Call: 1993
Silk: 2012
"Piers has the calmness of a Jedi master. He is utterly unflappable, no matter the circumstances. Brilliant service, brilliant expertise and brilliant commerciality from a brilliant advocate."
Chambers UK Bar 2024
Piers has established a reputation as a “formidable advocate” and a “superb fighter” in the many trials that he has conducted. His advocacy is engaging and persuasive, and he is a tenacious cross-examiner. His written work is described as “first class”.
Piers has wide experience of construction, engineering, energy, professional negligence, shipbuilding and IT disputes. He has an “excellent grasp of complex technical issues” including engineering, delay analysis and forensic accountancy. He is known for his meticulous preparation and the clear and attractive presentation of his client’s case to the tribunal. He is described as having “the ear of the Court” and providing “the ideal balance between technical knowledge and effective advocacy”.
Piers continues to be instructed to appear in high-value and hard-fought TCC trials and arbitrations. He represented the successful claimants in a complex PFI dispute (Essex County Council v UBB), a termination case involving a petrochemical plant (SABIC UK Petrochemicals v Punj Lloyd), and the building owner in a multi- party dispute concerning defects in a large residential development (Greenwich Millennium Village v Essex Services Group and Others). Piers has also appeared before both domestic and international arbitral tribunals in substantial shipbuilding and construction disputes.
Piers also has an extensive advisory practice and is known for his “keen legal acumen and commercial insight”. From 2021, Piers is a joint editor of Keating on Construction Contracts.
(All quotations above are from the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 guides.)
Represented the main contractor in a TCC trial regarding the construction of the Athlete’s Village for the London 2012 Olympics.
Advised and represented local authorities and contractors in claims arising out of major infrastructure projects.
Advised and represented a Korean contractor in an ICC arbitration concerned with a port facility in the Middle East.
Advised and represented clients in various proceedings to enforce adjudicators’ decisions, including successfully defending such proceedings on the basis of breach of natural justice, and winding up proceedings in the Companies Court.
Represented the successful Claimant in the trial of a £15 million claim regarding the termination of a contract to construct a petrochemical plant.
Obtained an injunction on behalf of a UK Oil Company to compel a contractor to complete pipeline work in North Sea under contract subject to CRINE conditions.
Acted for a UK bio diesel producer in a dispute with the designer and manufacturer of chemical plant.
Advised a Korean contractor in relation to contracts for the construction of a power station in Qatar.
Advised the UK government on a multi-billion PFI contract.
Advised and represented NHS Trusts and major UK contractors in adjudication and Dispute Resolution Board proceedings arising out of PFI projects for the design and construction of hospitals.
Advised the main contractor in connection with one of the UK’s largest PPP schemes, concerning waste water treatment facilities.
Acted for the contractor in a claim against consulting mechanical and electrical engineers relating to the alleged negligent installation of a nitrate storage facility.
Advised and represented a national house builder in a high value claim against specialist planning solicitors.
Advised a national museum in connection with a negligence claim against Danish architects.
Defended surveyors against claims for negligence arising from the valuation of a property that subsequently suffered from subsidence.
Advised and represented a client in a multi-million pound ICC arbitration involving computerised design development and CNC programming.
Advised and represented an insurer in TCC litigation arising out of the malfunction of a computerised building management system.
Represented the owner in a dispute regarding a £500 million specialist vessel constructed in Korea.
Represented the owner in an arbitration concerning design defects in a high-speed passenger ferry.
Public Access Training, 2007
TECBAR Accredited Adjudicator
Keating Chambers, 1994
Pupillage, Keating Chambers, 1993-94
Called to the Bar (Inner Temple), 1993
Treasurer’s Prize and Jardine Studentship, Inner Temple, 1993
(for highest Bar Finals mark in Inner Temple)
Inns of Court School of Law (Overall Grade – Outstanding), 1992-93
Ashworth Scholar, Inner Temple, 1992
Bachelor of Laws, University of Bristol, 1992
Piers is a keen cyclist and participates in races in the UK and occasionally on the continent. He also enjoys travel, theatre and music.
Technology and Construction Bar Association (TECBAR)
Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR)
Society of Construction Law
Society for Computers and Law
Contributor, Keating on Construction Contracts, Ninth Edition (2012)
Contributor, Keating on NEC3
