Steve Oates

Practice Areas

Steve is a partner in our Birmingham office and is an insurance and professional indemnity specialist. He qualified in Republic of Ireland in 2016.

With a particular focus on defending claims against lawyers, construction professionals and brokers, Steve also defends expert witnesses and advises on policy coverage and disputes, and the coverage and defence of directors’ and officers’ (D&O) liability policies/claims.

Steve has experience in litigation, arbitration and adjudication and also advising clients on, and drafting, construction and commercial contracts.

As well as being well versed in all forms of alternative dispute resolution, with a particular emphasis on mediation; Steve has experience pursuing recoveries and injunctive relief.

Steve is a member of the Society of Construction and Law and of Birmingham Law Society.

Work Highlights

Extensive experience in investigating and resolving Solicitors Client account defalcation/fraud cases.

Successfully defending adjudication brought against project architects of a hotel development.

Successfully defending adjudication brought against M & E engineers on a commercial to residential property conversion.

Resolution of multi million pound litigation relating to advice given by solicitors the acquisition of commercial property;

Resolution of multi million pound litigation relating to the alleged under settlement of ancillary relief proceedings;

Resolution of multi million pound arbitration against Structural Engineers relating to the refurbishment of a prison;

Resolution of multi million pound arbitration against Architects relating to the replacement of a leisure centre roof;

Striking out of professional negligence litigation against an expert Architect.