The ‘highly practical’ and ’commercially aware’ construction team at Trowers & Hamlins LLP is frequently instructed by a wide variety of clients, including local authorities, developers, and funders. Oliver Williams oversees contentious matters, handling various claims in contractor disputes. Brian Hitchcock transferred from Foot Anstey in July 2025 and leads the non-contentious practice, providing advice on regeneration schemes, redevelopment, and procurement. Lydia Stuart-Banks, Tao Smart, and Nathan Gessey are also key members, providing essential support. Claire Atkins left the firm in May 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- I would recommend them for their attention to detail and very prompt service.
- What makes them special is the time given to explain and to make me feel so confident that we are in the safest hands.
- Trowers & Hamlins’ Construction team stands out for being highly practical, commercially aware, and easy to work with. They cut through complexity and communicate in plain English, which makes a real difference when dealing with technical building safety and defect matters. They take the time to understand our objectives and tailor their advice accordingly, rather than defaulting to overly legalistic or adversarial positions. Their focus is consistently on achieving the best practical and achievable outcome, not prolonging matters unnecessarily. Compared to other firms, they feel more like an extension of the client team. They collaborate well with technical and operational colleagues and are particularly strong in aligning legal strategy with wider regulatory and delivery considerations.
Key clients
- Norwich City Council
- Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
- Oberlanders Group LLP
- Oryx Real Estate Partners
- Places for People Group Limited
- Portsmouth City Council
- Troia Restaurants Limited
- Brighter Places
- CMS Geoscience
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Vistry Group
Work highlights
Advised Norwich City Council on the first stages of its £350 million central city regeneration programme.
Advised two of the UK's largest pension funds for construction projects across their national estates.
Advised Vistry Group on various matters, including the £1 billion new town development on the edge of Plymouth.
Practice head
Oliver Williams; Brian Hitchcock
Other key lawyers
Lydia Stuart-Banks; Tao Smart; Nathan Gessey