Construction & Engineering

We have an experienced team of transactional lawyers who are well versed on all forms of construction procurement, including but not limited to: traditional, design and build, modular construction, joint venture, management contracting, construction management, prime cost and target cost led projects.

Choosing the right procurement route is often the foundation of a successful build. We provide early, strategic guidance on selecting the most suitable route for your objectives.

We draft, negotiate and review the full suite of project documentation, ensuring risks are allocated appropriately and commercial aims are protected.

We align procurement and contract terms with the commercial arrangements from the outset, so responsibilities are clear and delivery can progress with confidence.

Our work includes:

• Residential and commercial developments, from single or multi-phased schemes to major regeneration projects
• Complex higher-risk building schemes (new build and remedial works projects) that are being developed in line with the current building safety regime
• PFI and public private partnership projects in the housing, education and leisure sectors
• Construction contracts, including bespoke forms and amended industry standards
• Assignments, novations and professional appointments
• Collateral warranties and third-party rights
• Security packages, including performance bonds, retention bonds, parent company guarantees and vesting agreements
• Construction insurance
• Asset and facilities management contracts
• Remedial works agreements
• Strategic support for distressed or delayed projects
• Development finance support

We provide strategic advice to our clients from the pre-planning, design and construction phase to onward sale in both the public and private sector. Our depth of knowledge and experience allows us to advise you on the delivery of any construction project.

Construction disputes can escalate quickly. Our team helps clients resolve issues efficiently, with an emphasis on practical, early intervention wherever possible.

We act in the full range of disputes involving time, cost, quality and wider issues, including health and safety prosecutions, procurement challenges, party wall matters, gas servicing issues, basements, rights to light and boundary disputes.

Our construction and engineering team are experienced across all forums: mediation, adjudication, arbitration and litigation in the Technology and Construction Court. This includes advising on:

• Adjudication
• Arbitration
• Expert determination
• Litigation
• Mediation

Clients rely on us to manage construction and engineering disputes from first signs of disagreement through to final resolution, providing robust representation and clear, commercial advice at every stage, so whether you need advice on dispute resolution for construction contracts, or the help of specialist lawyers, we have you covered

Live projects require active risk management. We support contractors and employers week-to-week, helping them identify challenges early and address them before they escalate.

Our project support services include:

• Contract administration
• Project delivery support
• Dispute avoidance strategies

Many issues can be resolved with timely, commercial advice. Where disputes do arise, we work to minimise delay, cost and disruption.

Public sector procurement plays a central role in many construction portfolios. Timing is critical, and early advice often determines whether a challenge can be resolved without litigation.

We advise contracting authorities and economic operators on the lawfulness of procurement processes, from early-stage concerns to proceedings at court. We support clients dealing with exclusion, flawed decision-making, unclear processes or unfair evaluation.

Our procurement challenge work includes:

• Advising on exclusion from tendering
• Assessing fairness of evaluation and scoring
• Addressing flawed or unclear procurement processes
• Challenging unequal treatment or bias
• Pre-action correspondence and dispute avoidance
• Court proceedings where necessary

Construction projects are particularly vulnerable to insolvency risk. When this happens, disruption often follows - whether through delays, cost increases or uncertainty around delivery.

We advise employers and contractors on distressed projects, offering practical steps to stabilise the position and manage risk. This includes claims under contracts, bonds and guarantees, and strategic planning following insolvency events.

Landlords and construction businesses face significant obligations under health and safety legislation. Regulatory breaches can lead to investigations, enforcement and reputational harm.

We provide clear, strategic advice to help clients comply with their obligations and respond effectively when issues arise. Our specialist team has extensive experience with UK regulators including the Health and Safety Executive, the Regulator of Social Housing and the Building Safety Regulator.

Our services include:

• Regulatory compliance and policy development
• Investigation management and enforcement support
• Representation at inquests and hearings
• Strategic risk mitigation

We also support clients seeking health and safety legal compliance in construction, offering pragmatic insight into an evolving regulatory landscape.

Legal reform continues to reshape building safety obligations. Dutyholders now face complex and shifting responsibilities throughout the lifecycle of a building.

Our Building Safety Team advises on all aspects of the regime, from pre-construction compliance to in-occupation duties and dispute resolution. We help clients understand how the law applies to their projects and respond to emerging risks.

Services include:

• Assessing whether the building safety regime applies to your project
• Identifying exemptions and emergency repair routes
• Dutyholder competence and roles
• Identifying higher-risk buildings
• Advising accountable persons and principal accountable persons
• Claims under the Building Safety Act 2022
• Gateway processes
• Construction product claims
• Procurement and contract drafting aligned with the current regime

Insurance plays a critical role in allocating risk across construction projects. We advise on all aspects of construction insurance and represent policyholders in negotiations and disputes.

Areas of support include:

• Defects insurance
• Structural insurance
• Professional negligence
• Coverage disputes and gaps
• Construction product issues
• Third-party liability
• Cladding claims

Construction activity near shared boundaries often triggers obligations under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Our team advises on compliance, notice requirements and the resolution of disputes.

We assist with:

• Incorrect or incomplete notices
• Refusal of consent
• Damage during works and compensation claims
• Surveyor appointments
• Appealing Party Wall Awards

Disputes with construction professionals, whether relating to fees, scope, delay, defects or termination; can stall a project. Our team includes dual-qualified lawyers with industry backgrounds, giving us a practical understanding of how these issues arise.

We provide early advice to identify risk and represent clients in mediation, adjudication, arbitration and litigation.

We offer training on all aspects of construction and engineering law, helping in-house teams stay ahead of emerging risks and regulatory developments.
Training covers:

• New standard form contract features
• Techniques for navigating challenging contract provisions
• Sources of common disputes
• Bespoke training tailored to your team’s needs