Construction: Contentious
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 3
About
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
We help our clients with their most important projects focusing on key requirements, cutting through complexity and advising with absolute clarity.
Providing strategic advice, innovative solutions and high quality drafting, our market-leading, specialist construction and engineering team can help you with the full spectrum of legal services on all aspects of your project from procurement to completion, across multiple industries, jurisdictions and sectors including energy, infrastructure and real estate.
One of our chief aims is to support our clients without unnecessarily increasing cost for reducing risk and to add value through a commercial approach allied to an understanding of the practical issues which may arise.
When disputes arise, our contentious team has the experience and industry knowledge that is required to achieve the optimum outcome for you on complex, high value and often multi-jurisdictional disputes and all types of construction claims. Working closely with our non-contentious colleagues, the disputes team will often know the project, the parties and the issues of contention long before any formal dispute arises; and will assist you to avoid formal disputes wherever possible.
Our lawyers frequently act on disputes and projects across the globe, including disputes under construction contracts, O&M contracts, PFI/PPP agreements, offtake agreements, financing documents and joint venture agreements.
Chambers Review
Herbert Smith Freehills boasts a standout practice with an impressive client base of major corporations and developers. The firm is frequently sought out to advise on energy, transport and property development matters, including some of the largest projects in the UK. The team is also equipped to handle major projects around the world, including Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. It offers notable expertise in contentious matters, with key lawyers frequently representing clients in litigation and arbitration proceedings.
Work Highlights
- Herbert Smith Freehills advised bp on the construction and engineering procurement strategy and contracts for the Net Zero Teesside and Northern Endurance Partnership low carbon projects at Teesside.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"HSF has an absolute command of the key issues. They can draw on comprehensive experience of the market and knowledge of the different contracting approaches used in a variety of sectors."
"Herbert Smith Freehills has a clear understanding of the most complex issues and have creative solutions and advice. They are commercially-minded and proactive."
"HSF is strong in both knowledge and responsiveness. They maintain a commercially pragmatic perspective."
"The firm has an excellent team who are very good at breaking down technical advice."
"HSF has an absolute command of the key issues. They can draw on comprehensive experience of the market and knowledge of the different contracting approaches used in a variety of sectors."
"Herbert Smith Freehills has a clear understanding of the most complex issues and have creative solutions and advice. They are commercially-minded and proactive."
"HSF is strong in both knowledge and responsiveness. They maintain a commercially pragmatic perspective."
"The firm has an excellent team who are very good at breaking down technical advice."
Notable Practitioners
Nicholas Downing possesses a wealth of expertise in handling non-contentious construction work, including procurement strategy and negotiating various construction contracts. He frequently assists clients with commercial, residential and mixed-use developments, as well as significant energy and transport infrastructure projects.
David Nitek is frequently instructed by employers and contractors to act in construction disputes arising from major infrastructure developments. His practice focuses on providing representation in arbitration proceedings relating to both domestic and international energy and transport projects, with a particular focus on the Middle East.
"David has excellent knowledge and understanding of construction and engineering matters, picking up complicated technical issues quickly. He is very responsive and great to work with."
"David is a strong performer across the board. He is very good to deal with."
"David has lots of experience. He is an outstanding practitioner, very commercial and across the detail. The way he runs things is impressive."
James Doe is head of the firm's UK construction disputes practice and joint global head of construction disputes. He is respected for his considerable experience in contentious issues arising in Asia and the Middle East. He specialises in mediations and arbitrations involving oil and gas, power and transport developments.
"James provides a good level of client service."
"He has expertise in construction arbitration."
Tim Healey focuses on representing developers, sponsors and investors in a range of non-contentious matters. He is particularly well-versed in advising on energy and infrastructure projects both at home and abroad.
"Tim has deep expertise and comprehensive experience. He is commercially astute and is able to succinctly and coherently communicate key issues back to the client."
Matthew Bool frequently acts for developer clients on a range of non-contentious construction law matters. He often advises on office and mixed-use development schemes and possesses further expertise in relation to art and education sector projects.
Raeesa Rawal is of counsel in the construction litigation team at Herbert Smith Freehills and specialises in international arbitrations. She is particularly adept at assisting with disputes arising from projects in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
"Raeesa is good. She is motivated."
"Raeesa is very smart."
Ranked Lawyers at
Herbert Smith Freehills
London (Firms)
UK-wide
Members
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
Head of Department
Mike McClure KC
Head of Department