Chris Bates

Partner

Chris Bates

Partner

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+44 (0)20 7457 3152

London

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Sectors

Chris is a partner in the construction advisory and dispute resolution team in London, specialising in construction and related insurance disputes. He acts for clients to resolve high-value and technically complex claims, including in relation to defective works, professional negligence, payment and change, delay and prolongation, and termination issues.

He also regularly advises on construction insurance issues, including undertaking complicated coverage investigations and acting on coverage disputes. Chris is experienced in disputes arising from all types of commercial building projects, as well as large-scale civil infrastructure and engineering schemes across all major sectors (including real estate, transport, industrial, utilities, and the environment). Chris specialises in building safety issues, acting for developers, owners, contractors, professionals and insurers on a range of cladding and other fire safety related instructions. Due to this, he has been invited by the government to contribute to its consultations over the practical impact of the changes introduced by the Building Safety Act 2022 on the construction industry.

I work with my construction and insurance industry clients to successfully resolve complex problems and disputes for them. I always strive to listen and properly understand what really matters to my clients and then deliver commercial and practical solutions backed by robust claims analysis and excellent client service.

Chris Bates, Partner

Chris is experienced in all forms of dispute resolution used in the construction industry, such as multi-party TCC litigation, arbitration, adjudication and all forms of ADR (including mediation). He also regularly advises clients in the background on live projects at the early stages of potential disputes, providing expert support either to avoid escalation or to put clients in the best position to bring or defend claims where necessary.

Recent work highlights

£100 million negligence claim

Successfully securing the full release of a global engineering client from litigation concerning alleged defects at a PFI hospital with damages claimed in excess of £100 million.

Insurance coverage on fire safety claims

Advising insurer clients on professional indemnity policy coverage for claims against their insured design and build contractors and consultants over fire safety defects on high rise buildings.

Adjudication over housing project issues

Successfully defending an employer client in an adjudication bought by the main contractor relating to delay issues and a loss and expense claim on a new build housing scheme.

Multi-party TCC litigation over university buildings

Acting for an international design consultant and their insurers in high value multi-party TCC litigation arising from extensive brickwork defects at a leading UK university.

Railway project dispute

Advising and acting for a developer client in relation to payment and termination final account disputes in respect of a NEC contract for the design and construction of new railway station.

Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act claim

Representing insurer clients in a direct cladding claim against them under the Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act 2010 following the insolvency of their insured contractor.

Water supply dispute

Advising a national property developer in a complex dispute relating to water supply issues at a development site, including achieving a final determination from OFWAT in the client’s favour.

Payment dispute on re-development project

Acting for a main contractor client in an adjudication brought by a sub-contractor over the true value of the sub-contract account on a re-development project.

Monitoring counsel for insurer clients

Undertaking a monitoring counsel role for insurer clients in relation to a claim against its insured, a leading international engineering firm, arising from the insured’s involvement in a high-profile infrastructure project in Scotland.

Main contract termination on housing project

Advising an employer client in respect of significant contractor defaults on a housing project leading to a successful termination of the main contract.

Major national tunnelling project

Providing an international engineering client with ongoing advice and claims support in connection with a major national tunnelling project.

Insurance coverage on hospital claim

Advising insurer clients on professional indemnity policy coverage for a range of claims brought against their insured, an international mechanical and electrical contractor, arising from alleged building services defects at a large PFI hospital.

Water supply dispute

Advising a national property developer in a complex dispute relating to water supply issues at a development site, including achieving a final determination from OFWAT in the client’s favour.

Payment dispute on re-development project

Acting for a main contractor client in an adjudication brought by a sub-contractor over the true value of the sub-contract account on a re-development project.

Monitoring counsel for insurer clients

Undertaking a monitoring counsel role for insurer clients in relation to a claim against its insured, a leading international engineering firm, arising from the insured’s involvement in a high-profile infrastructure project in Scotland.

Main contract termination on housing project

Advising an employer client in respect of significant contractor defaults on a housing project leading to a successful termination of the main contract.

Major national tunnelling project

Providing an international engineering client with ongoing advice and claims support in connection with a major national tunnelling project.

Insurance coverage on hospital claim

Advising insurer clients on professional indemnity policy coverage for a range of claims brought against their insured, an international mechanical and electrical contractor, arising from alleged building services defects at a large PFI hospital.

External recognition
Rankings from respected legal directories reflect the reputation our lawyers have earned across their key sectors and areas of practice.

What people are saying

Chris Bates is very hardworking and an outstanding lawyer. Also, a real team player and excellent to work with.

Legal 500

Chris Bates stands out within the team… He finds the balance between providing a comprehensive legal analysis whilst remaining alive to the commercial and practical realities of his clients

Legal 500

Chris Bates at Penningtons is extremely clever and has excellent attention to detail… I would highly recommend Chris in any coverage matter.

Legal 500

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