Who's who in construction

Anyone looking for a sign as to when the economic downturn will finally end, might be advised to keep an eye on the construction sector. There is little doubt that it is one of those that have borne the brunt of the recession, as it continues to suffer from lack of funding, a reluctance to invest, and cutthroat competition for such work as there is, with contractors sometimes offering lossmaking rates simply in order to boost turnover and retain staff.

Nevertheless there remains legal work to be had, whether through disputes arising in projects already underway, or through a focus on sectors that still show some life, such as energy – including renewables – and public sector projects that have survived the cutbacks. The leading players, firms and individuals, continue to build their reputations in handling the many complexities that arise in large projects. And the revised adjudication regime is now in force.

If there is any sign of recovery, or governments do decide that more infrastructure investment is needed to provide an economic stimulus, Scots lawyers in the sector are ready to play their part.

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ADVOCATES’ STABLES

Ampersand Advocates

t: 0131 260 5674

f: 0131 225 3642

e: ampersand.staff @advocates.org.uk

w: www.ampersandstable.com

Office locations: Edinburgh

Robert Howie QC

In addition to advisory work, he has wide experience of contentious construction and engineering work – from adjudications (as adjudicator and as counsel) through to the House of Lords. His work extends to shipbuilding and to commercial issues related to construction, such as insurance and performance bonds.

David Thomson, Advocate

Practises exclusively in commercial litigation. Has considerable experience of acting in substantial construction claims for employers, contractors and professionals. Recent cases have included a complicated and long running arbitration, and related multi-party commercial action for a multinational cinema chain. David also has substantial practices in property and insolvency litigation.

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Axiom Advocates

t: 0131 226 2881

f: 0131 225 3642

e: Lesley.flynn @axiomadvocates.com

w: www.axiomadvocates.com

Office locations: Edinburgh

Jonathan Broome, Advocate

Before calling to the bar this year, Jonathan was ranked a band 1 solicitor in construction by Chambers UK. Construction experience as a solicitor covered all courts including the House of Lords. He has been legal adviser to leading adjudicators and was lead drafter of the Scottish Arbitration Code 2007.

Heriot Currie QC

Heriot Currie has over 30 years’ experience of dispute resolution in the field of construction law. Recently involved in litigation or adjudications arising out of significant infrastructure projects including the Edinburgh Trams project, the M6/M74 motorway and the M80 motorway, and major PFI/PPP projects.

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Terra Firma Chambers

t: 0131 260 5606

f: 0131 225 3642

e: tracy.whitelaw@terrafirmachambers.com

w: www.terrafirmachambers.com

Office locations: Edinburgh

Steven P Walker, Advocate and Barrister

A contentious energy lawyer practising Scots, English, Cayman Islands and international law, Steven deals with all forms of commercial dispute. Particular interest in natural resources, oil/gas/mining, energy and construction and engineering matters. One of few Scottish lawyers regularly appearing before numerous arbitral tribunals in UK and abroad.

David Parratt, Advocate and Barrister

Considerable experience in construction arbitration in UK, Middle and Far East and Gulf. DIAC, DIFC, FIDIC experience. Advocate (1999); barrister (Lincoln’s Inn, 2009). LLB, PhD, DipICArb, FCIArb, chartered arbitrator, Visiting Senior Lecturer in International Arbitration and Construction Law on King’s College, London MSc programme administered in British University, Dubai.

 

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SOLICITORS’ FIRMS

Brodies LLP

t: 0131 228 3777

f: 0131 228 3878

e: mailbox@brodies.com

w: www.brodies.com

Office locations: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Brussels

Manus Quigg, Partner

Manus is regarded as “very professional and strong on communication” (Chambers, 2012). Manus has extensive experience in complex construction and engineering disputes, where his technical background gives added value to clients. He uses all dispute resolution methods to achieve the best outcome, and represents all sectors of the industry.

Mark Finlay, Partner

Mark specialises in the drafting and negotiation of construction and engineering contracts, especially for employers (private and public sector). Chambers (2012) noted his efficiency in “balancing the risk profile”. Mark also advises on construction due diligence in asset and corporate sales and purchases, and on construction disputes.

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bto solicitors

t: 0141 221 8012

f: 0141 243 2740

e: mma@bto.co.uk

w: www.bto.co.uk

Office locations: Glasgow, Edinburgh

Ann O’Connell, Partner

An accredited specialist in construction law, Ann advises private, public, commercial and industrial sector clients in contract negotiation and insurance dispute resolution. Ann has both contentious and non-contentious skills and vast experience in dealing with claims for engineers and building consultants. Her practice includes proceedings in courts, arbitration and adjudication.

Jilly Petrie, Associate

Jilly specialises in contentious and non-contentious construction law. Experienced in drafting and negotiating a range of industry contracts and appointments. Represents clients in disputes at adjudication, expert determination, mediation and litigation. Also specialises in construction-related property insurance claims, regularly advising on complex insurance policy interpretation and specialist liability issues.

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Burness LLP

t: 0131 473 6000; 0141 248 4933

f: 0131 473 6006; 0141 204 1601

e: webmarketing@burness.co.uk

w: www.burness.co.uk

Office locations: Edinburgh, Glasgow 

Fenella Mason, Partner; Head of Construction & Projects

Ranked by Chambers and Legal 500 as a leading construction lawyer for the last 15 years, Fenella is involved in all aspects from procurement to dispute resolution. Handling both contentious and non-contentious aspects of construction contracts gives Fenella clear insight into the issues that impact on project success or failure. 

James Forbes, Partner, Head of Energy & Renewables

An experienced construction and projects lawyer, James heads a growing team and is regarded as a market leader in the fields of biomass, energy from waste and municipal waste management projects. Dual qualified (Scots/English law). LLM in Construction Law. Regularly presents on energy from waste and engineering procurement contracts.

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Dundas & Wilson CS LLP

t: 0131 228 8000

f: 0131 228 8888

e: dw-enquiries@ dundas-wilson.com

w: www.dundas-wilson.com

Office locations: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, London

Lindy Patterson QC, Partner

Lindy has extensive experience in the field of contractual advice and in dispute avoidance and resolution in major construction and engineering projects, procurement challenges and PPP/PFI contracts. She regularly acts as an adjudicator and arbitrator. Lindy is a solicitor advocate and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2010.

Alistair McLean, Partner

Alistair advises on procurement processes, contract structuring and all aspects of dispute resolution. He also provides strategic advice during projects. He advises on a diverse range of projects from PFI/PPP projects through to waste and renewable energy projects and was described as the “ideal construction solicitor” in Chambers.

Mark Kirke, Partner

Mark is an accredited specialist in construction law with in-depth experience of working closely with clients on the drafting of construction and engineering contracts as well as successful resolution of claims. He works with clients on a wide range of energy and infrastructure projects throughout the UK.

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Gillespie Macandrew LLP

t: 0131 225 1677

f: 0131 225 4519

e: enquiries@ gillespiemacandrew.co.uk

w: www.gillespiemacandrew.co.uk

Office locations: Edinburgh

Gordon Innes, Partner

Gordon Innes has over 30 years’ experience in contentious and non-contentious construction and engineering law. He is an accredited specialist in these fields and heads up the firm’s construction team acting for a range of housebuilders. He is currently engaged in many of the largest renewable energy projects within Scotland.

Elizabeth McLaughlin, Associate

Elizabeth heads up Gillespie Macandrew’s contentious construction team. Working with clients in the housebuilder and renewable energy sectors, Elizabeth provides proactive advice from inception to completion of construction contracts. She currently works with leading players in the industry on projects including residential developments, hydro schemes and refurbishment of commercial property.

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Harper Macleod LLP

t: 0141 221 8888

f: 0141 226 4198

e: info@harpermacleod.co.uk

w: www.harpermacleod.co.uk

Office locations: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness

Michael Conroy, Partner

Michael is acknowledged as a “Leader in the Field” of construction law, servicing clients of the firm from a wide variety of sectors on both contentious and non-contentious construction law matters. Clients advised include Scottish Government, Forestry Commission Scotland and Glasgow 2014 Ltd.

Michael Nicholson, Partner

Michael has experience of advising and representing clients in the construction sector in the resolution of a wide range of disputes, through mediation, adjudication, arbitration, litigation through the courts, and regulatory investigations. Michael is a trained mediator and leads the firm’s alternative dispute resolution practice, HM Dispute Solutions.

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HBJ Gateley

t: 0131 228 2400

f: 0131 222 9800

e: info@gateleyuk.com

w: www.gateleyuk.com/

Office locations: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Leeds, Leicester, Manchester, Nottingham, London, Dubai

Frazer Wardhaugh, Partner and Head of Construction Transactions Team

Frazer specialises in drafting and negotiating agreements for major infrastructure projects and property developments, and provides construction and facilities management advice on behalf of contractors, FM providers, developers and public sector clients. He has been active in a wide range of sectors including PFI/PPP, transportation, waste and renewable energy.

Anne Struckmeier, Partner and Head of Construction Disputes Team

Anne is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in construction law and is dual qualified (England & Wales). A solicitor advocate, she specialises in all types of construction and engineering disputes, particularly PFI projects, renewable energy and waste.

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Ledingham Chalmers

t: 01224 408407; 01224 408449

f: 01224 408403

e: jennifer.young@ledinghamchalmers.com; sarah.stuart@ledinghamchalmers.com

w: www.ledinghamchalmers.com

Office locations: Aberdeen

Jennifer E Young, Partner and Chairman

Provides legal support to businesses in all areas of the construction and engineering sectors. Accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as construction law specialist. Advises contractors and employers of construction contractors in a variety of high value contractual claims. Also carries out risk review, analysis and negotiation of contracts.

Sarah D Stuart, Partner

Dual qualified in Scotland as well as England & Wales, and regularly provides advice on contractual negotiation and dispute resolution in both jurisdictions. Advises clients in the traditional construction sector and those operating in the energy and maritime sectors. Chair of the Northern Chapter of the CIArb Scottish Branch.

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Maclay Murray & Spens LLP

t: 0141 248 5011

f: 0141 248 5819

e: lawyer@mms.co.uk

w: www.mms.co.uk

Office locations: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, London

Mark Macaulay, Partner

Partner in and Head of the firm’s Construction & Engineering Department. Co-author of a book entitled Construction and Procurement Law, Mark advises on all aspects of construction procurement with a particular focus on developer led work. Mark has specific sectoral expertise in regeneration and transport work.

David Scott, Partner

Joining MMS in January 2012, David has specialised in contentious construction work since 1988, having extensive experience of all forms of dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration, adjudication and other ADR forms. Qualified in England, Scotland and Hong Kong, David is an accredited specialist in construction law and a CEDR-accredited mediator.

Kirsti Olson, Partner

Kirsti has amassed considerable experience in construction litigation, giving tactical and strategic advice on the many available forms of dispute resolution. Involved in a number of heavyweight construction cases, engineering and building, for consultants, contractors and employers. Clerks in adjudications. Associate, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Member, Society of Construction Law.

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MacRoberts LLP

t: 0141 303 1100; 0131 229 5046

f: 0141 332 8886; 0131 229 0849

e: via website

w: www.macroberts.com

Office locations: Glasgow, Edinburgh

Neil Kelly, Head of Construction

Neil is Head of Construction and acts for employers, contractors, consultants and their insurers. He heads up a team consisting of a total of eight construction partners covering all aspects of construction work.

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Morisons LLP

t: 0131 226 6541

f: 0131 226 3156

e: alan.stuart@morisonsllp.com

w: www.morisonsllp.com

Office locations: Edinburgh, Glasgow

Alan Stuart, Partner

Alan specialises in non-contentious construction law, acting on behalf of a range of clients including major retailers, developers of industrial and leisure projects, national housebuilders and educational establishments. He also acts for professionals and contractors. All forms of procurement are covered, with specialisms in BIM and infrastructure agreements.

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Paull & Williamsons LLP

t: 01224 621621

f: 01224 627437

e: cjarnold@paull-williamsons.co.uk

w: www.paull-williamsons.co.uk

Office locations: Aberdeen, Edinburgh

Chris Arnold, Partner

Chris heads up P&W’s Construction Division and splits his time between Aberdeen and Edinburgh. He has many years’ experience in the field, having qualified in London in 1984 and in Scotland in 1997. He is a Law Society accredited specialist, a fellow of the CIArb and a practising adjudicator.

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Pinsent Masons LLP

t: 0141 567 8400

f: 0141 567 8401

e: michael.allan@pinsentmasons.com; kenny.valentine@pinsentmasons.com

w: www.pinsentmasons.com

Office locations: Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Falklands, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai, Doha

Michael Allan, Partner

Projects office team leader in Glasgow and Edinburgh, Mike specialises in transactional construction law. Involved in major projects including PFI/PPP, transport, engineering, energy and property development, acting for all sides of the industry. Wealth of experience on bespoke and standard form construction suites. Works throughout the UK and abroad.

Kenny Valentine, Partner

Kenny is the head of Pinsent Masons’ contentious construction team in Scotland. Qualified in Scotland and England, he operates in both jurisdictions and internationally. He advises a number of contractors, subcontractors, employers and consultants on dispute avoidance techniques, together with all forms of ADR and dispute resolution.

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Semple Fraser LLP

t: 0141 221 3771

f: 0141 221 3776

e: marketing@semplefraser.co.uk

w: www.semplefraser.co.uk

Office locations: Glasgow, Edinburgh

Stuart Macfarlane, Partner, Head of Construction

Stuart has extensive experience in both contentious and non-contentious work, with notable successes in conducting arbitrations against senior counsel. He has a particular interest in building contract arbitrations and adjudications, and conducted one of the first commercial ADRs in Scotland. Also advises, arbitrates and adjudicates on legal and procedural issues.

Kirsteen Milne, Director, Construction Group

Dual qualified, Kirsteen advises clients throughout the UK on all aspects of construction work, contentious and non-contentious. She is experienced in drafting consultants’ appointments, building contracts and collateral warranties and acts for consultants, contractors, subcontractors, developers and banks. She also has considerable experience in the area of health and safety.

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Shepherd and Wedderburn

t: 0131 228 9900

f: 0131 228 1222

e: info@shepwedd.co.uk

w: www.shepwedd.co.uk

Office locations: Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Aberdeen

Kevin Taylor, Partner

Acts on all sectors of built environment, infrastructure and energy (AD, CHP, hydro, wind, fossil fuel). Projects include £40m hospital extension with CHP, energy from waste centre, major regeneration, current City TIF project, gas storage facility/pipelines, “clean coal” advice for power station, wind turbine supply/O&M agreements, including with Chinese OEM.

Euan McLeod, Partner

Euan acts on construction projects throughout the UK and further afield. Current projects include acting for: the developer of a leisure complex in South Wales; the developer of Quartermile, Edinburgh; several public sector bodies in connection with major housing regeneration projects; and a contractor in connection with the Commonwealth Games.

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N F Smith

t: 07876 453812

e: neil@nfsmith.co.uk

w: www.nfsmith.co.uk

Office locations: Edinburgh

Neil F Smith

With over 20 years’ construction law experience, Neil has been accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as specialist in construction law since 2005. He has held an in-house position with one of the UK’s leading construction companies. Clients are always assured of Neil’s own personal expertise at competitive rates.

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Thorntons Law LLP

t: 01382 229111

f: 01382 202288

e: enquiries@thorntons-law.co.uk; gjackson@thorntons-law.co.uk

w: www.thorntons-law.co.uk

Office locations: Dundee, Perth, Forfar, Arbroath, Edinburgh

Graham Jackson, Associate

Heading Thorntons’ construction team, Graham has over 12 years’ experience. He advises in all areas of construction law, contentious and non-contentious, providing commercial, client-focused advice to a full range of parties. Well respected for his knowledge, Graham is the only accredited construction specialist in Tayside. Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.