The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > East Midlands > Construction

Browne Jacobson LLP's profile in the construction arena is reflected by its heavy involvement in high-profile national and cross-border projects. Equally strong in contentious and non-contentious work, its market-leading practice generates mandates from domestic (local and national) and international contractors, as well as funders and developers, among others. The main partner in Nottingham is Michael Sadler, who works alongside associate Mark Stubbs; both are part of a larger national team, which is led by Tim Claremont in London. Peter Westlake has retired from the partnership, but has retained a role as a consultant.

Operating on a cross-office, national basis, Freeths LLP's construction team is a first port of call for many clients with high-stakes projects; it generates work from global construction consultants, end-users, developers, contractors and sub-contractors. 'Outstanding' national construction head Chris Holwell leads on a large number of complex construction projects; the scope of his team's non-contentious work includes hotel and sports developments, commercial/residential/mixed-use schemes and various other types of projects. On the contentious side, Amy Morley has vast expertise in all areas of construction and engineering law, and handles high-value, technically complex claims progressed by adjudication, arbitration or in the Technology and Construction Court. Guy Berwick, who was a partner for 30 years, is now a consultant.

Complementing its legal resources, Shakespeare Martineau LLP also has an in-house team of construction professionals, putting it on a strong footing to provide legal and industry support on all the major contentious and non-contentious issues arising at every stage of a construction project; the practice covers projects in areas such as healthcare, industrial and student accommodation, among many others. Alex Smith heads up the practice, which generates work from local and national developers, banks, contractors, housing and infrastructure providers and healthcare providers. Smith and associate Romy Wood (a recent hire from CMS) specialise in all manner of construction documentation, including; standard or bespoke forms of contract, consultants’ appointments, collateral warranties, parent company guarantees and performance bonds.

Buckles Solicitors LLP reinforced its credentials in the construction arena in early 2019 with the hire of senior associate Charles Jakeman from Browne Jacobson LLP; Jakeman is experienced in acting for clients on a regional, national and international basis. His expertise in construction projects spans areas such as education, health, leisure, housing and energy, among various others. The team was also strengthened by the arrival of Karen Sandhu, following the firm's acquisition of DCH Law in 2018. Practice head James Coppinger undertakes a mix of procurement and contentious matters.

In a high-profile move, Piet van Gelder joined Gateley Plc from Knights PLC in late 2018 to head up the firm's construction practice in the East Midlands. Van Gelder has specialised in advising construction and engineering clients since qualifying in 1999. The firm has a particularly strong reputation in the housebuilder sector, where it acts for 17 of the top 20 national housebuilders in contentious and non-contentious matters. The development sector is another notable strong suit for the firm, which also demonstrates strong capabilities in other areas, such as marine and infrastructure. The firm's contentious work typically involves issues such as professional negligence, defective design, poor workmanship, payment disputes and delay/loss. Employers, developers, contractors and end-users turn to the firm for advice. van Gelder is supported by senior associate William Cursham.

Geldards LLP acts for a number of the largest developers and contractors in projects across the East Midlands, and also generates work from retail, motor retail and education sector clients. It also has significant involvement in large-scale regeneration projects in the region, where it advises public sector bodies. Elsewhere, the practice has experienced a notable uptick in mandates connected with private rented sector developments and commercial warehouse and distribution centre developments. Chris Hawrylak, who made partner in 2018, leads the team.