International Arbitration
Recommended in Legal 500 and Chambers UK
Crispin has an extensive international arbitration practice concerning construction, engineering, infrastructure and energy projects and related insurance disputes.
He has acted as counsel in more than 20 arbitrations and appeared at more than 250 days of evidential hearings, under both institutional (including ICC, LCIA, DIAC, DIFC-LCIA, QICCA and SCCA) and ad hoc rules, with seats in London, Doha, Dubai (both onshore and DIFC), Muscat, Riyadh, Valletta and Zurich and governed by the substantive laws of the Cayman Islands, England and Wales, Jordan, Kuwait, Malta, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
His cases have concerned projects in Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East and he has substantial experience of civil law jurisdictions.
Chambers & Partners 2024 noted: “His expertise in international construction arbitrations is exceptional“.
Crispin is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and accepts appointments as arbitrator.
Selected Cases
- $12m QICCA arbitration in respect of a national heritage facility. Doha seat and Qatari substantive law. 4 day evidential hearing.
- $8m SCCA arbitration concerning a hotel project. Riyadh seat and Saudi substantive law. 3 day evidential hearing.
- $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. London 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. Valletta 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 during construction. London seat and substantive law of the Cayman Islands. 2 month evidential hearing.
News
- Crispin Winser KC to speak at Vinson & Elkins Middle East Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Conference
- Doyle’s Guide 2025 – Leading London Construction Law Counsel
Events
- Crispin Winser KC to speak at Vinson & Elkins Middle East Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Conference
- London International Disputes Week (LIDW) 2025
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
