International Arbitration
Recommended in Legal 500 and Chambers UK
Crispin has an extensive international arbitration practice, acting in connection with construction, engineering, infrastructure and energy projects and related insurance disputes. He has acted in relation to claims concerning projects in Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East (including Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) and has substantial experience of civil law jurisdictions. Before he took silk, Crispin was recognised by the Legal 500 2019 as “One of the top junior barristers in the construction/arbitration field”.
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and accepts appointments as arbitrator.
Selected Cases
- $12m ICC arbitration in respect of a 120MW diesel power plant in the Middle East. Zurich seat and Swiss substantive law. 6 day evidential hearing.
- $10m ICC arbitration relating to electrical cabling works in connection with the construction of a 10-lane expressway. Middle Eastern seat and substantive law of the Middle Eastern state. 5 day evidential hearing.
- $40m ICC arbitration relating to a 485MW CCGT power plant. London seat and substantive law of the Middle Eastern state. 5 day evidential hearing.
- $multi-billion ad hoc international arbitration concerning consultancy services in respect of a major multi-package infrastructure project. Middle Eastern seat and substantive law of the Middle Eastern state. 45 days of evidential hearings.
- €10m ICC arbitration concerning a medical facility. Maltese seat and Maltese substantive law. 5 day evidential hearing.
- $90m ICC arbitration concerning a concentrating solar power (CSP) plant in South Africa. London seat and English substantive law. 13 day evidential hearing.
- $20m DIFC-LCIA arbitration relating to the expansion of a shopping mall. DIFC seat and UAE substantive law. 3 day evidential hearing.
- $100m ad hoc international arbitration concerning the construction of an 8-lane expressway. Middle Eastern seat and substantive law of the Middle Eastern state. 13 day evidential hearing.
- $60m ICC arbitration arising from a fire at an oil refinery. Middle Eastern seat and substantive law of the Middle Eastern state. 2 week evidential hearing.
- $400m LCIA arbitration relating to an oil and gas project. London seat and substantive law of the Middle Eastern state. 2 week evidential hearing.
- $500m ICC arbitration relating to the construction of an international airport. Middle Eastern seat and substantive law of the Middle Eastern state. 13 day evidential hearing.
- $multi-billion LCIA arbitration arising from an oil and gas project. London seat and substantive law of the Middle Eastern state. 2 week evidential hearing.
- $750m ICC arbitration relating to the construction of an international airport. Middle Eastern seat and substantive law of the Middle Eastern state. 65 days of evidential hearings.
- $85m ICC arbitration concerning civil engineering works. Middle Eastern seat and substantive law of the Middle Eastern state. 5 day evidential hearing.
- $40m LCIA arbitration arising out of a tunnelling project in the Middle East. London seat and English substantive law.
- $12m DIAC arbitration concerning a shopping mall. Dubai seat and UAE substantive law. 4 day evidential hearing.
- £100m LCIA arbitration concerning an oil and gas project. London seat and substantive law of the Middle Eastern state.
- $130m international arbitration concerning a claim under a project all risks policy following hurricane damage to a hotel and condominium development in the Caribbean during the course of construction. London seat and substantive law of the Caribbean Island. 2 month evidential hearing.
News
- Crown Office Chambers recognised by Legal 500 EMEA 2024 for construction expertise in the Middle East
- Adjudicator’s decisions unenforceable as they did not relate to “construction operations”
Events
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
- Registered practitioner in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
- Major Scholar, Inner Temple
- MSc Construction Law & Dispute Resolution, King’s College London
- Dip Law, City University
- BA, Bristol University
Memberships
- British Japanese Law Association
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb)
- Commercial Bar Association
- LCIA European Users Council
- London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association
- Society of Construction Law (UK & Gulf)
- Technology & Construction Bar Association
Rankings
- Legal 500 2024 London Bar: recommended for Construction, Energy, International Arbitration and Professional Negligence
- Legal 500 2024 Middle East: the English Bar: recommended for Construction
- Chambers UK 2024: recommended for Construction, International Arbitration: Construction/Engineering and Professional Negligence: Technology & Construction
- Chambers Global 2024: recommended for Construction
- Who’s Who Legal 2024: national leader and global leader for Construction
Recommendations
“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.”
Legal 500, 2024
“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.”
Legal 500, 2024
“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
“One of the standout performers among senior juniors at the Construction Bar. He is thorough, well prepared, and an effective advocate.” … “He’s considered, calm under pressure and able to get up to speed quickly.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
