Carson McDowell's large team of dedicated construction law specialists offers comprehensive expertise in planning, procurement, and health and safety, in addition to contractual and dispute resolution matters. The group has broad sector expertise, with areas of strength including social housing, education, and the agri-food sector. Heading the team is Stuart Murphy, who has significant experience working in both contentious and non-contentious matters across Northern Ireland and England. John Dugdale is experienced in litigation and arbitration, and advises on the project delivery process of high value and complex mandates from end to end. Associate Gavin Kerr is a key name.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The construction team are well versed in contemporary issues, always commercially astute and provide clients with value for money.’
‘John Dugdale - really excellent demeanour, very approachable and makes sense from madness. Stuart Murphy - very experienced, can quickly cut to the chase of the issues that matter.’
Key clients
- Belfast Harbour Commissioners
- Translink
- McAleer and Rushe
- GRAHAM
- Gilbert-Ash
- Queen’s University, Belfast
- Royal County Down Golf Club
- Education Authority
- Ulster University
- Oakland Holdings
Work highlights
- Acting for Queen’s University Belfast in relation to several major projects being funded under the Belfast Region City Deals scheme, including the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre.
- Representing John Graham Construction in a significant ICC arbitration and other related proceedings arising out of a renewable energy project.
- Acting for Historic Royal Palaces in proceedings arising out of works to a unique major historic building in Northern Ireland.
Lawyers
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Carson McDowell
John Dugdale is a Partner in Carson McDowell specialising in construction and property disputes.
As regards construction, John advises on the entire project delivery process from end to end. He is familiar with the drafting and negotiation of all of the standard forms of contract used in Northern Ireland and elsewhere including the JCT, NEC and FIDIC forms. He has extensive experience of working with contractors, subcontractors, consultants, clients, funders and insurers in a wide variety of market sectors.
John's dispute resolution expertise includes mediation and negotiation, adjudication, arbitration and litigation. His recent experience has included insurance coverage disputes, negligence claims and bond claims in addition to general construction claims.
John also has extensive experience in property litigation, having worked for a number of high profile clients on a variety of contentious real estate issues, including security of tenure, lease termination and dilapidations. He also frequently advises clients on issues such as nuisance, breach of quiet enjoyment and derogation from grant arising out of active and proposed property developments.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Stuart Murphy