Real estate
The contentious construction team at HFW has amassed considerable experience acting for contractors on high profile mandates in the transport, energy, and commercial real estate sectors. The group also handles a regular volume of high value international arbitrations. Leadership is shared between Max Wieliczko, who specialises in disputes arising out of renewable energy projects, and Michael Sergeant, who has extensive experience in international arbitration. Adjudication expert Richard Booth acts for a roster of international contractors. Tom Hutchison is routinely tasked in delay and defects claims, while Tanya Chadha has an established cross-border disputes practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Work Department
HFW Construction
To read more visit:https://www.hfw.com/Construction
To read more visit:https://www.hfw.com/Construction
Position
Partner
Career
Michael Sergeant is a specialist construction lawyer with over 25 years' experience. He advises on contracts and procurement but his principal focus of work involves helping clients during the course of a project when claims arise and in dealing with formal disputes.
He has advised in relation to a wide range of UK and international projects, including oil & gas, civil engineering, transport, renewable energy, offshore, office development and land remediation. In relation to such projects, he has acted for the full range of participants involved in the construction industry, including developers, energy companies, government organisations, contractors and consultants. His work has involved matters in all parts of the world, including Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, Africa and South East Asia.
Michael has experience of acting in relation to a wide variety of claims, including delay, disruption, variations, defects and termination disputes; and in relation to the full range of forums for dispute resolution including mediation, adjudication, DABs, arbitration and litigation. He has acted for clients in relation to very complex and high value claims, including a number of disputes in excess of US$1 billion.
He worked previously in the highly ranked specialist construction practice at Winward Fearon/ Maxwell Winward, at which he was a partner from 2001. The construction team from that firm moved to HFW in April 2013.
Michael is the author of Construction Contract Variations, the only specialist book on the legal issues relating to changes to the scope of work on construction projects which has been described in reviews as "a master guide" (Doug Jones, International Construction law Review) and "an indispensable classic" (Simon Rainey QC, Law Society Gazette). He is involved in a number of industry and academic bodies. He teaches on the Stuttgart University Construction Law Masters course; is a member of the Consultation Board for the Thomson Reuters legal resources website Practical Law, and was on the panel of friendly reviewers for the FIDIC second edition suite. He also regularly speaks at industry conferences.
To read more visit: https://www.hfw.com/Michael-Sergeant
Content supplied by HFW
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Great understanding of construction disputes.’
‘Daniel Johnson, Anna Fazzini & Junaid Tariq - all were excellent in the management of multiple experts and expert evidence.’
‘Strong team in the construction sector. They have good experience in the infrastructure and energy sectors in relation to construction.’
‘I have worked with Max Wieliczko, Andrew Ross, Roxanne Langford-Collins, Joanna Wilkins and Tamara Zakharia, all of whom have impressed.’
‘A fantastic team. They almost work intuitively because there’s mutual trust and respect. Dynamic and lively. Really enjoyable to work with.’
‘Max Wieliczko is a legend. Great tactically and hugely commercial.’
Key clients
- VolkerWessels Group (including VolkerFitzpatrick; VolkerInfra; VolkerHighways; VolkerLaser; VolkerStevin; VolkerRail) JRL Group (J Reddington) Barhale Limited Hochtief Solutions AG Belectric Gulf Limited/ Al Gihaz Contracting Robert Bird Group Kuwait Oil Company Dragados Northumbrian Water Limited MW High Tech Projects UK Limited
Work highlights
Acting for an international joint venture contractor on a £1bn ICC arbitration in relation to delays and variations on a high-profile Middle East transport project.