‘Professional, consistent and responsive’, Ashfords LLP‘s comprehensive practice is split between Exeter and Bristol and covers the gamut of construction mandates. In particular, the team has experience advising across the water, housing, and energy sectors, with further niches covering district heating, public sector and local authority work, and matters involving ports and marinas. The firm also undertakes a range of disputes, with recent mandates including remediation and architect claims. ‘A safe pair of hands’, Carl Thompson heads up the team and has extensive experience covering renewables and infrastructure projects, and PPP work. Patrick Blake and Stephen Homer are also mentioned, advising on a blend of contentious and non-contentious matters. Mark Manning regularly undertakes mandates in water, energy, and waste industries, with Laura Reeve bringing further experience in non-contentious matters in the residential, retail, and education spaces. In 2023, the team saw considerable growth on the contentious side with the addition of Sebastian Pigott, formerly at Atkin Chambers, as well as Sian Barrett, Francesca Rogers, and Sam Phillips.

Bevan Brittan LLP covers a broad range of contentious and non-contentious construction and engineering matters ranging from PFI disputes, fire defects, adjudications and enforcements, through to large housing and infrastructure mandates. The team is particularly experienced in representing large public clients, and advising national contractors and subcontractors. Leading the Bristol construction and construction disputes teams, Louise Robling is highly experienced in PFI contracts and fire safety work. Head of the commercial and infrastructure department Jonathan Turner has experience that includes handling joint ventures for housing-led development and regeneration mandates in addition to expertise in highway construction and maintenance issues. Nathan Bradberry is experienced in infrastructure projects, while Matthew Phipps excels in disputes across the construction sector.

Praised for its ‘good strength and depth’, Burges Salmon LLP‘s construction and engineering team is involved in a number of high-value mandates nationally. In particular, the practice stands out for its involvement in large infrastructure and energy sector projects, alongside its broader offering that ranges from utilities and housing work to hotel and leisure mandates. The team is based in Bristol and is led by Steven James who has a strong track record in nuclear and renewables projects, as well as real estate and transport work. Richard Adams leads the contentious side of the construction practice, while Lloyd James has particular expertise in renewable energy and infrastructure matters. Jessica Evans has ‘brilliant knowledge of the sector’, regularly supporting on complex construction disputes, and James Horton is praised for his ‘flexible approach which can bring a new angle on risk allocation’.

Osborne Clarke LLP’s ‘very experienced’ construction team handles a broad range of contentious and non-contentious matters for developers, contractors, investors, sellers and purchasers. Philip Davies, who is also a chartered quantity surveyor, co-leads the non-contentious side of the practice alongside Alexandra Gower, who has experience covering a range of regeneration and development projects including issues in the telecoms, residential, build to rent, and senior assisted living spaces. On the disputes side, Sebastian Bottard is a key name, particularly with regard to energy sector cases. Associate directors Sarah McCool and Duncan Parker are also noted, with the latter specialising in the operation and maintenance of energy and utilities infrastructure. Other key names include David Kirkpatrick and James Tonkin for disputes.

Foot Anstey‘s practice is well placed to advise on large projects ranging from energy and nuclear developments to water, residential, and the public sector projects. Ian Stubbs leads the energy, projects, infrastructure and construction team from Bristol, and counts transactions, procurements, financings, delivery issues and operation mandates among his areas of expertise. In Plymouth, Tris Tucker represents developers, contractors, and sub-contractors in construction disputes, while Dickon Court adds further disputes expertise, including claims regarding renewable projects and recladding matters. Exeter-based lawyer Brian Hitchcock has a focus on procurement work, while Bristol’s Mark Greatholder leads the firm’s commercial energy practice.

Michelmores LLP‘s construction and engineering team is led by Anna Wood who oversees a wide spread of transactional and contentious matters. Representing public and private clients, the practice has experience that encompasses residential and infrastructure mandates in addition to energy, renewables and off-site modular projects. Alan Tate brings further depth to the practice regarding procurement and construction projects and developments. Catherine Davis focuses on transactional and construction contract matters, while Neil Mason is particularly experienced in defects and delay claims alongside broader construction disputes. The individuals mentioned are split between Bristol and Exeter. Ashley Pigott joined the practice in Exeter from Gowling WLG in Birmingham in 2024, and Maria Greener joined from Clarke Willmott LLP.

With a sizeable client roster spanning the real estate, energy and public sectors, TLT‘s ‘extremely professional and very approachable’ construction practice covers a wide expanse of non-contentious and contentious matters. On the infrastructure side, the team has expertise covering projects extending to defence and nuclear energy projects, while, on the real estate development side, the firm is noted for acting for social housing advisers. Practice head Simon Goss advises a range of contractors, developers, and government departments, while Tom Wrzesien leads the contentious construction team. Ralph Hindle specialises in disputes, including delay, disruption and defective work claims, with Paul Jackson and Rebecca Harries-Williams also being key contacts for litigation advice. Senior associate Lawrence Mansell is prominent on the non-contentious side, and Charlotte Glasse handles a blend of both contentious and non-contentious matters.

VWV‘s Bristol-based team advises on construction loans, extensions, and developments in addition to negotiations, mediation proceedings, and disputes. The practice distinguishes itself by its strong sector expertise regarding universities and aerospace issues; the group also advises local and central governmental groups, academies and independent schools, as well as healthcare clients. Practice head Huw Morgan regularly acts for funders, developers, and contractors on PFIs and partnering arrangements, with further experience in litigation, arbitration, and mediation. Jason Prosser heads up the energy and utilities sector group and has experience in the contentious and non-contentious aspects of construction law. Legal director Alice Lang is also of note.

The ‘responsive and effective’ construction practice at Clarke Willmott LLP advises a diverse set of clients that consists of developers, house builders and social housing providers, alongside sponsors, retailers and hotels. Hayley Steel bolsters the firm’s non-contentious presence in the South West, leading the Southampton construction practice; she is also noted for her experience in mixed-use schemes, port developments, energy sector projects, and data centre matters.

Clyde & Co‘s projects and construction practice stands out for its broad cross-border contentious expertise, with work ranging from high-value contract disputes to delay and defect claims. Peter O’Brien leads the Bristol team and has extensive experience assisting contractors, sub-contractors, and employers across the energy, property, and infrastructure sectors. Construction litigation expert Kate Lister is often approached for her expertise in adjudications, arbitration proceedings, and negotiations paired with her experience in large cross-border mandates. Senior associate Josh Roberts along with associates Barnaby Sandy and Jennifer Davis are also key contacts.

‘Well resourced, knowledgeable and efficient’, DAC Beachcroft LLP‘s Bristol-based construction and engineering team covers an expansive range of contentious and non-contentious matters for a set of public and private healthcare providers (including the NHS), housebuilders, and central and local government groups. Ben Thornycroft leads the team and has a focus on non-contentious matters including strategic procurement mandates, development work, and contract advice, working for both tenants and landlords. On the contentious side, Nick Hillyard is ‘an extremely knowledgeable operator’ with extensive experience covering litigation, arbitration, and adjudication matters. Meanwhile, Phillip Roberts is highly experienced in handling professional indemnity claims against construction professionals. In August 2023, the construction disputes bench was further strengthened with the addition of Giles Tagg and Simon Matthews, both formerly at Beale & Co.

Keystone Law‘s practice has capabilities covering the full spectrum of construction matters. Martin Howe is highly experienced in non-contentious matters including contracts and procurement mandates, with recent work notably involving universities. With experience across the hotel, hospitality, road, rail, groundworks and tunnelling spaces, Louise Garcia focuses on the contentious side including delay and contract claims. Jon Close ‘has an excellent manner and is very pragmatic’, and brings additional expertise in the renewable sector, cyber installations, and research and development projects, especially in the food security and manufacturing sectors. Meanwhile, Australia-qualified solicitor Andrew Thompson has a strong track record across a plethora of construction contracts. Sarah Steed also supports.

With a client roster consisting of developers, contractors, and investors, RWK Goodman‘s ‘exceptional’ construction and engineering practice advises across a spread of developments and properties spanning the energy and renewables, transport, healthcare, education, and technology industries. ‘Go-to’ construction disputes lawyer Andrew Ash spearheads the team and is well-versed in assisting domestic and international clients. ‘Very commercial and grounded in her approach’, Elizabeth Painter focuses on non-contentious matters. Catherine Welch departed from the team in late 2023.

With a South West office located in Exeter, Trowers & Hamlins LLP covers a variety of construction mandates, with a particular focus on the residential, hotel and leisure sectors, alongside industrial and senior living expertise. On the contentious side, overseen by Oliver Williams, the team has experience advising on payment disputes, defect claims, delays, and professional negligence issues. Claire Atkins takes the lead on non-contentious matters, regularly assisting public and private sector bodies with contract drafting and negotiations, redevelopments and refurbishments. Senior associate Lydia Stuart-Banks often assists with non-contentious asset management and residential development mandates, with associates Tao Smart and Michael Chulu specialising in disputes.

Advising a range of engineers, consultants, architects and contractors, Beale & Co is noted for its construction and insurance expertise, both regionally and internationally. The team has experience advising on a range of infrastructure, civil engineering, and development disputes covering residential, commercial, and mixed-used properties. David McArdle, Nic Pegg and Joanna Lewis lead the team from Bristol, with extensive experience defending professionals and project managers against claims. The team also possesses substantial expertise handling TCC litigation, as well as adjudications, mediations, and arbitrations. Other key members of the team include Tom Wheeler and Lisa Evans.

A ‘go-to’ practice for contentious and non-contentious construction matters, Stephens Scown LLP has niche expertise acting for housing associations, mining companies, and renewables companies, including on solar and wind parks. The team is also trusted by landlords for fire safety and cladding issues. Praised for his ‘clear, reasoned, and well-informed advice’, Jim Gorrod leads the team from Exeter. In Truro, Brian Dolan advises contractors and developers, with Guy Michell and Kate Evans other core members of the same office. For building and fire safety issues, Exeter’s Amy Cardwell is highlighted.

The ‘helpful, knowledgeable and responsive’ team at Thrings LLP is highlighted for its development and development finance expertise, together with its experience advising on renewable energy projects and corporate occupier mandates. Natalia Sokolov and Alastair Govier lead the team from Bristol, with the former specialising in a range of non-contentious matters, and the latter focusing on construction disputes. The team advises a range of developers, investors, and contractors with mandates covering a range of commercial, residential, and infrastructure developments.