Chris Bates > Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Chris Bates

020 7457 3152 Chris.Bates@penningtonslaw.com

Work Department

Construction advisory and dispute resolution, insurance and reinsurance

Position

Chris is a partner in the construction advisory and dispute resolution team in London, specialising in construction and related insurance disputes. He focuses on handling high value and technically complex disputes, such as those in relation to post completion defects, professional negligence, payment claims, delay and prolongation, and termination issues.

He is experienced in disputes arising from large-scale civil infrastructure schemes across all major sectors, as well as commercial building projects. He also regularly advises on construction insurance coverage matters, including undertaking complicated coverage investigations and disputes.

Chris also specialises in building safety issues, acting for developers, owners, contractors, professionals, and insurers on a range of cladding and other fire safety related disputes. He was consulted by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities over aspects of the Building Safety Bill during its passage through Parliament.

He is experienced in all forms of dispute resolution used in the construction industry, including multi-party TCC litigation, arbitration, and adjudication. He also regularly advises clients in the background on live projects to mitigate or avoid escalation into formal disputes.

Career

Trained BLM 2008-2010, qualified 2010; joined Penningtons Manches Cooper 2020, partner 2023.

Memberships

Adjudication Society

Education

St Edward’s School, Oxford
University of Wales, Swansea – BA Hons 1st (2004)
BPP Law School – GDL, Commendation (2005), LPC, Distinction (2007)