Stephen Homer

Partner
T: +44 (0)1392 33 3883
F: +44 (0)1392 33 6883
s.homer@ashfords.co.uk

Stephen specialises in contentious and non-contentious construction matters nationally and internationally including, amongst others, adjudication, professional negligence, project support and partnering.

Stephen is a Partner and Head of Construction Law at the firm. He is an accredited Adjudicator on the RIBA and CIOB Panels. He is a committee member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Western Counties Branch and the Adjudication Society South West Branch. He is also joint Chairman of Constructing Excellence Devon and Exeter. A Fellow of the Faculty of Building and a Member of the Association of Partnering Advisers.

Stephen Homer has been recognised for his expertise and experience and is one of four lawyers in the South West to be ranked in the top tier for Construction law by the Chambers and Partners Guide to the Legal Profession, 2011 Edition.

Recent projects include:

• Acting for main contractor on an energy project: woodchip Combined Heat & Power, advising on contract documents and supply of plant from abroad;
• Advising contractor on quality issues at Langage Energy Centre Power Station;
• Acting for a European contractor on issues arising under a consortium agreement relating to the construction of a power station in Bulgaria, Bulgaria's largest inward investment project to date;
  
• Advising Contractor on the M & E Contract for a project in relation to the Said Business School, Oxford;
  
• Acting for Swindon College on its North Star campus development;
• Advising contractor on the mechanical and electrical works contract for the 2012 London Olympics Athletes Village;
• Recovering several million pounds for a developer in a complex professional negligence action against construction consultants arising from defective design;
  
• Recovering £500,000.00 at mediation for a developer in a complex professional negligence action against a project manager arising from misleading budget estimates as to the cost of the project and in respect of negligent design;
• Acting for a main contractor on an extension of time Adjudication. Ashfords were instructed to commence an Adjudication at short notice claiming an extension of time based on a number of relevant events under a JCT Standard Form of Building Contract with Contractor's Designed Portion Supplement and Sectional Completion Supplement. This was a complex claim involving a detailed analysis of the various facets of the Project and arguments about the impact of the Contractor's float contained within its Programme. This was a claim for an extension of time of 112 days;
• Acting for the South West Regional Development Agency in relation to the £44 million Building Contract for the development of St Austell Town Centre together with associated documentation. This involved negotiating the construction provisions in a Joint Venture Agreement between SWRDA and the Developer, David McLean Developments Limited, dealing with all Collateral Warranties, Novation Agreement and Side Letter and negotiating the terms of the Building Contract on behalf of SWRDA as Funder to the Development. In particular the Building Contract had to be finalised within a short time scale to achieve start on site in accordance with the Programme;
• Acting for a national contractor in relation to its five year Framework Agreement with Merlin Housing Society in Gloucester in relation to its Decent Homes Investment Programme. Ashfords were instructed to advise on the Framework Agreement and Project Partnering Agreement which were based on PPC 2000 but which were heavily amended in terms of liability placed on the Contractor together with complex TUPE provisions which necessitated involvement from Ashfords' Employment Department. This is a significant Contract running over five years; and
  
• Acting for a national contractor preparing its standard Sub-Contract documentation for use nationally with the JCT 2005 suite of Building Contracts. This involved a review of the entire suite of JCT 2005 Sub-Contracts and preparation of a detailed set of amendments for each Sub-Contract to dovetail with the client's existing Standard Sub-Contract Amendments. A bespoke set of Sub-Contract documentation was prepared and implemented nationally.

Clients value his "very helpful, flexible and knowledgeable approach."  
Chambers Guide to the UK Profession, 2012 Edition

Ashfords LLP's "impressive" Stephen Homer produces work that is "timely and to a very high standard".
Legal 500, 2011 Edition

Stephen Homer draws praise from clients for "his talent and level of knowledge."
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2011 Edition

Ranked as a leader in the field by Chambers 2010

"Clients benefit from the efficiency, focus and clarity of his advice."
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2010 Edition

"Prominent practitioner and group head Stephen Homer delights clients with "his proactive client service and personable approach" attracting wide recognition for his adjudications work"
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2009 Edition

Stephen Homer has "excellent subject knowledge - and gives sound and reliable advice"
Legal 500, 2009 Edition

"Stephen Homer demonstrates admirable proficiency in professional negligence and partnering construction matters, but he is best known and admired by market sources for his work on adjudications"
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2008 Edition

"Stephen is admired by commentators for his professionalism."
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2007 Edition

"According to commentators, Stephen achieves a rare mix of professional and social aptitude - peers enjoy dealing with him and clients are full of praise for his dynamism and intelligence. He supplements a respected adjudication practice with advising local authorities on partnering contracts."
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2006 Edition

"Clients describe Ashfords' Stephen Homer as the 'ultimate professional'.
Legal 500, 2005 Edition