About

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

Provided by Chambers
Construction: Contentious - London (Firms)
5
Band 5
What the Team is Known For

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

Provided by Sharpe Pritchard LLP
  • 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

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
Justin Mendelle
3
Justin Mendelle
3
Band 3

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
6
Rachel Murray-Smith
6
Band 6

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
Helen Batter
Associates to watch

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

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

London (Firms)

Construction: Contentious

Justin Mendelle
3
Justin Mendelle
3
Band 3
Construction: Non-contentious

Justin Mendelle
3
Justin Mendelle
3
Band 3
Rachel Murray-Smith
6
Rachel Murray-Smith
6
Band 6
Helen Batter
Helen Batter
Associates to watch

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