Construction and Engineering

Specialist advice across the construction and engineering lifecycle

We advise on procurement strategies, development and funding agreements, building contracts, professional appointments, warranties, third party rights, and associated transaction documents. Our cross-practice strength sees us working hand-in-hand with our real estate, corporate, competition, procurement, tax and finance specialists.

We work across a broad spectrum of asset classes for clients that range from private capital investors to institutional and alternative lenders, family offices and high-net-worth individuals.

Our Construction Disputes team advises on dispute avoidance and settlement as well as adjudication, litigation and arbitration.

Our practice covers:

commercial development including office, industrial, data centres, film studios, life sciences, retail and mixed-use developments;
residential development across the entire living sector, including in build to rent (BTR), private rented sector (PRS) and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), as well as shared and senior living schemes. We also advise both commercial and private clients on super-prime developments and one-off projects; and
structuring and development of infrastructure projects, including heat and power networks serving broader developments.

Work highlights include advising:

Legal & General on its flagship BTR fund in relation to the acquisition and development of sites, including the development of 1,000 units at New Acres, Wandsworth, and the development funding of multiple phases of development at Deansgate, Manchester;
Stanhope on the development of 8 Bishopsgate, a landmark 51 storey office building with market-leading sustainability credentials in the heart of the City of London;
on the acquisition and redevelopment of the Ritz London, entailing a substantial extension to the hotel and a comprehensive refurbishment of the existing iconic building;
on the development and funding of an innovative portfolio of automated cold storage facilities;
on the development and financing of a hyperscale data centre in East London; and
a hospital trust on a major campus redevelopment project, including new research, clinical and inpatient facilities.

Macfarlanes is a distinguished leader in the construction and engineering sector, offering specialist and in-depth expertise across various industries and providing exceptional support to clients.
Chambers UK 2026

The team demonstrates a clear ability to manage complex and sophisticated matters with confidence, clarity, and commercial awareness. Their approach is both thorough and pragmatic, which adds significant value in high-stakes or nuanced situations.
The UK Legal 500 2026

Macfarlanes offers excellent risk-benefit analysis and well-balanced negotiation support. They enable clients to lead in discussions while skilfully guiding them away from potential pitfalls.
Chambers UK 2026