Construction and Projects Disputes

We are professionals in multifaceted construction, engineering and infrastructure disputes, with a particular strength in high-value and technically challenging claims. We are experienced in directing clients on the challenges of business-critical or politically sensitive projects.

We advise on all aspects of disputes across the full lifecycle of developments, from procurement and financing to defects, delay and termination. We act in litigation, arbitration and adjudication, and are frequently instructed on complicated disputes arising from infrastructure projects, private finance initiatives (including government buildings, hospitals, universities, schools, roads and waste facilities), large commercial, industrial and residential developments, data centres, private equity and pension investments, and supplier and services procurement.

We advise on disputes concerning:

• delay and disruption, extensions of time, loss and expense and liquidated damages;
• design and construction defects;
• variations, payment and valuation disputes;
• project monitoring, reporting, benchmarking and KPI failures;
• insurance and performance bonds;
• contract and project expiry and termination; and
• professional negligence.

We regularly coordinate multidisciplinary teams, working alongside barristers, technical experts, project and asset managers and other consultants.

Work highlights include advising:

• various stakeholders on cladding, fire safety and regulatory matters following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the introduction of the Building Safety Act, including acting for parties in a number of re-cladding claims;
• PFI project companies in disputes over liability for design and construction defects in major infrastructure assets;
• APC and Argan in a court claim about the development of a power station;
• Global Switch in adjudications, the High Court and the Court of Appeal in a claim against a contractor in relation to the development of a data centre;
• Redrow in judicial review proceedings relating to the Building Safety Fund;
• L&G in a claim relating to mechanical and electrical defects in a new office and retail development; and
• a developer in an expert determination and court proceedings regarding the development of a luxury hotel in central London.