Construction in North

DAC Beachcroft LLP

Based in Newcastle, DAC Beachcroft LLP’s construction and engineering team advises public sector bodies - notably within the education sector - as well as taking on both national and regional work for various contractors. Head of the construction litigation team Warren Kemp defends and represents a range of clients - including contractors, construction professionals, subcontractors and employers - in High Court cases. The national chair on the non-contentious side, James Harrison is often the first port of call for house builders, leisure companies and property developers. Construction disputes specialist Stephen McLellan advises insurers on disputes involving construction professionals and design and build contractors, while Andrew Clough is the key contact for disputes in the energy and construction court, as well as in arbitrations. Ruth Davidson and Rachel Gibson are further key names to note.

Practice head(s):

Warren Kemp; James Harrison


Other key lawyers:

Stephan McLellan; Andrew Clough; Ruth Davidson; Rachel Gibson


Testimonials

‘Flexibility, ability to pull together necessary networks in short order and has a warm nature.’

‘Strong professionalism and expertise; timely responses to the client on case management.’

‘As well as being knowledgeable and reliable with regards to construction law, I have always found DAC Beachcroft to be pragmatic and realistically helpful. They provide a quality service and are relationship rather than financially driven.’

Key clients

Bellway Plc


National Highways


Clarion Housing


University of Newcastle upon Tyne


The Passage


Gateshead Council


United Living


Nexus


PCE Ltd


Places for People


Bowmer & Kirkland


Department for Education


Structuretone Ltd


Ilke Homes Ltd


Countryside Properties Limited


Crest Nicholson Operations Limited


Metnor Group


Robertson Construction Group Limited


Ramboll


Arcadis


LTE Group


Gracewood Construction Limited


Government Legal Department


Work highlights


  • Acting for Bellway Homes on a strategic expansion and extension of its newly built national Head Office at the Newcastle Airport Business Park.
  • Advising the University of Sunderland on the alteration, refurbishment and conversion of the Murray Library to form the University’s School of Medicine and School of Psychology.
  • Acting for a build to rent investor and developer on a build to rent scheme in the West Midlands, advising on all related construction legal issues.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP’s Newcastle-based construction team collaborates with offices across the UK to advise local authorities, public sector and private sector bodies on major projects and disputes. Simon Rowland, head of the construction and engineering team, assists a range of clients on construction procurement, funding issues and bespoke building contracts. Dispute resolution in the infrastructure, energy and offshore sectors is a key focus of Simon Lewis‘ practice, while Ian Atkinson specialises in transactions involving public sector building projects. Other names to note on the transactional side include Helen Coxon, experienced in drafting and negotiating amendments to construction and engineering contracts. Ryan Lavers provides key support.

Practice head(s):

Simon Rowland


Other key lawyers:

Simon Lewis; Ian Atkinson; Helen Coxon; Ryan Lavers


Testimonials

They can offer advice suited to our specific needs with a personal touch. They understand our overall client needs, as well as the local market, and offer good value.

‘Personal and quick to respond to questions and challenges that often arise with construction and property projects.’

Key clients

Department for Transport


Durham County Council


HM Courts and Tribunal Services


Department for Education


Durham University


Newcastle University


Royal Masonic Benevolent Institute


South Tees Development Corporation


Grainger plc


Department of Levelling Up


Portsmouth City Council


Newcastle City Council


Karbon Homes


Parkdean


Robertson Group


Shell plc


The Church Commissioners for England


Work highlights


  • Advising the Department for Transport on the design and construction of a multi-functional inland border facility at Sevington, Kent.
  • Advising HMCTS on the real estate aspects and construction of the new City Court near Fleet Street, London.
  • Supporting Durham University’s Estates Team on the delivery of both its capital projects and Estate refurbishment programme.

Muckle LLP

Muckle LLP is known for providing ‘a full legal service on construction matters from land acquisitions, through planning, construction and letting’. The construction and engineering practice in the Newcastle office is headed by Lucilla Waugh, who takes on both regional and national level projects, including residential, mixed-use and holiday home developments. Waugh advises a range of clients on industry contracts involving public and private partnership models as well as design, build, and facilities management agreements, and its interface with equity and funding documents. Adam Aston regularly works alongside Waugh.

Practice head(s):

Lucilla Waugh


Other key lawyers:

Adam Aston


Testimonials

‘I get a full legal service on construction matters from land acquisition, through planning, construction and letting. The team is experienced and works well as a collective on complex projects and issues.’

‘Adam Aston is an expert in his field; diligent and very client-focused.’

‘The lawyers provide an excellent value-for-money service.’

Key clients

Cairn Group


McAleer and Rushe Group


Strawberry Place Developments Limited


Trivselhus


Tees Valley Combined Authority


Arriva UK Bus Limited


Monkwearmouth Developments Limited


Aura Newcastle Limited


Persimmon Homes Limited


Hampshire Trust Bank Plc


Work highlights


  • Advising Madison Cairn, in its capacity as development manager, on procuring a build-to-rent and affordable scheme in Bristol.
  • Advising the development division of McAleer and Rushe on the procurement of a purpose-built student accommodation scheme in the centre of Belfast for Vita Group involving cross-jurisdictional issues.
  • Advising an experienced developer and development manager in relation to a landmark, Newcastle city centre development comprising build-to-rent, hotel and office accommodation, with ancillary public realm and infrastructure works.

Sintons LLP

Praised for being ‘both legally and commercially focused’, Sintons LLP’s construction team offers ‘clear solutions and strategies’. Team head Alex Rayner – based in Newcastle – advises a range of clients, including international food chains and construction companies, on design and build mandates in the commercial, residential, and mixed development spaces. Refurbishment and redevelopment contracts, as well as breach of contract disputes, are regular instructions for the firm.

Practice head(s):

Alex Rayner


Testimonials

‘Sintons has assisted us with a complex legal matter and the firm’s advice, guidance and knowledge of the issue has been excellent. The lawyers worked logically and competently throughout the process and ultimately achieved the desired outcome. Access to other specialists was always available when required and the level of service provided was of real comfort to our business.’

‘The individuals we have worked with fully understood the issues we faced, and all embraced our desire to achieve the desired outcome. The knowledge of all individuals shone through, and they offered considered options for all decisions that we had to take which provided us with confidence to proceed to make the necessary decisions when required.’

‘The team understands our business. They have good working relationships not just with the legal team, but with our technical managers. Sintons are always transparent with billing and very fair.’

Key clients

Greggs Plc


Tolent Construction Ltd


Meldrum Construction Services Ltd


Jerram Falkus Construction Ltd


Cussins Ltd


Pilgrims Friend Society


Malones Electricals Group Ltd


Trustees for the Methodist Church Purposes


Intumescent Protective Coatings Ltd


Hodgson Sayers Ltd


Work highlights


  • Advised Jerram Falkus Construction Ltd on the construction contracts for the design and build of 5 commercial units and 62 apartments at Arnold Road for the London borough of Tower Hamlets.
  • Advised Greggs Plc on the construction contracts to convert an existing freezer facility into a new food production unit at its headquarters in Newcastle upon Tyne.
  • Advised Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes and the Methodist Council in connection with the construction contracts for the redevelopment and refurbishment of its property at 25-31 Tavistock Place, London.

Ward Hadaway LLP

Ward Hadaway LLP’s Newcastle-based construction and engineering team provides non-contentious advice to public sector bodies, such as various local authorities and healthcare organisations, for development projects. Despite the departure of Tim Craig, the ‘technically sound, reliableNeil Williamson; experienced department head Paul Reekie, who supports clients through construction disputes and contractual terms; and mixed-use development specialist Alan Ross remain key contacts for a range of clients.

Practice head(s):

Paul Reekie


Other key lawyers:

Neil Williamson; Alan Ross


Testimonials

‘Neil Williamson is technically sound, reliable, makes himself available, is supportive and commercial, and easy to use.’

Key clients

Telford & Wrekin Council


South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Northumberland County Council


Kiafield Properties Limited


Karbon Homes


Sunderland City Council


Advance Northumberland Limited


McAleer & Rushe Contracts UK Limited


Tees Valley Combined Authority


Constellia Public Limited


Work highlights


  • Advising Telford & Wrekin Council in relation to the construction documents for the Station Quarter development.
  • Advising the trust on the negotiation of a building contract for the development of a new theatre block at the Friarage Hospital, including six operating theatres and two treatment rooms.
  • Advising Northumberland Council in relation to a series of building contracts for the installation of ‘green’ upgrades across their residential property portfolio following grant funding, including the installation of solar panels, air source heat pumps and insulation measures.

Hay & Kilner

Clients praise Hay & Kilner for possessing a ‘very strong construction practice’ which belies its size. Businesses in the north east routinely instruct the team for advice on collateral warranties, appointments and documents concerning housing schemes, shopping centres, and commercial developments, as well as care and nursing homes. The Newcastle-based team is led by the 'fantastic' Jan Rzedzian, who has expertise in both projects and disputes, not only in the North East but also nationally and internationally. Dispute resolution specialist Tom Whitfield and recent arrival Adam Chaffer are further names to note.

Practice head(s):

Jan Rzedzian


Other key lawyers:

Tom Whitfield; Adam Chaffer


Testimonials

‘Very strong construction practice, particularly for a regional firm.’

‘I have worked with Jan Rzedzian who is fantastic – a very safe pair of hands and really knows what he’s doing.’

Key clients

Howard Russell Construction Ltd


Arrowbuild & Civil Engineering Ltd


F&I Group


Groundwork Services Limited


Park Lane Healthcare Group


North East Concrete


Surgo Construction Limited


Hellens Group


Aptus Construction Limited


Barrier Group


Work highlights


  • Acting for John Pickett, the owner of a super-prime property in Kensington & Chelsea, in Technology and Construction Court proceedings against a London-based main contractor. The claim concerns professional negligence and significant delay damages.
  • Acted on behalf of Surgo Construction in relation to a dispute with a developer client over the design and construction of over 50 residential properties in the North East.
  • Supported North East Civils in a claim against an external quantity surveyor engaged to provide commercial tendering services.

Weightmans

Turned to by a number of insurers in particular, Weightmans’ Newcastle-based team regularly works with its client base on construction mandates. Anne-Marie Knight is called upon by a range of professionals and insurance companies for support on disputes concerning negligence and contractual disputes. Richard Palmer is an expert on matters regarding professional indemnity, while Natalie Keyes works on both contentious and non-contentious mandates for a range of clients in the construction field.

Other key lawyers:

Richard Palmer; Anne-Marie Knight; Natalie Keyes


Key clients

Hamilton Underwriting Limited


Tokio Marine HCC


C.N.A Hardy Underwriting


Hiscox Underwriting Limited


Sunderland City Council


Wainhomes Group


Rubb Buildings


BXB Interiors


K Home International


Towergate Underwriting Group


Camberford Underwriting


PSI Global


University of Cumbria


Meldrum Construction


Halsion Limited


Construction Envelope Contracts Limited


Work highlights


  • Advising Tokio Marine HCC and Design and Build Contractor in a dispute relating to a construction project of 25 residential units and associated external works at a residential block of apartments.
  • Advised an education client in a dispute regarding contractual payment provisions, extensions of time and loss as well as expenses.
  • Representing an insurer of a company in liquidation before the Technology and Construction Court, in a multi-party claim relating to fire safety defects with an estimated claim value of £70m.