Michael Wheater KC

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Practice overview

Michael Wheater KC is a respected and sought-after specialist in Construction and Insurance litigation with a particular focus on domestic and international construction and engineering disputes, professional negligence claims and property damage.

A robust advocate and pragmatic advisor, Michael has a busy practice dealing with high-value, technical and complex cases and is described by clients as “an excellent ally to have in the most difficult cases” (Chambers UK).

Prior to taking Silk, Michael was ranked as a Band 1 Junior in three practice areas by Chambers UK Bar, with recommendations including:

“Very user-friendly, down-to-earth and provides excellent written advice. He’s also an excellent advocate and is one of the best counsel strategically that I’ve come across.”

He has also been recommended as a leader in his fields in the Legal 500, Chambers Global and Who’s Who Legal for many years. He was nominated for Construction & Energy Junior of the Year at the Legal 500 Awards 2022.

Michael is also well placed to advise as to effective and efficient methods of handling e-disclosure and information management. He is the author of the leading textbook on e-disclosure together with Charles Raffin (published by OUP in 2017) and he regularly lectures on the topic.

Michael is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, is a TECBAR accredited adjudicator and an ADR Group Accredited Mediator.

Areas of expertise

Construction & engineering
Construction & engineering
The mainstay of Michael’s practice encompasses all the full range of domestic and international construction and engineering disputes. Before taking Silk, Michael was recommended as a Band 1 Junior for his construction work in Chambers UK, Chambers Global and the Legal 500.

“Michael is an exceptional advocate with the ability to digest huge volumes of information, distil the key points and strategic implications, and produce laser-focussed submissions. A real team player for whom no task is too big or too small.” (Legal 500)

He acts, for contractors, employers, developers, construction professionals, insurers and others working in the construction industry. Michael also has experience working with insolvency practitioners in relation to construction insolvencies.

Michael “is particularly well known for his handling of cases where construction law, insolvency and insurance interconnect.” (Chambers UK)

Michael also deals with all manner of claims for and against construction professionals. For more information see Michael’s Professional Negligence profile.

Examples of Michael’s work
- Shepherd Construction v Kingspan & Ors: 24 party, £70m+ dispute arising out of cladding and other defects at a mixed-use development in Colindale (the Northern Quarter). Named by The Lawyer as a Top 20 Case for 2024. Leading Louis Zvesper.
- A v B: acting in 2 x DIAC Arbitrations valued in excess of £1Bn arising out of the design and construction of an Airport in the Middle East.
- Rugby Football Union v Clark Smith Partnership & Ors: 5-party claim arising out of refurbishment works at Twickenham Stadium before the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Michael has already succeeded in the TCC and Court of Appeal on issues relating to the co-insurance defence. Leading George Eyre.
- C v D: Defending £10m Arbitration claim against designers of CBGM pavement roads at a London port development. Leading Simon Kerry.
- Standard Life Assurance Ltd v Gleeds & Ors: 7-party, .£38m claim relating to allegations of negligent design in a mixed-use development. Considering issues as to the pleading of professional negligence claims by way of sampling and extrapolation. Initially junior counsel to Joanna Smith KC (now Hon. Mrs Justice Smith), later leading counsel, leading Catherine Piercy.
- Knight v Goulandris: leading case in the Court of Appeal in relation to the interpretation of the notice provisions of the Party Wall Act, leading Emily Betts.
- Acting in c. £50m cladding claim relating to a development of 7 tower blocks in Wales. Leading Louis Zvesper.
- Acting in relation to £30m cladding claim arising out of the redevelopment of the Olympic Athlete’s Village.
Adjudication
Adjudication
Michael regularly handles all kinds of adjudications across the whole sphere of construction claims. His hands-on approach is valued by clients given the truncated timetable. Michael also advises and appears in relation to complex enforcement applications and Part 8 claims.

Michael is a TECBAR accredited adjudicator and is happy to be named as a party-nominated adjudicator.

Examples of Michael’s Work
- Kersfield Developments (Bridge Road) Ltd v Bray & Slaughter Ltd. Leading Junior (leading Michael Levenstein) acting for the successful contractor in the enforcement adjudicator’s decision. Case considered multiple issues on Part 8 as to the validity of notices, estoppel by convention, stays of enforcement on Vago and Estura grounds and was an important decision on smash & grab adjudications.
- Rydon Maintenance Ltd v Affinity Sutton Housing Ltd: Acted, together with Nigel Jones KC for the employer in a series of natural justice challenges.
- Beck Interiors Ltd v Classic Decorative Finishes Ltd: Acting for the main contractor in this case which considers the extent to which equitable set-o can be raised as a defence to enforcement.
- Beck Interiors Ltd v UK Flooring Contractors Ltd: Acting for the main contractor in this case where the court permitted the severance of a dispute that was only part-crystallised.
- Acting with Paul Reed KC in two linked adjudications relating to alleged defective dewatering works on a major civil engineering project.
- Acting with Paul Reed KC, in a substantial adjudication relating to civil engineering works at a water treatment plant.
- Leading Philip Marriot in an adjudication relating to roofing works at a Grade 1 listed school in London.
Arbitration
Arbitration
Michael is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and he acts as an advocate or arbitrator in domestic and international arbitrations under ICC, LCIA and other rules. He is experienced in ad hoc references and with domestic arbitration under CIMAR and other industry rules.

He has worked in various jurisdictions under various arbitration rules and has particular experience in relation to disputes in Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean.

Examples of Michael’s Work
- A v B: acting in 2 x DIAC Arbitrations valued in excess of £1Bn arising out of the design and construction of an Airport in the Middle East.
- Acting for the Employer in a c. 20m DIFC-LCIA Arbitration concerning the construction of a Super Villa in Dubai.
- Acting for the designers in a $14m USD LCIA Arbitration concerning allegations of delay to the design of a shipyard in Kazakhstan.
- C v D: Defending £10m Arbitration claim against designers of CBGM pavement roads at a London port development. Leading Simon Kerry.
- Acting, together with Paul Reed KC and David Pliener KC, on behalf of CAR insurers in this US$136m international arbitration, seat Cayman Islands, relating to Hurricane damage to a substantial Caribbean Hotel development.
- Junior to Paul Reed KC in USD $150m claim arising out of the explosion of ilmenite smelter in the Middle East
- Junior to Paul Reed KC in USD $70m ICC Arbitration relating to the supply of components for a process plant in Chile.
- Acting for the Claimant in a c. $14m USD LCIA Arbitration, seat London, concerning allegations of delay to the design of a shipyard in Kazakhstan.
- Acting for the Claimant in a £5m ICC arbitration, seat London, relating to the dismantling and relocation of a coal-fired power plant from Bulgaria to Turkey.
- Acting for the Respondent in a c.£2m ICC arbitration, seat Zurich, arising out of the supply of components for solar energy generation.
- LGK v MPB [2020] EWHC 90 (TCC); [2020] BLR 222; jurisdiction challenge based on incorporation of Arbitration Agreement.
- Advising as to challenges to enforcement of ICC Arbitral award.
- Advising as to enforceability of escalator dispute resolution clauses in arbitration agreement.
Property damage
Property damage
Michael has a heavyweight practice in domestic and international construction, professional negligence and insurance matters; this means that Michael’s skillset is ideally suited to handling claims concerning property damage, which combine all of these elements.

Michael has a wealth of experience of claims arising out of fire, floods, storms, explosions and subsidence. Michael’s experience of utilities also gives him a keen understanding of cases involving damage to electricity, gas and water infrastructure.

Given the overlap between construction issues and real property issues in Property Damage cases, Michael has previously assembled multi-disciplinary teams to ensure that cases are presented in the best way possible.

Prior to taking Silk, Michael was listed as a Band 1 junior for Property Damage in Chambers and Partners with recommendations including:

“Michael is an oracle, he knows everything.” (Chambers UK)

“Michael’s ability to turn things around and absorb huge amounts of information verges on impossible – unbelievable.” (Chambers UK)

Linked to his Property Damage work, Michael has extensive experience of disputes relating to construction plant and is an expert on the application of the CPA terms. Michael is often called in by owners, hirers or insurers where there has been damage to plant or where failures in the erection and operation of plant cause damage or injury, including catastrophic collapses of cranes and collisions (for example, the helicopter collision with a tower crane on the Southbank).

Examples of Michael’s Work
- Acting with Paul Reed KC for the insured in a US$150m claim following the catastrophic failure of a smelting plant in the middle-east.
- Acting, together with Paul Reed KC and David Pliener KC on behalf of CAR insurers in this US$136m international arbitration, seat Cayman Islands, relating to Hurricane damage to a substantial Caribbean Hotel development.
- C v D: Defending £10m Arbitration claim against designers of CBGM pavement roads which suffered damage at a London port development. Leading Simon Kerry.
- Knight v Goulandris: acting for home owner defending allegations of damage caused by the construction of an Iceberg basement. Leading case in the Court of Appeal in relation to the interpretation of the notice provisions of the Party Wall Act, leading Emily Betts.
- Acting for structural engineers in a £9m claim alleging that deep basement works caused structural damage to a neighbouring property. Leading Louis Zvesper.
- Acting for project managers in a £20m claim arising out of the installation of gantry cranes at new factory premises.
- Advising insurers following a £10m catastrophic fire at a specialist cancer hospital.
- Advising structural concrete subcontractors in a £16m time/cost claim relating to the 2012 Olympic athletes’ village.
- Leading junior (leading Katrina Mather) acting for the tenant in a multi-million pound, multi-party claim against structural engineers and D&B contractors arising out of subsidence damage to a warehouse floor.
- Leading Junior (leading Catherine Piercy KC) defending a c. £8m claim against Building Control approved inspectors following the collapse of a swimming pool roof at a landmark hotel.
- Acting for M&E Engineers in a multi-million pound, multi-party claim following escapes of water from the LTHW system at a NHS hospital.
- Acting for structural engineers in a multi-million pound claim following damage to the floor slab and dock levellers at a large distribution centre.
- Advising Building Services Contractors in relation to an escape of water at Sea Containers House.
- Advising adjoining owners in relation to fire damage to two listed historic cottages.
Michael Wheater KC
Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity insurance
Michael has been handling professional indemnity cases for many years, usually in relation to construction projects and property damage cases. His recent cases include:
- Chalcraft v John Tompkins Associates [2011] EWHC 2079 QB (Merc). Acting with Paul Reed KC in a £1.2m professional indemnity dispute concerning allegations of negligent certification of construction works.
- Acting in a £20m professional indemnity dispute relating to the construction of gantry cranes.
- Acting in a £2m professional indemnity dispute concerning rights to light issues at a substantial east London hotel development.
- Advising loss adjusters/ CAR insurers following the catastrophic failure of the roof of an Irish sports complex.
- Acting for professional indemnity insurers for M&E engineers in this £400,000 flood damage claim.
- Acting for professional indemnity insurers for building services engineers in claim for negligent design of HVAC.
- Acting in subrogated recovery actions following the theft of plant from construction sites.
- Acting in business interruption claims caused by local authority construction works.
Property damage (coverage)
Property damage (coverage)
A significant part of Michael’s Property Damage practice involves acting and advising on coverage disputes. Further details of Michael’s Property Damage practice are set out under that tab and examples of Michael’s coverage work are set out below.

International Incidents
- Acting with Paul Reed KC in relation to damage and delay in start-up following slag run-out at a large-scale smelting plant. Damage c. $150m USD.
- Acting, together with Paul Reed KC and David Pliener KC on behalf of CAR insurers in US$136m international arbitration, relating to Hurricane damage to a substantial Caribbean Hotel development.
Fire
- Advising insurers following catastrophic fire at a home featured on “Grand Designs”.
- Advising insurers as to the scope and applicability of a hot-works exclusion following a catastrophic fire at a well-known hospital.
- Advising as to the interplay between professional indemnity and public liability insurance following a catastrophic fire at a new-build residential development.
- Advising adjoining owners in relation to fire damage to two listed historic cottages.
Flooding / Escape of Water
- Advising as to the interplay between professional indemnity and public liability policies following an escape of water at a major London office block.
- Advising professional indemnity insurers in relation to an escape of water during the refurbishment of an office block.
- Advising Professional Indemnity Insurers in relation to an escape of water at Sea Containers House.
- Advising Public Liability insurers in a flooding claim at an electronics manufacturing plant.
- Advising developers in relation to claims following water damage at 18 properties.
- Advising PL insurers in relation to an escape of water at DEFRA premises caused by the negligence of cleaning staff.
Professional liability
- Construction Professionals
  Construction Professionals
  Prior to taking silk, Michael was recommended by Chambers UK as a Band 1 junior in this area who is “extremely user-friendly and wonderful with clients”, with a “very strong technical understanding of the law and of construction” and who is “robust but realistic and gets the job done”.
  
  As you would expect, a very substantial proportion of Michael’s leading construction practice concerns bringing and defending claims against construction professionals. He has acted for and against architects, engineers, surveyors and project managers and he has particular experience of cases relating to building services engineers and project monitors.
  
  Michael’s practice revolves around high-value and complex domestic and international claims.
  
  Architects/ Contract Administrators
  
  Shepherd Construction v Kingspan & Ors: 24 party, £70m+ dispute arising out of cladding and other defects at a mixed-use development in Colindale (the Northern Quarter). Named by The Lawyer as a Top 20 Case for 2024. Leading Louis Zvesper.
  
  Standard Life Assurance Ltd v Gleeds & Ors: £38m claim relating to allegations of negligent design in a mixed-use development. Considering issues as to the pleading of professional negligence claims by way of sampling and extrapolation.
  
  Acting in c. £50m cladding claim relating to a development of 7 tower blocks in Wales. Leading Louis Zvesper.
  
  Acting in relation to £30m cladding claim arising out of the redevelopment of the Olympic Athlete’s Village.
  
  Acting with Paul Reed KC for the Architect in claim alleging negligent certification. Considered complex issues of authority under the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2001.
  
  Acting for the homeowner in a multi-party claim against Architects and Structural Engineers arising out of defects in the construction of a basement in a central London “Grand Designs” property.
  
  Acting in a claim relating to various alleged defects in design and construction of a new country estate.
  
  Acting in a claim relating to alleged delays in producing design information, negligent design and buildability.
  
  Project Managers
  
  Acting in a £20m claim arising out of negligent specification of gantry cranes in a manufacturing facility.
  
  Acting in a £2m claim alleging various failures to deal with rights of light issues.
  
  Engineers
  
  Rugby Football Union v Clark Smith Partnership & Ors: 5-party claim arising out of refurbishment works at Twickenham Stadium before the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Defending Civil Engineers, Michael has already succeeded in the TCC and Court of Appeal on issues relating to the co-insurance defence. Leading George Eyre.
  
  Junior to Joanna Smith KC in a £18m claim relating to defective M&E services at a landmark development in north London.
  
  Acting for M&E design and build contractors in a £10m claim relating to the management of multi-disciplinary works at a pharmaceutical production facility.
  
  Leading junior (leading Katrina Hanstock acting for the tenant in a multi-million pound, multi-party claim against structural engineers and D&B contractors arising out of subsidence damage to a warehouse floor.
  
  Acting for structural engineers in a multi-million pound claim following damage to the floor slab and dock levellers at a large Amazon distribution centre.
  
  Acting for M&E consultants in a £2m claim relating to alleged defects in a pharmaceutical R&D facility.
  
  D&B Contractors
  
  CIP Properties (AIPT) Ltd v Galliford Try Infrastructure Ltd & Ors –junior counsel to Joanna Smith KC in a c.£10m claim relating to allegations of defective car park ventilation.
  
  Acting for specialist roofing contractors in relation to design defects in car showroom roof.
  
  Advising the employer as to a claim against D&B contractors for negligence in the commissioning of LPHW and domestic cold water systems in an industrial estate.
  
  Building Control Professionals
  
  Defending a c. £8m claim against Building Control approved inspectors following the collapse of a swimming pool roof at a landmark hotel (leading Catherine Piercy KC).
  
  Surveyors and Monitoring Surveyors
  
  Acting for Quantity Surveyors defending £40m+ claim relating to negligent feasibility reports.
  
  Defending Monitoring Surveyors in a £8m claim alleging negligence in feasibility studies and negligence in Project Monitoring services.
  
  Acting for property valuers in a claim against monitoring surveyors following a negligent appraisal / feasibility report.
  
  Acting for Monitoring Surveyors in a claim relating to alleged fraudulent overvaluation.
  
  Acting for the Lender in a claim against Monitoring Surveyors relating to negligent and fraudulent overvaluation.
- Legal professionals
  Legal professionals
  Michael has extensive experience in claims against solicitors, barristers and other legal professionals related to negligence in litigation or transactional work.
  
  Michael also has experience of related costs matters such as wasted costs and non-party costs orders against solicitors.
  
  Recent Work
  
  Acting in a number of claims against solicitors arising out of failures to advise in relation to ‘toxic ground rent’ provisions in long leases.
  
  Acting in claim against solicitors for negligent conduct of £25m litigation including failure to advise on limitation and s.14A.
  
  Acting for the defendant construction claims consultant in a claim for the negligent conduct of a construction arbitration.
  
  Acting in a claim against counsel for negligent advice and failing to advance arguments in litigation.
  
  Acting in a claim against union representatives for the negligent conduct of an employment claim.
  
  Acting and advising in numerous claims relating to title defects and/or failure to advise in relation to property transactions.
  
  Acting and advising in numerous claims relating to failures to issue proceedings within the relevant limitation period and the likely quantum of such claims.
- Property professionals
  Property professionals
  Michael has a significant practice in property-related professional negligence disputes, whether the defendants are solicitors (see legal professionals above), surveyors or other property professionals in relation to both residential and commercial properties.
  
  Recent Work
  
  Acting for the surveyor in a £6m claim involving novel allegations of duty to advise the borrower under a floating facility.
  
  Acting for the surveyor in a c.£4m claim alleging negligent valuation of development land.
  
  Acting for the surveyor in a c. £1.5m claim alleging negligent valuation of a series of holiday lets.
  
  Acting for the valuer in £1m claim alleging negligent valuation of a going concern business.
  
  Acting for the surveyor in £750k claim alleging negligent overvaluation of a restaurant premises.
  
  Acting for valuers in a £600k claim alleging negligent valuation including “no loss” issues where a subsequent advance cleared the initial facility.
  
  Acting for valuers in a £600k claim alleging negligent valuation of agricultural / commercial property in respect of a series of construction/development loans.
  
  Acting for valuers in a £500k claim alleging negligent valuation of a rural residential property and failure to note an agricultural tie.
International
International
Michael has a thriving international practice revolving predominantly around construction, insurance and related disputes. Before taking silk, Michael was recommended as a Band 1 junior for his construction work in Chambers Global.

He has worked in various jurisdictions under various arbitration rules and has particular expertise in relation to disputes involving Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean.

Michael is a DIFC registered advocate and appears in trials, appeals and applications in the region.

Recent Work
- A v B: acting in 2 x DIAC Arbitrations valued in excess of £1Bn arising out of the design and construction of an Airport in the Middle East.
- Acting for the Employer in a c. 20m DIFC-LCIA Arbitration concerning the construction of a Super Villa in Dubai.
- Acting for Developers in AED 10m DIFC trial concerning allegations of misrepresentation.
- Acting for the designers in a $14m USD LCIA Arbitration concerning allegations of delay to the design of a shipyard in Kazakhstan.
- Acting, together with Paul Reed KC and David Pliener, on behalf of CAR insurers in this US$136m international arbitration, seat Cayman Islands, relating to Hurricane damage to a substantial Caribbean Hotel development.
- Junior to Paul Reed KC in USD $150m claim arising out of the explosion of ilmenite smelter in the Middle East
- Junior to Paul Reed KC in USD $70m ICC Arbitration relating to the supply of components for a process plant in Chile.
- Acting for the Claimant in a c. $14m USD LCIA Arbitration, seat London, concerning allegations of delay to the design of a shipyard in Kazakhstan.
- Acting for the Claimant in a £5m ICC arbitration, seat London, relating to the dismantling and relocation of a coal-fired power plant from Bulgaria to Turkey.
- Acting for the Respondent in a c.£2m ICC arbitration, seat Zurich, arising out of the supply of components for solar energy generation.
- Advising as to challenges to enforcement of ICC Arbitral award.

Professional associations

TECBAR
Society of Construction Law (UK and Gulf)
Adjudication Society
Kings College Construction Law Association
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
COMBAR
BILA
SCMA

Publications

Co-Author of Electronic Disclosure Law and Practice, Oxford University Press, 2017 (with Charles Raffin).
Contributor to Paul Reed KC’s Construction All Risks Insurance, Sweet & Maxwell, published in March 2014, second Edition in 2016, third Edition in 2021.
Contributor to Paul Reed KC’s Construction Professional indemnity Insurance, published by Sweet and Maxwell in 2018, second edition in 2022.
Contributor to Insurance Broking Practice and the Law, edited by CMS Cameron McKenna, Informa, looseleaf.
“Reasonable Settlement Revisited”, Const L.J. (2011) Vol.27 No.4 p 259
“Robinson Redux: be careful what you wish for”, Const L.J. (2011) Vol 27 No.2 p117 (with David Pliener KC)

Qualifications

2001 LLB
2002 LLM (Distinction)
2003 Bar Vocational Course
2011 Tecbar Adjudicator
2011 MSc (Distinction)
2011 Worshipful Company of Arbitrators Prize
2011 Arbitration Club Philip Ranner Prize
2011 MCIArb
2015 ADR Group Accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator
2015 SCMA Accredited Mediation Advocate

Notable cases

FM Conway Ltd v Rugby Football Union [2023] EWCA Civ 418; (2023) 208 Con LR 1; [2023] PNLR 23.
381 Southwark Park Road RTM Co v Click St Andrews Ltd [2022] EWHC 2244 (TCC); (2022) 204 Con LR 76.
Rugby Football Union v Clark Smith Partnership [2022] EWHC 956 (TCC); [2022] BLR 381; (2022) 202 Con LR 142; [2022] PNLR 21.
Standard Life Assurance Ltd v Gleeds [2012] EWHC 2081 (TCC); [2021] 4 WLR 117; [2021] BLR 588; (20210 197 Con LR 223.
Standard Life Assurance Ltd v Gleeds [2020] EWHC 3419 (TCC); [2021] BLR 125
LGK v MPB [2020] EWHC 90 (TCC); [2020] BLR 222
Broom v Paul Archer Design Ltd & Ors [2018] EWHC 1266 (TCC)
Knight v Goulandris [2018] EWCA Civ 237; [2018] 1 WLR 3345; [2018] 3 All E.R. 505; 181 Con L.R. 258.
Kersfield Developments (Bridge Road) Ltd v Bray & Slaughter Ltd [2017] EWHC 15 (TCC); 170 Con. L.R. 40; [2017] CILL 3929
Khan v RDK International LLC & Ors [2015] EWHC 3448 (Ch)
CIP Properties (AIPT) Ltd v Galliford Try Infrastructure Ltd & Ors (No. 3 Amendments) [2015] EWHC 1345 (TCC): 160 Con L.R. 73
CIP Properties (AIPT) Ltd v Galliford Try Infrastructure Ltd & Ors (Costs Judgment No. 2) [2015] EWHC 481 (TCC); 158 Con LR 229; [2015] BLR 285; [2015] 2 Costs LR 363; [2015] CILL 3641
Rydon Maintenance Ltd v Affinity Sutton Housing Ltd [2015] EWHC 1306 (TCC)
CIP Properties (AIPT) Ltd v Galliford Try Infrastructure Ltd & Ors [2014] EWHC 3546 (TCC); [2015] 1 All ER (Comm) 765; (2014) 156 Con L.R. 202; [2014] 6 Costs LR 1026
R&S Security Services Ltd v Fire Defence Plc [2013] EWHC 4222 (Ch); [2013] BCLC 92; [2013] BLR 500; [2013] B.P.I.R. 1085
Beck Interiors Ltd v Classic Decorative Finishes Ltd [2012] EWHC 1956 (TCC)
Beck Interiors Ltd v UK Flooring Contractors Ltd [2012] EWHC 1808 (TCC); [2012] BLR 417; [2012] CILL 3209
Archlane Ltd v Johnson Controls Ltd & Anor [2012] EWHC B12 (TCC)
Generation (UK) Ltd v Advance Scaffolding Services Ltd [2012] EWHC 2646 (Ch)
Chalcraft & Anor v John Tompkins Associates [2011] EWHC 2079 QB (Merc)
Generation (UK) Ltd v S L Dower [2011] EWHC 3547 (Ch)
Trad Hire & Sales Ltd v Holbrook Investments Ltd & Anor [2010] EWHC 90 (Ch)
Agilo Ltd v William Henry & Anor [2010] EWHC 2717 (Ch); [2011] BPIR 297
Henry v Agilo Ltd [2010] EWHC 2045 (Ch)
Sarkis v Mirza [2006] BPIR 146, CA
AMCD Property Services Ltd v G (2004) All ER (D) 125, (Ch)

Directory recommendations

Michael has been recommended as a leading construction junior for many years in Chambers UK, Chambers Global, and The Legal 500. He is also recommended for his professional negligence and insurance work by Legal 500. Michael is also recommended in Who’s Who Legal for both Construction and Professional Negligence.

“Sensible and amiable in client conferences and able to think quickly. Great on his feet, better in writing and approachable.” (The Legal 500, Professional Negligence)
“His advocacy is consistently impressive.” (The Legal 500, 2024, Construction)
“Michael is particularly good at document-heavy and complex disputes, and at ensuring tactical considerations are at the forefront of his advice.” (The Legal 500, 2024, Insurance and Reinsurance)
“Michael is excellent. He’s very personable, responsive, clients like him and he is good on his feet, with a good commercial sense.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Construction)
“Michael always has the answer. He has a very, very strong understanding of the law and of construction, but is very easy to work with and takes on a very commercial approach. His written advice is always spot on.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Construction)
“He’s great at getting up to speed and provides commercial and supportive advice.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Construction)
“Michael Wheater is robust but realistic and gets the job done.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Professional Negligence: Technology & Construction)
“Michael always has the answer; he has very strong technical understanding of the law and of construction but is very easy to work with and takes a very commercial approach.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Professional Negligence: Technology & Construction)
“He is very calm and measured.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Professional Negligence: Technology & Construction)
“He is extremely user-friendly and is wonderful with clients.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Professional Negligence: Technology & Construction)
“Michael Wheater is very personable, responsive and is very good on paper. Clients like him because he is good on his feet and has a good commercial sense.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Property Damage)
“He always has the answer; he has a very, very strong technical understanding of the law but is very easy to work with and takes a very commercial approach.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Property Damage)
“His written advice is always spot-on and he presents it in a very thorough, clear way that the clients understand. He has exceptional conduct before clients.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Property Damage)
“He’s very user-friendly, down-to-earth and provides excellent written advice. He’s also an excellent advocate and is one of the best counsel strategically that I’ve come across.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Property Damage)
“His advocacy is quietly forceful and persuasive. He’s very calm and measured, which judges tend to like.” (Chambers and Partners 2024, Property Damage)
“He is an all-round excellent barrister – very bright, user-friendly and very commercial.” “A solution-orientated and user-friendly barrister whose written work is highly impressive.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
“Michael is very good both on paper and his feet.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
“His written work and advice is absolutely spot on. He is incredibly responsive. Tactically, Michael is second to none. He is an excellent advocate and is fantastic with clients.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
“Michael is an oracle, he knows everything.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
“Michael is an excellent ally to have in the most difficult cases. Very good on both paper and his feet.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
“He is incredibly responsive, fantastic with clients and an excellent advocate.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
“Michael’s ability to turn things around and absorb huge amounts of information verges on impossible – unbelievable.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
“A very good senior junior. He quickly got to grips with all the various issues and made a tremendous contribution to our success.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
“A very bright individual. He is a robust advocate who provides first-class written advice.” (The Legal 500, 2023)
“Michael is an exceptional advocate with the ability to digest huge volumes of information, distil the key points and strategic implications, and produce laser-focussed submissions. A real team player for whom no task is too big or too small.” (The Legal 500, 2023)
“Michael is extremely approachable and user friendly, while also technically excellent. He more than holds his own against opposing silks and is a very persuasive and capable advocate.” (The Legal 500, 2023)
“A strong barrister and an excellent advocate who commands a wealth of expertise and knowledge. He is user-friendly and great with clients.” (Chambers UK)
“He is extremely intelligent, hardworking and commercially astute. He is a great team player and always comes through for us under pressure.” (Legal 500)
“He’s excellent – incredibly diligent and his research and drafting is, without exception, excellent.” (Chambers UK)
“Extremely intelligent and comes through for clients.” (Legal 500)
“Incredibly hardworking, his written work is second to none and he gets a complete grip on even the most complex of cases.” (Chambers UK)
“He is an excellent tactician and a good courtroom fighter.” (Chambers UK)
“He is extremely good technically and his written product is first class.” (Chambers UK)
“A very good technical lawyer. He knows his subject matter, his written work is excellent and he’s great with clients.” “Exceptional. He is incredibly knowledgeable and able to perceive problems before they come up and deal with them.” (Chambers UK)
“His written work is excellent, he’s great with clients and he’s very user-friendly.” (Chambers UK)
“He is very thorough with an excellent knowledge of construction issues” (Legal 500)
“He’s incredibly bright, tactically excellent, very user-friendly and approachable. His written work is first class, as is his advocacy.” Chambers UK
“He delivers clear and pragmatic advice” (Legal 500)
“He gives the correct advice without pulling any punches” (Legal 500)
“He was really responsive and really, really good in helping with the technical side of the case.” Chambers UK
“In addition to having a fantastic knowledge of the law, his commercial judgement is excellent and he is tactically brilliant.” Chambers UK
“Knowledgeable yet commercial and pragmatic. Quick to respond to queries with sound strategy advice.” Chambers UK
“Knows construction law, procedure and technicalities inside out – his drafting and written legal submissions are second to none.” Legal 500
“Incredibly bright, but very user friendly and down to earth.” Legal 500
“An excellent advocate, who provides robust and commercially astute advice.” Legal 500
“First rate” Legal 500
“Grasps issues quickly and is able to present advice to clients in a very clear, concise way.” Chambers Global
“A current and rising star.” Legal 500
“Incredibly diligent, hard-working, very good on the law.” Chambers UK
“Technically excellent.” Legal 500
“A bona fide construction specialist.” Legal 500
“Commercial, user friendly and helpful.” Chambers UK
“A very good technical lawyer. He knows his subject matter, his written work is excellent and he’s great with clients.” “Exceptional. He is incredibly knowledgeable and able to perceive problems before they come up and deal with them.” Chambers Global
“A highly regarded junior who continues to be instructed on large and important cases.” Chambers Global

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