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England - London • Real estate
3

Construction: contentious

Beale & Co logo

Beale & Co

More information
Acting for prominent contractors across the UK, Beale & Co regularly handles arbitration, litigation, and dispute avoidance arising out of high profile domestic construction projects. The team is co-led by Sheena Sood, who is regularly tasked with navigating complex insurance-related construction disputes, and Anthony Smith, who heads the firm’s arbitration offering. Michael Salau‘s practice encompasses arbitration, adjudication, and mediation processes, while Nathan Modell acts for a roster of engineers, contractors, and architects. David Nitek joined the team in May 2025 from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Antony Smith and Sheena Sood are very strong in this area and they have a good set of associates too. Very happy to recommend the team.’

  • 'The team have a great profile in the industry and work effectively to resolve difficult disputes.'

  • 'A practical commercial legal firm, they understand the issues that exist in our sector, they understand the industry and therefore can give clear concise practical advice.'

  • 'Experienced, knowledgeable and approachable lawyers who really understand engineering consultants. Beale & Co are proactive is providing updates on relevant case law and legislative changes.'

  • 'Sheena Sood and Nathan Modell consistently provide high quality, strategic advice and are a pleasure to work with.'

  • ‘Antony Smith and Sheena Sood are both very strong technically and commercially. Nadir Hassan has also been very helpful in providing clear, helpful advice.’

Key clients

  • Arup Group Limited
  • Kier Group
  • Galliford Try
  • Mace Group
  • Broadway Malyan
  • WSP
  • TetraTech
  • Association for Consultancy and Engineering
  • BHM Construction
  • AECOM
  • BAM
  • AtkinsRealis

Work highlights

Acted for a major construction client in relation to a cladding claim in the TCC regarding the allegedly defective external wall system at a mixed-use development, comprising a super store, car park, several retail units and 259 residential apartments.
Advised a leading international manufacturer for the construction industry, with a particular focus on concrete and cement. They supplied waterproofing products to a JV Contractor on the HS2 Project for a series of vent tunnels.
Defending the design and build contractor in a claim arising from the conversion of an historic London building into a high-specification residential complex in the 1990s.

Practice head

Sheena Sood; Anthony Smith

Other key lawyers

David Nitek; Michael Salau; Ian Masser; Nathan Modell; Nadir Hassan; Anna Braden; Andrew Geach; Sophie Harlow; Michael O'Brien; Ben Spannuth