Keating Chambers: The Podcast Keating Chambers

This is the second in a series of podcasts coming this year, all recorded to celebrate 150 years of the Technology and Construction Court (TCC). In each episode, Keating barristers will chose one leading case from the TCC and review how it has faired over the years, including discussion of subsequent cases that have focused on it.

In this episode Calum Lamont KC and Paul Buckingham KC discuss the scope of ‘fitness for purpose’ obligations in construction contracts, starting with arguably the most important case on this matter in recent times, MT Højgaard A/S v E.ON Climate & Renewables UK Robin Rigg East Limited and another [2017]. This dispute concerned defects in the Robin Rigg wind farm in the Solway Firth, one of the first offshore wind farms to be developed around the UK, and proceeded from the TCC all the way up to the Supreme Court.  Calum and Paul discuss how the decision has impacted upon the approach of the TCC in subsequent cases and the apparent willingness of the courts to hold the parties to their contractual obligations, even where those obligations are absolute in nature without negligence or lack of skill and care on the part of the contractor.
Please note that this podcast does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such.

This episode, hosted by Marie Sparkes, celebrates International Women's Day and explores 2023’s “embrace equity” theme. It showcases the variety of roles women play within Chambers and highlights the steps Keating have taken towards achieve equity in the workplace.
Marie is joined by Lucy Garrett KC, Alice Sims, Alison Crosland and Amy Barrie who share their experiences, from “unconventional” career paths and challenges they have faced along the way, to positive developments they have seen within the construction industry and at the Bar. Themes emerging through the discussion include the importance of role models, dealing with imposter syndrome, and how to attract and retain female talent at all levels. 
 

This is the first in a series of podcasts coming this year, all recorded to celebrate 150 years of the Technology and Construction Court (TCC). In each episode, Keating barristers will chose one leading case from the TCC and review how it has faired over the years, including discussion of subsequent cases that have focused on it.
In this episode, Head of Chambers, Alexander Nissen KC, is joined by Jennie Wild and Emma Healiss to discuss the landmark judgment in RTS Flexible Systems Ltd v Molkerei Alois Muller GmbH & Co KG [2010]. This is a case about contract formation, which eventually went all the way up to the Supreme Court, with the Supreme Court commenting on the perils of starting work without agreeing the precise basis upon which the work is to be done.

Please note that this podcast does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such.

In this podcast, Keating barristers Lucy Garrett KC, James Thompson, Charlie Thompson, Jennie Wild and clerk Jade Clark discuss and myth-bust some of the common misconceptions about life at the Commercial Bar. With varied backgrounds, routes to the bar and experiences to date, they discuss the perception that the Bar can be an isolated place to practice law, finances, clerking and professional support in chambers, diversity, and family life, as well as some of the more specific aspects of construction law and building a practice at Keating Chambers. We hope this podcast will give prospective pupils a unique and honest insight into the world of commercial barristers, and lift the veil on some of the areas not often addressed elsewhere.

Please note that this podcast does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. 

Having recently announced the date of the Keating Chambers and London Pulse Netball Corporate Cup, this podcast explores our partnership with the club and how Pulse have been raising the profile of women’s sport. Marie Sparkes, our Head of BD and Marketing speaks to Sam Bird, CEO and Director of Netball at London Pulse, and Jennie Wild, one of our junior barristers at Keating Chambers. The three women discuss how netball has impacted their lives positively, the parallels between challenges faced in sport and in the law, and how the Corporate Cup will play an important role in funding Pulse’s community programme and ensuring access to netball for women and girls from diverse backgrounds.

To celebrate International Women’s Day and mark the “Break the Bias" theme, we are pleased to share our latest podcast episode with Gaynor Chambers and Jennie Wild. Gaynor and Jennie are joined by Mrs Justice Finola O’Farrell DBE whose career exemplifies the aims of the IWD movement and who has made the path to a gender equal world easier for all the women following behind. 

O’Farrell J guides us through her early years, university, family life, and professional career leading to her appointment as a High Court Judge, signposting these significant moments with songs and books that remind her of that time. She discusses challenges she has faced and offers advice to women considering a career at the Bar: "Have the courage to speak up in meetings and to challenge decisions, don't let fear silence you".