Next Generation Partners

Construction in East Midlands

Browne Jacobson LLP

Browne Jacobson LLP‘s construction and engineering department acts for a wide range of clients on a local, domestic and international level regarding complex and high value construction projects, as well as in all types of contentious construction claims. Particular specialisms of the firm include development finance, PFI projects and modular construction contracts. Team head Michael Sadler is involved in a wide range of contentious and non-contentious work, advising clients on construction and engineering contracts, professional appointments and warranties. He is supported by recently-promoted partner Mark Stubbs, who advises on construction projects across their entire lifecycle.

Practice head(s):

Tim Claremont; Michael Sadler


Other key lawyers:

Mark Stubbs


Testimonials

‘Great client interaction with depth of experience and quality advice.’

‘Michael Sadler has a fantastic understanding of client needs and offers expert advice with realistic aims and outcomes.’

‘The team at Browne Jacobson get under the skin of the issues and provide support not found in some legal firms.’

‘The Browne Jacobson team are all experienced and provide a wide range of skillsets that cater for all of our needs, whether that is day-to-day legal advice or assistance with the most complex of matters relating to potential disputes and their resolution.’

Key clients

BAM Construction Limited


Blackpool Borough Council


Wolverhampton City Council


Bowmer & Kirkland Limited


Birmingham Hippodrome


Clegg Construction Limited and Clegg Food Limited


University of Hertfordshire


Elevate property group


Mace Limited


F3 Group


Thurrock Council


J Coffey Construction Limited


J Tomlinson Limited


Hope Learning Trust


Lindum Group Limited


London Borough of Enfield


Wintech Limited


B:Music Limited (Birmingham Symphony Hall)


Rollalong Limited


United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust


Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundations Trust


Keltbray Limited


Willmott Dixon Construction Limited and Willmott Dixon Interiors Limited


Cardiff Council


EE Smith Contracts Limited


J McCann & Co Limited


Wilson Bowden


Inspired Villages


Freeths LLP

Comprising a key part of the firm’s national practice, the construction team at Freeths LLP handles high value, complex disputes in the building, engineering, process plant and oil and gas sectors, where they’re instructed by a range of household names. In addition to leading the Nottingham team, Chris Holwell is the firm’s national head of construction and a construction procurement specialist. Meanwhile, Amy Morley specialises in adjudication and other matters concerning the management of complex claims. John Kelly is an expert in complex defect and professional negligence claims.

Practice head(s):

Chris Holwell


Other key lawyers:

Amy Morley; John Kelly


Testimonials

‘The construction practice at Freeths has a depth of talent we haven’t found at any other firm. They are responsive and dynamic in dealing with any matter for which we have sought help, and have always achieved good results. You know you are in safe hands with Freeths.’

‘John Kelly has a no nonsense approach to finding pragmatic solutions. Reassuringly this pragmatism is built on a foundation of deep technical knowledge combined with many years of experience. John has been an indispensable resource when dealing with complicated contractual situations, as well as a pleasure to deal with.’

‘We have used Freeths for over 20 years and have always received an excellent service. They have taken the time to understand our business and how we operate, particularly our appetite towards risk.’

‘Chris Holwell, the Head of Construction, manages our account and has done for many years. He has an excellent knowledge of our business. Chris always presents his advice in a clear way that is easy to understand, often citing appropriate examples to emphasise the point he is making. He brings a pro-active approach to problem solving, often setting out the different options available to us and explaining the risks and/or benefits of each one.’

‘The Construction team at Freeths have assisted us in compiling our standard forms of amendments to construction contracts plus template consultants appointments. On each of our developments these are used as a starting point and Freeths provide useful and proactive advice when there are any departures to the standard terms.’

‘Chris Holwell is particularly good, he has good knowledge of construction contracts, current issues and is commercially astute offering us proactive and good advice in a timely manner.’

‘John Kelly in particular is an outstanding Lawyer: very sharp, diligent, measured and knowledgeable.’

‘The construction practice at Freeths is excellent. They understand the commercial issues facing developers and they have a collaborative and pragmatic approach to developing the necessary contractual requirements of a development project, without over complicating the process.’

Key clients

Aldi


Tarmac


Gleeds


Igloo Group


Travis Perkins Plc


Novartis Pharmaceuticals


Bio Products Laboratory Limited


Somerston Group


EM Lawshare


Chancerygate


Work highlights


  • Advising Gleeds on their contracts for work on the new Sizewell C nuclear power station.
  • Advising Igloo Regeneration in relation to the redevelopment of the Sunderland Riverside site – a former industrial area which is being cleared and redeveloped, including 1,000 new homes which are designed for sustainable living.

Geldards LLP

The infrastructure & construction team at Geldards LLP is best known for its work advising national contractors on industrial and logistic matters, as well as regeneration projects and energy-to-waste projects. The team also contains experts in complex dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration and adjudication. Practice head Chris Hawrylak is ‘an exceptional lawyer’ who leads the firm’s projects work.

Practice head(s):

Chris Hawrylak


Testimonials

‘The construction team at Geldards has by far the best industry knowledge of any legal practice we have worked on. Their ability to ‘back to back’ legal documents with their commercial team is second to none. They always provide us with the confidence that our risk and exposure is covered.’

‘Chris Hawrylak is an exceptional lawyer, whos industry knowledge is second to none.’

Key clients

Tanro Limited


Shropshire District Council


Wandsworth Borough Council


Bowmer & Kirkland Group


CWC Group / Clowes Developments (UK) Limited / Dove Valley Park Limited


BlueEarth Construction Limited


Miller Birch/Cedar Investments Limited


Walgreens Boots Alliance


The Welsh Ministers


Burnley City Council


Sheffield City Council


Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council


Nottingham City Council


Derby City Council


The Council of the City of Carlisle


Chesterfield Borough Council


South Derbyshire District Council


Warrington Borough Council


Julian Hodge Bank Limited


The Development Bank of Wales


PPH1 Ltd & DPK East


Sutco UK Limited


Redrow Homes Limited


Nottingham City Homes


London Borough of Merton


Carmarthenshire County Council


Storage Giant Ltd


National Museum Wales


William May Developments Ltd


Bowers Electricals Ltd


Derbyshire County Council


Warrington Borough Council


Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council


Pendragon Property Holdings Ltd


Sacyr UK Ltd


Wandsworth Borough Council


Omya UK Ltd


United Welsh Housing Authority


Carmarthenshire County Council


Bowers Electricals Ltd


EPES Ltd


Blaneau Gwent County Borough Council


Work highlights


  • Advised Clowes on a deal with international investor, Hines for the development of 1.15 million sq. ft of high-quality logistics space.
  • Advising Nottingham City Council in relation to the new bridge over the River Trent in Nottingham; the first new bridge in over 60 year.
  • Advising the Welsh Ministers in relation to the significant development of Bro Tathan, with development potential for up to c.3 million sq ft of employment floor space.

Shakespeare Martineau LLP

Shakespeare Martineau LLP undertakes all forms of contentious and non-contentious construction work with a particular specialism in managing risk in bespoke procurement. The construction team is experienced work with developers and contractors in matters relating to development, education and healthcare. Jayne Meakin focuses on acting for developers in JCT design and build procurement, along with their related property finance deals. Alex Smith specialises in all aspects of construction documentation, including bespoke contracts, collateral warranties and performance bonds.

Practice head(s):

Ruth Phillips; Jayne Meakin


Other key lawyers:

Alex Smith


Key clients

SJC 14 Limited


Graystacks Radmarsh Road Limited


Infinity Park Derby LLP


National Grid Energy Transmission Limited


Pannell House Leicester Limited


Peter James Homes Limited


Shoby Properties Limited


BDW


Citizen Housing Group Limited


Maber Associates


Rainier Developments (Tenby Street) Limited


Science Museum Group


Lovell Partnerships Limited


Severn Trent Services (water and sewerage) limited


Derby University


Staffordshire University


Walsall Housing Group


Wilson Bowden


Winvic Construction Limited


Midlands Land Portfolio Limited


Northern Trust Company Ltd


The University of West London


Helen Taylor Thompson Foundation


Welford Healthcare Ltd


Sequoia Living Wantage Limited


Rotherwood Developments


PSG Global Limited


Whitworth Bros Limited


Wagner Group Limited


Habib Bank Zurich PLC


Nottingham University


Al Rayan Bank PLC


Lloyds Bank PLC


Buckles Solicitors LLP

The construction, engineering & procurement team at Buckles Solicitors LLP advises a range of public and private sector clients on matters surrounding public procurement, affordable housing and student accommodation. The team is led by ‘all rounder’ James Coppinger, who handles contentious and procurement work, with particular experience in the drafting and negotiating of construction and engineering contracts.

Practice head(s):

James Coppinger


Other key lawyers:

Stephen Belshaw; Peter Westlake


Testimonials

‘James Coppinger heads up the construction team and is a very approachable man who communicates and explains legal issues in a clear manner whilst outlining risk and reward’

‘James Coppinger is the best all rounder. The best I have worked with’

‘With the Buckles team it’s all about the individuals, they are incredibly capable, professional and always willing to push the boundaries to help, especially in a crisis and adopt a true ‘in it together’ approach.’

Key clients

Empiric Student Property PLC (and subsidiary SPVs)


NODE Living UK Limited


Longhurst Group Limited


Keystone Developments (LG) Limited


Anderson Green Limited


Settle Group


7 Formation Limited


Keystone Development (LG) Limited


Dürr Limited


Emplas Window Systems Limited


Work highlights


  • Advising Empiric Student Property PLC and its SPVs in relation to the legal management and procurement of its 2023 – 2024 Refurbishment Programme across multiple UK sites.
  • Acting for a US based marine and civil engineering contractor in international arbitration proceedings relating to the construction of a port for cruise ships.
  • Advising a housing developer on the procurement of a multi-discipline Consultant Framework for a 4-year £160m housing and extra-care development programme.