Chartered Arbitrator, Construction Adjudicator and DAB
Kim Franklin KC is a recognised specialist in the construction, engineering and infrastructure sectors. She acts as a full-time arbitrator, dispute board member and adjudicator, resolving disputes arising from complex projects in international arbitration and as UK construction adjudicator. Appointed for arbitrations under ICC, LCIA, DIAC and HKIAC rules in the UK, Europe, the Gulf and Asia, she acts as Sole Arbitrator, Party Appointed and Tribunal Chair.
Appointed King’s Counsel in 2016, Kim has a flair for technically complex, document-heavy disputes, with a reputation for clarity, strong case management and sound strategic judgment.
Recommendations
Chambers & Partners, Band 1 International Arbitrator (2026)
- ‘Kim is hardworking and has a good grip on the details. She is a very friendly arbitrator.
- Innovative in terms of procedure, she is firm and fair. Extremely well organised, efficient and on top of the issues.’
- ‘A well-regarded silk with expertise in complex international disputes involving infrastructure projects.’
- ‘She has everyone eating out of her hand. If there are two warring parties, Kim as arbitrator gets them to cooperate and calms everybody.’
- ‘Clever, practical and no-nonsense, she has no airs and graces and is fun to work with.’
- ‘She has a firm hand on the tiller and is very good at steering a case.’
- ‘She shows a great energy and endless patience. She gets the job done and puts her back into it.’
- ‘Extremely talented with formidable attention to detail and enormous experience. A true construction expert, especially good on international cases.’
News
- Members recognised in the Lexology Index for Construction
- Members of Chambers recognised as market leaders in the Lexology Index: UK Bar Report 2026
Articles
Events
- Kim Franklin KC to speak at the Construction Disputes 2026 Virtual Conference on 2nd July
- Kim Franklin KC to tutor on the Chartered Institute of Arbitrator’s (CIARB) Applied Arbitration for Fellows course in March
Qualifications
- Bencher, Middle Temple – 2025
- King’s Counsel – 2016
- Chartered Arbitrator/FCIArb – 2000/1997
- Accredited Adjudicator – 1998
- Called to the Bar (Middle Temple) –1984
- LLB University of Warwick – 1983
Publications and Conferences
- Joint editor of the Construction Law Journal. Popular Legal Column in The Architects Journal.
- Inspirational speaker for professional women IWD (2021-2022).
- Speaker at Society of Construction Arbitrators conferences.
- Panel chair for CIArb DAS Convention.
- Speaker at GAR Live, Paris (2019), Abu Dhabi (2024), FIDIC Zagreb (2024), Women in Construction (2025).
Memberships
- ICC UK Arbitration & ADR Committee Member and Expedited Procedures Working Group.
- Campaign for Greener Arbitration.
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) (Former London Branch PRO and PCC Chair).
- SCA (Former Committee Member). SCL (Former Council Member).
- London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA).
- Arbitrators’ Company (Liveryman).
Rankings
- A well-regarded silk with expertise in complex international disputes involving engineering infrastructure projects, Kim Franklin QC acts in DIAC and ICC arbitrations in the UK and the Gulf.
- She has everyone eating out of her hand. If there are two warring parties, Kim as arbitrator gets them to cooperate and calms everybody.
- Very well organised and good at keeping the parties to the mark. Writes extremely clearly and immediately. Clever, practical and no-nonsense, she has no airs and graces and is fun to work with.
- She has a good, firm hand on the tiller and is very good at steering a case. She shows a great energy and endless patience. She gets the job done and puts her back into it.
- Extremely talented with formidable attention to detail and enormous experience … A true construction expert, especially good on international cases.
Recommendations
“Kim Franklin (is) extremely well organised, efficient and on top of the issues.”…” hardworking and has a good grip on the details which is needed for big construction cases. She is a very friendly arbitrator.”
Chambers & Partners, 2026
“Kim is efficient, very responsive and has good judgement.”…”She’s thorough with great attention to detail.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Kim is a delight to work with; sensible and proactive.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023
“She is always a pleasure to work with. She is really good at reducing complicated matters and she is always one of the best prepared.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“She is very sharp and commercial but also pleasant to deal with.”; “She has everyone eating out of her hand. If there are two warring parties, Kim as arbitrator gets them to cooperate and calms everybody.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
“She is very practical, good with clients, and writes extremely clearly and immediately.” “She is very well organised and very good at keeping the parties to the mark.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
“An excellent new silk”
Legal 500, 2017
“Terrific with clients.”
Chambers & Partners, 2017
“A skilled advocate with a pragmatic approach.”
Legal 500, 2017
“She has a deep knowledge of construction law.”
Chambers & Partners, 2016
“A true construction expert, especially good on international cases.”
Legal 500, 2015
“She has a good , firm hand on the tiller and is very good at steering a case.” “She shows a great deal of energy and endless patience.” “She gets the job done and puts her back into it..”
Chambers & Partners, 2015
