The contentious construction team at CMS is praised for its provision of ‘excellent service at all levels’. The team is co-led by Adrian Bell and Steven Williams, and acts on matters related to data centres, infrastructure projects, and PFI project disputes. Bell is known to advise international and domestic clients, while Williams has strong expertise handling disputes arising from construction contracts. Other notable members of the team include Emma Schaafsma, who advises on disputes regarding international construction and engineering projects, while Philip Norman regularly acts for contractors. Catherine Gelder further strengthens the practice with experience handling TCC claims regarding building defects. In September 2025, Sunil Mawkin joined the team and has experience advising on international energy-sector disputes spanning LNG terminals, LNG plants, and gas pipelines.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- CMS has strong sector expertise to deliver legal advice that is practical and commercially aligned. The team’s key strength is in translating complex contractual and statutory issues—particularly in infrastructure and NEC environments—into clear, structured outputs that can be used directly by commercial teams, rather than abstract legal opinions. This is supported by a well-integrated international network and ongoing knowledge-sharing model, including regular legal updates that keep clients ahead of market and regulatory changes. Compared to other firms, CMS stands out for its delivery-focused approach, bridging the gap between legal advice and live contract management. Its innovation lies in repeatable legal outputs and proactive collaboration, ensuring advice is embedded into program and commercial decision-making.
- Adrian Bell is our lead CMS contact and partner-level relationship owner, acting as the primary escalation point for complex or high-risk matters. We engage him on strategic legal, commercial, and procurement issues, where he quickly reframes the problem, cuts through complexity, and sets direction before deploying the wider CMS team. A key strength is his ability to see through multi-layered issues and approach them differently, bringing clarity where matters are not straightforward. He operates as a trusted advisor and account lead.
- CMS's construction practice is a highly diversified practice with experience in the entire life cycle of any construction project. They represent a diverse range of stakeholders including owners, developers, and contractors. They have experience with power, chemical, and industrial construction projects.
- Practical, personable, conscientious, and exceptionally capable. Always looking for innovative ways to evolve and deliver best practices. Very friendly, yet professional, and always providing excellent service.
- Aileen Brown is our partner of choice in this area. She is very personable, practical in approach, listens to your concerns, and is technically excellent. She is a very safe pair of hands and gives realistic, practical advice, which is especially needed in contentious work.
- Probably the best law firm for construction sector expertise.
Key clients
- AECOM Limited, including URS Corporation Limited and other AECOM group companies
- Care UK Community Partnerships Limited
- M&G RPF GP Limited
- Balfour Beatty
- Multiplex
- Laing O’Rourke
- Vinci Construction UK Limited (trading as Taylor Woodrow)
- Acciona Construccion S.A
- General Electric
- Energean Israel Limited and Energean Oil and Gas SA
- Global Switch
Work highlights
Represent AECOM (including URS Corporation Limited and other AECOM group companies) in TCC litigation against the Barratt group of companies concerning alleged structural defects in residential developments, which continue following representation of URS before the UK Supreme Court.
Acting for an engineering and contracting company in an arbitration seated in Singapore in relation to delays and defects arising during the course of the construction and commissioning phases of a significant power plant EPC project involving claims in excess of USD 400m.
Acting for a major data centre developer in relation to multiple disputes arising out of the construction of data centres across multiple jurisdictions with claims in excess of GBP 200m.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Adrian Bell; Steven Williams
Other key lawyers
Emma Schaafsma; Catherine Gelder; Philip Norman; Sunil Mawkin; Aileen Brown; Ella Wisniewski