Anna Laney KC is a leading construction barrister, specialising in technically complex infrastructure, engineering and related insurance disputes. During the course of her career, she has acted on a diverse range of projects including power and water stations, windfarms, airports, sports stadiums, bridges, luxury homes and mixed-use developments; and has represented employers, developers, contractors, architects, engineers, surveyors and insurers thereby acquiring a holistic understanding of the construction industry.
Anna regularly leads extensive teams of lawyers and experts on high-value international arbitral disputes and has appeared in arbitrations conducted under the DIAC, ICC, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, QICCA and CIMAR Rules. Anna’s practice has a particular focus on Middle East based matters, and has extensive experience acting on arbitrations seated in Dubai, Qatar and Oman and has appeared in the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts.
In addition to her international practice, Anna continues to act on a variety of UK-based matters and regularly appears in the Technology & Construction Court, as well as representing clients in adjudication and mediation proceedings.
Acknowledged as a “formidable advocate and negotiator”, Anna is recognised for her ability to grasp the nuances of extensive and detailed technical evidence and delivers this in a manner that is persuasive and effective. Her advocacy is regarded as “both complex in its approach, but succinct and to the point”, with her cross-examination skills in particular noted as being “second to none”.
“Proactive, commercial, clever and resourceful“, Anna is regularly commended on the supportive environment that she creates resulting in each and every member of the team appreciating the importance of their role and the value of their voice. She is recognised for being “enthusiastic, hard-working and a tremendous team player”, ensuring every member of the team is able to deliver their best work.
Anna is a member of Lincoln’s Inn, TECBAR, COMBAR, LCIARB; and the co-author, with Roger ter Haar KC, of Construction Insurance and UK Construction Contracts, published by Routledge (soon to appear in its fourth edition). Anna’s extensive experience acting as counsel ideally places her to act as arbitrator and accepts instructions in that capacity.
Anna lives in the Surrey Hills with her husband, Simon Howarth KC, Dora the Labrador, Dottie the Springador and two cats – Mabel and Small. She enjoys cooking, eating with friends, long walks home, theatre and gardening. Simon has converted her to the ‘wonders’ of cricket and Bruce Springsteen.
View full profile »Awards
News
- Anna Laney KC elected to sit on The Society of Construction Law’s Council
- Anna Laney KC successfully defends negligent design claim
Events
- Crown Office Chambers Construction and Arbitration team in the Middle East next week
- Dubai Arbitration Week 2024
Articles
- Anna Laney writes article for ICES Construction Law Review 2014 entitled ‘Adjudication: Quick & Filthy’
- Adjudication: a Pioneering decision – by Anna Laney October 2013
Memberships
- COMBAR
- LCLCBA
- TECBAR
Recommendations
“Anna is very good at explaining difficult nuances in the law and is brilliant at cross-examining.”…”Her ability to understand the most complex technical details with absolute ease is just unbelievable.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Anna Laney is extremely personable.”…”She very quickly imbeds herself in the team and brings out the best in people.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
“A well-deserved promotion to KC. A joy to work with – hugely commercial and able to engage well with construction clients.”…”One thing that makes Anna stand out is her ability to get most out of the team working through a case. She dives straight in and has a way of bringing out the best of experts and the team working behind a case.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Anna has an intuitive sense and a wealth of knowledge.”…”She is smart, robust, and super user-friendly. Clients love her tenacious approach.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Anna Laney is the real deal: her ability to grasp the nuances of a technical issue and then to deliver in cross-examination is second to none. She is also a pleasure to work with.”…”She’s wonderful – very strong on her feet, tough to beat, she really gets into the cases, and clients and lawyers love working with her.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Anna is extremely talented. She is the most inclusive and team-focused barrister: her manner with everyone ranging from the client to the most junior member of the team, is excellent, and a skill that is vastly overlooked. To boot, her legal ability really is second to none: her advocacy, both complex in its approach, but succinct and to the point, really is her strength.”… “Highly experienced and knowledgeable. A formidable advocate and negotiator. Excellent at explaining to instructing solicitors and clients in a clear, accessible way.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Anna is an exceptional construction barrister. She is highly responsive, pragmatic and commercial.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“Highly competent, capable, dependable and fantastic to work with. KC quality work and knowledge. Tougher than the rest.”
Legal 500, 2022
“Extremely thorough and knowledgeable, wholly committed to the case at hand. Very impressive delivery in court and personable when dealing with instructing solicitors and clients.”…”Anna always gives clear and authoritative advice on case strategy. She has a calm and friendly demeanour.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Anna is an exceptional construction barrister. She is highly responsive, pragmatic and commercial.”; “She is extremely knowledgeable regarding construction and insurance issues, and also great to deal with.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
“She is incredibly knowledgeable in construction disputes. I have been very impressed with both Anna’s technical knowledge and legal advice.”; “She is outstanding with clients and really puts them at their ease, giving a firm impression that she is on their side.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
