Client Satisfaction

‘Truly specialist construction firm’ Hawkswell Kilvington Limited has in-depth knowledge of a broad range of construction contracts, including JCT design and build contracts and NEC4 facilities management contracts; the group is also experienced in construction-related disputes. The Leeds-based construction practice is led by a trio of practitioners: Daniel Silberstein and Thomas Salter, who lead on contentious matters, often relating to building safety, defects and extensions of time; and Rachel Heald, who works on contract drafting for developers, contractors and lenders. Gary Ashton and David Spires are further key names in the team with a focus on dispute resolution.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Hawkswell Kilvington are a truly specialist construction team with real strength and depth. They combine deep knowledge of the industry and the legal issues affecting it with a strong work ethic. They are a pleasure to work with and offer a fantastic service to their clients.’
‘Rebecca Jackson leads our advice from a litigation perspective and has always put us first as a client. Rebecca always makes herself available to discuss strategies and provides us with the highest standard of legal advice. With her creative thought processes, Rebecca has put us in the best position for a positive outcome on our extremely complex case.’
‘Gary Ashton brings his significant experience to provide prompt and inciteful advice. This helps move things forward at a good pace.'
‘High partner engagement on all construction related commissions. Very high technical ability, much more so than the larger city practices competing in the same space. Stand out partners - Daniel Silberstein and Tom Salter.'
‘Dan Silberstein is an expert operator, with brilliant tactical judgment and an ability to see each litigation/claim in the wider context of his client's business.'
'Tom Salter is no nonsense in his approach, not afraid to provide clients with his honest views on the merits even when it is against them.'
‘I would first commend Tom Salter - he is the partner that we have most to deal with and I find his calm, steady, clear and firm manner excellent. He is someone you want on your side when dealing with disputes. He knows his stuff inside and out and gives great advice re the conduct of litigation, letting you know the strengths and weaknesses of your case early on.'
'Rachel Heald oversees most of our non-contentious work - she is highly responsive to our queries and presents advice in a really user friendly manner that my non-legal colleagues find incredibly accessible and helpful.’

Key clients

John Sisk & Son Ltd
Briggs & Forrester Group Ltd
Vinci Construction UK Ltd
Shepherd Building Group Limited
J&B Hopkins Ltd
Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd
SPI Piling Limited
Midgard Limited
Altrad Support Services Limited
Electricity North West Ltd

Work highlights

Advised Midgard, part of JRL Group, in relation to its JCT Design and Build Contract with developer Related Argent for the design and construction of £166m residential development comprising 484 build-to-rent units at Ferry Island, Tottenham Hale, London.
Advised John Sisk & Son Limited in relation to a dispute concerning the construction of significant civil infrastructure at a prestigious residential development in London valued at c£18m.
Acted for Vinci Construction UK Ltd’s Facilities division in relation to the drafting and negotiating of a multi-million-pound contract incorporating the NEC4 Facilities Management Contract with amendments with Transport for Wales for the provision of facilities management services across more than 240 stations, offices and depots in the Transport for Wales estate.