Described as a “standout set for energy-related construction disputes”, Keating Chambers has specialist advocates with a deep understanding of the demanding technical, legal and commercial issues that arise in disputes within the energy sector. Our “virtually unrivalled strength in depth” is built upon many years of experience with onshore, offshore and marine projects, and barristers at Keating Chambers are praised for their “practical, hands-on approach”. With a number of barristers having a dual qualification in engineering, they are well-equipped to handle disputes involving the most complex technical issues.
Types of Disputes
Renewable Energy
Our members lead the field in experience of renewable energy disputes. They have acted in high profile disputes involving onshore and offshore windfarms and solar farms. Experience includes appearing in the Supreme Court case of Eon v MT Hojgaard, the leading case on “fitness for purpose” obligations, concerning the construction of the Robin Rigg offshore wind farm.
Waste and Waste to Energy
Members have significant experience in waste to energy/waste from energy disputes and a deep understanding of the technical aspects of the gasification process. Reported cases included Essex County Council v UBB waste, a six week trial in the TCC concerning the defective construction of a waste treatment facility under a PFI contract.
Power Plants & Nuclear
Members have considerable experience in power generation, including coal and oil-fired power stations and combined cycle power stations. In the nuclear sector, our members have acted in disputes including new build, spent fuel, reprocessing of fuel, disposal of fuel, the design of nuclear waste storage and decommissioning.
Battery Energy Storage
Members of Chambers have significant experience in the developing field of battery energy storage systems (BESS), both in terms of advisory and dispute work, as well as dealing with matters as a tribunal. The complex technical and contractual issues which arise in this emerging area are matched by our members’ depth of experience in complex technical fields.
Oil & Gas
In the oil and gas industry, members have wide-ranging experience throughout the world. This experience extends from well share agreements and oilfield exploitation disputes on the upstream side, the construction of artificial islands to facilitate oil extraction on the production side, and to plant performance and equipment disputes on the downstream processing side.
Water Treatment
Our members have represented clients in disputes arising out of both onshore and offshore desalination plants, ranging from defective design to cyclone damage, as well as those arising out of sewerage and water treatment facilities in the UK and internationally.
Offshore & Marine
Our members’ marine engineering experience extends to the construction of topside processing plant, jacket and pile installation, accommodation modules, FPSOs and seabed pipelaying. In shipbuilding, barristers have acted in disputes relating to vessels destined for the offshore energy sector such as jack-ups, cable laying vessels and drillships, as well as vessels used in other sectors such as ferries, dredgers, naval vessels (including submarines) and general cargo vessels. Reported cases in this area include Adyard Abu Dhabi v SDS Marine Services concerning the use of the prevention principle in shipbuilding contracts.
Commercial
Our members are also able to deal with wider commercial disputes that arise over the lifetime of an energy project including planning and environmental regulation, financing, pricing, treaty issues and insurance.
Industry Recognition
Keating Chambers is ranked as a leading set for energy disputes in both Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500. The set has been awarded ‘Construction & Energy Set of the Year’ by The Legal 500 and our members are regularly shortlisted for silk and junior of the year awards in this category. Clients comment that "there is an incredible depth to the expertise at Keating”, and "I have never had anything but outstanding service from both senior and junior counsel."
Thought Leadership
Members of Keating Chambers are renowned leaders and contribute to the development of technical knowledge through publishing authoritative texts, delivering webinars and lectures, and taking part in high-profile legal conferences worldwide. Notably they are the authors of “Keating on Offshore Construction and Marine Engineering” (third edition published September 2024) and “Oil & Gas Contracts: Principles and Practice”.
