Construction

Ashfords' Construction lawyers and Engineering solicitors 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.