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Clients ‘have nothing but praise’ for Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s practice, which has been very active in both contentious and non-contentious matters. Highlights included advising Gregory Properties on its £50m mixed-use regeneration scheme in Halifax town centre, and acting for GMI Property on the £22m redevelopment of Clay Cross in Derbyshire. Mark Hilton and David Shaw are key figures in the practice, and Simon Palmer has ‘a combination of great charm and skill’.

Mark Harris heads the team at Pinsent Masons LLP, which has an enviable client base including Balfour Beatty, Shaw Group and South Yorkshire Fire and Civil Defence Authority. The team is experienced in complex projects in the waste, health, power, education and rail sectors. Alongside Harris, Nigel Blundell and Simon Plunkett are well-respected figures in the market.

DLA Piper UK LLP’s practice is praised as ‘customer focused and approachable, with a “can-do” approach’. It is regularly involved in high-value transactions, and recently advised JD Sports Fashion on the construction of its new warehouse and distribution centre in the North West. Other clients include Bullock Construction, Leeds City Council and Priory Group. Julie Morrissy heads the department.

Eversheds LLP’s construction practice is led by Andrew Symms and is strong in the retail and energy sectors. Recent clients include Doosan Power Systems, Asda, McCain Foods, and Eastman Chemical Workington. Jo Hatton-Jones, who specialises in non-contentious construction matters, is also recommended.

Hawkswell Kilvington LLP is a well-established construction boutique with ‘extensive knowledge and experience’. Jonathan Hawkswell provides ‘good, practical and tactical advice’, and David Kilvington’s ‘particular strength is his ability to focus on the essential issues’; ‘his advice is always sound and pragmatic’. Recent work includes preparing all construction-related documentation for Hallam Land Management, and advising in relation to a link road construction project.

Nabarro LLP’s ‘overall level of service is very good’. It has been acting for a leading integrated waste management company on a number of complex waste management schemes across the UK. The firm also secured a place on the Hanson panel to advise on construction and engineering matters, and advised Shepherd Engineering Services on two MoD projects and the refurbishment of Shell’s UK headquarters. Martin McKervey heads the practice, and James Duckworth is ‘always available to give practical and commercial advice’.

Squire Sanders Hammonds’ construction practice has ‘depth’ and a ‘good understanding of the technical aspects of the industry’. The non-contentious team has particular expertise in energy, regeneration and development finance, while the contentious practice spans mediation, adjudication, arbitration and litigation. Practice head Zakir Mulla has ‘excellent commercial judgement’ and ‘in-depth knowledge of construction contracts’.

Led by Martin Scott, Walker Morris is regularly instructed on high-profile contentious and non-contentious matters. It acted for Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council in its purchase of the £20m Gateway Plaza scheme, while on the contentious side it is instructed by Turkish contractor Gulermak in connection with major disputes arising from the Marmany Project, involving the construction of a railway tunnel under the Bosphorous Strait.

Beachcroft’s practice is led by the ‘extremely impressive’ Andrew Marsh, who specialises in contentious work alongside Simon Arnold. Associate Christine Burrows focuses on the non-contentious side. Clients include Liverpool City Council and General Practice Group.

At Cobbetts LLP, the ‘service levels are excellent’, and ‘responses are swift’. Recent work includes advising Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust in relation to the future redevelopment of the Everyman and refurbishment of the Playhouse theatres; Premier Inn Stratford in respect of a new hotel in the Olympic zone; and Leeds City Council on the procurement and construction documents for a new city-centre arena project. Penny Tate is the key contact.

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