Construction: Contentious
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 3
Contact number
+44 20 7264 8000Chambers Review
HFW offers a diverse supplier-side practice that counts a number of prominent contractors as clients. Its lawyers are equipped to advise across the entirety of a construction project, from procurement and contractual issues to risk management and dispute resolution. The firm possesses noteworthy expertise in relation to work in the renewable energy and oil and gas sectors, as well as transport infrastructure assets. The team principally assists clients with domestic construction projects alongside additional capabilities in relation to Asian and Middle Eastern developments.
Work Highlights
- HFW advised Clipfine Limited in negotiating and drafting commercial construction contracts.
- HFW advised a major European contractor in relation to defects identified in the Cable Protection Systems at various offshore wind farms in European waters, which led to DAB proceedings and consequently DIS arbitration proceedings.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"HFW has a wide variety of experienced lawyers and provides good support. It has good technical knowledge and is very commercially savvy."
"HFW quickly cuts through complex issues and identifies quickly the key risks. The team responds quickly and understands the nature of our business, the wider market and our appetite for risk."
"HFW takes time to understand the technical issues. The firm is well-informed and understands the technical issues. It understands the cost and risk of a claim."
"HFW has a wide variety of experienced lawyers and provides good support. It has good technical knowledge and is very commercially savvy."
"HFW quickly cuts through complex issues and identifies quickly the key risks. The team responds quickly and understands the nature of our business, the wider market and our appetite for risk."
"HFW takes time to understand the technical issues. The firm is well-informed and understands the technical issues. It understands the cost and risk of a claim."
Notable Practitioners
Ben Mellors regularly represents clients in both court and arbitration proceedings relating to construction defect claims. He primarily assists with energy and manufacturing sector disputes and is noted for his expert knowledge of FIDIC contracts.
"Ben considers the client's perspective and is able to solve issues."
Max Wieliczko frequently assists contractors with transport, power and renewable energy developments. He is adept at assisting with contentious and non-contentious issues and is noted for his proficiency in construction contract negotiation and variation.
"Max is an extremely capable and sophisticated lawyer who grasps the issues quickly and provides good strategic advice once he has analysed the legal aspects of the individual case."
"Max is seasoned lawyer with a serious legal brain. Additionally, he understands the commercial reality of the cases. Max knows how to execute the case."
Michael Sergeant focuses his practice on contentious construction work, regularly advising contractors on disputes arising out of significant projects in the UK as well as in the Middle East. His areas of expertise include offshore wind, upstream oil and gas, and transport infrastructure developments.
"Michael has a commercial approach."
Ranked Lawyers at
HFW
London (Firms)
UK-wide