DAC Beachcroft LLP  maintains a market-leading construction practice that excels across the full range of issues, with notable expertise acting for regional contractors as well as clients in the public and education sectors. Practice co-head James Harrison leads the firm’s national non-contentious construction offering, while co-heads Andrew Clough and Stephen McLellan take point on contentious matters. Harrison has particular expertise in the residential development sector. Clough acts on construction and engineering disputes concerning petrochemical process plants, energy projects, and utilities and infrastructure projects, while McLellan is the key contact for constructors and developers involved in disputes. The core team also includes Ruth Davidson, who has a notable emphasis on energy disputes, and Rachel Gibson, who handles transactional mandates for infrastructure clients. Warren Kemp left the team in January 2024.

The specialist construction team at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP is well placed to handle instructions at the regional and national levels, expertly handling construction disputes, transactional mandates, national infrastructure schemes, and public inquiries. In particular, the team has recently seen increased activity related to project work in the energy transition space, an area of focus for the department. Under the leadership of procurement and funding expert Simon Rowland, the team regularly acts for local and national authorities as well as leading educational entities. Ian Atkinson takes point on the transactional front, handling developments, local government regeneration projects, and PFIs. Simon Lewis specialises in contentious mandates, regularly acting for clients in the infrastructure and energy sectors, while Helen Coxon is a key contact for clients in the public sector.

Muckle LLP’s construction and engineering team handles large-scale projects work both in the region and beyond, with notable strength advising on large student accommodation projects. The team regularly acts for local authorities as well as private and public companies and entities in the education, transport, and pharma sectors. The ‘stand-out’ Adam Aston now leads the practice and specialises in non-contentious development work. Seasoned construction expert Lucilla Waugh acts for procurers, developers, and supply chain clients, handling investments, developments, and large-scale projects including PPPs and PFIs. Waugh and Aston are ably assisted by Zi Chuen Gwi. In January 2024, the group strengthened its corporate occupiers offering with the arrival of Ross Galbraith, previously at Hawkswell Kilvington Limited.

With expertise spanning both contentious and non-contentious construction mandates, Sintons LLP's construction offering stands out for its sector specialism, advising on food production facilities, distribution centres, and warehousing facilities. Handling a high volume of instructions relating to building contracts and refurbishments, the team regularly acts for employers and developers, contractors and sub-contractors, and funders. Alex Rayner oversees the practice and has significant experience, adeptly handling both transactional mandates as well as disputes with a focus on adjudications. Jay Balmer attracts high praise from clients; working closely with Rayner, Balmer assists on contractual construction matters.

The ‘always highly responsive and professional’ construction team at Ward Hadaway LLP ably assists local authorities and public sector clients in the education and health sector on the full range of mandates. Development work, including industrial, commercial, and residential developments, feature prominently in the group’s workload. Paul Reekie, dual qualified in Scotland and England and Wales, leads the practice and has a long track record handling the full range of construction litigation, including adjudications and mediations. Neil Williamson takes point on contractual work as well as instructions relating to bonds, warranties, and guarantees. Alan Ross left the team in September 2023.

With notable strength in construction disputes, Hay & Kilner counts design teams, contractors, sub-contractors, and funders among its strong list of clients. Construction-related professional negligence claims form a core pillar of work for the team. Jan Rzedzian heads up the practice and has a strong track record acting for energy clients in the wind, waste, and solar sectors, advising on the drafting and negotiation of contracts and handling collateral warranties. Adam Chaffer works alongside Rzedzian and is another key name for contentious mandates.

Acting for insurers, regional businesses, and public bodies, Weightmans stands out for its strength in insurance-related construction disputes, particularly claims relating to cladding. Key contacts in the Newcastle office include new partner Tom Thurlow, who focuses his practice on insurance disputes in the construction sector, while Natalie Keyes has a broad practice that spans both contentious and non-contentious mandates, including build contracts work and dispute resolution, including adjudication and mediation proceedings. Alan Ross joined the team from Ward Hadaway LLP in September 2023 and is recommended for projects work. Richard Palmer is a name to note for professional indemnity instructions, while Anne-Marie Knight is another key individual recommended for professional negligence claims.