Construction: Midlands

The construction team at Wragge & Co is home to some of the leading names in construction law, not only on a regional basis, but at a national level as well. The team's leading expertise in the sector attracts clients from all areas of the construction industry. Recently the firm has received a number of instructions from energy and utilities sector clients such as E.ON and Mercia Waste Management. Other major clients include Bovis Lend Lease, which the firm recently advised on multimillion-pound claims made by a subcontractor.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources praise construction and engineering head Simon Baylis for his people management skills: "He got a diverse team to work well towards a common cause on what was an unusually problematic case." He has recently been active for major clients Bovis Lend Lease and Morgan Sindall Construction. According to sources Ashley Pigott is "intellectually second to none." His considerable experience on contentious construction issues has recently been utilised by VINCI Construction on adjudication proceedings arising from an NEC contract in Hackney. Michael O'Shea's time spent within the industry as a quantity surveyor complements his legal skill set. Richard Green is a non-contentious specialist with experience across all major forms of contract. Sue Ryan is appreciated for her pragmatic approach and ability to help clients avoid potential disputes, as much as for her ability in resolving them.

DLA Piper's Birmingham construction team is a major player in the region and an integral part of the firm's national and international practice. Clients get direct access to partners and resources at all levels, and have learned to value the lawyers' seamless integration into their own in-house teams. The team has been particularly active domestically in the transport and infrastructure sector and recently advised Centro on the multimillion-pound redevelopment of Snow Hill station. Internationally, it has increased its profile in the Middle East.

Client Service "It's like we're part of the same organisation: we have a collective approach and they are very client-focused."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Graeme Bradley heads the UK engineering and construction practice and has also been the driver behind the firm's development across the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Whilst active on the international scene, his is principally a domestic practice and he recently acted for Aviva Global Investments in its involvement in Birmingham's Plaza Development. Clients appreciate Robert Norris' versatility. He handles both contentious and non-contentious instructions. His recent work has included acting for a syndicate of banks, consisting of Barclays Bank, RBS and Santander, on the development of a portfolio of service stations on the M25.

The Midlands office of this national firm has significant expertise in utilities and infrastructure construction projects. The quality of the team is reflected in the clients who seek it out for advice. For example, RWE npower recently instructed it on a number of projects, including a gas turbine upgrade at Little Barford Power Station. The team has also been advising on the development of Birmingham International Airport's terminal development.

Commercial Awareness "They understand how the construction business operates."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Amrik Kandola leads the dispute resolution side of the practice. The firm owes its reputation as a leading resources for utilities in large part to him. "Pragmatic and commercial," Peter Scurlock is admired for his work on non-contentious mandates. Clients appreciate his ability to maintain a full overview of their interests. Clients appreciate David Jones' commercial approach and thorough understanding of the infrastructure and utilities field.

Clients agree that Pinsent Masons is a firm you can turn to not only "for day-to-day advice, but also when you're in more complex contract negotiations and dispute resolution scenarios." Through its regional offices, this national firm is able to provide the full range of support to clients such as Carillion, Galliford Try and Royal Mail Group. The long history of the firm in the construction sector clearly instils confidence in sources, who note that "they come up with scenarios I would never have thought of, and that is reassuring."

Client Service "They even handle project management and strategy." "Very easy to work with and practical, and they always hit the nail on the head."

Commercial Awareness "We have benefited from their insight and contacts within the industry." "Brilliant at giving us a steer on what we need to do."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Clayton leads the disputes aspect of the practice. Clients appreciate his down-to-earth manner and praise the way "he helps avoid trouble: he considers it part of his service to help resolve situations without spending money." Nigel Blundell heads the transactional construction team and sources praise his direct, no-nonsense approach. Recent partner Anthony Bradley is rapidly impressing clients with his ability to think laterally and his calm focus under pressure.

This Nottingham-based team is closely identified with local authorities, such as Kettering Borough Council, which it is advising on construction contracts linked to the regeneration of Kettering town centre. It is also developing its international activity and was recently engaged by GLF Construction on a dispute concerning delays to the construction of an aluminium smelter plant in Trinidad and Tobago. Clients appreciate the quality of the team at all levels and the easy access to partners.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Westlake receives praise for his "thorough and practical approach." He brings with him a wealth of experience in the sector and has expertise in a broad range of both contentious and non-contentious matters. Clients especially appreciate that he "always offers an alternative perspective on things." Sources applaud Shaun Tame's no-nonsense approach. His expertise lies on the non-contentious side, with notable recent work including advising a number of local authorities on their construction framework agreements.

This group provides contentious and non-contentious support to clients across the sector, and has long been associated with the PFI/PPP and education sectors. It has developed close ties to clients such as Balfour Beatty and Mansell, who it recently advised on construction aspects of the North West fire and rescue PFI, involving the construction of 16 combined fire and rescue stations. Clients appreciate the pragmatism that pervades the team and "would recommend the firm without hesitation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of construction Guy Berwick's extensive knowledge is respected by clients and peers alike. Sources welcome his "practical and pragmatic manner." Clients highlight Chris Holwell's "understanding of the market and the interests of all involved parties." His recent activities have included advising Loughborough University on the procurement, design and installation of a combined heat and power plant as part of its carbon reduction commitments. Amy Morley "provides practical and cost-effective solutions to problems." She focuses on contentious matters and clients praise her "thorough and considered approach."

This firm offers clients strong support on both contracts and disputes. The contentious side of the practice has been particularly active and clients identify the team as a key resource for such work in the region. On the non-contentious side, the team continues to provide support to the Laing O’Rourke/VolkerRail joint venture, M-Pact, on contract negotiations relating to the Phase 3 extension of the Manchester Metro.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients endorse Peter Davies's performance in heavyweight disputes, describing him as "the best around for anyone's money." David Lloyd Jones leads the team advising M-Pact on its involvement in the Manchester Metro extension. He has a strong track record in the commercial development sphere and recently advised Parkridge Developments on a commercial and residential development in London.

This Birmingham-based outfit has a strong regional presence and an increasingly national profile. Lawyers offer contentious and non-contentious support to both developer and contractor clients in a range of industry sectors. The team has enjoyed great successes in the education sector recently, and is well regarded for its expertise in the health sector, too. Notable instructions have included advising Newman University College on its £20 million campus redevelopment.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Non-contentious specialist Stuart Pemble leads the team. His practice reaches beyond the region and he is regularly instructed on projects across the UK. Martino Giaquinto leads the disputes side of the practice. Clients welcome his "good, constructive advice."

The team serves a broad client base across the public and private sector, and is particularly known for its work in the education sector. Recent work in this area includes advising Aberystwyth University on a dispute arising from the cancellation of a newbuild following failure to obtain planning permission. On 1st December 2011, Martineau merged with Sprecher Grier Halberstam to form SGH Martineau LLP.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Craik impresses clients with his proactive style and nuanced understanding of the sector. As well as acting for Aberystwyth University, he recently advised Barnet College on a dispute arising out of a redevelopment project. Paul Mountain leads the construction team. He has a solid reputation in the public and education sectors, but represents clients from other sectors besides. Recent highlights include advising Kier Partnerships on the development and design and build aspects of a large residential project.

The lawyers at this tightly knit construction practice provide client-centred and specialist advice, largely to public sector clients. The two-partner team handles both contracts and contentious instructions, and has recently been sought out to act on contractor insolvencies. It recently advised 16 separate housing providers and local authorities in relation to the administration of Connaught and its subsidiary Connaught Partnerships. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Millross leads the non-contentious side of the practice. Clients describe him as "incredibly knowledgeable: you know that he will keep everything under control." He is especially well known within the social housing sector.

Beachcroft maintains a dual focus on public sector and insurance-related construction mandates. It is particularly well known for work in the health sector. The team was recently engaged by Queen Mary, University of London on issues relating to the construction of a health and fitness facility at the student union. On the insurance side it acts for such market leaders as AXA. On November 1st, Davies Arnold Cooper will merge with Beachcroft. The resulting firm will be known as DAC Beachcroft LLP.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Team head Martin Cannon provides a broad range of expertise in the construction sector, with particular emphasis on the health sector. His clients include government bodies, NHS bodies, owners, insurers and construction professionals.

This firm has a strong presence in the West Midlands on both contentious and non-contentious matters. It is well known for its transactional advice to housing associations and it maintains a strong relationship with clients in that sector. It is also developing links with foreign banks and institutions lending to projects in the region. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of construction Philip Harris "always keeps his clients' commercial interests at the fore" and "always has his finger on the pulse." His is a rounded practice that covers both contentious and transactional work. Peter Tugwell has a strong track record in litigation.