James Davison and Charles Irvine appointed as Heads of Groups at 3PB

22nd January 2026

3PB Barristers (3 Paper Buildings) are delighted to announce the appointment (pictured here, left to right) of James Davison as the new head of the Construction and Engineering Group, and Charles Irvine who becomes the new head of its Property and Estates Group. Charles will be supported by Louise WortonLouise WortonCall: 2000 and Andrew NicklinAndrew NicklinCall: 2010 who were elected as deputy heads of the Group.

James' election follows the end of Peter Collie's tenure and Chambers wanted to express its huge thanks to Peter who has made an enormous contribution in leading the group over the last ten years. Similarly, Chambers expresses its many thanks to Matthew Cannings who now passes on the baton to Charles after six years. These two distinct teams, with over 60 specialist barristers, offer advice and representation on all the legal aspects of construction and engineering claims and property and estates disputes.

James DavisonJames DavisonCall: 1996 has specialised in construction and engineering matters at the bar for 15 years and is familiar with disputes arising from all manner of project delivery problems, procurement and commercial funding arrangements. He is regularly instructed to advise and lead disputes to trial and through adjudication, arbitration and mediation procedures by Local Authorities, private developers and specialist M&E contractors. Before his time in practice he worked in-house for Arup, Cyril Sweett and Renewable Electricity Developers and completed his MSc in Construction Law and Arbitration at King’s College in 1999.

Charles IrvineCharles IrvineCall: 2010  is regularly instructed in the Court of Appeal, High Court, County Court and the Tribunals on a range of property, trusts,  commercial and insolvency proceedings. His busy property practice includes real property, with a focus on trusts of land, proprietary estoppel and the interpretation of deeds alongside commercial and residential landlord and tenant law, including possession, advising on secured and assured tenancies, 1954 Act renewals and forfeiture and surrender.

James Davison said: “This is a great time to be taking over the leadership team for the group as we are seeing high quality cases coming in for our advocates and arbitrators. I am very grateful to Peter Collie for all his work in helping the group to thrive and expand Internationally. As a longstanding member of our Group, I look forward to developing its ongoing success by guiding clients to improved outcomes by working with our team of advocates who can leverage familiarity with our industry and its unique dispute resolution landscape afforded by ADR, Adjudication and the TCC."

Charles Irvine said: ""I look forward to leading the team and with my colleagues in continuing to provide the highest levels of advocacy and advice for the benefit of our clients. We are grateful to Matt Cannings for all of his work in developing the group and overseeing our recruitment of barristers in Birmingham, Bristol and London. I am looking forward to developing our property and estate work, including all aspects of real property, trusts, landlord and tenant and probate work."

Joe Townsend and Steve Evers continue as the principal clerks and Practice Directors for the Construction and Engineering Group and likewise Mark Heath (Chambers Director) and Matthew Scanlan (Senior Practice Manager) for the Property and Estates Group, leading teams of specialist clerks across 3PB's seven-office network.