Silk 2021
Call 2008
Email tim.breakspear@banco.net.au
Phone +61 2 9376 0677
PDF
CV
Tim Breakspear SC has a commercial practice with a focus on infrastructure, oil & gas, energy, resources and major construction & engineering projects. He also acts in general commercial disputes, particularly those involving issues of contract law, misrepresentation and professional negligence.
He appears in commercial courts throughout Australia and in international arbitrations in the Asia-Pacific region under arbitral rules including UNCITRAL, ICC, SIAC and ACICA.
He accepts appointments as arbitrator and court-appointed referee. He is a Fellow of ACICA, an approved arbitrator by the NSW Bar Association, and a previous member of the NSW Supreme Court's Users Group for the Commercial and Technology & Construction Lists.
Experience
Tim was awarded the Australian Financial Review's Best Lawyers in Australia "Lawyer of the Year" in 2023 and 2020 for construction and infrastructure matters in Sydney.
Who’s Who Legal – Arbitration Future Leaders 2020
Legal 500 Guide 2023 - 2021 Silk for Construction, Infrastructure and Property
Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific Guide 2023 - Band 2 in Construction & Infrastructure; Spotlight Table for International Arbitration in the Asia Pacific Region - "Tim is exceptional. He's very strategic and gets into the technical detail to understand the disputes. He actually gets construction, which not many barristers do. He’s also very commercial and capable of talking to clients." Tim enjoys a long-standing acknowledgement as one of Australia's leading construction barristers and continues to attract recognition as a significant player on the regional arbitration scene. "Tim is an exceptional barrister, and in particular, his legal knowledge, strategic nous and advocacy skills are immense."
Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific Guide 2022 - Band 1 in Construction & Infrastructure; Spotlight Table, International Arbitration in the Asia Pacific Region - "Head and shoulders above the rest" and "very highly regarded for international arbitration in Australia."
Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific Guide 2021 - Band 1 in Construction & Infrastructure; Spotlight Table, International Arbitration in the Asia Pacific Region - "Our go-to, experienced junior counsel," and a "very capable barrister who's great with clients and really does get the key issues." Also described as being "clearly a leader in the field," while another practitioner noted "he has plainly had a lot of international arbitration experience and is certainly making a mark."
Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific Guide 2020 - Band 1 in Construction & Infrastructure -"He has a stunning intellect, he's able to quickly grasp the details of the matter and also apply the law, and he can achieve things in an hour that would take other people three hours to do. One of the things I particularly appreciate about him is that he thrives under pressure, so when everything's going pear-shaped he really shines; some people get worse at that point but he gets better."
Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific Guide 2019 - Band 1 in Construction & Infrastructure - "an outstanding junior who is widely lauded for his exceptional performance on construction and infrastructure cases." "His work is excellent, he's really responsive and his written work is really exceptional. That's what sets him apart; he's really good on his feet but his written work is superlative."
Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific Guide 2018 - Band 1 in Construction & Infrastructure - "continues to attract glowing praise from market sources, one of whom comments: 'He is the best junior barrister in construction. He is an intelligent lawyer, is excellent on his feet, and has a great rapport with the Bench."
Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific Guide 2017 - Band 1 in Construction & Infrastructure: "an 'outstanding' construction specialist ... 'Tim's strategic input into a matter is without doubt the most valuable advice a client can get' ... 'His drafting and advocacy are outstanding.'" .
Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific Guide 2016 - Band 1 in Construction and Infrastructure, with clients describing him as "a class act" and "incredibly efficient."
Doyle's Guide 2022 - 2023 (Australia wide) - Leading Senior Counsel in construction and infrastructure.
Doyle's Guide 2022 - 2023 (Australia wide) - Leading Senior Counsel in arbitration.
Doyle's Guide 2022 - 2023 (New South Wales) - "preeminent" Senior Counsel in construction and infrastructure.
Doyle's Guide 2017 - 2020 (Australia wide) - "preeminent" arbitration junior counsel.
Doyle's Guide 2015 - 2021 (Australia wide) - "preeminent" junior counsel in construction and infrastructure.
Doyle's Guide 2015 - 2021 (New South Wales) - "preeminent" junior counsel in construction and infrastructure.
Doyle's Guide 2018 and 2020 (New South Wales) - "recommended" junior counsel in commercial litigation and dispute resolution.
Doyle's Guide 2014 (New South Wales) - " Market leader" in construction law: "Breakspear has emerged as the 'clear standout' and an 'absolute star' and 'sat comfortably as the states most favoured Junior Counsel'"
Shortlist