Construction: Contentious
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 5
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7405 4600About
Provided by Sharpe Pritchard LLP
Type of work handled
The team advises on all standard form construction contracts, including JCT, NEC, GC/Works and FIDIC. We also advise on all ancillary documentation, including bonds, parent company guarantees and collateral warranties. In addition, we advise on standard form and bespoke professional team appointments and partnering agreements.
Each of our lawyers has extensive experience in European procurement law.
We also advise on dispute resolution with a particular focus on adjudication. In addition, we advise on and guide our clients through mediation, litigation, expert determination and arbitration.
Categories of clients
We advise a range of clients across the industry, including central government, local authorities, housing associations, developers, funders, project sponsors, consultants and charitable institutions.Key project sectors we work in include major infrastructure, retail and commercial developments, strategic maintenance and education projects, including academy conversions and new builds, waste and regeneration.
Recent work highlights
London Boroughs of Southwark and Brent: Primary school expansion programmes
Major London Borough Council: Adjudication over £2.8m dispute resulting in favourable settlement
Thames Water Utilities Ltd: We advised Thames Water on procurement, construction and commercial aspects of the Thames Tideway Tunnel project and continue to be retained on post close aspects.
Chambers Review
Sharpe Pritchard has a strong reputation for representing public sector clients in a wide range of transactional issues and disputes. The firm's clients include local government bodies from around the UK, as well as social housing providers and NHS trusts. Its lawyers are equipped to advise on education, energy and urban redevelopment construction projects, among other matters. The firm offers clients a dedicated construction adjudication team capable of advising on the full range of construction disputes.
Work Highlights
- Sharpe Pritchard advised Bristol Temple Quarter on their Regeneration Programme, involving a partnership between Bristol City Council, Homes England, Network Rail and the West of England Combined Authority.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Sharpe Pritchard handled complex construction matters. It is very responsive and has short turn-around times."
"Sharpe Pritchard approached work in a calm, professional way and explained complicated legal issues clearly to clients."
"Sharpe Pritchard team members demonstrate excellent skills. They are always available to assist."
"Sharpe Pritchard has expert knowledge in construction-related matters. The team is highly experienced."
"Sharpe Pritchard handled complex construction matters. It is very responsive and has short turn-around times."
"Sharpe Pritchard approached work in a calm, professional way and explained complicated legal issues clearly to clients."
"Sharpe Pritchard team members demonstrate excellent skills. They are always available to assist."
"Sharpe Pritchard has expert knowledge in construction-related matters. The team is highly experienced."
Notable Practitioners
Head of construction Justin Mendelle is an expert in both contentious and non-contentious construction matters relating to residential developments and public buildings. He assists various public entities with procurement and contractual issues, as well as loss and expense claims and cases arising out of repair and maintenance contracts.
"Justin is thoroughly knowledgeable both in construction law and procurement law. His advice has always been robust, well-considered and of high-quality. He also demonstrates very high standards."
"Justin was exceptional. He is good on strategy and running a case in difficult circumstances."
"I have always found Justin to provide focused legal advice coupled with strong commercial and strategic advice."
Rachel Murray-Smith is a non-contentious construction specialist who acts for a range of public sector clients. She principally advises on the drafting and negotiation of construction contracts and has a particularly strong knowledge of the JCT and NEC suite of contracts.
"Rachel combines construction law expertise with procurement law expertise which is an enviable skill set. Her advice was timely and high-quality. She was always professional and collaborative."
"Rachel is very professional. She is very knowledgeable on her area. She is very measured."
"Rachel's legal knowledge and strategic advice has always been found to be of the highest quality."
Helen Batter is a construction associate with strong experience in contract negotiation and drafting, especially in regard to amending JCT and NEC contracts. She has additional expertise acting for both employers and consultants in appointment contracts.
"Helen demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of construction law contracts. She is very professional in her approach to clients and shows a high level of commitment and dedication to her work."
Ranked Lawyers at
Sharpe Pritchard LLP
London (Firms)
Members
Provided by Sharpe Pritchard LLP
Annie Moy
Edwina Acland
Jane Crees
Rachel Murray-Smith
Clients
Provided by Sharpe Pritchard LLP
Chelmsford City Council
London Borough of Brent
London Borough of Southwark
Thames Water Utilities Ltd
Industries
Provided by Sharpe Pritchard LLP
Central Government
Developers
Funders
Housing Associations
Local Authorities