England - London • Real estate

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

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Charles Russell Speechlys LLP provides a comprehensive range of services for large-scale construction and engineering projects, including procurement, transactional, project advisory services, and disputes advice, both in the UK and internationally. The team is led by Steven Carey, who offers dispute resolution advice to a wide range of stakeholders, from employers to suppliers. Fiona Edmond offers specialised advice to central London commercial developers on a multitude of construction projects and property transactions. Rupa Lakha focuses on dispute avoidance and resolution, and acts for those at all stages of the supply chain. Michael O’Connor’s expertise spans a diverse range of contentious matters, and he is at the forefront of handling fire-safety-related issues arising from the Building Safety Act.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The firm is big enough to have people with good knowledge in a lot of areas and use their team to good effect, while maintaining personal contact.'
  • 'The staff are open and friendly. They listen and take notice of what is said but are not afraid to push back at the client where they think it is right to do so.'
  • 'Kevin Forsyth, through high understanding of the issues at hand, brought comfort to senior management with clear education and a willingness to listen.'
  • 'Their knowledge of construction law is excellent.'
  • 'They always respond promptly, quickly understand our products and applications and sort through large amounts of historic project detail. Discussion and explanation of potential strategies are also very useful.'
  • 'The have in-depth knowledge of construction law. The experience of the team is very broad and this is extremely useful in resolving disputes.'
  • 'Steven Carey is exceptionally knowledgeable in construction law and able to give commercially sound advice based on the breath of his knowledge and experience. Christopher Hadnutt, likewise, is quick on his feet and able to assimilate large complicated issues in a very short amount of time. His advice and solutions are pragmatic and cost-saving to the client.'
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Key clients

  • Atkins Limited
  • United Living Group
  • London Array Wind Farm
  • Dover Harbour Board
  • Permasteelisa (UK) Limited
  • Higgins Partnerships 1961 PLC

Work highlights

  • Advising Atkins Limited on a multi-party High Court litigation case relating to the construction of the £150M (450,000ft2) Milburngate mixed use scheme in Durham.
  • Represented Hapimag Management UK in High Court proceedings against Tilbury Douglas Construction and Euler Hermes SA.
  • Represented United Living (South) Ltd in High Court proceedings against Hawkins Brown Ltd, Stanmore Contractors Ltd and NHBC Building Control Services.

Lawyers

Leading individuals

Michael O'Connor

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

Michael is an experienced construction and engineering lawyer, providing advice across the full scope of construction issues ranging from procurement/contract strategies through to dispute avoidance/resolution. Michael is familiar with all standard forms and methods of procurement including the use of JCT, NEC, and FIDIC and works on bespoke contracts.His experience includes acting for clients on domestic and international disputes relating to city centre developments, shopping centres, sports stadia, leisure resorts, road widening and bridge construction schemes, and LNG plant construction.

Next Generation Partners

Rupa Lakha

Osborne Clarke LLP

Rupa has extensive experience of both contentious and non-contentious areas of construction law. She has advised on the drafting and negotiation of building contracts and consultants’ appointments and now specialises in dispute resolution, acting regularly for developers, consultants, sub-contractors and consultants in various forms of dispute resolution including mediation, adjudication and litigation.Rupa's recent clients have included RBS, P&O, The Greater London Authority, The Goldsmiths’ Company, Dover Harbour Board, Dorchester Collection, Derwent London Plc, Permasteelisa and Bouygues.Rupa has been ranked in The Legal 500 2017 ‘Next Generation Lawyers’ category for Construction: contentious and non-contentious.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Steven Carey

Other key lawyers

Fiona Edmond, Kevin Forsyth, Rupa Lakha, Michael O’Connor, Christopher Hadnutt