DLA Piper is perhaps best known for its contentious construction expertise, advising on disputes in the engineering and infrastructure areas. The client roster includes developers and contractors; Clare Rushton is noted for her strength in assisting the latter with arbitration and mediation. Practice head Paul Giles is highly experienced in handling litigation, as well as matters relating to infrastructure projects. Abigail Holmes and Matthew Inglis are other names to note. Alison Fagan left the firm in January 2026.
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Testimonials
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- Paul Giles, the DLA lead, has always been available and provides input later with the team he puts forward. Cait O'Reilly and Andrew Batty have been involved with most issues and provided excellent service.
- The disputes team is on top of all issues and provides good coverage at all levels to ensure efficiency.
- Clare Rushton was incredibly knowledgeable in developing a technical area of the law.
- The individuals we work with stand out for their exceptional combination of commercial pragmatism, deep sector knowledge, and an ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, workable advice. In particular, Owen Knight and Matthew Inglis consistently distinguish themselves from others by focusing on practical outcomes while maintaining a strong grasp of legal and contractual risk. Owen Knight has provided invaluable commercial insight throughout the project, bringing extensive experience and a strong understanding of the broader commercial drivers at play. His advice is always grounded in realism and informed by a clear appreciation of how legal decisions impact live projects. Owen’s ability to balance legal robustness with commercial practicality has been critical in navigating complex issues efficiently. Matthew Inglis has been equally impressive, offering clear, well-structured advice and communicating risk in a way that enables informed decision-making. He takes the time to fully understand the nuances and complexities of each issue before advising on a pragmatic and proportionate way forward. His calm and considered approach has been invaluable. What sets both Owen and Matthew apart is the care they take to truly understand the underlying complexities of the matters at hand. Their advice is consistently clear, sound, and commercially focused, providing confidence that issues are being handled thoughtfully and effectively. Their collaborative approach and commitment to delivering pragmatic solutions make them trusted advisers and a pleasure to work with, and I would highly recommend working with them across PFI/PPP Real Estate.
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Practice head
Paul Giles
Other key lawyers
Clare Rushton; Abigail Holmes; Matthew Inglis