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Osborne Clarke’s five-partner team ‘provides high-quality and timely legal advice tailored to the commercial needs of the client’. It advised the developer, RWE npower Renewables, regarding the 576MW Gwynt-y-Môr offshore wind farm. Other clients include Capita Group and Barratt Developments. Philip Davies leads the team, and Jonathan Brooks ‘provides practical options for resolving complex legal disputes’.

Burges Salmon LLP is ‘always quick to respond, and the advice given is of a very high quality’. The team assisted the University of Exeter on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters, and also acts for London Development Agency and Tata Steel UK. Marcus Harling leads the team, and the ‘user-friendlyWilliam Gard has ‘strength and depth of knowledge in engineering matters’. Steven James was made up to partner in 2011.

DAC Beachcroft LLPresponds promptly and efficiently, and has a practical approach to protecting the client’s interests’. The two-partner team acted for Deeley Freed as the developer of a new headquarters for New Look in Weymouth, and for MW High Tech Projects, as EPC contractor, for a process plant. Professional indemnity work is an important part of the practice. Ben Thornycroft and Phillip Robertsunderstand the construction process and are on top of advancements in the sector’.

The ‘very impressive’ Stephen Homer leads Ashfords LLP’s three-partner team, which has attracted new clients including Westward Housing Association and Exeter City Council to join established names such as Persimmon Homes South West. Mark Manning and Patrick Blake are also recommended.

Bevan Brittan LLPknows and understands the market’, ‘provides good value for money’, and has strength in public sector construction matters, as well as insurance and professional indemnity matters. The team acted for COFELY on the successful defence of a termination notice for 13 LIFT-based contracts. Martin Howe is recommended.

Christine Hanley’s two-partner team at Bond Pearce LLP notably handles work in the energy, retail and property sectors, for clients including Royal Mail Group and the South West Regional Development Agency. It acted for New Look Retailers on the latest expansion phase of its national distribution centre.

Clarke Willmott LLP’s four-partner team acts for clients including Mazars, Bristol City FC and Devon County Council, and its advice is ‘rapid, detailed and well informed’. It advised Rotary Yorkshire on developments at St James’s Hospital in Leeds. Stephen Clarke’s team includes Peter O’Brien, who arrived from Osborne Clarke.

Thrings LLP’s team is ‘technically astute and extremely well informed’, and acts for clients including English Heritage and Mercury Engineering. It advised on the building of a Holiday Inn Express in Windsor. Eric Livingston (formerly at Ashfords LLP) and Steve McCombe are ‘very approachable and extremely knowledgeable in construction law’.

Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ ‘excellent’ team has a specialism in education-related construction matters. The team advised Airbus Operations on the Airbus Aerospace Park and Bath Spa University on its campus redevelopment. Huw Morgan ‘reacts very quickly with a commercial approach’, and Jason Prosser is also recommended.

Gerald Offen and Gareth Morgan at Michelmores LLP act on both contentious and non-contentious matters, and have expertise in healthcare, social housing, renewable energy and education. The team acted for Goldtree on the construction of a new palm oil mill plant in Daru, Sierra Leone.

Simon Goss’ team at TLT LLP is known for its contentious and non-contentious expertise in renewable energy and housing. It advised Wates Construction on project documents for PFI housing. Neel Mehta ‘goes the extra mile for clients’.

Withy King LLP’s team provides ‘good, well-balanced advice’, and acts for clients including Redcliffe Homes and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. Education and charity matters are prominent specialisms. Louise Garcia is ‘extremely client focused, highly competent and an excellent and persuasive communicator’.

BPE Solicitors LLP’s Jon Close is recommended.

Charles Russell LLP’s Sarah Jane Hudson runs ‘a tight team, which responds quickly and to budget’.

Chris Hoar’s ‘highly regarded’ team at Foot Anstey acts on contentious and non-contentious matters in construction and procurement.

Lester Aldridge LLP’s team includes contentious construction expert David Herbert.

Tim Walker is recommended at Rickerbys LLP.

Sue Middleton is the key figure at Steele Raymond LLP.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP has an excellent name in construction, allied to its social housing expertise. Alan Tate is recommended.

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