Construction Law
Service overview: Construction lawyers
- Harper James construction lawyers have specific expertise in the areas of bespoke contract and agreement drafting, professional appointments, pre-construction service agreements, performance bonds, collateral warranties, construction dispute resolution, and many other facets of construction and infrastructure projects.
- Our construction solicitors have previously acted for employers, contractors, sub-contractors and construction professionals including public and private sector organisations such as the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Justice, Network Rail, Shell, Mitsui Fudosan, DEPFA, Banco Santander and Nationwide
- We work nationally, with offices in Sheffield, Birmingham, Cambridge, Manchester and London if you require a face-to-face meeting. Our very experienced senior solicitors typically work remotely to keep our overheads low which enables us to offer our innovative pricing packages.
What we do: Construction solicitors
Construction and infrastructure projects require careful and considered legal expertise from inception to completion, and ultimately, commissioning, use, sale or occupation. We provide legal expertise and industry knowledge and experience to ensure parties to construction projects have rigorous legal documents and agreements which always protect their interests.
Companies and professionals involved in construction often contend with tight margins while seeking to avoid or mitigate any delays or disputes which can threaten the financial viability of projects. Regardless of type or scale, development projects must be undertaken with a thorough understanding of the commercial and legal realities of the deal being entered into.
We can assist any party to a construction project in relation to:
- Subrogation
- Option agreements
- Overage
- Escrow
- Construction health and safety
- Engineering contracts
- Collateral warranties
- Procurement contracts
- Risk assessment, management and protection
- Construction due diligence
- Environment law matters
- Facilities management agreements
- Appointments
- Surety
- Guarantees
- Bonds
Our specialist construction lawyers will focus on removing any friction which may slow down or complicate the process of development at any stage, ensuring that all parties to the project work in close collaboration. To do so, we take the time to listen to your commercial imperatives and ultimate goals. We then undertake the necessary due diligence to unearth all of the possible challenges and issues which may conflict with your interests before, during and after the project. Many of our clients are not aware of the range of legal instruments available to meet their commercial needs, hence we make it a priority to explain all of your options before proceeding to undertake work on your behalf.
Who we help: All parties to construction contracts
We work with construction firms, property developers, occupiers, contractors, lenders and banks, architects, investors, public sector bodies, surveyors, insurers, and facilities management companies. Often we will deal directly with contract managers and property developers, but we’re also very happy to work alongside your in-house legal counsel too.
Our clients comprise many public sector entities including health, utilities, education, leisure, and transport, and private sector companies including residential and commercial construction, energy and regeneration companies.
Construction dispute resolution
Disputes are commonplace within construction projects. We have a team of expert dispute resolution solicitors who can provide contentious and non-contentious construction dispute advice and representation, including:
- contract advice and negotiation
- mediation
- international construction arbitration
- adjudication
- litigation
Why choose our construction solicitors? Our construction sector expertise
Our construction law team is made up of industry specialists who collectively possess the experience and knowledge to take on even the most complex construction project.
Our lead construction solicitor, Michael Polling, has over 25 years’ legal experience, having previously represented public and private sector entities including Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Justice, Network Rail, Shell, Mitsui Fudosan, DEPFA, Banco Santander and Nationwide.
Michael has specific expertise in the areas of:
- Non-contentious construction law, project procurement, negotiation and contract drafting
- Defence, public procurement, construction and logistics
- Building, engineering, EPC, services and general commercial contracts and subcontracts
- Bespoke and standard form agreements
- Professional appointments and pre-construction services agreements
- Performance bonds, parent company guarantees, collateral warranties, funder agreements and ancillary documents
- Contracting for operation and management of facilities and services
Our team are experienced in corporate governance matters for a range of related industries that often intersect with construction legal advice, including the areas of:
Pricing plans
Our three transparent pricing packages are designed to give you the widest possible access to high-quality legal advice, whatever the size and nature of your business:
City
Straightforward access to senior solicitors at a competitive rate.
An affordable solution for businesses needing one-off legal support. Receive ‘City’ partner-level expertise at a fraction of ‘City’ prices.
Enterprise
Have legal peace of mind for £189 per month with additional support from £99 per hour.
A monthly subscription legal support package specifically designed for start-ups and smaller businesses.
On-Demand
For businesses requiring 60+ hours of support a year, with prices equivalent to £99 per hour.
Fully account managed quarterly subscription service for businesses with more complex legal needs.
What our clients say
We pride ourselves on delivering an excellent service for clients, but don’t just take our word for it.
Friendly, helpful and efficient. Thank you!
Outstanding so far. Please keep it like this!
