Construction: Contentious
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 4
Contact number
(020) 7648 9000Chambers Review
K&L Gates houses a multi-talented practice with strength in both contentious and transactional work and acting for clients on both the supplier and purchaser sides of the market. The team is particularly adept at advising on transport infrastructure and upstream oil and gas projects, as well as manufacturing and mixed-use schemes. The firm supplements its domestic offering with considerable international capabilities, particularly when handling construction projects in Africa and the Middle East. It offers extensive experience acting for developers in connection with rail construction and improvement projects.
Work Highlights
- K&L Gates advised Westinghouse Electric Company, a nuclear technology provider, in relation to a series of high value nuclear projects across the globe.
- K&L Gates represented Far East Façades (UK) in two proceedings issued out of the High Court’s Technology and Construction Court and Insolvency and Companies List. The proceedings arise from alleged defects on the installation of cladding on balconies and installation of architectural steel elements on One The Elephant.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"K&L Gates has a strong team. It is very responsive and always prepared to go the extra mile for us. It provides quality service across jurisdictions."
"The K&L Gates team is excellent. It is knowledgeable and engaging. The team is responsive and provides a high level of service and understands the construction sector and the issues that occur."
"K&L Gates has a strong team. It is very responsive and always prepared to go the extra mile for us. It provides quality service across jurisdictions."
"The K&L Gates team is excellent. It is knowledgeable and engaging. The team is responsive and provides a high level of service and understands the construction sector and the issues that occur."
Notable Practitioners
Matthew Smith is noted for the considerable breadth of his construction practice, which focuses on contentious mandates relating to domestic and international projects, including those in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. He is particularly adept at representing clients in delay and defect claims arising out of energy and transport infrastructure developments.
"Matthew Smith is very skilled and experienced."
"Matthew is knowledgeable, hard-working and leads from the front. He works very hard. He is focused on commercially obtaining the best position he can."
"Matthew has a vast amount of experience and gives considered, informed and pragmatic advice. He understands the industries he works in and is commercial."
Matthew Walkeris a very strong construction arbitration lawyer who splits his time between London and Doha. His expertise covers a range of construction issues including defective cladding, design defects and construction management disputes. He has experience dealing with arbitrations under a range of arbitral institutions including ICC, LCIA and QICCA.
"Matthew is a first-rate, knowledgeable construction lawyer. He has excellent client management and communication skills. He thrives on unpicking the factual matrix so he can put the best case forward."
Kevin Greene is a non-contentious construction specialist with a strong reputation for his expertise in domestic development projects. He regularly assists developers with the preparation of construction and procurement contracts for significant office and mixed-use schemes.