Addleshaw Goddard‘s team of ‘experienced professionals’ maintains a strong position in the market for major infrastructure and nationally significant regeneration projects. The team handles work in energy, utilities and transport spaces and is additionally well regarded for its expertise in infrastructure and construction disputes. James Reynolds leads the team and acts on major regeneration projects with expertise in the nuclear space. The team also advises companies such as Travelodge and MUSE on developments related to fire safety matters, spearheaded by Mark Broomfield and Joe Wilkinson, who lead the firms building, cladding and fire safety department. Further names of note are David Shaw, who works with some of the firm’s landmark clients, including National Grid and United Utilities; arbitration and disputes expert Graeme Warburton; and dispute resolution specialist Ally MacKenzie.

‘Truly specialist construction firm’ Hawkswell Kilvington Limited has in-depth knowledge of a broad range of construction contracts, including JCT design and build contracts and NEC4 facilities management contracts; the group is also experienced in construction-related disputes. The Leeds-based construction practice is led by a trio of practitioners: Daniel Silberstein and Thomas Salter, who lead on contentious matters, often relating to building safety, defects and extensions of time; and Rachel Heald, who works on contract drafting for developers, contractors and lenders. Gary Ashton and David Spires are further key names in the team with a focus on dispute resolution.

Pinsent Masons LLP's Leeds-based construction team is well regarded for its expertise in large-scale construction and infrastructure projects, often in the energy and renewable energy spaces, acting for major clients such as E.ON, bp and Flogas. Overseeing the department are Mark Harris, who advises on the entire construction lifespan of a project, from procurement through to delivery and any related disputes, and Stacey Collins, who is an expert in the areas of carbon capture and low-carbon hydrogen, which he implements when advising on construction projects. Further names of note are infrastructure and energy disputes partners Simon Plunkett and John Williams, and Naomi Stafford who advises on contentious construction matters in the university, museum and energy spaces; she also assists with building and fire safety issues.

The ‘first-rate’ construction and engineering team at Walker Morris LLP handles complex infrastructure and energy construction projects and is also competent at drafting and negotiating contracts for student accommodation projects, build-to-rent developments and modular facilities. On the non-contentious side, the team covers litigation and arbitration proceedings, including claims related to cladding and other defects. Tom Peel leads the team and frequently assists on contentious, high-value fire safety claims. Paul Hargreaves also regularly covers fire safety and warranty claims, Jules Harbage is a standout practitioner on cross-border infrastructure and energy construction projects, and Carly Thorpe is an expert in construction-related litigation and adjudications. Martin Scott left the firm in May 2023, while Alastair Robertson and Alex Jones were promoted to partner and director respectively in the same month.

Praised by clients as ‘a boutique specialist law firm that punches above its weight’ Barton Legal Limited handles complex litigation, adjudication and arbitration proceedings related to delay, defect and negligence claims, and handles the drafting and negotiation of various construction contracts on the non-contentious side for a broad range of clients. Founding partner Bill Barton leads the practice and has extensive experience advising on renewable energy and wind farm construction projects. Senior associate Katie Kent-Jones joined the firm in December 2023 from Addleshaw Goddard.

CMS‘ construction team works for a diverse array of clients including contractors, public sector bodies and employer clients across various sectors, including the education, healthcare, hotels and infrastructure spaces. Key clients include the University of Sheffield, Lendlease and Glasgow City Council. The team is jointly led by Fraser Askham, who handles contentious work, such as infrastructure, construction and energy disputes, and Helen Johnson, who covers non-contentious matters including advice on contractual arrangements and the construction aspects of corporate and real estate transactions. Jenny Whipps and Emma Hutchinson are additional key contacts in the construction team.

DLA Piper‘s construction team is reputed for the depth of its expertise in real estate infrastructure projects, where the team is well versed in procurement preparation, and any arising contentious matters. The sectors in which the team excels include the energy, transport, nuclear and real estate spaces, where National Highways England and AXA are among the firm’s stellar client roster. Practice head Ian Doig is based in Sheffield and stands out in the field for his expertise in procurement matters in relation to energy and infrastructure construction projects. He is supported by Ben Peecock, who supports clients on the drafting of construction documentation and various other non-contentious matters, as well as Joanne Bennett at associate level.

The construction and engineering team at Squire Patton Boggs offers clients, including sponsors, funders, developers and public sector clients, construction advice on energy, infrastructure and PPP projects. Heading up the team is Zakir Mulla, who is well versed in procurement advice, construction documentation and post-contract support. James Duckworth is a key contact for development and infrastructure matters focused on the Middle East, across the energy, waste and water sectors.

Bevan Brittan LLP‘s construction practice stands out for its work with public sector clients, where the firm assists various local authorities and central health bodies. The firm's work covers contract negotiations regarding waste and energy projects and re-cladding schemes, while the contentious offering includes advice on PFI disputes, fire safety claims and sub-contractor disputes. The team is led by a trio of practitioners across the UK, including Sarah Wilson in Leeds, who has specialist expertise in NEC contracts. Judith Hopper covers PFI and PPP disputes in the areas of highways, waste, education and health, while Niamh Batterton covers non-contentious construction issues.

Freeths LLP‘s construction team ‘works incredibly well together’ on complex disputes, adjudications and arbitrations related to damages and delays, while on the contentious side, the group is involved in various construction documents. Practice head Rachael Yates is based in Leeds and advises on disputes and procurement issues, often in the energy, infrastructure and utilities sectors. Sheffield-based Marie Mulligan has specialist knowledge of JCT and NEC contracts, while Nichola Faith in Leeds specialises in construction disputes.

Gosschalks excels in contentious construction matters, including indemnity claims, compensation claims and subcontractor disputes, while also being well versed in construction contracts on the non-contentious side. Matthew Fletcher leads the Hull-based practice and leads on complex construction disputes, while Abigail Milner handles non-contentious work, especially in the retail and energy sectors, and William Buckenham frequently handles offshore drilling and rail disputes.

Shoosmiths LLP primarily handles non-contentious construction work across a broad range of real estate types including residential, later living and student accommodation properties, hotels and offices. The team often drafts and negotiates construction documentation as part of large development projects alongside the firm's nationwide real estate department. Rick Atha leads the practice and has recently been involved in a significant buy-to-rent development in central Manchester for Moorfield Group Limited. Christine Burrows is also noted.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP‘s construction and engineering team frequently assists public sector clients, including governmental departments, local councils and the NHS Property Services, while also working with private clients operating across the renewable energy, life sciences and manufacturing sectors. The firm handles the construction aspects of large development and regeneration schemes and stands out for its expertise in EPC contracting. Vicky McCombe leads the Yorkshire team and has extensive experience in the drafting and negotiation of various types of construction documentation, including FEED and EPC. Sarah Wales-Canning regularly handles transactional construction matters and is another key name to note.

Clarion‘s growing construction team is adept at drafting construction documentation on the non-contentious side, and stands out for its expertise in construction-related disputes, where it has extensive experience in court proceedings and arbitrations related to damages and defects, particularly in relation to fire safety matters. Phil Morrison leads the team, who is well versed in fire safety regulations and is praised by clients for ‘always bringing clarity and direction to the proceedings’. Siobhan Dexter is also noted for her expertise in JCT, NEC and FIDIC contracts.

The construction practice at Gordons LLP is instructed by a number of notable retail clients, including Wren Kitchens and Iceland Foods, as well as premier league football clubs and property developers on the construction aspects of development projects and related contentious claims regarding defects, cladding issues and building obligations. Richard Piper leads the team and has specialist expertise in chemical, telecoms and renewable energy projects. Connor Mennell is also noted.

Ward Hadaway LLP‘s construction department frequently acts in disputes related to the procurement, supply and delivery of construction materials, and is also adept at non-contentious advisory mandates regarding the drafting of construction documents, including building contracts, performance bonds and sub-contracts in relation to complex development projects in the hotels, sports and university accommodation sectors. Stephen Radcliffe leads the team and is well versed in alternative dispute resolution options, while Dan Lyon handles non-contentious matters, particularly the drafting and negotiation of construction documents.