‘Professional, consistent and responsive’, Ashfords LLP’s comprehensive practice is split between Exeter and Bristol and covers the gamut of construction mandates. In particular, the team has experience advising across the water, housing, and energy sectors, with further niches covering district heating, public sector and local authority work, and matters involving ports and marinas. The firm also undertakes a range of disputes, with recent mandates including remediation and architect claims. ‘A safe pair of hands’, Carl Thompson heads up the team and has extensive experience covering renewables and infrastructure projects, and PPP work. Patrick Blake and Stephen Homer are also mentioned, advising on a blend of contentious and non-contentious matters. Mark Manning regularly undertakes mandates in water, energy, and waste industries, with Laura Reeve bringing further experience in non-contentious matters in the residential, retail, and education spaces. In 2023, the team saw considerable growth on the contentious side with the addition of Sebastian Pigott, formerly at Atkin Chambers, as well as Sian Barrett, Francesca Rogers, and Sam Phillips.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'Breadth of knowledge, a pleasure to work with and bring real passion to what they do.'
‘Carl Thompson really does go above and beyond expectations and is a very safe pair of hands.’
‘The team at Ashfords work in a very collaborative manner. Having corresponded with a number of different departments it is clear that the communication between the differing departments is very joined up to ensure that they are fulfilling all the client's needs.’
‘Laura Reeve has been exceptionally helpful and the level of service she has provided has exceeded other legal advisers I have worked with in the past. Laura's approach is very pragmatic, and she provides very reasoned and commercially minded advice which greatly assists with firstly understanding the issue/risk in question and enables the client to make informed and considered decisions. No question/query is too insignificant for Laura and she always makes you feel valued.'
‘Prepared to act as our internal commercial team. Professional, consistent and responsive.’
‘This construction team is very diligent and helpful with finding solutions and focuses on client's needs. Advice is clear in layman's terms, highlighting risk that needs to be addressed.'
‘Laura Reeve in particular is extremely helpful and responds quickly with answers to questions even in tight turnaround timescales. Patience and understanding are shown when having to deal with internal governance process to give further instructions. Laura is still very helpful and supportive.’
Key clients
- Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea
- Council of the Isles of Scilly
- DP World London Gateway
- Wain Homes (South West) Limited
- Canterbury City Council
- Alpha Real Capital
- Evero Energy
- South West Water
- BDW Trading Limited
- Generate UK Holdings Limited (an affiliate of the Generate group)
Work highlights
- Advising South West Water on the contracts for its £2.8bn Tier 1 Capital Delivery Framework for the AMP8 period 2025 to 2030.
- Advising RBKC on its procurement of four framework agreements for its c.£800m housing management programme for 2024-2028.
- Advising Pennon on its acquisition of three renewable energy generation projects.
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Practice head
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Carl Thompson