Construction: Contentious
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 4
Contact number
0207 242 1212About
Provided by Dentons
Dentons is one of the world’s premier construction and engineering law firms and is consistently ranked by the main legal directories as a leading law firm for energy, transport and infrastructure work. From our UK offices in London, Milton Keynes, Edinburgh and Glasgow we advise our clients on a wide range of domestic and international construction and engineering projects. Our global network consists of construction lawyers who are experienced in all the Firm’s core sectors. We understand the critical issues our clients face in large projects and we have the experience to help minimise risk and exposure, and to achieve favourable outcomes on their behalf.
The group advises on construction issues in the following areas: UK build and development; UK energy and infrastructure; international infrastructure; international energy construction; and disputes arising in each. This broad focus enables the group to advise a wide range of clients including UK build and development and PPP contractors. Sectors of experience include retail, rail and freight projects, solar projects and wind projects (both on and offshore). We have also advised on major international projects including Africa.
Chambers Review
Dentons has a talented team with considerable strength across a number of practice areas including energy, transport and commercial development. The team is noted for its expertise in disputes concerning delays, disruption and defective design for renewable energy and oil and gas projects, as well as transport infrastructure and mixed-use developments. This practice primarily represents domestic and international developer clients, as well as funders and contractors. It carries out significant international work and has considerable experience of claims involving large projects in CIS countries and the Middle East.
Work Highlights
- Dentons represented Morgan Sindall as the Claimant in a multi-party TCC litigation in relation to design defects in the stands and players and media building at Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Dentons has been responsive, diligent and detail-oriented. Its team is strategically-minded and its responses were informed."
"Dentons provided decisiveness and robust advice. The team was excellent at assessing various challenges including practical and commercial items."
"Dentons' expertise in construction law has been instrumental. Its strategic counsel and attention to detail has been invaluable assets in addressing the challenges."
"The firm has a strong team-minded approach and good work ethic. It is always responsive."
"Dentons has been responsive, diligent and detail-oriented. Its team is strategically-minded and its responses were informed."
"Dentons provided decisiveness and robust advice. The team was excellent at assessing various challenges including practical and commercial items."
"Dentons' expertise in construction law has been instrumental. Its strategic counsel and attention to detail has been invaluable assets in addressing the challenges."
"The firm has a strong team-minded approach and good work ethic. It is always responsive."
Notable Practitioners
Esther McDermott assists clients with the resolution of construction disputes in various settings, including adjudications, arbitrations and proceedings before the Technology and Construction Court. She primarily advises on delay, defect and termination claims arising out of residential and mixed-use developments in the UK and CIS countries.
"Esther is so effective. She is down-to-earth, incredibly likeable, very commercially-minded and pragmatic."
"Esther has an all-round ability to see the big picture. She is excellent on strategy and has a good understanding of the client."
"Esther is very good with clients, very impressive and easy to work with."
Akin Akinbode has strong experience representing developers, contractors and funders in construction disputes. He has expertise in claims arising out of commercial, residential and mixed-use developments.
"Akin provided an extremely high quality service. His knowledge and experience was excellent. He provided a high level of commercial awareness and assessment of the potential implications of advice."
"Akin Akinbode consistently demonstrates a high level of sophistication in his approach to client service."
"Akin is direct, straight-forward, likeable and lovely to work with."
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