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CMS

Construction: Contentious

UK Guide 2026 : London (Firms)

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CMS

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About

Provided by CMS

Please visit the CMS website for more details about the practice and our work:

Law firm specialised in Construction & Engineering - CMS in the UK

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Construction: Contentious - London (Firms)

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

CMS is a prominent adviser to major clients on non-contentious and contentious matters, including international arbitrations in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The firm is particularly noted for its energy, infrastructure and real estate offerings. The team possesses specialist expertise in the resolution of disputes relating to PFI projects, with a particular focus on those involving hospitals and waste-to-energy facilities. The CMS team also specialises in a variety of negligence cases, with particular expertise in insurance, financial and construction-related claims.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • CMS represented Care UK in relation to a claim in the TCC regarding extensive defects in a care home.

  • CMS acted for Yondr Group in respect of the development of three buildings forming a 100 MW hyperscale campus in Slough.

  • CMS represented Arcadis Consulting in a professional indemnity dispute in the TCC regarding a residential city centre development by the River Irwell in Salford which was constructed using modular construction techniques.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • CMS have deep construction law expertise. They provide an outstanding service.

    Construction: Contentious respondentUK

  • CMS are excellent - they're very experienced and have a strong commercial acumen.

    Construction: Contentious respondentUK

  • CMS has a strong construction team which is more than capable of handling the more complex cases.

    Construction: Contentious respondentUK

  • CMS have technical brilliance. They have strong communication and an excellent collaborative approach.

    Construction: Contentious respondentUK

  • The quality of lawyers and the resourcing ability to handle very large claims are strengths which distinguish CMS.

    Construction: Contentious respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Adrian J Bell
    Adrian J Bell

    Adrian J Bell

    Adrian Bell is highly regarded for his contentious construction work, including the representation of clients in international arbitrations relating to disputes arising from large infrastructure projects. He also offers substantial experience acting for employers and contractors in domestic PFI disputes. As joint managing director of the firm's Asia and Middle East teams, he is well placed to advise on disputes involving those jurisdictions.

    • He is very good. He is a strong practitioner.

      Construction: Contentious respondentUK
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  • Martin Fox
    Martin Fox

    Martin Fox

    Martin Fox is well known for his focus on construction-related matters, frequently representing engineers, contractors and architects in claims involving infrastructure and energy projects.

    • Martin Fox is knowledgeable and provides timely advice.

      Construction: Contentious respondentUK
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  • Monica Lesny
    Monica Lesny

    Monica Lesny

    Monica Lesny is recognised for her broad professional negligence practice, with strength advising engineers, architects, insolvency practitioners and their insurers. She has a particular focus on claims stemming from the construction sector.

    • Monica is smart, innovative, commercial, personable and technical.

      Construction: Contentious respondentUK

    • Monica Lesny has handled some of the most difficult situations with ease. She is a solid construction professional.

      Construction: Contentious respondentUK

    • Monica Lesny has a brain the size of a planet.

      Construction: Contentious respondentUK
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  • Steven Williams
    Steven Williams

    Steven Williams

    Steven Williams is co-head of the firm's infrastructure, construction and energy disputes group. He has a wealth of experience advising both purchaser and supplier-side clients on construction disputes. He regularly assists with both arbitrations and litigation proceedings concerning social infrastructure and energy sector projects.

    • Steven has great experience. He attracts the highest calibre of work, brings great experience and is skilled in negotiation.

      Construction: Contentious respondentUK

    • Steven is who you want managing a case. He is very, very good.

      Construction: Contentious respondentUK
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  • Alistair McGrigor
    Alistair McGrigor

    Alistair McGrigor

    Alistair McGrigor routinely represents prominent investors and developers in relation to the construction aspects of high-profile projects in the UK, particularly mixed-use developments. He provides advice throughout the life-cycle of construction projects, including procurement and contract negotiation.

    • Alistair McGrigor is solid, with excellent knowledge and manner.

      Construction: Contentious respondentUK

    • Alistair is clever, competent, works hard and is easy to deal with.

      Construction: Contentious respondentUK
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  • Emma Schaafsma
    Emma Schaafsma

    Emma Schaafsma

    Emma Schaafsma demonstrates considerable expertise in high-value disputes arising from international construction projects, such as power and process plants. She is often instructed by clients from the energy and infrastructure sectors.

    • Emma is a construction specialist and she is very familiar with usual construction dispute issues.

      Construction: Contentious respondentUK
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  • Hannah Cane
    Hannah Cane

    Hannah Cane

    Hannah Cane is an expert in construction-related professional negligence claims. She has particular experience representing construction companies, architects engineers and surveyors, among a range of others.

    • Hannah Cane is a good operator.

      Construction: Contentious respondentUK
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  • Matthew Taylor
    Matthew Taylor

    Matthew Taylor

    Matthew Taylor is a construction disputes specialist with particular expertise in claims concerning time extensions and additional expenses. He advises developers, owners and contractors on disputes relating to commercial, residential and mixed-use developments, as well as energy infrastructure.

    • Matt is a brilliant solicitor. He has a good strategic view of things and he is very commercial.

      Construction: Contentious respondentUK

    • Matthew has excellent and detailed knowledge of litigation law.

      Construction: Contentious respondentUK

    • Matthew is down to earth, knows his stuff inside out, is not afraid to give an opinion and understands the commercial reality. He has a great tactical brain.

      Construction: Contentious respondentUK
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  • David Parton
    David Parton

    David Parton

    David Parton advises on all aspects of the construction life-cycle, with a particular focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors. He has experience advising clients in the UK, Europe, Australia, the Caribbean and the Middle East.

    • David Parton is a very good lawyer.

      Construction: Contentious respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at CMS (10)

London (Firms)

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