Alexander Hickey KC
Call 1995 Silk 2016
Instruct Alexander
To instruct Alexander please contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7842 5555 or email [email protected].
Alexander is a very experienced trial and arbitral advocate both before English Courts and international arbitrations. He is also regularly involved in adjudications and mediations. He also sits as an ICC arbitrator and accepts appointments as arbitrator adjudicator or for expert determination.
His advocacy practice before English Courts is principally in the Technology and Construction Court, Commercial Court, King’s Bench and Chancery Division. He is experienced at appellate levels in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He has numerous reported cases to his name at first instance and appellate level including a string of reported cases in relation to adjudication.
His international arbitration practice involves arbitrations conducted under the ICC, LCIA, DIAC, DIFC, SIAC, UNCITRAL and ad hoc references in London, the GCC region (particularly Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia) Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Sao-Tome, Kenya and Kazakhstan. In many cases these arbitrations are disputes where the law is governed by civil law codes and he is comfortable in leading teams and co-counselling with legal firms.
He has worked with clients of all sizes, including blue-chip international, medium size and smaller clients from the UK, US, GCC, China, S Korea and Turkey, for employers, contractors, and the supply chain.
Alexander has a breadth of commercial practice but he has particular expertise in:
- Construction and Engineering
- PFI projects
- Energy, Oil and Gas, Petrochemicals, Waste Management
- Professional Negligence
Alexander’s practice encompasses the full range of construction and engineering disputes both domestic and international including disputes about termination and contract interpretation, design claims, interim payment/final accounts, delay and disruption related claims, breach of contract claims.
He has been involved in disputes over the construction of the Doha Metro in time for the FIFA 2022 World Cup, the Royal Atlantis Palm resort, Dubai Airport Terminal 3, Abu Dhabi Airport, Doha Airport, the Shard, the Athletes Village for the London 2012 Olympic Games, various power and water projects, LNG Gas installations and petrochemical plants in the GCC region.
He is experienced in numerous infrastructure projects, including those conducted under PFI for energy, waste management, transport, hospitals, schools, roads, lighting , He has a wealth of experience in projects for hotel, office and residential developments.
Alexander deals with commercial disputes in related fields of oil and gas, chemicals and energy, waste management and transport, whether construction-related, or concerning commercial agreements, including JVs and consortia disputes, production sharing agreements and joint operating agreements.
Alexander’s experience as set out below is divided into Domestic Practice in the UK and International Practice.
Alexander Hickey is recommended in Chambers & Partners Global, Chambers & Partners, the Legal 500 and Lexology in international arbitration, commercial litigation, construction, energy and natural resources, and professional negligence. Comments in these directories from clients and lawyers describe him as:
- A real tornado, a heavy-hitter in terms of legal firepower, tactically excellent
- Phenomenally bright, a joy to watch and a pleasure to work with
- Proactive, always willing to roll his sleeves up, he inspires confidence in his clients
- A superb cross-examiner with excellent judgment
- A great strategic thinker, a brilliant advocate with a commanding presence, razor-sharp intellect, and a masterful cross-examiner.
- Punchy and commercially minded, robust, tenacious, very incisive
- He is really sharp and penetrating, and really on top of the detail
- Dexterous advocacy that is succinct and well thought out, he presents things in a very compelling way
- His key strength is his inventiveness – he will find arguments that no-one else would find
- Brilliant at analysing complex issues
- A confident, clear thinker, outstanding service and clear pragmatic advice
Building Safety Act and Fire Safety
Featured Building Safety Act and Fire Safety cases
Secretary of State for DLUHC v Grey [2024]. Instructed by Grey in respect of a Remediation Order under s123 of the Building Safety Act 2022 This was the test case for a remediation orders in the First Tier Tribunal sought by the Secretary of State.
Grey v Edgewater and Ors [2025] CAM/26UH/HYI/2023/000, acting for Grey in respect of Remediation Contribution Order under s124 of the Building Safety Act 2022 in obtaining a s124 order on a joint and several basis for £13 million against 75 out of 90 respondents who were companies “associated” with the developer. This a leading case in relation to the exercise of the tribunal’s power to make a remediation contribution order against companies associated with the developer. It is currently the subject of appeal.
Acted at trial for the contractor in a PFI dispute about the St James Oncology Hospital Leeds concerning fire safety and electrical power defects. St James’s Oncology SPC Ltd v Lendlease Construction (Europe) Ltd & Ors [2022] EWHC 2504 (TCC)
Acted at trial for contractor against consultant in a breach of contract/ professional negligence claim in respect of the St James Oncology Hospital Leeds. Lendlease Construction (Europe) Ltd v Aecom Ltd (Rev1) [2023] EWHC 2620 (TCC)
TCC proceedings between Camden Borough Council v United. Acted for United Living defending a 130million claim in 2019 for the costs involved in fire-safety claims carried out during the PFI conversion of towerblocks arising from the evacuation of the Chalcotts Estate after the Grenfell Tower Fire. Proceedings eventually settled.
Acting for a former developer for a legacy disputes regarding a business sale agreement disposing of its construction arm, in respect of indemnities and legacy disputes with the purchaser, in respect of Defective Premises Act claims post BSA.
Acting for various developers in relation to their liability exposure for fire safety defects in various developments.
Acting for residents in relation to building safety defects in high-rise residential property in Wales.
PFI
Featured PFI cases
Acting for operator in relation to the decommissioning of a nuclear power plant in the UK.
Acted for two local authorities on disputes under their respective PFI contracts for road-building under the NEC3 form
Acting in an LCIA Arbitration concerning a PFI dispute for major European waste management contractor about a 25 year waste management and waste disposal contract for a major UK County Council, involving waste to energy plants or other developing technologies, involving planning, procurement and construction issues
Acted for a subcontractor in respect of a bottom ash facility for a waste to energy contractor under a PFI.
Acted for a subcontractor in respect of a bottom ash facility for a waste to energy contractor under a PFI.
Acted for a construction contractor in tripartite proceedings defending claims by the maintenance contractor and local council for alleged construction or maintenance defects in a local council retirement housing development under the various warranty provisions.
Acted for a contractor in relation to a project for the construction and maintenance of University student accommodation.
Acted for the operator in a dispute with a City Council in respect of a Schools PFI contract for the handback of assets.
Acted for liquidators of a major company pursuing adjudications against various sucontractors and consultants in respect of various PFI contracts for various hospitals concerning asbestos removal, operating theatre design and fire-safety, and MEP defects.
Adjudicator for PFI disputes concerning street lighting and unavailability deductions and payments.
Other construction and engineering
Featured Other construction and engineering cases
Acted for contractor in arbitration for a leading construction firm in relation to a modular built hotel at Heathrow Airport.
Acting for Main Contractor in defending TCC claim in relation to collateral warranties for the repairing of a roof: Office Depot International UK Ltd v UBS Asset Management and Ors [2018] EWHC 1494
Acted for the Owner of Bridgewater Place in Leeds in proceedings against the design and build contractor and the design consultant in relation to claims of poor design in respect of the effects of wind turbulence.
Acting for AMEC Foster Wheeler in its disputes under a business sale agreement and concerned with the construction of an hotel and apartment block in Liverpool, Amec Foster Wheeler Group v Morgan Sindall Professional Service Ltd [2016] EWHC 902 (TCC)
Acting for an MEP subcontractor in defending a collateral warranty claim from the developer relating to the redevelopment of India Buildings, Liverpool in light of early termination of the main contract before the MEP works were finished.
Acted for the subcontractor in TCC litigation against Tier 1 main contractor in respect of the building of the Athletes Village for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Acted for Severfield the structural steel contractor for the Shard London Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd v Severfield-Rowen Structures Ltd [2012] EWHC 3652 (TCC)
Acted for Hoare Lea in a Multi-party TCC trial for defective design and flooding damage to the Greenwich Millennium Village v Essex Service & Ors. [2014] EWHC 1099 (TCC), [2013] 3059 (TCC), 151 Con LR 1
Acting for a high-profile Hotelier in a final account dispute for the construction of a luxury hotel, involving allegations of fraud.
Acting for main contractor in arbitration against a roofing/cladding subcontractor for a large warehouse in Manchester with alleged defects
Energy and natural resources
Featured Energy and natural resources cases
Acted for operator regarding hand-back and decommissioning of a nuclear power station in Scotland.
Commercial Court actions involving seismic surveying under a Production Sharing Contract for US oil exploration companies with a licence in a North Kenya block.
Acted for contractor in NEC3 contract in relation to disputes at two British power stations in respect of the Project Manager’s certifications.
Acted for a contractor in an arbitration in relation to the construction of a bioethanol plant in Teesside against subcontractor.
Acting in a TCC claim by Contractor against a subcontractor for the collapses of a biomass storage facility under construction at Drax Power Station.
Representing a contractor in relation to a dispute concerning the design of a cable protection system for an offshore windfarm project in the North Sea.
Acting for a contractor in a dispute concerning a UK onshore gas drilling project and removal of hazardous drill cuttings.
Acting for the claimant in a dispute arising out of the design and construction of industrial boiler for a new petrochemicals refinery in Grangemouth.
Acting for a Third Party who designed and supplied electric motors in a claim of alleged negligent design of a gas compression system on a North Sea Oil rig.
Trial concerning the supply of petrochemicals and long term supply contracts and competition claims. Huntsman v Ineos,
Acting for WSP in a TCC proceedings concerned with flood risk assessment for a new housing development in Newark.
Acting for Water Authority in relation to major infrastructure work to upgrade the 80km Greater London Rings Main.
Adjudication
Instructed in various reported decisions on adjudication including:
- FK Construction v ISG Retail in 2023/2024
- Northumbrian Water Ltd v Doosan Enpure Ltd [2022] EWHC 2881
- Merit Holdings v Michael J Lonsdale [2017] EWHC 2450
- Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust v Logan Construction [2017] EWHC 17
- Kilker Projects v Purton [2016] EWHC 2616
- Severfield v Duro Felguera [2015] EWHC 3352
- Galliford Try v Estura [2015] EWHC 412
- Leeds City Council v Waco [2015] EWHC 1400
- ISG v Seevic College [2014] EWHC 4007
- Willmott Dixon Housing v Newlon Housing Trust [2013] EWHC 798
- Yuanda v WW Gear [2010] BLR 435
- Dorchester Hotel v Vivid Interiors [2009] EWHC 70
- CJP Builders v William Verry [2008] EWHC 2025
Commercial
Featured Commercial cases
Arbitration under the Railway Industry Dispute Resolution Rules. Counsel for various Train Operating Companies (leading 20 TOCs) in a dispute with other train operating companies concerned with the distribution of Oystercard/Travelcard revenue.
Acting for UK rail franchise operator in a dispute with a train manufacturer in relation to the design, manufacture and supply of a fleet of trains for use on a new electrified route.
Acting for Ground Services company in respect of disputes in relation to ground services provided at various international Airports.
Acted for a UK manufacturer of electronic components for the automotive industry in proceedings against a German electronic systems manufacturer in a dispute about crankshaft sensors supplied for incorporation in vehicles for a German car producer.
Acting in TCC trial acting for a University against an All Risks insurer for structural damage necessitating demolition of a student hall of residence.
Commercial Court action between, a bill of lading dispute in respect of supplies for the US Materiel at Kandahar, Afghanistan.
ICC Arbitration acting for French telecommunications company in respect of a dispute with an Italian telecommunications company regarding maintenance and use of a UK optical fibre network.
Acting for the University in a £100 million fire insurance claim arising out of catastrophic fire at a major university research centre.
Acting for the agent in a claim for commission for procuring a racing driver for a Formula 1 team. Acting for the agent.
Advising insurers on professional indemnity insurance coverage and declinature for various construction professionals.
Acting for Nike in dispute about supply agreement with JJB Sports.
Professional Negligence
Alexander has extensive experience of cases involving architects, structural engineers and surveyors, as well as claims against other professionals. He is also involved in adjudications by and against professionals in the construction industry.
Featured Professional Negligence cases
Leading Counsel in the Supreme Court for the Defendant surveyor in Tiuta International Ltd v De Villiers Chartered Surveyors [2017] UKSC 77, on the principle of causation of loss.
Acting for the defendant valuers dealing with a portfolio of several hundred claims brought by various lenders including GMAC-RFC and Platform against valuers and solicitors arising out of mortgage loans on buy to let investment developments during the sub-prime lending scandal.
Acting for structural engineers in a multi-party action concerning the design of concrete slab for beverage warehouse.
A claim against the designers of a London fire-training centre for defective design of fire-rooms and ductwork for oil-based smoke in fire damage and defective design claims for £6million.
Acting for the Defendant in a case involving principles to apply when withdrawing an admission.
Acting for defendants in a multi-million pound professional negligence claim against engineers who designed an external pre-stressed concrete glued segmental bridge in the UK.
Acting for various engineering/ground consultants designers in residential housing developments.
Acting for architect defending claims of negligent design of hotel kitchen and car park and negligent planning applications.
International Practice
Featured International Practice cases
ICC Arbitration between a JV and state owned railway company for the construction of the Red Line South, Green and Blue lines of the Doha Metro in time for the FIFA 2022 World Cup
DIAC Arbitration acting for the MEP package contractor in respect of the Royal Atlantis Palm Resort and Residences project in Dubai.
Arbitration instructed by the operator of a Power and Water Electricity Company in Saudi Arabia in relation to indexation of payments for electricity supply.
Acting for the JV package contractor carrying out the Special Airports Systems, MEP and finishes for Dubai Airport Terminal 3 (UAE law).
Acting for the JV package contractor in arbitration brought by a subcontractor in relation to Dubai Airport.
Acting for the main contractor for one of the packages to build Doha International Airport (Qatari law)
ICC Arbitration instructed by state owned LNG operator in Oman in respect of the construction of a gas-fired power station in Sur.
Acting for the Contractor the design and implementation of a major reverse osmosis desalination plant as part of an independent Power and Water project in Qatar.
SIAC Arbitration acted for a Finnish contractor in respect of a dispute with its JV partner under a consortium agreement regarding a heavy fuel and gas fired Power Plant project constructed in Jordan involving delay and defects claims and defects.
SIAC Arbitration acting for a PRC Electrical Company in respect of a tender bid for power projects in the Middle East, involving various claims including claims for commissions (PRC law of the contract, Singapore law for the arbitration process and jurisdiction claims)
ICC Arbitration in Abu Dhabi for a multi-national chemical engineering contractor for construction of a large chemicals processing plant (English law).
Several ICC arbitrations instructed by a state owned waste water company in respect of claims against various contractors for major infrastructure for waste water treatment in Oman, for the state-owned water company (Omani law).
Acting for the contractor in an ad hoc arbitration in Oman in relation to the Oman Exhibition Centre in Madinat Irfan urban centre.
DIAC Arbitration acting for a contractor against a subcontract in a large commercial office and leisure development in Festival City Dubai.
ICC Arbitration in Beirut involving a commercial Consortium dispute in relation to a construction project in Doha involving claims regarding bonds (Lebanese law).
ICC Arbitration in Zurich in respect of a Joint Operating Agreement for Oil between a Turkish state entity and a JV consortium for oil exploration and pipeline construction in the Black Sea (Turkish law)
ICC Arbitration on behalf of Operator in respect of Joint Operating Agreement for JDZ oil exploration in Nigeria/Sao Tome e Principe. (English law)
Acting for operator in a dispute over seismic surveying under a Production Sharing Contract for US oil exploration companies with a licence in a North Kenya block (English law and forum).
ICC Arbitration concerning delay and prolongation and termination of a contract involving the construction of a leisure complex comprising a large five star hotel in Oman
Acted for a major Indian contractor in the UAE in a dispute about the construction of a two tower residential development
LCIA Arbitration involving design and construction of a galvanized wire cable plant in Oman
Vienna Rules Arbitration on behalf of Turkish Contractor in respect of the supply of 6 modular medical centres for assembly in Russian Federation. (Turkish/Russian laws).
ICC Arbitration acting for Turkish contractor in relation to a soft drinks production plant in Tajikistan involving claims regarding a double taxation treaty.
DIAC Arbitration between contractor/subcontractor for wet services infrastructure in Jumeirah, Dubai.
Counsel for a construction company in an UNCITRAL arbitration in Dubai between construction companies at Ras Laffan, Qatar.
LCIA Arbitration acting for Contractor in dispute concerning the design and construction of gas cleaning converters for a steel plant in Kazakhstan.
Acting for EPC contractor in respect of ICC Arbitration in relation to an LNG production facility in Iraq.
UNCITRAL Arbitration acting for international energy contractors, in a dispute about the design and build of two new power stations in Estonia.
Acting for contractor in an ICC Arbitration in a dispute about alleged defects in a LPG pipeline in Ras Laffan, Qatar.
The FTT’s approach under BSA 2022, Section 124 : “defects”, “building safety risk” and “just and equitable”
As is now well known, section 124 of the Building Safety Act 2022 (the “BSA”) confers jurisdiction on the First-tier...
4 Pump Court shortlisted for six awards at the Legal 500 MENA Awards 2025
We are delighted to announce that 4 Pump Court has been shortlisted for six awards at the Legal 500 MENA Awards 2025. ...
FK v ISG: Court of Appeal grants FK Construction permission to appeal in both decisions
The Court of Appeal has given FK Construction permission to appeal both decisions of Adrian Williamson KC sitting as a...
Important TCC Judgment on limitation, accrual of cause of action, and more
Summary In a decision which will be of wide interest and general application, Eyre J has handed down a wide-ranging...
Instruct Alexander
To instruct Alexander please contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7842 5521 or email [email protected].
Would you like to know more?
For help and advice talk to a member of our clerking team. They can advise on the best options for your matter.
Call: +44 (0) 20 7842 5555
