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.
Best Lawyers 2025
Lawyer of the Year for Construction and Infrastructure Law
Who’s Who Legal
Arbitration Future Leaders 2020
Legal 500 Guide 2025
Leading Silk for Construction, Infrastructure and Property; Spotlight Counsel for International Arbitration – “Tim is fantastic. He has managed to break out of Australia and is active on international arbitrations. He is really good both technically and with witnesses.”
Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific Guide 2024
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 2023
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 2022
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 2021
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.”
Doyle’s Guide 2022 – 2025 (Australia wide)
Leading Senior Counsel – Construction & Infrastructure.
Doyle’s Guide 2022 – 2024 (Australia wide)
Leading Senior Counsel – Arbitration.
Doyle’s Guide 2022 – 2025 (New South Wales)
Preeminent Senior Counsel – Construction & Infrastructure.
