Sean McCay

Practice Areas

Sean specialises in construction, engineering, energy and infrastructure matters and has advised on some of the most significant projects to have been delivered in the UK and overseas.

He has over 30 years of experience specialising in contentious Construction matters, having trained and developed his career as a partner within a pre-eminent Construction law practice at a global law firm.

Sean has extensive experience of all forms of dispute avoidance/management and resolution, including mediation, adjudication, arbitration and litigation. His experience spans a range of sectors including building, energy and infrastructure, nuclear (including decommissioning,) utilities, waste management, heavy engineering, rail, education and real estate development (involving construction defects and building safety related matters pursuant to the DPA or BSA). As such, Sean has extensive knowledge of many industry standard forms of contract, including JCT, NEC, ICC, ICE, MF/1, FIDIC and IChemE.

Sean provides regular advisory services to clients often just requiring some guidance on dispute avoidance and management. With Sean’s ability to quickly identify what is important combined with his frank approach, that is usually all that is required to help clients ‘nip things in the bud’ or to avert any potential crisis!

Over the last decade and more, Sean has become a trusted ‘go to’ lawyer for those in need of early support on ‘live’ problem projects. His skills, judgement and strategic instincts are attractive to those clients seeking to avoid expensive formal dispute processes by identifying, and carefully navigating, the most advantageous and cost-effective pathway to resolution.

Sean has a proven track record of providing that all-important know ‘how’ that is needed to achieve successful outcomes. As such, he is often engaged to work with Client teams (e.g. in-house legal, commercial or project teams) to identify, shape and deliver cost-effective solutions in line with stakeholder objectives. By harnessing Sean’s vast experience, industry knowledge and professional network, clients are better able to inform their decisions as to ‘what’ is really needed to make a material difference, from ‘whom’, ‘when’ and ‘how’ to ensure that client resources are always properly deployed, utilised and directed efficiently for client benefit.

Sean undertakes ‘project reviews’ for clients when things have gone wrong for whatever reason, or when ‘outcomes’ just ‘don’t feel right’. He also regularly delivers bespoke training to client teams, especially junior team members, by way of legal updates and to share his knowledge and experience thereby ensuring that useful learnings can also be taken forward into future projects and careers.

Sean has been top ranked ‘Band 1’ by Chambers UK since 2009.

Sean is also a CEDR Accredited Mediator.

Professional Memberships

Law Society of England and Wales

Technology and Construction Solicitors Association

Society of Construction Law

Adjudication Society