Watson Farley & Williams LLP specialises in the energy, transport, and real estate sectors. Practice head Rebecca Williams boasts extensive experience in various dispute resolution forms in the construction, engineering, process, petrochemical, and energy sectors. Ryland Ash has carved a niche in adjudication and litigation proceedings, as well as in dispute avoidance and early dispute resolution through less formal procedures. Barry Hembling offers blue-chip clients construction law advice throughout a project’s lifecycle. Theresa Mohammed and her team of four others joined the department from Trowers & Hamlins LLP during 2022. Mohammed is an authority in handling large-scale infrastructure, landmark heritage, and high-risk residential disputes.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'The WFW disputes team is excellent. They are responsive, sharp and have great strategic and tactical instincts. Work is consistently done to a high standard, on time, and focused on the right issues.’
‘Rebecca Williams is an outstanding disputes lawyer. Her instincts in relation to strategy and how matters are likely to be received by a judge or tribunal are always spot on, and when dealing with difficult opponents, she is a fighter that you want in your corner.'
‘The construction team in London has developed greatly under the leadership of Rebecca Williams. She has gathered a formidable team which offers real strength in depth. One of the true experts in offshore wind projects.'
‘Rebecca Williams is driven, focused and leads from the front. Theresa Mohammed is an authority on public housing and infrastructure disputes. Rebecca Williams has developed a diverse team which is modern, dynamic, and progressive.’
‘The team is dynamic with an emphasis on developing next-generation talent. Rebecca Williams is a great figurehead who has also grown the practice with some impressive lateral partner hires. They are particularly strong in renewables and have a long track record in buildings related disputes. They've risen to prominence over the last few years and their trajectory is clearly upwards.’
‘Rebecca Williams is charismatic, commercial and a real go-getter. She communicates very clearly. Barry Hembling is very strong on hotel-related disputes. Ryland Ash has a strong contractor practice and is very easy to deal with. Alexander Creswick is clearly a partner in waiting. Very astute with really good client skills too.’
- 'Ryland Ash is astute and fantastic to work with. He brings great drive and commercial insight to all his cases. Mark McCallister-Jones is highly able and experienced. He is extremely well-liked by clients and peers, thoroughly charming and a good leader. He is always calm under pressure and finds detailed, practical solutions for his clients.'
‘Laura Lintott has remarkable intellect and dedication to the subject area. Increasingly high profile and rubs shoulders with giants of the area.’
Key clients
- The Wolseley Hospitality Group
- Ardmore Construction Limited
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
- Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust
- Poplar Harca
- GMS Estates
- Abbey Healthcare
- BP Pension Fund
- Colas Limited
- Zaha Hadid Architects
- Ørsted
- Perenco UK Limited
- Millennium Hotels & Resorts
Work highlights
- Acting for Abbey Healthcare in a stunning win before the Court of Appeal to decide whether statutory adjudication rights apply to collateral warranty claims.
- Advising Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council in the pre-action stage with their investigations into the ongoing defects at the landmark Twin Sails Bridge, Poole.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Rebecca Williams