England - East Anglia • Real estate
Mills & Reeve LLP
Mills & Reeve LLP has a deep bench of construction lawyers in Cambridge, who ‘try to resolve matters in a cost-effective, practical and collaborative fashion’. The firm frequently acts for major developers, among them Urban&Civic. ‘His expertise is invaluable’, say clients of Stuart Thompson, who leads the practice with newly promoted partner Alexandra Pike (who is ‘sensible, commercial, considered and calming’). Principal associate Ed Freeman , who joined from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP, ‘always watches your back and keeps clients on their toes!’ Principal associate Emma Nash, who shows ‘absolute dedication and loyalty to the client’, and associate Lauren Michaelides also play central roles in the practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Alex Pike and her team are my first call whenever I have any thorny issues. They are the ones who help me sleep at night knowing we are doing the right things.’
‘Alexandra Pike - My first call, always. Sensible, commercial, considered. Calming, and always available. Our rock. Edward Freeman - He somehow knows exactly how to calm us when we are concerned. My team rely in Ed so much. A skill I value about all else.’
'The team took the time to integrate with our Projects team and have become a key advisor. Taking time to understand our issues and work collaboratively on solutions rather than simply giving dry legal advice.'
'Dominic Taylor has stayed the course with us producing high quality work, to tight timescales, whilst remaining friendly approachable throughout. The expertise of Stuart Thompson has also been invaluable.'
‘There are a few things that stand out: - they are available, so that when you need them they are there. Even at short notice - they are responsive - generally speaking turnaround times are really quick and matters are addressed with urgency - they are commercial - they will try to resolve matters in a cost-effective, practical and collaborative fashion.’
‘I work with Stuart Thompson mainly. He is smart, responsive, witty - and all round a great person to work with. In fact it doesn't feel like work at all most of the time. He is my go to man on all building/construction contract related issues and finds ways through whatever the issue. He is ably assisted by Ed Freeman and whenever instructed I know that I will receive sensible, clear, articulate, and commercial advice in a timely manner. They are a pleasure to deal with.’
'They have broad and extensive knowledge, they are easy to work with and understand what their clients require of them.'
'They are very personable yet professional. They have creative ideas and always look for outcomes in your best interests but equally pragmatic solutions that are achievable not impossible.'
‘Mills & Reeve operates as a team, individually strong though collectively stronger. There is a real sense of ownership and liability - they care. Over the many years of working we have honed a close working symbiosis where we understand each other - less of a client/lawyer relationship and more of two businesses wanting to deliver. Their policies, vision and values align with those of U&C - innovation, passion, integrity, partnership and quality.'
'Their approach is consistent across the levels of detail, the scope of service and the complexity of the arrangement, responding rather than reacting in all they do. Billing is straight forward and well managed - it needs to be, given the volume of workstreams they are working on.’
'Mills and Reeve has consistently provided high-quality advice and support for us. This has ranged from dispute resolution through to procurement advice and contract document review and preparation. Commissions often work to tight deadlines - these are never exceeded. The collaborative relationship is strong and this is a reflection on the strategic partner relationship developed over many years. The client focus is exceptional.'
'The individuals the involved with the various commissions are exceptional in their field. More so, they have a solid understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the client which has enabled some very challenging issues to be dealt with diligently and professionally, on time and within budget.'
‘Stuart Thompson - Partner - calm, collected, well informed and happy to dive into the detail whilst not treading on toes, Great leader. Emma Nash - embodies all that is good and great at M&R - absolute dedication and loyalty to the client, including thorough analysis and advice, achievement of deadlines and management of her team towards them. Irreplaceable. A true joy to work with. Ed Freeman - always watches your back - never averse to pointing out the "ouchy" subjects and keeps the client on his toes! Exemplary construction knowledge and someone you would want in your corner.’
Key clients
- Urban&Civic plc
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Marshall Group
- DEFRA (The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
- Wallace Estate
- John Innes Centre
- Railpen
- British Medical Association
- Solenis Group
- Kingston University
- Somerset (County) Council
- University of Cambridge Estates Management
- Jewish Care
- The Trustees of the Alexander Trust
Work highlights
- Advised Urban&Civic plc across their development sites at Alconbury Weald, Corby, Middlebeck Newark, Wintringham, Waterbeach Barracks, Houlton Rugby, Baldock and Manydown. We also work with the client at their Hinxton site, which involves the development of genetic research centres for genomics and biodata research that houses the internationally significant Wellcome Genome Campus.
- Advised Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation on the development of the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, a new world-class hospital, to be built at the current Addenbrooke’s site. Advising on the interface between the various stakeholders including the National Hospitals Programme and preparing draft bespoke contracts to meet the various requirements.
- Working with DEFRA on a £2.5bn complex capital works project for a regeneration and redevelopment of APHA sites nationally and, in particular, DEFRA’s Weybridge site which houses its specialist research and diagnostic laboratory facilities. Weybridge is a flagship site for the UK government as it is the UK government’s primary capability for animal health science.
Lawyers
Rising stars
Leading individuals
Mills & Reeve LLP
Stuart advises on all non-contentious, contentious and procurement aspects of engineering, construction, energy, infrastructure, facilities management and PFI/PPP projects. This involves all forms of contract and he regularly works with the NEC, JCT, FIDIC, M/F1, ICC and ICE forms as well as bespoke construction and EPC contracts. He also advises on the various appointments published by professional bodies, such as NEC, RIBA and the ACE. Stuart acts for employers, contractors, sub-contractors, facilities management contractors and consultants. Recently, Stuart advised a local authority on its £40m engineering dispute with a main contractor. He also advised a university on the suite of construction documents for its £350m new campus project and a main contractor in its multi-million dispute with a local authority employer regarding a high-profile refurbishment and new build project. He also advised a FM contractor on the suite of FM contracts for various PFI projects worth in excess of £500m and has been instructed to advise an employer on the terms of its £1.2bn term service contract.
Next Generation Partners
Mills & Reeve LLP
Alexandra is a specialist in construction and engineering law, acting for a wide range of public and private sector parties. She advises throughout the life-cycle of projects including the initial drafting and negotiation of contracts, assisting during the works with the contractual management of design issues and time/cost overruns, and advising on the management and resolution of disputes. Alexandra’s recent work includes the settlement for a Local Authority of a £30m engineering claim under an amended NEC Engineering and Construction Contract Option C; drafting and negotiating a complex set of documents on a £110m hospital development; advising a design and build contractor and its insurers defending proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court on a defects claim to a 70,000sqm steel reinforced concrete floor slab; defending a Local Authority in an adjudication on a contractor’s loss and expense claim; Advising a Charities client regarding the construction aspects of its corporate relocation to a £50m new-build high tech office and preparing and negotiating the construction contracts for the fit out on the basis of the JCT Design and Build Contract 2011, including schedule of amendments, deeds of novation, security documents and collateral warranties; advising a University client on potential deductions against a Project Company under its PFI arrangements.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Stuart Thompson, Alexandra Pike