United Kingdom - Wales • Real estate

Geldards LLP

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The 'very approachable' team at Geldards LLP has an excellent reputation in the Welsh market and beyond, as a result of its 'strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills'. The success of the team is firmly centred around team head Tony Norris, whose contractual drafting capabilities and knowledge of the sector is such that the framework agreements that he has drafted, including for Carmarthenshire County Council, have become the industry standard and are used in relation to the majority of local authority and police capital projects in the South West of Wales. Norris is also recognised as 'outstanding construction litigator', which manifests itself not only in the context of risk management in contract drafting but also in any attendant disputes which may arise. Senior associate Claire Laviers is also a key resource to clients on transactional construction matters, in light of her  contract drafting and negotiation expertise.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team's creativity, ability to negotiate in complex situations, along with their strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills are standout attributes.’

  • 'Best in class advice and service.'

  • ‘They are very approachable and have excellent knowledge of the sector and the issues that we face in social housing.’

  • 'Tony Norris is an outstanding construction litigator. He is a go-to in the market. Widely respected, commercial and really knows his stuff.'

Key clients

  • Carmarthenshire County Council (Cyngor Sir Gaerfyrddin)
  • Storage Giant Limited
  • Sutco (UK) Limited
  • OGI (Spectrum Fibre Limited)
  • Welsh Government & Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council (JV)
  • Western Power Distribution
  • Cadarn Housing Group Limited
  • Redrow Homes Limited
  • Natural Resources Wales
  • Wales & West Housing Association
  • United Welsh Housing Association
  • R & M Williams Limited
  • Pembrokeshire County Council
  • Pembrokeshire College
  • London Borough of Merton
  • Wandsworth Borough Council
  • BlueEarth Construction Limited
  • William Hare Limited
  • Bowmer & Kirkland Group
  • Walgreens Boots Alliance
  • CWC Group / Clowes Developments (UK) Limited / Dove Valley Park Limited
  • Miller Birch/Cedar Investments Limited
  • BioCity Group
  • Sheffield City Council
  • Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council
  • Nottingham City Council
  • Derby City Council
  • The Council of the City of Carlisle
  • Chesterfield Borough Council
  • South Derbyshire District Council
  • Warrington Borough Council
  • Julian Hodge Bank Limited
  • The Development Bank of Wales
  • Principality Building Society
  • Lloyds Bank
  • PPH1 Ltd & DPK East
  • Nottingham Regeneration Limited
  • Synergy Health Managed Services Limited
  • Chrysalis Supported Association Ltd
  • SDL Group / Wise Living Homes Limited
  • Nottingham City Homes
  • Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire
  • J W Simpkin Ltd
  • Sacyr UK Ltd

Work highlights

  • Continuing to work with Carmarthenshire on innovative and client-centred framework agreements, including on a number of leisure projects under the Alliance Leisure Framework.
  • Continue to support Sutco with it’s recycling, renewable energy and waste needs.
  • Appointed by Sacyr UK Limited on the first major health project utilising the Welsh MIM PPP model - a new £0.5bn cancer care centre at Velindre.

Lawyers

Rising stars

Claire Laviers

Claire Laviers

Geldards LLP

Claire is a Senior Associate in the Construction team, experienced in transactional construction matters advising on all aspects of construction contract drafting and negotiation, from standard industry forms to bespoke project specific contracts. She has expertise in assessing and advising on responsibility for construction risk, both during and after the construction period and putting in place measures to mitigate such risks. Claire regularly acts for public sector entities such as local authorities, government departments and higher education establishments as well as private sector banks, energy providers, developers and charities. Claire is adept at advising from differing perspectives whether for a landlord or tenant, contractor or developer, funder or borrower. She provides comprehensive commercial advice to assist the parties in reaching agreement, whilst meeting the client’s objectives and risk profile. In addition to advising on building contracts and the usual ancillary documents, much of her private sector work involves advising on and drafting construction elements of property sale agreements or agreements for lease.

Leading individuals

Tony Norris

Tony Norris

Geldards LLP

Tony is a Member and heads up the National Infrastructure & Construction Team. He specialises in project work, disputes and has been an accredited Adjudicator for 20 years. His clients include central government bodies, local and other public authorities, regulatory bodies as well as acting for specialist private sector contractors in the infrastructure & construction space. Projects – he regularly advises on frameworks, call offs, joint ventures, public and privately funded projects under JCT and NEC; the Welsh MIM model and has particular experience in the waste sector with MF/1 and IChemE contracts. Disputes – renowned as a specialist, particularly in adjudication having been involved in adjudication under DOM/1 before the 1996 came into being but also with substantial experience in Arbitration, Litigation and Mediation. He is seen as an industry expert and sits on the Board of Constructing Excellence Wales and also has been chair of the South East Wales Club for over 10 years.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Tony Norris

Other key lawyers

Claire Laviers