Carson McDowell is well-known in the social housing and education sectors, drawing on the firm’s experts in planning, procurement, and health and safety to bolster the construction team’s strong contractual and dispute offering. Stuart Murphy is the head of the practice. Murphy is an expert in advising on disputes and adjudication for supply chain actors and contractors. John Dugdale has a strong developer-side practice, handling the building contracts for high-value projects. Gavin Kerr routinely leads on matters involving the review and negotiation of the full suite of construction contracts.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘John Dugdale is fantastic. He has deep construction knowledge and can formulate a winning strategy for his clients.’
- ‘Carson McDowell provides highly skilled law professionals. What sets them apart is their attention to relationship building and customer service.’
- ‘I usually deal with John Dugdale. John is highly professional, reactive and flexible to our needs.’
- ‘Carson McDowell is one of the premier construction practices in Northern Ireland. The team has practical knowledge of running complex construction disputes. ’
- ‘John Dugdale and Gavin Kerr are both experts in the field. If it's construction contracts, then Gavin Kerr is the man to go to! All are extremely helpful and knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with.’
- ‘The team at Carson McDowell are excellent. Personable, great experience, commercially minded and always have their clients' needs at the forefront of everything they do. Their legal skills are second to none.’
Key clients
- Belfast Harbour Commissioners
- Translink
- McAleer and Rushe
- GRAHAM
- Gilbert-Ash
- Queen’s University, Belfast
- Ulster University
- Department of Finance
- Royal Portrush Golf Club
- Oakland Holdings
Work highlights
Advising the operator of the NI Investment Fund on reviewing, advising and negotiating the form of construction documentation for security in relation to the construction of new luxury 5-star hotel (Dunluce Lodge) in Portrush.
Advising Queen’s University Belfast on a series of Belfast Region City Deal projects, including the construction of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), the Institute of Research Excellence for Advanced Clinical Healthcare (iReach) and the Momentum One Zero project.
Advising the Royal Portrush Golf Club in relation to alterations and improvements to the Club, in advance of the Open Championship taking place in 2025.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Stuart Murphy
Other key lawyers
John Dugdale; Gavin Kerr