Construction Lawyers

We help you manage, avoid and resolve contractual issues that hamper commercial success

Building Solicitors

Construction law is more than just a bolt-on to our thinking. We understand the sector from our vast technical knowledge and real-world experience of the issues you face. We talk your language.

Our construction lawyers know what it is to be in your boots – some literally, after previous careers in building surveying – so we don’t sit on the fence. Our advice is direct, perceptive and commercial, adding efficiency to any stage of a construction project.

Our construction and building law expertise

The team of building solicitors at Shakespeare Martineau can advise you on all aspects of construction including the preparation of contracts and the resolution of disputes. From procurement through the lifespan of building work and any disputes along the way, we make managing the risk more straightforward.

Offering exceptional depth and breadth of expertise, our construction law solutions are fully scalable to your needs:

  • Whether it’s a high value, ground-breaking project or a routine construction matter, we’ll help you to deliver the results you want with confidence and ease.

  • From multi-national to local clients, we cover all aspects of commercial, industrial and residential development. This includes developers, main and sub-contractors, investors, public sector employers, and professionals such as engineers and architects. We have particular experience in the education, housing, healthcare, logistics, leisure and retail industries.

  • We’re equipped to deal with construction projects of any size – and on any front.

  • Recognised by the Legal 500, we have earned a reputation as the go-to construction lawyers in the industry, providing the knowledge, experience and commercial know-how your project requires.

Pre-contract: non-contentious construction

Our team can assist with laying the contractual and strategic groundwork for your construction project. We are able to help with a range of non-contentious construction law tasks, including:

  • Pulling together the procurement strategy and contractual relationships prior to building work

  • Drafting and negotiating all forms of standard and bespoke building contracts, including consultants’ appointments, collateral warranties, performance bonds and parent company guarantees

  • Going beyond pure contract drafting to cover strategic advice and risk management, ensuring the protection of your commercial interests

Disputes: contentious construction

Our in-house building dispute solicitors can assist you in the event that any issues arise during your construction project:

  • We advise on a wide range of issues involving payment (interim and final account), defects, variations, delay and professional negligence

  • As part of your project team, we prevent problems from escalating into formal disputes by identifying commercially cost-effective solutions through alternative dispute resolution, for example, by negotiation and mediation

  • Our team has a track record for successfully running arbitrations, adjudications and court proceedings, based on our multiple claims experience and user insights of the Business and Property Court.

The way we help you

Our tailored advice is always cut to suit you – so it’s practical, responsive and down-to-earth. The approach taken by our construction solicitors is also highly innovative and collaborative when it needs to be.

For many of our clients, we’ve fast become a trusted pair of hands cracking on with the smooth handling of work. Where there are obstacles in the way, we will robustly defend your interests and apply pressure to achieve the earliest and best resolution.

Construction is a world of supply chain complexities and narrow profit margins. Our skill is helping you manage, avoid and resolve the contractual risks and issues that hamper commercial success. We stand in your corner, working with you and any other advisers to your team to achieve your goals.

Your journey through the legal process

Engaging building solicitors to assist with the legal aspects of your construction project is straightforward and designed to fit around the needs of your organisation. We’ve included a breakdown of the process involved to give you complete peace of mind:

  1. Get in touch using the button below – we will then assign you to one of our construction lawyers. Alternatively, we are available to discuss your requirements on 0330 024 0333.

  2. Within an hour, we will be in touch to understand the nature of your construction project and offer advice on how we can assist with any contract- or dispute-related matters.

  3. Should you wish to proceed, we then provide a complete breakdown of costs and a pack of onboarding documents.

  4. From here, we work alongside your organisation to ensure that your construction project is completed efficiently, with minimal disruption and in line with your commercial goals.