Construction: Contentious
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 4
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+44 20 7427 6400About
Provided by Charles Russell Speechlys
Led by Steven Carey, our Construction team provides a complete range of transactional, procurement, live project advice and dispute avoidance/ resolution services for large scale construction and engineering projects, in the UK and internationally. Our wider Construction group consists of 35 construction lawyers, the majority of whom are based in our London office, with separate teams in Guildford, Cheltenham and the Middle East.
Our clients include some of the UK’s largest commercial developers and housebuilding and urban regeneration companies, including Derwent London plc, Countryside Properties and Crest Nicholson. We have a strong, established, track record of involvement on international construction and infrastructure projects, especially in the Middle East, in Doha, Dubai and Manama. We are also involved on many schemes in Africa, including roads projects, process engineering facilities and commercial construction developments.
We are commercial and pragmatic in our approach, focussing on maximising the net recovery for our clients when bringing claims, and minimising or extinguishing their exposure when defending them.
Chambers Review
Charles Russell Speechlys has a prominent domestic practice with talented practitioners across the full breadth of construction law. The team acts for significant purchasers and suppliers on major transactions and disputes, with particular prowess in commercial and residential development matters. Its domestic offering is complemented by experience handling international infrastructure projects, including renewable energy schemes and transport developments.
Work Highlights
- Charles Russell Speechlys advised Longfellow Real Estate Partners on the construction aspects for the development of a 42-acre campus, Capital Park, in Cambridge.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team is resilient with excellent knowledge."
"Charles Russell Speechlys is commercial and agile. The team is quick to understand the complexities of risk allocation. The right level of resource is always available."
"The firm is quick to identify the nub of the matter in a complex situation. It is very responsive, with attention from the appropriate level."
"The team is resilient with excellent knowledge."
"Charles Russell Speechlys is commercial and agile. The team is quick to understand the complexities of risk allocation. The right level of resource is always available."
"The firm is quick to identify the nub of the matter in a complex situation. It is very responsive, with attention from the appropriate level."
Notable Practitioners
Fiona Edmond frequently assists developers with procurement and contract negotiations in relation to domestic construction projects. She has a deep knowledge of issues affecting transactions concerning various properties, including office, mixed-use and hotel developments.
"Fiona is an excellent lawyer. She is very good."
Steven Carey is the global head of the firm's construction and engineering group in London. He is a highly regarded construction specialist who handles a range of advisory work on contracts, procurement strategy and risk management. He represents major contractors and employers involved in a variety of projects, including office, transport and leisure developments.
"Steven Carey is serious and reasonable."
"Steven leads his team so well and has acute commercial and market awareness."
David Savage leads Charles Russell Speechlys' construction, engineering and projects group and possesses a wealth of experience advising on contentious and non-contentious construction law issues. He advises developers, contractors and consultants on the full range of work, ranging from front-end procurement and contract negotiation to back-end disputes over defects and final accounts.
"A very strong individual with strong knowledge of the client."
Francis Ho is a well-respected construction lawyer with strong experience advising on redevelopment transactions in the private rental sector. He regularly advises clients on the construction aspects of a wide variety of development schemes, including residential property, student accommodation and office buildings.
"Francis Ho is approachable and provides a good commercial view."
Kevin Forsyth regularly advises supplier-side clients, including contractors, insurers and engineering firms. He is noted in particular for his expertise in residential development schemes and renewable energy sector projects.
"Kevin is an impressive guy. He is very thorough, collaborative and is good at explaining things in layman's terms. Kevin is very approachable, he is a friendly guy."
"Kevin tackles complexity with ease."
James Worthington has a growing reputation in the construction sector. He often advises developers and house builders on renewable energy projects.
"James Worthington is good."
Ranked Lawyers at
Charles Russell Speechlys
London (Firms)
Members
Provided by Charles Russell Speechlys