Christopher Ennis
Mediator & Chartered Quantity Surveyor
Short Introduction
Christopher Ennis is one of the UK's most experienced construction and engineering mediators, with more than 45 years in the construction industry and over three decades specialising in dispute resolution. A Chartered Quantity Surveyor, arbitrator, adjudicator and expert witness, he has been involved in resolving more than 250 disputes across the UK and internationally.
His extensive experience spans major infrastructure, engineering, energy, petrochemical, housing and commercial projects, including disputes valued from thousands of pounds to hundreds of millions. Clients value his deep industry knowledge, commercial insight and ability to guide parties through highly technical and challenging matters.
Testimonials
About Work
Construction and engineering disputes form the foundation of Christopher's mediation practice. He regularly mediates disputes involving contractors, subcontractors, consultants, developers, local authorities, infrastructure providers and energy sector organisations.
Throughout his career, Christopher has acted as mediator, adjudicator, arbitrator, dispute board member and expert witness on major projects across the construction, engineering, petrochemical, shipping, utilities and infrastructure sectors. His expertise includes disputes arising under JCT, NEC and FIDIC contracts, as well as professional negligence and commercial contract matters.
Christopher has extensive experience mediating disputes involving final accounts, delay and disruption claims, defects, project delivery issues, framework agreements, professional negligence, infrastructure projects and multi party construction disputes. He is particularly experienced in technically complex matters where commercial, contractual and project management issues intersect.
Clients value Christopher's calm, practical and commercially focused style. Combining facilitative and evaluative techniques where appropriate, he helps parties understand risk, identify practical settlement opportunities and move towards resolution efficiently. His industry credibility and detailed understanding of construction disputes inspire confidence among both legal teams and project professionals.
Expertise
- Commercial & Corporate
- Construction, Property & Planning
- Banking, Finance & Insurances
- Public Sector & Governance
- Industry, Energy & Environment
- International Trade & Competition
Languages
- English
- German
- French
Publications
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“Entitlement to Time-Related Costs in Prolongation Claims – What Needs to be Considered?” Paper D216, Society of Construction Law, December 2018.
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“Security of Payment in the Construction Industry: Does International Experience Provide a Crystal Ball for North America?”, September 2018 – joint paper with Matthew Bell, Anand Juddoo, Sundra Rajoo, Bruce Reynolds and Sharon Vogel for 8th International Society of Construction Law Conference, Chicago, USA, (2018) 34 Const. L.J. 601.
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“Hot-Tubbing, Presentations and other Gimmicks: How Not to Manage Expert Evidence”, Paper D193, Society of Construction Law, October 2016.
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“Prospective Claims for Variations under FIDIC and NEC 3: Evidential and Procedural Issues”, Paper D182, Society of Construction Law, October 2015, republished (2016) 32 Const. L.J., Issue 3.
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“Claims for Extensions of Time and Compensation under the FIDIC Red Book: Civil Law and Common Law Approaches Compared”, Paper D162, Society of Construction Law, November 2013 – joint paper with Dr Wolfgang Breyer, Breyer Rechtsanwälte, Stuttgart, and also (2014) Const L.J. 30.
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“Experts: When They Should Be Brought in and How They Can Best Save Time and Cost”, (2013) 79 Arbitration 80.
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“Arbitration of Disputes in UK Construction Projects: What is Left After Adjudication?” (2012) Const L.J. 8.
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“The Expert in International Disputes”, Paper 177, Society of Construction Law, August 2012.
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“Evaluating Disruption Costs on Major Construction Projects”, Paper D125, Society of Construction Law, July 2011. “Issues to be considered in evaluation of disruption costs on major construction projects”, paper for TECBAR Conference January 2011.
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“Financial Claims under NEC3 Contracts: An Overview”, Paper D117, Society of Construction Law, December 2010.
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“What degree of proof is required in ‘ascertainment’ of loss and/or expense?” (2009) Const L.J. 7 (Published simultaneously in China Construction Law Review).
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“Credit for Betterment in Quantum Arguments” (2000) 16 Const. L.J. 31.
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“How Soon Should Claims in Multi-Party Disputes be Settled?” (1997) 13 Const. LJ 35