About

Provided by Sharpe Pritchard LLP

​Type of work handled

The team advises on all standard form construction contracts, including JCT, NEC, GC/Works and FIDIC. We also advise on all ancillary documentation, including bonds, parent company guarantees and collateral warranties. In addition, we advise on standard form and bespoke professional team appointments and partnering agreements.

Each of our lawyers has extensive experience in European procurement law.

We also advise on dispute resolution with a particular focus on adjudication. In addition, we advise on and guide our clients through mediation, litigation, expert determination and arbitration.

​Categories of clients

We advise a range of clients across the industry, including central government, local authorities, housing associations, developers, funders, project sponsors, consultants and charitable institutions.Key project sectors we work in include major infrastructure, retail and commercial developments, strategic maintenance and education projects, including academy conversions and new builds, waste and regeneration.

​Recent work highlights

London Boroughs of Southwark and Brent: Primary school expansion programmes

Major London Borough Council: Adjudication over £2.8m dispute resulting in favourable settlement

Thames Water Utilities Ltd: We advised Thames Water on procurement, construction and commercial aspects of the Thames Tideway Tunnel project and continue to be retained on post close aspects. 

 

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Construction: Non-contentious - London (Firms)

4
Band 4

What the Team is Known For

Sharpe Pritchard has a strong reputation for representing public sector clients in a wide range of transactional issues and disputes. The firm's clients include local government bodies from around the UK, as well as social housing providers and NHS trusts. Its lawyers are equipped to advise on education, energy and urban redevelopment construction projects, among other matters. The firm offers clients a dedicated construction adjudication team capable of advising on the full range of construction disputes.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Justin Mendelle
3
Justin Mendelle
3
Band 3

Justin Mendelle is an expert in both contentious and non-contentious construction matters relating to residential developments and public buildings. He assists various public entities with procurement and contractual issues, as well as loss and expense claims and cases arising out of repair and maintenance contracts.

Justin Mendelle is an exceptional lawyer with multifaceted skills and an exceptional client manner. He is a real pleasure to work with.

Justin is great to work with. He is incredibly amenable, responsive and makes himself available at short notice when possible. He is calm, unflappable and leads the team well.

Justin is responsive to client needs and helps to provide a pragmatic way forward.

Justin always provides excellent advice and has a very easygoing manner.

Rachel Murray-Smith
6
Rachel Murray-Smith
6
Band 6

Rachel Murray-Smith is a non-contentious construction specialist who acts for a range of public sector clients. She principally advises on the drafting and negotiation of construction contracts and has a particularly strong knowledge of the JCT and NEC suite of contracts.

Rachel is brilliant. She is easy to talk through issues with.

Rachel has a great client-facing manner. She is responsive and has strong experience.

Helen Batter
Helen Batter
Associates to watch
Helen Batter is a construction associate with strong experience in contract negotiation and drafting, especially in regard to amending JCT and NEC contracts. She has additional expertise acting for both employers and consultants in appointment contracts.

Helen is great. Her advice has always been good.

Ranked Lawyers at
Sharpe Pritchard LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

London (Firms)

Construction: Contentious

Justin Mendelle
3
Justin Mendelle
3
Band 3
Construction: Non-contentious

Justin Mendelle
3
Justin Mendelle
3
Band 3
Rachel Murray-Smith
6
Rachel Murray-Smith
6
Band 6
Helen Batter
Helen Batter
Associates to watch

Members

Provided by Sharpe Pritchard LLP

Annie Moy

Edwina Acland

Jane Crees

Rachel Murray-Smith

Clients

Provided by Sharpe Pritchard LLP

Chelmsford City Council

London Borough of Brent

London Borough of Southwark

Thames Water Utilities Ltd

Industries

Provided by Sharpe Pritchard LLP

Central Government

Developers

Funders

Housing Associations

Local Authorities