• I specialise in construction law and practice providing advice to parties at all levels of the supply chain. My particular focus area is dispute avoidance and resolution. I regularly contribute articles for in-house and external newsletters and provide training for clients on current issues in construction law.

    The breadth of my experience covers a variety of sectors where I regularly act for local authorities, registered providers as well as for developers, contractors and consultants.

    I am familiar with all of the standard forms of construction contracts and related documents (JCT, NEC, ICE) and I have significant experience of conducting litigation and adjudication as well as other forms of ADR including mediation. I blend my technical legal knowledge with industry and commercial awareness to identify the essential tactical and other considerations relevant to any dispute and to provide clear and focused advice.

    Publications

    Housing Consultation: Redress for purchasers of new build homes
    Milestone payments and inadequate payment mechanisms

     

    • Acting for the EPC contractor in multiple adjudications with its groundworks sub-contractor regarding payment and wrongful termination on a £9m groundworks package at a new anaerobic digestion and gasification/waste processing facility
    • Acting for a Local Authority on a range of contentious matters, including a £3m claim against a main contractor regarding some 1100 defective windows installed as part of a significant housing refurbishment contract
    • Acting for a major bank in adjudication proceedings against a negligent monitoring surveyor
    • Advising a main contractor on various issues in relation to a major residential development, including the wrongful administration of the contract by the Employer’s Agent and incorrect deduction of liquidated damages
    • Providing strategic advice to a Housing Association regarding the insolvency of a main contractor
    • Reported cases include: MW High Tech Projects UK Limited v Haase Environmental Consulting GmbH [2015] EWHC 152 (TCC), GPS Marine Contractors Limited v Ringway Infrastructure Services Limited [2010] EWHC 283 (TCC) and Benfield Construction Limited v Trudson (Hatton) Limited [2008] EWHC 2333 (TCC)

Matthew's areas of expertise