In Colchester, specialist construction firm Archor houses a deep bench of experienced talent, among them practice head Andrew Rush, head of dispute resolution Ruth Kavanagh and Rory Abel, who leads on the non-contentious side of the practice. ‘Their lawyers are speedy and efficient‘, remarks one client, while another notes that the firm is ‘a really vibrant and diverse business‘. Oli Worth and Carolyn Porter are also highly recommended. Rush and Kananagh recent assisted Click Group with a Freezing Order issued by eleven claimants without notice.

The practice at Birketts LLP is ‘helpful and knowledgeable' when it comes to development funding, renewables, and social housing issues. Stefan Harris-Wright, who leads the practice from Cambridge, recently advised Kingsland Leisure Centre and Community Wellbeing Hub on a £25m public sector construction project for community facilities in Houghton Regis. Catherine Andrews in Ipswich is skilled in handling adjudication proceedings, and legal director Patrick Cooney in Cambridge is ‘efficient and reliable, and provides highly trustworthy advice‘. Also in Cambridge, senior associate Katrina Bretten stands out for her knowledge of non-contentious matters.

The Cambridge office of Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is central to the firm’s national construction practice, and is home to Dominic Lacey, who is head of the firm’s international transport group and also handles major transactions for senior living providers. The team consists of ‘excellent technical lawyers with a can-do attitude‘. Key partner Tom Douglas, who handles transactional construction matters and is ‘unshakeable, methodical and a delight to work with‘, and senior associate Emma Raspin recently acted for Signature Senior Living in the development of numerous luxury care and nursing homes. Senior associate Joanne Naylor handles disputes and complex infrastructure projects.

Mills & Reeve LLP has a deep bench of construction lawyers in Cambridge, who ‘try to resolve matters in a cost-effective, practical and collaborative fashion‘. The firm frequently acts for major developers, among them Urban&Civic. ‘His expertise is invaluable‘, say clients of Stuart Thompson, who leads the practice with newly promoted partner Alexandra Pike (who is ‘sensible, commercial, considered and calming‘). Principal associate Ed Freeman , who joined from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP, ‘always watches your back and keeps clients on their toes!‘ Principal associate Emma Nash, who shows ‘absolute dedication and loyalty to the client‘, and associate Lauren Michaelides also play central roles in the practice.

Greene & Greene in Bury St Edmunds is ‘very professional' when advising a broad range of clients, including funders, developers, contractors, sub-contractors and other stakeholders. Specialist construction partner Sarah Western is known for her 'considerable legal expertise and commitment, and her focused and skilled approach'. Western works closely with litigators Rob Adam and Michael Batty, and residential and commercial development specialist Hugo Greer-Walker. Associate Anna Britland handles public procurement and state aid matters.

Greenwoods Legal houses a 'uniquely dedicated team that is passionate', regularly assisting clients with building fire safety issues, forward funding agreements, and overseas projects. Dividing her time between Cambridge and Peterborough, practice head Lorna Carter is known for providing ‘personal and friendly service'. Carter recently assisted Howard Developments Limited with the development of a new urban innovation district just outside Cambridge. Associate Sarah Lidgett is recommended for her knowledge of construction litigation and adjudication. London-based partner Howard Crossman works closely with the East Anglia team and is a key adviser to large construction and engineering consultancies.

HCR Hewitsons‘s practice frequently advises on large-scale developments, and projects procured via the public procurement regime. Practice head Colin Jones is a key adviser to developers, contractors, and consultants, manufacturers across the UK. Jones works closely with associate Sardeep Gill, with both handling the negotiation of construction contracts and settlements, as well as resolving disputes through litigation, adjudication, and arbitration. Gill recently led a team advising developers on multimillion-pound residential accommodation projects in Brighton and Haverhill.

JG Poole & Co. LLP‘s construction, public procurement, subsidy control and real estate investment practice is praised by clients for its 'pragmatic approach to problem solving that is always to a very high standard'. The Ely based practice assists education and public sector clients with large and complex construction projects. Practice head Katherine Souter is a qualified NEC3 project manager with ECC Project Manager Accreditation. ‘Approachable, responsive and friendly‘ legal director Robert Weatherley, who has a niche specialism in Chinese law, frequently assists Knapp UK Limited with design and installation contracts.

The practice at Howes Percival LLP  assists an impressive client base of commercial developers, institutional lenders, contractors and consultants. The key lawyer is director Simon Franklin in Cambridge, who handles both both contentious and non-contentious construction matters. Franklin recently assisted The Property Investor Partnership Limited in its capacity as security trustee in the financing of high-value developments.

Prettys Solicitors LLP joins the ranking this year for the quality of its work on both contentious construction matters, including disputes arising from defective designs. The firm houses a ‘highly intelligent team that thinks things through properly and understands its clients’. Practice head Peter Blake predominantly handles construction disputes, though he also advises on the drafting and negotiation of contracts. Blake and litigation associate Michael Booth exhibit ‘strong legal and client understanding combined with a keen work ethic’.

Roythornes Solicitors offers clients 'true construction expertise and skills', frequently advising on contractual matters and representing contractors and systems integrators in matter concerning automated order fulfilment centres in UK and Northern Europe. The group also assists housebuilders and clients in the food and agriculture sectors. In Alconbury, Alex Forster  handles a variety of disputes, and Martin Jinks recently assisted Naylor Nutrition Group Ltd with the design and construction of a new plant.