With a strong portfolio of work across the healthcare, energy, and commercial property sectors, Brodies LLP assembles a robust construction practice. The team is well versed in both contentious and non-contentious construction issues. Leadership responsibilities are divided between Louise Shiels, whose practice focuses on construction disputes, and Jane McMonagle, who drives the unit’s transactional offering. David Arnott acts for a diverse client base of contractors, employers, and subcontractors, while Alistair McLean is adept at handling urban regeneration projects. Manus Quigg is well acquainted with coverage disputes and Kirsteen Milne is highlighted for her know-how on engineering issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- All partners have been available to contact, and the support has been first class with our project team and the business.
- Their availability, pace, and technical knowledge have been impressive on what has been a very complex and technical contractual challenge.
- The team at Brodies is absorbed in the Scottish construction arena and has great knowledge across all aspects of the sector. David Arnott, Louise Shiels, Manus Quigg, and Elaine Farquharson-Black are exceptional at what they do, affording great insight into your business and helping navigate challenging situations. The diligence and professionalism from all of them are second to none.
- Louise Shiels - clearly has strong experience and balanced views on matters. Jane McMonagle - has great market knowledge and trends regarding risk profiles between contracting parties. Kate Morrison - has a great approach and is an excellent communicator, meaning she has the ability to simplify complex matters.
- Brodies always deploys well-resourced teams, so response times and provision of legal advice are strong. The resources deployed have robust and recent experience relative to the respective project. Brodies personnel are always willing to provide advice on matters rather than simply act on instruction.
- The construction law team provided consistently high-quality, commercially focused advice. They demonstrated strong technical expertise in dispute resolution, including adjudication and litigation, and were highly effective in managing a complex case. They stood out for their clear, practical guidance and strong understanding of the market, allowing them to deliver solutions that were both legally robust and commercially realistic. The team was responsive, reliable, and easy to work with, particularly under tight deadlines. Overall, they were a trusted and highly capable advisor, and we would confidently recommend them to others in the sector.
- Louise Shiels, in particular, has been excellent to work with. She was highly responsive, proactive, and consistently provided well-reasoned, solution-focused advice that was easy to understand and implement. Her ability to remain calm and pragmatic under tight deadlines and in challenging situations was especially valued, and she was always approachable and client-focused. She had a very dedicated team beyond her, and special mention goes to Associate Andrew Groom, who worked tirelessly and diligently to ensure all deadlines were met. Extremely hardworking and knowledgeable.
- Kirsteen Milne is wonderfully pragmatic and is not afraid to give advice. We really value that straightforward approach with no sitting on the fence! Andrew Boccoli is similarly commercial, and both provide excellent straightforward drafting.
- The Brodies team are more partners to us than a traditional lawyer/client relationship. They understand our business, are responsive, and are able to get to the heart of what we need from them, even when we are not sure ourselves!
- Chris Duff is our client partner whom I know I can rely on to support us in any circumstances. Kirsteen Milne is our go-to for complex commercial matters, and she is brilliant at finding innovative ways to get the right agreements in place.
Key clients
- Drum Property Group
- McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd
- Aggreko
- Robertson Construction Group
- Multiplex Construction Europe Ltd
- Amey Power Services Ltd
- Mears
- Galliford Try
- Kier Group Limited
- Kier Highways
- Winvic
- EQT Exeter
- Ogilvie Construction
- Farrans
- FES
- OCS
Work highlights
Advised Aggreko in entering a multi-year contract to provide low-emission, low-noise multi-megawatt power package for the construction of Sizewell C.
Act on behalf of the design and build contractor, Multiplex, in relation to the public inquiry on the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Royal Hospital for Sick Children.
Advising EQT on all construction aspects of its “Storex Self Storage” portfolio, including five new projects at Dalston, South Tottenham, Stratford, Greenwich and Bermondsey.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Louise Shiels; Jane McMonagle
Other key lawyers
David Arnott; Alistair McLean; Manus Quigg; Kirsteen Milne; Christopher Duff