David Gwillim

David is a construction lawyer and solicitor advocate of the Senior Courts, specialising in resolving disputes through arbitration, mediation, adjudication, expert determination, and complex litigation. He has expertise in risk management, dispute avoidance, and resolution for a broad range of clients involved in building and engineering projects worldwide. David also represents clients before the courts and professional bodies such as ARB and RIBA.

David also advises on crisis and reputation management and his experience covers fatalities, construction collapses, and urgent court applications for injunctive relief.

David qualified as a solicitor in 1981. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2024, he worked at the following firms:

BDB Pitmans

Charles Russell Speechlys

Mayor Brown

Herbert Smith

Acted for a design and build contractor of a 150-bedroom hotel in Shoreditch in respect of four adjudications and associated enforcement proceedings in the TCC.

Acted for a UK port defending claims brought by a contractor arising from the construction of a revetment wall.

Acted on the development of Heckfield Place into a luxury hotel. Construction work started in 2009 with completion in 2019. Five adjudications.

Advised on the Chevron-operated Gorgon LNG project on Barrow Island, Australia.

Acted for a major German civil engineering contractor in an ICC arbitration in Paris concerning an irrigation project in Libya.

Acted for a contractor against an insolvent developer of a Tesco superstore. Successful recovery.

Proceedings in the Upper Tribunal on behalf of a social housing provider against a developer of a landmark building in Ashford in respect of defective fire stopping to 50 apartments.

Acted for a UK dredging contractor in connection with an intended prosecution by DEFRA in relation to alleged breaches of the Food and Environmental Protection Act.

MTD Contractors Ltd v Willow Corp Sàrl [2019] EWHC 1612 (TCC)

Reported Cases

Willow Corp. S.À.R.L. v MTD Contractors Ltd [2019] EWHC 1591 (TCC)

Herbosch-Kiere Marine Contractors Limited v Dover Harbour Board [2012] EWHC 84 (TCC)

Vranicki v Architects Registration Board [2007] EWHC 506 (Admin); [2007] All ER (D) 288

Investments Limited v Development Ventures Limited & Others [2005] BLR 478 and [2006] EWHC 1586 (TCC): (Default Judgment and Action on an Account)

Yarm Road Limited v Costain Plc [2001] 01-228 TCC: (Novation Agreement within s104 HGCR Act 1996)

Floods of Queensferry Ltd v Morrison Shand & Others [1997] 54 ConLR 138