Informa Professional

Mr. Justice Akenhead

Robert Akenhead was called to the bar in 1972 where he was in continuous practice as a specialist construction law barrister until 2007. Robert took silk in 1989.

In 1991 he was appointed as a Recorder and Deputy Technology and Construction Court Judge and in 2007 was appointed a Judge of the High Court, Queens Bench Division.

During his career at the Bar Robert had extensive UK and international workload, both in court and in arbitration and took appointments under the full spectrum of ADR.

Matters involved a wide-ranging field of different types of both engineering and construction which included: tunnels, railways, power stations, dams, roads, bridges, buildings of all types, oil and gas installations and airports. Robert acted for employers, developers, governments, local authorities, contractors, sub-contractors and all types of construction related professionals.

Peter Fraser

Peter was called to the bar in 1989 and in 2003 was appointed as a Recorder of the Crown Court. He specialises in a wide range of commercial fields including: construction, engineering, oil and gas, information technology, professional negligence, international disputes, power and transport.

Peter is regularly instructed to act in international disputes and has recently appeared in cases in Bermuda, Hong Kong, China, South Africa and the Gulf States.

He regularly acts as an arbitrator in domestic arbitrations. Peter is also an accredited mediator and has experience both as meditor and acts for parties engaged in mediation. He is an experienced adjudicator and also acts for parties involved in adjudication.

Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC

Chantal was called to the bar in 1992 and took silk in 2008. She has expertise in domestic and international arbitration, domestic courts, mediation and adjudication. Her main practice fields are: construction and engineering disputes, power, information technology, professional negligence, transport infrastructure and commercial litigation.

Chantal is also a TECBAR accredited adjudicator and is joint chair of the Forum of Barristers and Advocates of the International Bar Association.

James Howells

James was called to the bar in 1995. James practices across a broad range of disputes in litigation, arbitration and all forms of alternative dispute resolution of technical disputes in all their forms. James has wide experience in advisory, preparatory and Advocacy work for international arbitration.

James has experience of domestic disputes covering a wide range of technical disputes from construction and engineering to telecommunications and computer systems and software. James also has experience of all major (and many of the lesser used) construction and engineering standard forms of contract. James' experience ranges from High Court litigation to arbitration and adjudication.

Christopher Lewis

Chris was called to the bar in 1998. Chris' expertise is principally in construction (including shipbuilding), engineering, energy, technology and related matters. Chris has a particular interest in conflict of laws. He also has expertise in bonds, guarantees and informatin technology disputes.

He has previously appeared in various trials and arbitrations encompassing, for example, claims in respect of tree root nuisance, a pub refurbishment, construction of a nursing home, painting and decorating contracts, works on domestic properties.