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Jointly headed by Michael Hopkins and Graham Alty, Pinsent Masons LLP’s five-partner team has a ‘very comprehensive understanding of complex construction issues’. Instructed by all of the five largest UK contractors, including Balfour Beatty and Carillion, the team is active across diverse sectors including nuclear, where Mark Job advised Areva on a new-build nuclear power station project. Chris Hallam (‘industry aware and flexible’) has handled numerous waste projects, including the £5bn Greater Manchester Waste project. On the contentious side, the team is praised for its ability to ‘move the litigation forward’.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP has ‘great strength in depth’ across numerous sectors, in both contentious and non-contentious matters. Led out of Manchester by Jonathan Tattersall (‘an extremely good all-rounder’), the team was involved in the high-profile litigation arising from the construction of Wembley Stadium. On the transactional side, Nancy McGuire has handled a raft of work for the University of Oxford, including the refurbishment and extension of the Ashmolean Museum. Other clients include Punch Taverns, Alstom Power, Carillion and Manchester City Council.

Headed by the ‘superb’ Jim Pinsent, DLA Piper UK LLP’s two-partner group in Liverpool is noted for its ‘excellent service and knowledge of the industry’, advising a broad range of clients on heavyweight mandates both in and beyond the region. Praised for his ‘ability to interpret the law for a lay person’, associate Earle Brady is starting to run his own matters, and has continued to work on Liverpool’s £160m Central Village regeneration. On the contentious side, Daniel Jude has handled a number of matters for Alstom Power.

Led by Paul O’Kane, DWF LLP is best known for its contentious expertise for diverse public and private sector clients. On the non-contentious side, the team regularly works alongside the real estate group in assisting the likes of Neptune Developments, which it is advising on the £174m project to redevelop Wolverhampton city centre.

With one Manchester-based partner in Simon Chamberlain, Eversheds LLP provides a ‘first-class’ service across a range of complex projects, and has ‘excellent knowledge’ in an array of sectors. Particularly active in the education sector, the team is advising Stoke-on-Trent City Council on a £250m BSF project, and also advises major regional entities such as Manchester City Council and Manchester Metropolitan University.

Having taken on Halliwells’ Manchester-based construction team, Gateley is now a significant player in the market. Karen Spencer heads the contentious group, and is noted in particular for her expertise in disputes relating to nuclear decommissioning projects.

With excellent coverage in Manchester and Liverpool, particularly following the absorption of Halliwells’ Liverpool team, Hill Dickinson LLP has ‘first-rate’ expertise in contentious and non-contentious matters. Team head Michael Woolley provides ‘in-depth analysis and practical solutions’, and is advising Peel Holdings in relation to infrastructure for a waste-to-energy power facility.

The recent arrival of both David Moss (‘pragmatic and commercial’) and Paul Giles (‘personable and bright’) from Squire Sanders Hammonds, has given McGrigors LLP a strong contentious construction capability. Since his arrival, Giles has handled numerous civil engineering disputes for United Utilities plc. On the transactional front, Peter Blackmore has an excellent reputation.

At Squire Sanders Hammonds, Julian Scott has been particularly active in the energy sector, and recently advised on a €700m German offshore wind farm project. The team was weakened on the contentious side by the departure of David Moss and Paul Giles to McGrigors LLP.

At Brabners Chaffe Street LLP in Liverpool, Ian Hardman has a good reputation for both contentious and non-contentious matters. He recently advised Westville Developments on the procurement of new student accommodation in Liverpool.

Davies Arnold Cooper LLP is best known for its disputes expertise for a wide range of clients including developers and engineers. A chartered quantity surveyor, Barry Goodall is recommended.

Headed by Sean McCay, Pannone LLP advises a broad spectrum of public and private sector clients operating in the building and engineering industries.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP displays ‘very keen knowledge of the housing and construction industry’. Katie Saunders has ‘excellent knowledge of construction-related issues and EU procurement’, and Paul Hyland is also recommended.

Weightmans LLP provides a ‘fast, reliable and efficient’ service in contentious and non-contentious matters to both private and public sector clients. Bolstered by the firm’s merger with Mace & Jones, the enhanced team includes the ‘practical and commercial’ Charles Tomlinson, and Paul Donnelly, who has ‘excellent knowledge of construction contracts and disputes’.

Henry Stone at Cobbetts LLP is recommended for non-contentious matters.

Associate Catherine Kay at George Davies Solicitors LLP is recommended on the non-contentious side.

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