
Adjudicator
- Dispute between employer and PPP in relation to upgrade work on the London Underground.
- Claim for professional negligence arising from a large commercial development.
- Sums due under a prime cost contract.
- Raw materials price formula dispute.
- Approved adjudicator in a dozen CTRL (Channel Tunnel Rail Link) contracts.
Mediator
- Design & Build contract for waste water treatment plant in the United Kingdom.
- A large commercial property construction project in the United Kingdom.
- Offshore oil platform engineering operations in the North Sea.
- Liability for defective work to a harbour complex in the United Kingdom.
Publications
- Joint Editor, Keating on Building Contracts, supplement to 7th edition 2004
- Joint Editor, Keating on Building Contracts, 7th edition, 2001
- Joint Editor, Construction Law Yearbook - 1994,1995
- Developed a computerised construction law database - 1991-2003
Seminars
Professional CV
BA (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, St Edmund Hall, Oxford
Bachelor of Laws (Hons), University of Leeds
Called to the Bar (Middle Temple)
Keating Chambers
Queen’s Counsel
Assistant Recorder
Recorder (authorised to sit as a Judge of the Technology and Construction Court)
Bencher, Middle Temple
Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators
TECBAR Accredited Adjudicator
COMBAR Mediator
Public Access Training | 1972
1974
1975
1976
1991
1992
1999
2003
2003
2007 |
Memberships
London Court of International Arbitration
Technology and Construction Bar Association (TECBAR)
Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR)
Society of Construction Law
Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates
Other Information
Stephen conducts seminars for construction companies, quantity surveyors and solicitors on topics ranging from timeframe and termination provisions to current adjudication issues and international arbitration.
In his spare time Stephen is a keen rugby fan and despite his Scottish allegiances, can often be seen at Twickenham. He is also a bee keeper.
Contact Us
If 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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