Hall Of Fame

Firms To Watch: Construction

Led by David Brown, an expert in contract disputes, insolvency matters, and adjudication proceedings, the construction group at CooperBurnett LLP is highly sought-after among regional contractors and sub-contractors on high-value contentious matters.
The construction practice at Gateley Legal draws upon the longstanding strength of Andrew Keeley. Alongside an expertise drafting and negotiating building and JCT contracts, Keeley is a particular specialist in the fire-safety remediation space.

Construction in South East

Blake Morgan LLP

Through its construction and engineering team, Blake Morgan LLP offers focused contentious and non-contentious expertise to notable domestic and international clients. From Oxford, Richard Wade heads the construction group and assists real estate developers and operators on contentious procurement and construction issues as well as on the drafting and negotiation of construction documents and contract agreements. Also in Oxford, James Bessey specialises in major national and international construction disputes, serving as a leading contact to property owners and operators on safety issues concerning tall buildings, cladding, and fire safety. Simon Lewis leads the contentious construction team in Southampton, representing employers, contractors, and developers on major and complex building defect, remediation, and contract disputes.

Responsables de la pratique:

Richard Wade; Simon Lewis


Autres avocats clés:

James Bessey


Les références

‘The team provides a superb service. They are proactive and think about the case from your perspective and provide value-added services to mitigate risk, so as to achieve targets.’

Principaux clients

Premier Inns/Whitbread


IWG/Regus


St. John’s Winchester


Diamond Light Source Limited


Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council


Oxford University Development Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Premier Inns on various issues regarding tall buildings and ACM cladding.
  • Acting for a number of clients (mainly property management companies) in relation to fire safety issues, both relating to external façade products installed in breach of Building Regulations and internal defects such as defective fire stopping and fire doors.
  • Advising Diamond Light Source Limited on providing non-contentious support on a number of projects, including the replacement of the roof to main Synchrotron building at Harwell, Oxfordshire

Cripps

Possessing an ‘extremely knowledgeable’ construction team which can ‘cut straight to the key issues’, Cripps is regularly entrusted on high-value contentious and non-contentious matters impacting major domestic developments. A ‘calm and composed’ character, James Lee heads the practice and is a key contact on non-contentious construction matters. A particular expert in the life sciences sector, Lee advises property developers and investment managers on construction documents, appointments, and development agreements. Nitej Davda is a specialist regarding contentious matters and assists property developers and managers on disputes concerning construction and cladding defects, as well as property and construction-related professional negligence claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

James Lee


Autres avocats clés:

Nitej Davda; Luke Barnes


Les références

‘Cripps’ construction team is extremely knowledgeable and able to cut straight to the key issues. They are able to say how market-standard certain obligations are to help me decide strategies in terms of what we must hold out for and what we can concede.’

‘Well-resourced and able to provide a quick and professional service.’

‘They understand us as a client and give confidence to us on the contractual obligations we are signing up to.’

Principaux clients

The Cadogan Estate


Federated Hermes


Kadans Science Partner


Kennedy Wilson


YASA Limited


Peer Group


The Eyre Estate


Canada Life Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising the Cadogan Estate on a range of construction projects across their London estate.
  • Acting for Kadans Science Partner on the development of its substantial UK property portfolio.
  • Advising Federated Hermes on the development, operation, and maintenance of thecentre:mk in Milton Keynes.

Stevens & Bolton LLP

Standing out for the depth of its engagement in the engineering and infrastructure spaces, the construction and engineering department at Stevens & Bolton LLP is regularly entrusted by major global clients on high-value and technically complex matters. Particularly sought-after among leading domestic and international employers, contractors, and consultants on disputes concerning defective premises, fire safety, and unpaid accounts, Kimberley Eyssell heads the team and is a specialist in the transport and engineering sectors. On non-contentious matters, Ben Willis is a key contact, acting for leading clients on construction and engineering contracts, framework agreements, and procurement contracts across the commercial and leisure property spaces.

Responsables de la pratique:

Kimberley Eyssell


Autres avocats clés:

Ben Willis; Claire Kilpatrick (née Perry)


Les références

‘Stevens & Bolton can support all our business needs. They have the experience and expertise of a city practice with a personal, client-focused approach.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Advising a manufacturer on construction agreements, procurement, and general construction advice for a new construction project worth approximately £600m.
  • Advising a household name retailer in connection with a complex engineering claim relating to a distribution facility.
  • Assisted in drafting and negotiating a large number of framework agreements for a telecommunciations business to expand its network in the UK.

Field Seymour Parkes LLP

Field Seymour Parkes LLP offers ‘experience, expertise, and competency’ across high-value and complex contentious and non-contentious construction law matters. James Palmer heads the construction team and acts for property developers and contractors on complex disputes arising under the Building Safety Act, particularly concerning fire safety and cladding defects. A further key contact is Cathrine Ripley, who leverages her commercial contract expertise to assist developers, contractors, and funders in reviewing and negotiating construction and finance documents and terms of appointment.

Responsables de la pratique:

James Palmer


Autres avocats clés:

Cathrine Ripley


Les références

‘The Field Seymour Parkes team is flexible and quick to bring their own specialists in. No topic appears to be too difficult – they always find a colleague with the right level of experience, expertise, and competency who is available quickly to help.’

Principaux clients

WAKMoor (Assets) Limited


Vaccine Manufacturing & Innovation Centre (WMIC)


Irwin Mitchell

Highly sought-after among clients for its ‘commercial’ and ‘straightforward’ advice, the construction and engineering practice at Irwin Mitchell leverages national expertise across contentious and non-contentious matters. The team includes the ‘incredibly responsive’, ‘very approachable’, and ‘very knowledgeable’ Robert Tunningley and Natalie Cane, who specialise in advising property developers, investment managers, and employers on non-contentious matters. Tunningley assists in the negotiation of construction documents concerning the development of commercial assets and the fit-out of office buildings, while Cane supports the team on matters concerning contractual documents and cladding remediation projects.

Responsables de la pratique:

Robert Tunningley


Autres avocats clés:

Natalie Cane


Les références

‘The construction team at Irwin Mitchell are brilliant, they turn work around incredibly quickly, are problem solvers, and are always available.’

‘They proactively offer new suggestions and thus provide the business with commercial advice.’

The team is personable and gives straightforward advice.’

Principaux clients

EC1 Residences Limited


Goldbeck Construction Limited


ADF London Limited


Gleeson Regeneration Limited


Rula Developments Limited


SCOR Services UK Limited


Bexhill College


Churchill Design and Build Limited


Churchill Contractors (UK) Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Goldbeck Construction Limited on a number of developments throughout the UK, including two regeneration developments in Cardiff.
  • Advising on a significant number of cladding remediation projects for a large managing agent for institutional freeholders.
  • Advising EC1 Residences Limited on the design, construction and financing of the conversion of an existing building into a 208-bed student accommodation in Islington, London.

Palmers

The ‘first-class’ and ‘extremely knowledgeable’ construction and engineering practice at Palmers offers major domestic clients specialist advice on high-value and important mandates. Leading the department is Adam Davis, who ‘combines legal acumen with commercial understanding’. Davis is a key contact on damages, delay, and payment disputes as well as the drafting of standard and bespoke construction contracts. Layna Thompson heads the team’s contentious construction work and acts for developers, contractors, and subcontractors across delay and disruption claims, payment arbitration and adjudications, and property defect disputes.

Responsables de la pratique:

Adam Davis; Layna Thompson


Les références

‘Well-resourced and diligent. There is a good level of supervision.’

‘Strong in property matters and very efficient.’

‘Palmers has been first class in terms of building client relationships, integrity, support and honesty, when dealing with our difficult case. The firm has effectively communicated and collaborated with us all the way through and is extremely knowledgeable in the field of construction law. Whilst our case is complex they have always remained extremely calm under pressure and most importantly reassuring, always setting out risks that we need to be made aware of.’

Principaux clients

LFF Glamal Limited


LFF (Scotland) Limited


The Lady Eleanor Holles School Limited


City Lifting Limited


Ryan and Walsh Limited


Eden Facades Limited


TPS Interiors Limited


Emerson Crane Hire Limited


EEStairs (UK) Limited


Arti Structural Waterproofing Limited


TMT Steel Limited


Grangewood Group


Hollmark Limited


Munday and Cramer Architectural and Building Surveyors Limited


Technocrates Construction Limited


IM Automation Systems Limited


Academy Estate Consultants Limited


Evolution Group


Sheridan Gold LLP

Offering clients ‘extensive knowledge and understanding of the construction industry’, Sheridan Gold LLP is a key port of call for major domestic and international contractors, sub-contractors, employers, and consultants. The ‘responsible, knowledgeable and highly professional’ Jonathan Gold heads the team and assists in disputes concerning delays, professional negligence, defects, and issues under the Building Safety Act and Defective Premises Act. Longstanding construction law expert Peter Sheridan  also co-heads the team, bringing a wealth of expertise in arbitration proceedings, while Jane Ryland  supports the practice as a consultant.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jonathan Gold; Peter Sheridan


Autres avocats clés:

Jane Ryland


Les références

‘Niche practice with extensive knowledge and understanding of the construction industry, in relation to both provision of professional services and contracting.’

‘People skills in addition to detailed legal knowledge. Diplomacy and ability to empathise, whilst retaining clarity over legal position.’

‘Sheridan Gold have acted quickly and effectively.’

Principaux clients

Apex Contractors


Ballast Nedam Construction


Cappagh Browne


Chapel Down


Colour One


Ferdinand Bilstein UK


Intrepid Civil and Marine Anguilla


ITC Properties


Towncourt Homes Limited


Wimbledon Offices Limited


Thomson Snell & Passmore

Demonstrating ‘extensive experience and knowledge in the building sector’, Thomson Snell & Passmore is keenly sought-after among employers, contractors, sub-contractors, and consultants on high-value matters. Specialising in non-contentious mandates, Chris Whittington heads the construction team and is renowned for his ‘clear and concise advice’ on building, engineering, procurement, and fit-out contracts. Leading the team on dispute resolution and adjudication matters, Chris Kirby-Turner  is ‘highly competent with contentious construction law matters’ concerning damage and defects, professional negligence claims, and commercial issues. The ‘very knowledgeable, professional and helpful’ Caroline Watkins is a further key contact, particularly concerning construction documentation, professional services agreements, and contractual risk.

Responsables de la pratique:

Chris Whittington


Autres avocats clés:

Chris Kirby-Turner; Caroline Watkins


Les références

‘’The team has extensive experience and knowledge in the building sector.’

‘Thomson Snell & Passmore provides a superlative construction law service in Kent. A highly competent team.’

‘Took the time to understand exactly what we needed and prepared a bespoke service which aligned with our needs.’

Principaux clients

Ferns Group


Principaux dossiers


  • Drafting the full suite of construction documents and associated professional appointments for the construction of major plant for recovery and refining of precious metals.
  • Resolving a complex and extensive final account dispute arising at the conclusion of a major framework agreement for utilities reinstatement works.
  • Advising a contractor client on their enhanced responsibilities under the Building Safety Act.

Holmes & Hills

Offering clients a ‘highly professional’ team boasting ‘extensive knowledge of the construction industry’, Holmes & Hills is keenly sought-after on contentious and non-contentious matters. Sam Bawden, a leading contact among contractors and sub-contractors, leads the construction division and assists clients with contract drafting and review, defective works, and payment disputes. A further key individual is Lawrence Pearce, who assists contractors, sub-contractors, and consultants across disputed payments, defects, and debt recovery.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sam Bawden


Autres avocats clés:

Lawrence Pearce


Les références

‘Holmes & Hills lawyers are highly professional with extensive knowledge of the construction industry.’

‘They are a dedicated team with strong family-oriented values, passionate about providing exceptional service.’

‘From start to finish Sam Bawden made us feel at ease. His communication was second to none, always giving us options to consider, and generally facilitating a smooth process.’

Principaux clients

Build Park House Limited


Build (Maidenhead) Limited


NT Killingley Ltd


Rose System Scaffolding Limited


Build Park House Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Build Park House Limited in a dispute with Barker Homes Limited over non-payment under a contract for the conversion of an office block into 80 apartments.
  • Represented Build (Maidenhead) Limited in a dispute with Barker Homes Maidenhead Limited over disputed payment valuations, contractual defaults, and wrongful termination of a contract for the conversion of an office block into 40 apartments.
  • Represented Rose System Scaffolding Limited on a Letter of Intent issued by John Sisk & Son Limited for scaffolding works at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.

Lester Aldridge LLP

The construction team at Lester Aldridge LLP is particularly sought-after among housebuilders, developers, infrastructure operators, and contractors on high-value contentious and non-contentious matters. A leading authority in the development of construction documents, particularly within the industrial, offshore, and care sectors, Izabela Arnold heads the team. Bringing experience regarding commercial and residential developments, Amy Lewis is a further key contact, particularly on the drafting and negotiating of building contracts and works agreements.

Responsables de la pratique:

Izabela Arnold


Autres avocats clés:

Amy Lewis


Principaux clients

Graham Care Group


Captiva Homes Limited


Care South


Opus Project Consultants Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted Graham Care Group with bespoke precedent contracts for tendering a 62-unit care home, 16 unit 2-bedroom apartment and hydrotherapy development in the South East.
  • Advised Captiva Homes Limited on a large-scale affordable housing project on the Isle of Wight.
  • Advised Care South on the installation of PV panels across its care home portfolio.

Mills & Reeve LLP

Acclaimed for its ‘innovation and flexibility’, the construction team at Mills & Reeve LLP offers specialist advice focused on the education, science and technology, leisure, and power sectors. Standing out for his ‘excellent service and advice’, Dominic Jones heads the practice as well as the firmwide team focusing on the Building Safety Act. An expert advisor to major regional and national public, private, and third sector clients, Jones assists across construction contracts, procurement and consultancy arrangements, and contentious matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Dominic Jones


Les références

‘The team has responded with innovation and flexibility in dealing with a range of legal matters concerning appointments and construction contracts. They have been very prompt in all of our dealings.’

‘Dominic Jones has provided excellent service and advice, responding quickly to questions and working closely with the relevant parties to execute a range of appointments and contracts.’

Principaux clients

Diamond Light Source Limited


Oxford University endowment management


Marick Real Estate Limited


St Catherine’s College, Oxford


Railway Pension Nominees Limited


Oxford University Development Limited


Nuffield College, Oxford


Natural History Museum


Wallace Estates Limited


E.W. Beard Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Ass9sted Diamond Light Source Limited in relation to procurement activities for the development of a data centre and the upgrade of the UK’s national synchrotron facility.
  • Advising Oxford University Development Limited on development schemes at Begbroke Innovation District, Wellington Square and Osney Mead in Oxford.
  • Advising St Catherine’s College, Oxford on contractual arrangements for the replacement of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in the College’s estate.