About

Provided by Ashfords LLP

We are one of the leading construction teams in the UK with significant experience advising across a wide range of complex and often innovative construction, engineering and infrastructure projects.

Our work regularly involves the delivery of energy and clean energy projects, waste and energy from waste initiatives, residential developments and their supporting infrastructure, wide ranging commercial developments; as well as advising on projects in the public/government, education and healthcare sectors. 

Clients benefit from having robust contracts in place helping to ensure successful project delivery while minimising the risk of costly and time-consuming disputes further down the line. Our experience includes pre-contract risk reviews, and drafting and negotiating the full range of construction contracts and ancillary documentation. We also have significant experience advising on disputes in adjudication, arbitration or court litigation across a range of projects and contract types with significant experience on multi-million pound construction disputes in the Technology and Construction Court. The combined approach of our team enables us to offer clients support for projects from start to end.

Our clients include a broad cross-section of major international sponsors, project companies, developers, leading contractors and consultants, waste and water companies, public bodies and housing associations.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Construction - South West

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Ashfords has a strong practice representing an extensive list of contractors, utilities providers, housing groups and local authorities in transactional and litigious matters. The firm is active in numerous industries across the country, with particular strength in the energy sector. The practice has additional expertise in developments involving residential, leisure and retail property, as well as urban regeneration and social infrastructure projects. The department also has impressive dispute resolution capabilities including litigation, adjudication and arbitration.

Work Highlights

  • Ashfords assisted South West Water with the contracts for its £2.8 billion AMP8 Tier 1 Capital Delivery Framework.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Stephen Homer
1
Stephen Homer
1
Band 1
Stephen Homer regularly advises local authorities and developers on construction disputes concerning breach of contract and professional negligence allegations. He is head of adjudication and arbitration services at the firm.

Modest in the extreme, Stephen is a true giant among construction lawyers. And yet, he always shows a keen interest in our most trivial of matters. We would turn to him in our most dire hour of need.

Stephen Homer is a first-rate construction lawyer.

Mark Manning
2
Mark Manning
2
Band 2
Mark Manning assists clients with the drafting of construction contracts for commercial development projects, as well as the resolution of disputes. He has experience representing clients in the energy and retail sectors.

Mark cheerfully breaks the bad news, then drops in a brilliant solution.

Mark's knowledge and understanding of our business and contractual models is second to none, and that is driven by his desire to protect us at all costs.

Carl Thompson
3
Carl Thompson
Head of Construction
3
Band 3

Carl Thompson provides deep expertise in the energy space and is regularly called upon by clients for his knowledge of construction matters. He advises on a wide range of projects including those concerning energy from waste, solar and nuclear facilities.

Carl always takes the time to consider the implications and the potential consequences of the actions we propose, and advises accordingly.

Laura Reeve
3
Laura Reeve
3
Band 3

Laura Reeve is a rising force in the South West region and beyond. She specialises in non-contentious advisory work. Notable areas of expertise include contractual matters and procurement. She advises the full range of operatives in the space, including local authorities.

Laura is scarily efficient. She knows what we're going to ask for before we ask for it!

Laura Reeve is very effective. We often need her to act quickly and she's always responsive.

Patrick Blake
3
Patrick Blake
3
Band 3
Patrick Blake heads Ashfords' construction department and handles both contentious and non-contentious construction work. He is noted for his proficiency in disputes concerning breach of contract and project delays, and also advises on a range of transactional matters.

What Patrick doesn't know about construction law probably isn't worth knowing. He effortlessly peels the matter back to its core then in one blow, he nails it.

Lianne Edwards
U
Lianne Edwards
U
Up and Coming

Lianne Edwards is an up-and-coming partner at the firm. She has a broad contentious construction practice, with experience in damages claims and contractual disputes.

Ranked Lawyers at
Ashfords LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

South West

Construction

Stephen Homer
1
Stephen Homer
1
Band 1
Mark Manning
2
Mark Manning
2
Band 2
Carl Thompson
3
Carl Thompson
Head of Construction
3
Band 3
Laura Reeve
3
Laura Reeve
3
Band 3
Patrick Blake
3
Patrick Blake
3
Band 3
Lianne Edwards
U
Lianne Edwards
U
Up and Coming