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

Blake Morgan LLP's construction team provides a "cradle-to-grave" service for a broad mix of national and regional clients and the practice has developed a strong reputation advising both private and public sector organisations. The team has expertise across a number of industry sectors including residential and commercial development, retail and leisure, energy and health. The Hampshire group is particularly well known for its contentious construction work. Jessica Tresham is the name to note for adjudication, while Richard Wade leads the practice.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP's construction client base covers a wide range of industry sectors including healthcare, contracting, facilities management, transport and telecoms. Practice head David Savage is the firm's construction and infrastructure sector lead, and has more than 25 years' experience. Recently promoted Andrew Keeley advises clients in relation to construction and engineering contracts for commercial and prime residential projects, and has significant experience of adjudications and professional negligence claims.

Cripps Pemberton Greenish's work is primarily client rather than contractor focused, and the practice has developed a strong reputation in the infrastructure sector. The team also work extensively on regeneration and urban renewal projects. James Lee heads up the construction group and has fourteen years' experience specialising in non-contentious transactional work. Nitej Davda is the name to note on the contentious side and acts for clients in relation to claims under collateral warranties, performance bonds, and the implications of insolvency under construction contracts.

Boutique construction and engineering firm Sheridan Gold LLP has developed a strong reputation acting on both domestic and international cases, including high profile disputes in both the UK and the Middle East. Peter Sheridan has more than 25 years' experience of construction disputes, including adjudication and PFI disputes, while Jonathan Gold is a leading construction lawyer, and is an expert in alternative dispute resolution processes such as adjudication and mediation. Jane Ryland is also highly recommended.

Stevens & Bolton LLP's construction group has significant expertise in the engineering, life sciences, leisure and retail sectors. It advises clients in relation to contentious and non-contentious matters. 2019 saw the launch of "Stevens & Bolton Connect", a secure collaboration platform providing a cost effective way for clients to access documents 24/7 and to facilitate important transactions, by allowing clients to share large and sensitive files with other advisers. Stephen Rockhill's previous training as an engineer is noted by clients who say that he 'understands things from a client perspective'. 

BDB Pitmans' dedicated construction and engineering department works closely with the real estate, insolvency and dispute resolution teams to offer a "cradle to grave" service including contentious and non-contentious work. The practice advises on a full range of construction work and has a niche specialism in marine engineering. David Gwillim heads up the department and specialises in contract drafting, warranties and bonds, insurance and health and safety issues.

Dentons' Milton Keynes based construction practice specialises in non-contentious work, advising clients on major developments in the commercial, retail, leisure, rail  and high-end residential sectors. Jane Miles leads the practice and has over 20 years' experience leading on complex transactions for household name developers, retailers, banks and rail entities. Shaun Tame acts as a project counsel for clients during the construction phase, advising on issues such as contractor/consultant non-performance and payment processes under the CDM regulations.

Hewitsons advises clients across a diverse range of sectors, working for leading commercial and residential developers, manufacturers, contractors, investors and leading national charities. Simon Wain joined the practice from Shoosmiths LLP in June 2019 and is particularly experienced within the energy sector. He is also a specialist in construction insurance work. Tim Richards leads the practice and has 35 years' experience advising clients on the full range of construction and procurement law issues.

Irwin Mitchell's construction group is best known for its longstanding experience as advisers to the education sector, having worked on some of the largest projects in further education. Its lawyers deal with contentious and non-contentious matters, and frequently carry out due diligence work for funders, as well as advising on standard form and bespoke contracts for developers. Mark Clinton is the national head of construction and engineering and is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a TeCSA accredited adjudicator.

Birketts LLP deals with all aspects of contentious and non-contentious construction law, including development funding, contract documentation, due diligence and general commercial transactions. Clients include mainstream commercial lenders, developers, contractors, suppliers and sub-contractors. Andrew Rush leads the practice and has experience in both non-contentious drafting and the management of disputes, having begun his career as a chartered civil engineer. Ruth Sunaway leads on the contentious side and has extensive experience in high value court claims.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP's Southampton team is led by managing associate Amy Hodge who specialises in non-contentious construction matters and has extensive experience advising developer and funder clients in relation to construction procurement, including drafting and negotiating building contracts and consultant appointments. She is supported by associate solicitor Josiane Williams who has experience drafting, negotiating and advising on bespoke and standard form construction contracts.