Practised from DVC between 1984 and 1989. Practised from Keating Chambers, the leading construction set in the UK, from 1989 to date. Returned to full time practice at DVC in 2010. Extensive experience in all aspects of (i) arbitration law and procedure both as advocate and arbitrator, (ii) building, engineering and construction litigation and arbitration, (iii) negligence claims against construction professionals (architects, engineers, project managers and building/quantity surveyors and (iii) the law as it applies to the environment.
Comments from recent editions of Chambers & Partners include: ‘hardworking and very approachable’... ‘unstuffy and informal’.... ‘trusted performer’. Recommended in ‘International Arbitration’ in Chambers Asia 2010 and 2011, ‘Commercial Dispute Resolution’ 2016.
Ian Pennicott SC, QC of Des Voeux Chambers is a veteran construction specialist, equally at home in litigation or arbitration proceedings, and active as both counsel and arbitrator in the latter context. A peer describes him as “a true construction lawyer and one of the best in Hong Kong,” while an instructing solicitor sums him up “our favourite counsel, always at the top of our list, very hands-on and so detailed and thorough that he doesn't need a junior.”
Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2020)
Ian Pennicott QC, SC of Des Voeux Chambers is described by one source as “one of the most prominent construction silks in Hong Kong and a very good, commercially pragmatic leader who is very thorough and every kind of well prepared.” A view from an instructing solicitor’s perspective is provided by an interviewee who lists a catalogue of desirable qualities: “Practical, pragmatic, very user-friendly, low maintenance and willing to roll up his sleeves - the complete package.” He acted for Bauer Hong Kong in a High Court consideration of its dispute over an arbitral award with a Japanese and a Hong Kong-based construction company.
Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2019)
Ian Pennicott QC of Des Voeux Chambers is a “specialist construction silk,” renowned for his stamina in “big cases that last a long time” and a “common-sense, extremely user-friendly” approach that “helps turn a complicated matter into a simple one.” He advocates in both the litigation and arbitration of construction issues and is also a prominent arbitrator. He lately represented Chim Kee Machinery in High Court appellate proceedings concerning a dispute with SNE Engineering, arising out of the construction of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.
Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2018)
- Contributor to Keating on ’Building/Construction Contracts’ (5th to 8th Editions).
- Contributor to Halsbury’s Laws of England ‘Building Contracts’ (4th Edition).
- Consultant Editor to Halsbury’s Laws of England ‘Fuel and Energy’ (4th Edition).
- Consultant Editor to Halsbury’s Laws of England ‘Cross Country Pipelines’ (4th Edition).
- Consultant Editor to Halsbury’s Laws of England ‘Building’ and ‘Building Contracts’ (5th Edition).
- Consulting Editor to forthcoming Halsbury’s Laws of England ‘Energy’ (5th Edition’).