Construction

Ashfords' Construction and Engineering Department services the construction and engineering industries and its clients nationally as well as acting for international contractors and clients.

Headed by Stephen Homer, a respected construction lawyer who is a practicing adjudicator, mediator and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the Team works closely with the Projects, Commercial Property, Public Law, Corporate and Banking Departments to provide a comprehensive service to the industry.

Work handled includes:

Non-contentious:

• advice on and drafting of all forms of building contracts;
• advice on and drafting of civil engineering contracts;
• framework agreements;
• term service agreements;
• collateral warranties;
• partnering contracts including PPC 2000, NEC;
• consultants' appointments;
• sub-contract agreements;
• funding agreements;
• novations;
• performance bonds;
• parent company guarantees;
• development agreements;
• joint venture agreements;
• EU Procurement (OJEU);
• advice on property aspects of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005;
• Health & Safety (including CDM Regulations);
• PFI advice (eg in the healthcare and education sectors); and
• renewable energy.

• dispute avoidance and resolution;
• contractual disputes;
• professional negligence;
• adjudication;
• arbitration;
• mediation and alternative dispute resolution;
• litigation including proceedings in the Technology & Construction Court; and
• EU procurement challenges.

Recent work undertaken includes:

• advising the South West RDA on construction contract amendments and Collateral Warranties in relation to development of Osprey Quay Marina, Weymouth for the Olympics;
• advising a higher education authority on their framework agreement and amendments to consultants' appointments for multi-million pound estates development programme;
• advising Rokbuilding Limited on standard amendments to JCT 2005 Sub-Contracts;
• acting for National Westminster Bank PLC as funder on the development of new Highways Agency Office at Ash House Exeter;
• advising the South West RDA on the construction contract and collateral warranties for the redevelopment of St Austell Town Centre;
• acting for Lloyds TSB on building contract, consultancy appointments and collateral warranties for funder in respect of residential premises development at Portwrinkle, Cornwall;
• advising contractor on the mechanical and electrical works contract for the 2012 London Olympics Athletes Village; and
• acting for a European contractor on a dispute arising out of the construction of a power station in Bulgaria.