Fenwick Elliott LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

Fenwick Elliott LLP
ALDWYCH HOUSE
71-91 ALDWYCH
LONDON
WC2B 4HN
England

Email firm Visit website 020 7421 1986 020 7421 1987

Real estate > Construction: contentious Tier 1

Fenwick Elliott LLP, a specialist construction and energy firm, offers extensive services that cover all phases of the construction process, including procurement strategy and dispute resolution methods such as international arbitration, mediation, and adjudication. It is adept at advising on various projects, from hospitals and high-value infrastructure to renewable energy initiatives. The firm’s influence in the energy sector has notably grown, handling an increasing number of energy-from-waste and nuclear power disputes, and advising on power plant matters both domestically and abroad. The team is headed by Tony Francis, a specialist in dispute avoidance and procurement, and Simon Tolson, a renowned expert in dispute resolution. It is also supported by Karen Gidwani, with her specialisation in offshore wind and energy-from-waste project disputes, and Nicholas Gould, who works across all aspects of construction and engineering projects.

Leading individuals

Nicholas Gould – Fenwick Elliott LLP

Karen Gidwani - Fenwick Elliott LLP

Hall of Fame

Simon Tolson

- Fenwick Elliott LLP

Practice head(s):

Simon Tolson; Tony Francis

Other key lawyers:

Karen Gidwani; Richard Smellie; Lucinda Robinson; Nicholas Gould; Jeremy Glover; Claire King; Katherine Butler

Testimonials

‘They are good and diligent litigators who are commercially astute.’

‘The only firm of out-and-out construction specialists in London. Great team with in-depth knowledge of our subject matter.’

‘Strong construction focus and industry expertise.’

‘Karen Gidwani is a bright and diligent litigator who really understands the bigger picture. Lucinda Robinson is diligent and bright.’

‘Tony Francis offers strong strategic advice. Katherine Butler has excellent attention to detail.’

‘Fenwick Elliott are market leaders in construction disputes and have many talented partners and associates. They provide a very high level of service to the client, leaving no stone unturned.’

‘I have been working with Fenwick Elliott for years and they are consistently excellent. The team has a huge depth of knowledge on construction matters, coupled with a sense of litigation strategy and tactics that is second to none.’

‘Fenwick Elliott’s team has an exceptional depth and breadth of construction and complex technical cases. All the people I have worked with at Fenwick Elliott have been highly competent lawyers, with commercial nous and good relations with their clients.’

Key clients

Laing O’Rourke

McLaughlin & Harvey Limited

Webuild SpA

Multiplex

Work highlights

Appointed to Laing O’Rourke’s panel, advising on a variety of contentious construction matters.
Advising McLaughlin & Harvey Limited on disputes arising from projects in Scotland and England.

Real estate > Construction: non-contentious Tier 3

Fenwick Elliott LLP, a construction and energy boutique firm, offers extensive services that cover all phases of the construction process, including procurement, contract documentation and negotiation, and project support. The firm’s influence in the energy sector has notably grown, handling an increasing number of energy-from-waste and nuclear power projects, and advising on power plant matters both domestically and abroad. The non-contentious team is headed by David Bebb and Jatinder Garcha. Bebb specialises in contract drafting and project advice, whilst Garcha acts for a range of clients during the development process, with a recent focus on the renewable energy sector. The firm benefits from the expertise of senior associates Mark Pantry, who advises on both domestic and international projects, and Andrew Jeffcoat, who specialises in the effective structuring of complex project documents.

Practice head(s):

David Bebb; Jatinder Garcha

Other key lawyers:

Mark Pantry; Andrew Jeffcoat

Testimonials

‘They are on top of the legal and market developments in the wider construction business; very hands-on and pragmatic advice; great experience; very responsive; great negotiators.’

‘Jatinder Garcha: Very structured approach to issues; thinks it through; receptive to new aspects and perspectives; great to work with.’

Key clients

Nexans

Work highlights

Acting for Nexans on various matters, one of which is the landmark Celtic Interconnector, the first subsea link for direct electricity exchange between France and Ireland.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 5

Fenwick Elliott LLP's 'international arbitration team comprises an outstanding group of hardworking individuals'. The specialist construction and energy law firm has an enviable track record in large-scale claims over international construction, infrastructure and energy projects. Simon Tolson

is a construction and engineering disputes expert; Tony Francis 'displays wisdom in his counsel'; and Richard Smellie specialises in oil and gas, power and construction-related claims. Nicholas Gould is an international dispute resolution expert, while Karen Gidwani has wide-ranging tribunal experience.

Practice head(s):

Simon Tolson; Tony Francis; Richard Smellie

Other key lawyers:

Nicholas Gould; Karen Gidwani; Toby Randle; Jeremy Glover; Thomas Young; James Cameron; Edward Foyle; James Mullen

Testimonials

‘Fenwick Elliott’s international arbitration team comprises an outstanding group of hardworking individuals who show extraordinary commitment to their clients.’

‘Richard Smellie is a seasoned fighter – tough but shrewd, and with impeccable judgement when it comes to handling tribunals.’

‘Richard Smellie is always willing to go the extra mile for clients. He is excellent on getting the big calls right.’

‘Tony Francis displays wisdom in his counsel, including proactive measures intended to avoid conflict, as well as how best to manage when conflict is unavoidable.’

‘James Cameron is a joy to work with and brilliant with clients.’

‘Fenwick Elliott is the leading construction firm. Its knowledge and expertise are unrivalled. They really are specialists in what they do. They are also friendly and easy to work with.’

‘Thomas Young is hardworking and diligent. He is on top of everything and knows the details of a case inside out.‘

‘Edward Foyle is intelligent and very polished – very quick to inspire confidence in the client.‘

Key clients

Webuild

Fenwick Elliott is the largest specialist construction and energy law firm in the UK, serving international clients in the building, engineering and energy sectors. Since their formation in 1982 Fenwick Elliott has always advised solely on construction matters; making them a true construction law specialist firm.

The firm: Fenwick Elliott provides a comprehensive range of legal services on every aspect of the construction process. Their expertise includes procurement strategy; contract documentation and negotiation; risk management and dispute avoidance; project support; and decisive dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration, mediation and adjudication.

The firm acts nationally and internationally for public and private sector clients, including state corporations, owners/developers, main contractors, specialist subcontractors, consultants, institutional investors, universities, local authorities and utilities.

Fenwick Elliott have acted on a wide range of major infrastructure construction projects worldwide, including power stations, refineries, pipelines, process plants, dams, bridges, roads, airports, stadia, hospitals, universities and schools. The firm also advises on issues involving public/private finance.

The firm has extensive experience advising on major construction, infrastructure and energy projects in the Middle East. In 2015 Fenwick Elliott opened their first office in Dubai, UAE – reflecting the importance of the Middle East market for the firm and the increasing demand for their services in the region. Having gone from strength-to-strength, the Dubai office has since become Fenwick Elliott’s international hub, serving a wide range of clients across the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia.

Fenwick Elliott has a well-earned reputation for advising clients on large-scale energy projects including oil, gas, nuclear and renewables. Oil and gas projects range from refineries to crude oil and natural gas pipelines, process plants, floating production, storage and off-loading vessels, and the firm has been involved in some of the world’s most important oil and gas developments. The firm is also actively involved in many major wind farm projects, both on and offshore in the UK and Europe, for significant clients. The firm also advises on various nuclear projects in the UK and overseas.

Types of work undertaken
Dispute avoidance and dispute resolution: Fenwick Elliott is highly experienced in this field, from mediation to adjudication to arbitration and litigation. The firm is an acknowledged leader in the use of alternative dispute resolution. Many of its partners are trained mediators and accredited adjudicators on several nominating bodies’ panels, while others serve on key industry panels and are practising arbitrators. The firm regularly advises upon and conducts complex international arbitrations. Fenwick Elliott have experience of arbitrations under the DIAC, ICC, LCIA, SIAC, SCCA, UNCITRAL and ICSID arbitration rules, as well as under ad hoc and bespoke arbitration rules. The firm is used to working closely with in-house counsel and local counsel. The team is also well versed in FIDIC and other dispute resolution boards procedures.

While the firm takes whatever steps are necessary to resolve disputes, including arbitration, their primary focus is to avoid disputes and much of its work is in the form of day-to-day project support, including strategic advice, and review of project correspondence/notices to enable its clients to manage and effectively address problems as they arise, thereby, where possible, avoiding formal procedures.

The majority of the firm’s work in this field concerns disputes up to $2bn arising out of major international construction, infrastructure and energy projects. The geographical spread of the firm’s work is worldwide. Fenwick Elliott have developed a close relationship with a number of major international contractors whom they are advising on a number of disputes and strategic matters throughout the Middle East, Africa and the South East Asia. The firm also traces assets and seeks enforcement around the world in respect of international arbitration awards and makes calls on bonds or guarantees in many jurisdictions.

Procurement strategy, project, contract and documentation advice: Fenwick Elliott advises clients internationally on procurement options; contract preparation and negotiation; document appraisal and risk analysis; partnering and framework agreements; and facilities management. Fenwick Elliott’s expertise covers the full spectrum of construction projects documentation including standard form and bespoke contracts; design and build; engineer, procure and construct/turnkey (EPC); joint venture agreements; partnering; alliancing and framework agreements; and service/supply contracts. The firm also advises on bonds, warranties and guarantees on the procurement of services under the EU Public Procurement Directives.

Department	Name	Email	Telephone
Managing partner	Tony Francis
Dispute avoidance/dispute resolution	Simon Tolson
Dispute avoidance/dispute resolution	Tony Francis
Dispute avoidance/dispute resolution	Richard Smellie
Dispute avoidance/dispute resolution	Jeremy Glover
Dispute avoidance/dispute resolution	Nicholas Gould
Procurement strategy project, contract and documentation advice	Simon Tolson
International	Richard Smellie
International	Nicholas Gould

Name	Position	Profile
Mr David Bebb	David specialises in domestic and international construction and engineering projects. He has…	View Profile
James Cameron	James has experience in a broad range of dispute resolution procedures and…	View Profile
Mr Andrew Davies	Andrew has 20 years’ experience in dispute avoidance and dispute resolution in…	View Profile
Mr Martin Ewen	Martin has extensive experience in acting for main contractors, subcontractors, employers and…	View Profile
Mr Edward Foyle	Edward specialises in the resolution of disputes arising from construction and infrastructure…	View Profile
Mr Tony Francis	Tony specialises exclusively in construction, engineering and energy law and related matters…	View Profile
Mr Jatinder Garcha	Jatinder has nearly 20 years’ experience in non-contentious domestic and international construction…	View Profile
Ms Karen Gidwani	Karen specialises in dispute resolution and avoidance for a wide range of…	View Profile
Mr Jeremy Glover	Jeremy has specialised in construction energy and engineering law and related matters…	View Profile
Mr Nicholas Gould	Nicholas is an international specialist arbitration, construction and engineering lawyer. Nicholas conducts…	View Profile
Claire King	Claire specialises in the resolution of both domestic and international construction and…	View Profile
Mr Ted Lowery	Ted joined Fenwick Elliott in 1991 as a paralegal. He qualified as…	View Profile
Mr Jon Miller	Jon left school at 16 to work as an apprentice. He later…	View Profile
Mr Toby Randle	A partner at Fenwick Elliott, Toby has over 25 years’ experience in…	View Profile
Ms Lucinda Robinson	Lucinda has a broad range of experience of the various issues that…	View Profile
Ms Victoria Russell	Victoria is a consultant with over 30 years’ experience; Victoria specialises in…	View Profile
Dr Stacy Sinclair	Stacy leads Fenwick Elliott’s technology and innovation initiatives, overseeing the development and…	View Profile
Mr Richard Smellie	Richard is widely experienced in the resolution of disputes in the construction,…	View Profile
Lyndon Smith	Lyndon is a Partner specialising in the resolution of construction, engineering and…	View Profile
Mr Simon Tolson	Solicitor, Chartered Arbitrator, Registered Adjudicator, CEDR trained Mediator. Past Chairman of the…	View Profile
Mr Thomas Young	Thomas specialises in the resolution of complex construction, engineering and energy disputes…	View Profile