Blake Lapthorn has a dedicated and experienced team specialising
in the construction sector, with respect to the procurement
drafting and enforcement of construction and engineering
contracts, and the resolution of disputes should they arise.
We are frequently used as the first port of call for a number of
major national companies who are looking for practical expert
advice seeking to minimise their exposure to risk and for workeable
and cost effective solutions to complex situations.
Recent construction and development projects in which we have
been involved include:
- advising on the completion of a major new development
for Linacre College of Oxford University
- acting for a main contractor (one of the largest independent
contractors in Oxfordshire) in a major dispute over a final account
(and other matters of contract administration) relating to works
undertaken to refurbish Dinton Hall, Oxfordshire
- advising Cranbourne Homes on the procurement of a large urban
regeneration in Abingdon
- acting for Evolve Energy in relation to its negotiations
with the owners of the Savoy Hotel, London for the incorporation of
a significant package of works as part of the substantial
refurbishment of the Savoy
- advising several Oxford colleges on a series of developments
ranging from refurbishment of existing college premises to
construction of new accommodation and other facilities; advising on
building contracts and ancillary documents (bonds, warranties,
guarantees and appointments) on each project
- advising on major new build of accommodation and mixed use
premises for a major university on brown-field site in East
London
- advising several high profile schools on the construction of
new building including accommodation and leisure facilities (some
being closely linked with VAT planning schemes)
- advising college of further education on terms of appointment
of team of professional consultants for new build project
- acting for college of higher education negotiating terms of
project management agreement in relation to construction of new
sports halls and related facilities
- advising various Sixth Form Colleges in relation to the
building project and finance documentation for major new build
projects including science centres, learning resource centres,
performing arts facilities and sports facilities
- advising National Air Traffic Services (NATS) in relation to
the building project documentation for a new extension development
at its national headquarters
- advising West Sussex County Council on the procurement and
construction documentation for several projects including the
development of a new high school, the development of a new special
school and youth centre, the provision of mechanical, electrical
and environmental building work in schools, fire stations,
residential homes and leisure centres throughout the County, and
the provision for disposal of abandoned vehicles throughout the
County
- advising Alcatel Telecom in bidding for the supply of
integrated telecoms transmission systems to consortia supplying TfL
for the East London Line Extension project, on the basis of an NEC3
project contract
- advising Brighton Arena Limited in promoting a £50 million
project to finance and develop a multipurpose entertainment arena
complex incorporating a concert stadium, Olympic ice hockey and
basketball venue and public ice skating rink and associated
commercial and residential development at a heritage site on
Brighton seafront
- advising South West Trains on major IT systems projects for the
installation of local area networks and wide area networks linking
stations across their network
- advising CAFOD (The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development)
on the disposal of its existing offices, together with the
acquisition and construction of its new headquarters next to
Southwark Cathedral
- acting for a wide range of developers, funders, contractors,
professionals and specialists (including NatWest Bank/RBS, Fortis
Insurance, Hyde Housing Association, Berkeley Homes, Bloor Homes,
John Laing Partnership, Whitbread Properties and AEA Technologies)
on variety of construction developments
- advising Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council
(RBKC) in redevelopment of Exhibition Road, Central London
- advising Waverley Borough Council relating to refurbishment of
five leisure centres
- advising Mary Rose Trust on construction of the new museum
being built to hold the Mary Rose.
our construction and engineering dispute resolution
experience
Examples of construction and engineering disputes with
which we have dealt include:
- acting for a City Council in a dispute over the
contractor’s extension of time claim
- acting on behalf of a museum in claims arising from the
construction of the museum
- advising a large housing group in relation to
a significant claim relating to a social housing
development in Portsmouth
- acting for a main contractor in defending a claim by the
employer that the development had encroached over the site boundary
onto neighbouring land
- more than 50 Construction Act (and
contractual) adjudication cases pursued for a range of
construction industry client mainly relating to payment
disputes, certification and interpretation of contractor terms
- enforcement of Construction Act adjudication awards
- pursuing a claim on behalf of several sub-contractors in
relation to outstanding final accounts arising out of the
construction of the new Wembley Stadium
- pursuing a claim for specialist sub-contractors for work
undertaken on mixed commercial and residential development in
London
- acting for a provider of sheltered accommodation in relation to
various projects including a dispute with sub-contractors
- acting in the reported case of Munkenbeck & Marshall v
Harold which examined and criticised specific aspects of the
RIBA’s standard terms of architect appointment
- advising in claims against a national house builder following
the failure of a sewage treatment plant
- acting for a specialist highway surfacing sub-contractor
in substantial claims for non payment against the main contractor
to a national utility company
- acting for a specialist sub-contractor and advising in a
dispute over cabling and connection work for a national utility
company
- successfully defending claims against an international supplier
of specialist flooring system for sports facilities
- successfully defending an architect in respect of allegations
of negligent design and insurance related issues.
