Energy & Natural Resources
Recommended in Legal 500 and Chambers UK
Crispin’s energy practice involves large-scale projects in the UK and around the world. His experience includes oil and gas, petrochemical plants, power generation and renewables, including biomass, waste-to-energy and solar power (both PV and CSP).
Selected Cases
- Acting in a dispute under a consortium agreement in respect of a 120MW diesel power plant in the Middle East. Claims and counterclaims in excess of $12m. ICC arbitration with Zurich seat and Swiss substantive law. 6 day evidential hearing.
- Acting for the owner of a 485MW CCGT power plant in the Middle East in a $40m ICC arbitration against the offtaker concerning claims under a power purchase agreement for capacity charges and wrongly withheld LADs. 5 day evidential hearing.
- Acting for the owner and operator of a 50MW concentrating solar power (CSP) plant in South Africa in a $90m ICC arbitration concerning EPC contractor’s claims for generation upside payments and owner’s counterclaims for performance LADs and defects. 13 day evidential hearing.
- Shepherd Construction v Drax Power [2021] EWHC 1478 (TCC); 196 Con LR 239 – acting for the owner in a dispute as to the effect of retention provisions in a contract based on the FIDIC Yellow Book 1999 which had been varied to add further works as part of the conversion of Drax Power Station to biomass.
- Acting for the owner of a waste-to-energy plant in relation to a £multi-million dispute in respect of delay and defects.
- Lead counsel for a state-owned oil company and its insurers in a $60m ICC arbitration arising from a fire at an oil refinery in the Middle East. 2 week evidential hearing. Issues included analysis and quantification of the impact of the resulting shutdown on the operation of the refinery.
- Acting for a contractor in a $400m LCIA arbitration relating to an oil and gas project in the Middle East. Bespoke contract. London seat and substantive law of the Middle Eastern state. 2 week evidential hearing. Issues included contractual interpretation, process engineering, delay analysis and quantum.
- Representing a state-owned oil company in a $multi-billion LCIA arbitration arising from an oil and gas project in the Middle East. Bespoke contract. London seat and substantive law of the Middle Eastern state. 2 week evidential hearing. Issues included contractual interpretation, engineering practice in the oil and gas industry and quantity surveying practice.
- Representing a UK contractor in a dispute with an Italian steel fabricator in relation to a contract for the supply of steel products to an iron ore mine in West Africa.
- Acting in a £multi-million TCC dispute over the fabrication of process units for installation in an FPSO.
- Advising a European contractor in relation to a number of water treatment works and power generation projects (including biomass).
- Acting for a state-owned oil company in a £100m LCIA arbitration concerning an oil and gas project in the Middle East. Bespoke contract. London seat and substantive law of the Middle Eastern state.
- Acting for a Danish contractor in DAB proceedings relating to a 720MW CCGT power plant in the Caribbean. London seat and English substantive law.
- Acting for Total UK in relation to the explosion at the Buncefield Oil Storage Depot.
News
- Crispin Winser KC to speak at The Society of Construction Law Leeds Annual Conference on 6th March
- Crispin Winser KC to speak at Vinson & Elkins Middle East Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Conference
Events
- Crispin Winser KC to speak at The Society of Construction Law Leeds Annual Conference on 6th March
- Crispin Winser KC to speak at Vinson & Elkins Middle East Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Conference
Articles
- An Exercise in Utility: Liquidators Adjudicating Construction Disputes
- “When Insolvency Trumps Rough Justice: Injunctions and Stays of Execution of Adjudication Proceedings”, The Society of Construction Law
Qualifications
- Appointed QC (now KC) – 2021
- Registered practitioner in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts – 2013
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators – 2007
- MSc Construction Law & Dispute Resolution, King’s College London – 2007
- Called to the Bar, Inner Temple – 2003
- Bar Vocational Course, Inns of Court School of Law – 2003 (Inner Temple Major Scholarship)
- Diploma in Law, City University – 2002 (City University Scholarship)
- BA English & Philosophy, Bristol University – 2000
Memberships
- British Japanese Law Association
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb)
- Commercial Bar Association
- LCIA European Users Council
- London Bar Association
- Society of Construction Law (UK & Gulf)
- Technology & Construction Bar Association
Rankings
- Legal 500 2026 London Bar: recommended for Construction, Energy, Insurance & Reinsurance, International Arbitration and Professional Negligence
- Legal 500 2025 Middle East: the English Bar: recommended for Construction
- Chambers UK 2026: recommended for Construction, Construction: Professional Negligence, Energy & Natural Resources and International Arbitration: Construction/Engineering
- Chambers Global 2025: recommended for Construction
- Lexology Index 2026: recommended for Construction and Professional Negligence
Recommendations
“Crispin is a stand-out advocate with in-depth knowledge of complicated construction mandates. He sees through the noise to target the key issues in the matter with panache.”…”His cross-examination is so effective, he’s very commercially astute and imposing and he explains complex analysis in a great way.”
Chambers & Partners, 2026
“Crispin is a true gentleman which works in his favour during cross-examination as it catches witnesses off-guard.”…”calm, does well in court, is a good advocate and is definitely someone I will be using in the future.”
Chambers & Partners, 2026
“A brilliant advocate who has the ear of the Court, Crispin is measured but persuasive, and not afraid to take positions when advising.” … “Crispin is the go-to barrister for complex claims, in particular complex coverage claims. His advice is clear, concise, and he cuts through complex issues with ease.” … “meticulous attention to detail…stealth like cross-examination with polite assassination of opposing experts”.
Legal 500, 2026
“Crispin’s cross-examination is very impressive. He is super-cool, calm and collected, and is someone you want on your side.”… He “demonstrates exceptional expertise and a solution-focused approach. He displays a deep understanding of any complexities involved. He’s a valuable asset to any team in an arbitration.” … “Crispin is extremely user-friendly and he really gets involved, being willing to roll up his sleeves and go through the issues.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Crispin is an incredibly talented advocate who is persuasive, calm, and comprehensive, and who delivers oral submissions in a thorough and thoughtful way.”…”One of the best in the game. He has a no-nonsense style which gets the job [done] very effectively but without unnecessary drama.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Crispin Winser is an exceptionally hard-working and brilliant barrister” … “His expertise in international construction arbitrations is exceptional and he is clear, concise and extremely convincing.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Crispin is clever, works hard and fast, has clarity of thought and a pleasant demeanour. He is a spectacular advocate.”…”Crispin can dissect complex legal issues and identify key arguments and strategies, and his extensive knowledge and meticulous ensure he can build a strong case.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Crispin is an excellent advocate, balancing a willingness to investigate matters fully to gain a mastery of the details, with a firm eye on the core matters in dispute to provide practical, commercial advice and incisive cross-examination.”…”Extremely knowledgeable and pragmatic, explains clearly and concisely. Not just the law itself but strategically how to reach the desired objective.”
Legal 500, 2024
“He’s just always composed, really, really smart and very measured. He delivers beautiful advocacy which is a pleasure to listen to.” … “Crispin is an excellent and approachable leader.” … “Crispin raises the game because he will think of every possible argument, which makes him a challenging opponent.” … “His written work is extremely good and he has shown himself to be a very adept advocate.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023
“He is extremely intelligent, quick and efficient, and his advocacy style is calm, measured but forceful when necessary.” … “Crispin is excellent” … “Crispin is an extremely bright barrister who solicitors would highly recommend in international arbitration. He is able to process and distill large volumes of information which he is able to assess quickly to get to the nub of the matter. He retains information at his fingertips and when asked for his views he is very quick to provide sound, reasoned and practical advice.”
Legal 500, 2023
“He is a good sounding board for strategies and excellent on his feet where he is very calm and assured.” … “A very clinical and really compelling advocate.” … “His strengths lie in quickly grasping the matter of the dispute and delivering fast, reliable advice.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“Crispin is frighteningly bright. He has a forensic mind which allows him to see through the chaff and get to the nub of any issue quickly. His advocacy style is calm, measured but insistent. Very effective.” … “Simply superb. Very responsive, helpful and suitably aggressive when he needs to be. A dedicated expert in his field. Richly deserved elevation to silk.” … “An excellent and polished advocate who works exceptionally hard to master the papers and be fully on top of the brief.”
Legal 500, 2022
“Reasonable, on top of the detail, commercial and an amazing advocate – particularly at cross-examination.”
Legal 500 EMEA, 2021
“A highly recommended dispute resolution practitioner who excels at assisting construction and energy sector clients in complex proceedings.”
Who's Who Legal 2021
