United Kingdom - Wales • Real estate
Blake Morgan LLP
Comprising of ‘very skilled and knowledgeable lawyers across all seniorities’, Blake Morgan LLP’s Cardiff team acts on its own as well as often alongside other lawyers from offices throughout the network on high-profile domestic and UK-wide projects for developers and contractors. Team head Joanna Rees has vast experience advising on construction issues throughout the life cycle of a project (from tender through the build phase and on any subsequent disputes which may occur) and regularly works alongside public procurement expert Simon McCann on matters where there is involvement with a public sector entity, including on infrastructure and health projects. ‘Exceptionally capable’ senior associate Kate Howell has developed a strong reputation handling contentious matters before the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) as well as in adjudications and risk management assessments, including as it relates to managing large cladding and defects cases in high rise buildings.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'They have an excellent understanding of the issues that arise in construction cases. The team comprises very skilled and knowledgeable lawyers across all seniorities, and their high reputation in this field is thoroughly deserved.’
'The team is widely experienced in construction; I found them to be practical and quick to grasp difficult technical issues.'
‘The team has been running some of the leading claims in the TCC over the past few years, including one of the early cladding claims (a huge multi-party dispute in the TCC).
- 'Kate Howell managed a hard-fought and highly complex TCC trial with enormous skill and dedication. She was completely on top of the huge amounts of documentation and the complex issues, and managed the case with composure and good humour.’
- 'Kate Howell is an exceptionally capable and experienced lawyer. She is smart, organised and innovative in dealing with all levels and industry disputes in construction – completely in control even in the most pressured of situations.'
‘Charlotte Neads is commercially aware and focused on delivery.’
Key clients
- Transport for Wales
- The Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames
- SPTS Technologies UK Limited
- Ascent Development Limited
- Carmarthenshire County Council
- NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership – Specialist Estates Services
- Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
- South East Wales Highways Framework managed by Cardiff City Council
- Platform Housing Group
- Premier Inns/Whitbread
Work highlights
- Advised Transport for Wales (TfW) on all construction issues including on the procurement of contractors for railway works for the Core Valley Lines, Alliancing agreement, environmental and carbon conscious drafting and preparing a bespoke suite of NEC4 construction contracts for use across all TfW projects in 2022.
- Advising the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames on its "Transform Kingston" programme which is the regeneration of Kingston City Centre – this includes the Kingfisher Leisure Centre, Guildhall One and Guildhall Two and the future regeneration of the Cattle Market car park.
- Advising SPTS Technologies Limited, the world's leading semiconductor manufacturer based in Newport on the procurement of a new state of the art factory with clean room technology.
Lawyers
Rising stars
Leading individuals
Jo has worked closely with developers, government and public sector teams and contractors dealing with all aspects of construction projects from project tender through the build phase, managing risk issues and resolving disputes by ADR, adjudication, mediation or litigation when required.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Joanna Rees