Practice overview
David Pliener KC is an expert in construction and engineering, insurance and commercial work. He also specialises in property damage and professional negligence work.
Well versed in complex and high value disputes representing clients in litigation, arbitration, adjudication and mediation, his expertise covers the international as well as the domestic and he has worked across a number of jurisdictions including the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands. Recent work has included disputes concerning claims in Peru, Zambia and Georgia.
"David is unquestionably one of the leading [barristers] at the Bar for construction matters. He combines depth of legal knowledge with accessibility, clarity of expression, and an unparalleled ability to make the complex seem simple. He is a very strong and convincing advocate and is on the top of his game." (The Legal 500, 2023)
"Solicitors are running out of superlatives to describe David. One of the most talented barristers of his generation and a breath of fresh air for the profession. Perhaps his key skill is turning the complex and convoluted into something that is clear, accessible and practical. A golden thread runs through his advice, guiding the reader through the maze, step by step." (The Legal 500, 2023)
David was shortlisted for Insurance Junior of the Year at the Chambers Bar Awards 2018 and 2021, was awarded the prestigious Construction Junior of the Year Award at The Legal 500 Awards 2020 and he took Silk in 2023.
David is a regular and popular speaker both for seminars offered by Gatehouse and for external conference providers such as the Society of Construction Law and the White Paper Conference. He also writes for Practical Law, LexisNexis and other publications.
Areas of expertise
CSR & pro bono
David has been involved in youth work in the Jewish community for many years, and is currently a trustee for a leading communal charity.
David is a mentor on the ORT Jump programme, through which he gets the opportunity to mentor Y12 students on a year-long programme to help students make informed decisions about their career options and to open up access to the law and the Bar to people who might not otherwise consider the career. In his role as part of the TECBAR committee, David administers the TECBAR Marshalling scheme, by which junior members of the construction bar get the opportunity to sit for a week with a TCC judge.
Due to popular demand his days of busking for charity are probably behind him, but, time permitting, he remains available for birthdays, bar/bat mitzvahs and weddings as long as only 3 (maximum 4) chords are involved.
Directory recommendations
David is recommended by both Chambers UK and Legal 500 for Construction, Insurance and Professional Negligence. Chambers UK also recognises him for Property Damage. He is recommended for Construction in Chambers Global and Who’s Who Legal. David won Construction Junior of the Year at the Legal 500 Awards 2020. Who’s Who Legal recommend him for Construction and Professional Negligence.
The directories state:
- “Great analytical skills, a real relaxed style and way of putting a complex point across which goes down well with clients. Good tactician.” (The Legal 500, Professional Negligence)
- “Very bright and forensic in approach – equally strong on construction and insurance coverage disputes.” (The Legal 500, 2024, Construction)
- “Solicitors are running out of superlatives to describe David. The interpretation of insurance policies, in particular, can be a challenge for even the most analytical of minds, but his thorough and methodological approach to problem-solving makes light work of the task.” (The Legal 500, 2024, Insurance and Reinsurance)
- “David is very bright, very switched on and very tuned into the client’s need. He’s also very commercial and really adds value to the team.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Construction)
- “He’s on top of everything all the time. He has absolute control and master of the detail, strategy and the general matter while maintaining a casual nature that makes working with him a joy.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Construction)
- “He has an incredible attention to detail and his pleadings are first rate. He’s very good on his feet as well.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Construction)
- “David Pliener is razor-sharp and a good strategic thinker.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Insurance)
- “He has incredible attention to detail and his pleadings are first rate.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Professional Negligence: Technology & Construction)
- “David has a natural authority, but one exercised lightly that inspires trust and confidence.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Professional Negligence: Technology & Construction)
- “He is technically excellent and good with clients, but also very practical.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Professional Negligence: Technology & Construction)
- “David Pliener is absolutely excellent and also fun to work with. He is on top of everything and is a master of the detail and strategy.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Professional Negligence: Technology & Construction)
- “David Pliener KC is known for his expert handling of highly technical disputes. He also possesses invaluable understanding of the construction industry and is often instructed in cases with an international aspect. Pliener is skilled in handling both the insurance and negligence aspects of damage claims.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Property Damage)
- “He has incredible attention to detail and his pleadings are first-rate. He’s very good on his feet as well.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Property Damage)
- “Solicitors are running out of superlatives to describe David. One of the most talented barristers of his generation and a breath of fresh air for the profession. Perhaps his key skill is turning the complex and convoluted into something that is clear, accessible and practical. A golden thread runs through his advice, guiding the reader through the maze, step by step. The interpretation of insurance policies, in particular, can be a challenge for even the most analytical of minds, but his thorough and methodological approach to problem solving makes light work of the task.” (The Legal 500, 2023)
- “He is a superb construction barrister – very analytical and gets into the detail on a case.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
- “David is very knowledgeable and very easy to deal with. He can adapt his style to suit clients and experts, and is really into the detail as well as being on top of the bigger picture at all times.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
- “David is very bright and hard-working.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
- “David is commercial and practical, and behind all that incredibly hard-working.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
- “David’s attention to detail is incredible. He is insightful, fun to work with and extremely clever.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
- “David is well rounded. He is super experienced, and of silk level in terms of the advice, service and advocacy you receive from him.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
- “He is very bright, hard-working and an excellent advocate.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
- “Very bright and hard-working. He’s an excellent advocate.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
- “He has a commercial and client-focused approach without compromise on the law. Great at reading the mood in court and adapting.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
- “David is a diligent and experienced barrister with a knack for identifying the key issues very early in a case.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
- “He is very precise in cross-examination.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
- “He is very bright, extremely good with clients and experts, and easy to work with. He masters detail very quickly and thinks commercially and strategically.” (The Legal 500, 2023)
- “David is unquestionably one of the leading juniors at the Bar for construction matters. He combines depth of legal knowledge with accessibility, clarity of expression, and an unparalleled ability to make the complex seem simple. He is a very strong and convincing advocate and is on the top of his game.” (The Legal 500, 2023)
- “One of the best juniors and a silk in waiting. Very commercial and user-friendly.” (Legal 500)
- “He operates at a higher level, like a junior QC for me. He’s terrific” (Chambers UK)
- “A top-class advocate and adviser. He is smart, savvy and on top of the detail.” (Chambers UK)
- “A genuine specialist in insurance and construction insurance disputes, with deep knowledge and experience.” (Legal 500)
- ‘He is excellent across the board – good with clients, on paper and on his feet.’ (Legal 500)
- “Very impressive. He’s extremely personable and sharp as a tack.” “Very bright.” (Chambers UK)
- “He’s very good with clients and excellent at boiling matters down to the key issues. He’s a details man but he isn’t too verbose about things.” (Chambers UK)
- ““David’s mix of intellect and pragmatism is valued by clients, and his enthusiasm for cases shines through. A very commercial problem solver who is brilliant with lay clients and an active part of the legal team.” (Chambers UK)
- “A pleasure to work with, he’s very approachable and highly responsive. He is on top of the detail and knows the insurance and construction markets inside out.” (Chambers UK)
- “He is approachable, insightful, organised and efficient – a silk in the making.” (Chambers Global)
- “Has a well deserved reputation as one of the leading juniors.” (Legal 500)
- “Very clear and concise, and his written work is exceptional.” (Legal 500)
- “He is unflappable, with deep knowledge and a light touch.” (Legal 500)
- “Excellent with clients and very commercial in his style. He gives very clear advice and is willing to be flexible too.” (Chambers UK)
- “He’s tough, and comes out with very strong and creative arguments which you would not have thought of.” (Chambers UK)
As well as winning Construction Junior of the Year at the Legal 500 Awards 2020, he was shortlisted for Insurance Junior of the Year at the Chambers Bar Awards 2018 and 2021.
He was mentioned in the Who’s Who Legal as a Construction Junior since 2020.
Professional associations
- TECBAR (Committee Member)
- Society of Construction Lawyers
- Professional Negligence Bar Association
- British Insurance Law Association
- Adjudication Society
- COMBAR
- London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association
- London Court of International Arbitration
Publications
- Contributor to Construction All Risks Insurance, Third edition, Sweet & Maxwell, 2021
- Contributor to Construction Professional Indemnity Insurance (Sweet & Maxwell)
- Contributor to Insurance Broking Practice and the Law edited by CMS Cameron McKenna (Informa looseleaf)
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) First Class
- Dip Law
- Tecbar Adjudicator
- ADR ODR Accredited Mediator
Insights
Upcoming events
Past events
Practice managers
Natasha Devlin-Clingham
Adam Macdonald
