Beale & Co

Senior Partner: Sheena Sood
Number of partners: 27
Number of associates: 31
Number of assistant solicitors: 22
Number of other fee earners: 22

AREAS OF PRACTICE
Professional Negligence/Insurance: 30%
Construction: 30%
International Arbitration: 25%
Other: 15%

Contacts:
Professional Liability: Sheena Sood
Projects & Construction: Will Buckby
Insurance: Peter Sewell and Stephen Reilly
Health & Safety: Jo Lewis
Corporate & Commercial: James Hutchinson
International Arbitration/Dispute Resolution: Antony Smith
Environment: Michael Salau
Regions: Joe Eizenberg
Ireland: Tara Cosgrove
Dubai: Claire Miller

THE FIRM
Originally founded in 1838 Beale & Co has over 180 years’ experience providing specialist legal advice to the construction and insurance sectors, delivering an innovative and international service to clients wherever they may be. In an ever-changing legal market it has never been more important to maintain a high quality specialist service. The firm has a reputation for working to the highest standards and has thrived in response to a demand that has grown exponentially over the past 25 years. The approach is always consistent: understand the often technically complex issues, identify solutions and implement an appropriate strategy to achieve a successful outcome. The lawyers are experts in their field and have a genuine understanding of the industries in which they operate.

PRINCIPAL AREAS OF WORK

Professional Negligence & Insurance:
As a core part of the firm’s insurance practice, specialist teams act on claims involving all professions including: accountants and actuaries; barristers; construction and technology professionals (including engineers, architects and project managers); environmental professionals; health amd safety professionals; financial and pension advisors; insurance brokers; solicitors; stockbrokers and fund managers and surveyors and valuers. Experienced in handling complex and high-value claims, as well as more straightforward and cost sensitive matters, the firm advises a spectrum of national and international insureds and insurers in both the London and Irish markets. It advises on matters involving directors and officers, financial institutions, property and casualty, product, design and construct, cyber and EL/PL risks, in respect of claims (including claims handling and DA schemes), coverage advice and policy wording.

Construction & Projects:
Active in the sector for over 50 years, the firm acts for some of the foremost companies in the industry, providing specialist advice to construction professionals, contractors, employers, operators, investors and insurers in the UK and throughout the world. Non-contentious work includes advising on projects from inception to completion; drafting and negotiating a wide variety of contracts for civil engineering, building and engineering and power and energy projects in the public and private sectors. The team is also a leading advisor to key industry associations and have a key role in drafting industry guidelines and documentation including the first and second editions of the BIM Protocol for the Construction Industry Council (CIC).

International Arbitration/Dispute Resolution:
With expertise in all types of dispute resolution across numerous jurisdictions, the firm advises on every aspect of litigation and alternative dispute resolution, including: international and domestic arbitration and adjudications; expert determination; mediation and negotiation. The firm provides clear, unambiguous strategic advice on both avoiding disputes and, where this is not possible, taking disputes through to a successful resolution. Its lawyers have many years of experience in handling complex disputes under all major arbitration and ad hoc rules, as well as DAB/DRB proceedings.

Corporate & Commercial:
Providing corporate and commercial advice to a range of clients including global corporations, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and professional practices, the firm provides a full commercial service to clients including: bid advisory services; procurement and procurement challenges; contracts; copyright and intellectual property advice; information technology; joint ventures; PFI, PPP and major projects; reputation management including defamation and terms and conditions. Corporate services include: business reorganisation and restructuring; company sales and purchases; corporate recovery; incorporation of companies and limited liability partnerships; management buy-outs and buy-ins; mergers and acquisitions; competition and regulatory; private equity, corporate and project finance; shareholders/partnership agreements and succession planning.

Health, Safety & Environment:
The firm has a dedicated team specialising in health, safety and environmental law with a proven track record of achieving results for its consultant, contractor, employer and insurer clients. The team advises on: Coroners’ inquests; corporate and gross negligence manslaughter prosecutions; drafting appointments for CDM duty holders; drafting policies and procedures and advising on compliance, HSE, EA and police investigations; improvement and prohibition notices; insurance issues and coverage; offences and sentencing; representation at interviews under cautions and risk management.

REGIONS
A powerful base in Bristol gives a strong national dynamic to the firm’s insurance services in respect of all areas of claim, together with a highly regarded claims handling resource.

Ireland:
The Dublin office provides specialist insurance and dispute services to the London and Irish markets and other insurers across the professions providing experience and expertise in the resolution of disputes across Ireland. An experienced construction team provides clients with contentious and non-contentious advice on projects throughout Ireland and Internationally.

Dubai:
The international practice in Dubai goes from strength to strength, where it acts for clients throughout the GCC and operates as a hub for the work undertaken for clients in Africa. The firm has a wealth of experience advising developers, contractors, consultants and their insurance providers in international construction and engineering projects, and have provided legal advice and assistance to clients in respect of some of the most iconic construction projects in the GCC. The firm’s lawyers deal with complex and high-value international arbitrations relating to construction, engineering, infrastructure, power and energy disputes.

Beale & Co is a founding member of the European Network, Lexicom. It has a best friends — working relationship with the Africa Legal Network, which has over 580 lawyers in 14 major African cities.

RECRUITMENT
The firm recruits on average six to seven graduate trainees each year across its offices.