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England - London • Real estate
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Construction: contentious

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Devonshires Solicitors LLP

More information
The contentious construction team at Devonshires Solicitors LLP regularly acts for a range of clients from both the public and private sectors. Building Safety Act disputes remain a key focus of the group’s client offering, representing social housing developers at all levels of the courts. The contentious practice is jointly steered by Mark London, who serves a client base consisting of contractors, developers, and local authorities, and Matthew Cocklin, who specialises in handling disputes related to cladding and fire safety defects. Kathryn Kligerman is well-versed in disputes which reach the Technology & Construction Court, adjudication, and mediation.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Matthew Cocklin is a superb construction lawyer: he knows the law and is always up-to-date on the cases, but he doesn't let the law get in the way of looking for commercial solutions to disputes that avoid the time and cost of a trial. If a case needs to fight, he is hard-nosed, determined and leaves no stone unturned; he will not shy away from a battle and is someone to have in the trenches with you.'

  • 'Adam Matthewson is highly intelligent and diligent. He has a very keen eye for detail, and he is adept at thinking around a problem to come up with new ways to see the case. He has an impressive ability to crunch through large amounts of information quickly.'
  • 'Richard Anderson is hugely experienced which, combined with an excellent "bedside manner" and the enthusiasm with which he attacks the case, really puts clients at ease. A real strategic thinker, he is always a step ahead of the other side.'
  • 'Lena Barnes produces consistently impressive work. She is pragmatic and robust, and cuts through the noise to get to the real issues in the case. One of her best attributes is the way she is able to see a point in the way a judge is likely to see it, and to advise the client accordingly.’

  • ‘I’ve been very impressed by this team. The contentious construction team stands out for its deep integration with the housing and development sector, advising many of the UK’s largest developers and social housing organisations (as well as many others). This gives the team a uniquely commercial, property-savvy perspective that I have not seen many other law firms match.’

  • ‘We worked with Devonshires on the recovery of grant funding for the remediation of cladding. Adam Matthewson & Matthew Cocklin were excellent. Tenacious in following up with the different parties and consistently following through to reach the desired conclusion. Excellent legal advice and persistence paid off in the end.’

Key clients

  • A2Dominion
  • Ability Housing Association
  • Accent Housing Limited
  • Agudas Israel Housing Association Ltd
  • Anchor Hanover Group
  • Barnet Homes Limited
  • Chelmer Housing Partnership
  • Clarion Housing Group Limited
  • Curo Group (Albion) Limited
  • Elements (Europe) Limited
  • Forviva Group Limited
  • Gateway Housing Association

Work highlights

Acting for Hexagon in a long standing dispute concerning the termination of the contractor’s employment under a JCT design and build contract.
Acting for Peabody Trust in relation to the interpretation of the terms of an NHBC policy in relation to insolvency cover.
Acting for Beyond in TCC proceedings regarding a developer’s entitlement to a milestone payment.

Practice head

Mark London; Matthew Cocklin; Asif Patel; Kathryn Kligerman

Other key lawyers

Kathryn Kligerman; Richard Anderson; Michael Wharfe; Adam Matthewson; Lena Barnes; Karen Morean; Ellie-Rose Fletcher