Atkin Chambers adds Stuart Catchpole from 39 Essex Chambers

Atkin Chambers adds Stuart Catchpole from 39 Essex Chambers

Stuart Catchpole QC from 39 Essex Chambers secured by Specialist set

Stuart Catchpole QC is a leading international construction lawyer who has joined specialist chambers at Atkin Chambers from 39 Essex Chambers.

It is noteworthy that Catchpole's arrival on the set is a big coup for Atkin, which rarely adds to its ranks at the senior level. His practice spans to the UK, Asia-Pacific, as well as the Middle East, making him one of the top construction lawyers in the country.

An experienced lawyer, he has expertise in energy and natural resources, international commercial arbitration, construction and engineering and insurance.

Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, the chambers' head and former chair of the Bar Council, said: "Stuart's move to Atkin Chambers affirms the chambers' domestic and international reputation for intellectual leadership in construction law and related fields, and we are delighted to have him join us."

Having been a resident of Jersey since 2012 and formerly a member of 39 Essex, Mr. Catchpole is registered with the DIFC Courts in Dubai and has served as an adjudicator, mediator and arbitrator with the LCIA, ICC, DIFC-LCIA and DIAC, as well as leading Asian arbitral centers SIAC and HKIAC.

Atkins' capabilities in international disputes were emphasized by Catchpole, which is understood to have been an important factor in his decision to join the group.

As a result of Catchpole's appointment, Atkin counts among its ranks Sir Robert Akenhead, Prof Janet Walker CM and Prof Doug Jones AO.

Similar to Jones, Catchpole is a member of the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration and has participated both as counsel and an arbitrator in hearings at the center.

Atkin anticipates that his arrival will bolster his growing arbitration practice in Australia, complementing other senior tenants such as Doerries, Andrew White QC, Manus McMullan QC and David Streatfeild James QC.

As well as improving his Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern connections, Atkin will reunite him with former 39 Essex CEO and director of clerking David Barnes, who has been with Atkin since 2017.

As Catchpole pointed out, the quality and experience of the company's advocates is reflected in its management team, some of whom he knows well and with whom he has previously worked closely.

Barnes commented that Stuart has an excellent reputation as a highly persuasive and formidable advocate in chambers' key practice areas. He also enjoys a loyal clientele."

The set has welcomed a number of experienced junior tenants since Barnes' arrival at Atkin, including former management consultant Samar Abbas Kazmi, 39 Essex alumnus, who moved in January 2021. Previously with Reed Smith, Shourav Lahiri joined Lamb Chambers in October 2021, while Ryan Turner left in October 2020.

"I am sure that they will continue to continue to be an outstanding group in all of the fields in which they engage." Catchpole thanked 39 Essex for their friendship and support over the years.

The 39 Essex still boasts well-established construction silks like Paul Darling OBE QC, who was once the head of chambers at Atkin's biggest rival Keating Chambers, Marion Smith QC and former Shell General Counsel, Peter Rees QC as well as rising star Patrick Hennessey. In addition, it has specialists in public law, property law, medical malpractice and planning.

Since Barnes' departure, however, the set has suffered several losses on the commercial side, most notably the departure of Hodge Malek QC and Hefin Rees QC to 3 Verulam Buildings in 2018, as well as James Ramsden Doerries, Andrew White QC, Manus McMullan QC and David Streatfeild James QC in 2019 to form the disputes boutique Astraea Group.

In late 2020, Sarah Bowsfield have joined Brick Court, while Sean Wilken QC and juniors Rachel O'Hagan and Alex Bodnar have joined Keating.

A request for comments was not responded by 39 Essex.