Next Generation Partners

Rising Stars

Firms To Watch: Construction

Gateley Legal NI, led by Lisa Boyd and Mark Lennon, continues to expand, with Stephen McGuigan and Ryan Wilson joining from Tughans and Herbert Smith Freehills LLP respectively.

Construction in Northern Ireland

A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP

A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP acts on a broad variety of complex construction and infrastructure mandates, with a strong record in both contentious and non-contentious matters. Highly experienced team lead Brendan Fox has been involved in major projects throughout his career, and is noted for his dispute resolution expertise. Tracey Schofield acts for high profile developers and investors on a range of matters, and Micaela Diver is a key contact for public procurement, planning, and judicial reviews. Senior associate James Flanagan has experience in all forms of construction and engineering contracts.

Responsables de la pratique:

Brendan Fox


Autres avocats clés:

Micaela Diver; Tracey Schofield; James Flanagan; Claire McGoldrick


Les références

‘Any individual we have worked with in ALG have always been prepared to push above and beyond, which aligns very much to our own ethos. Communication is always good from any of the individuals, and they are always happy to work around busy schedules.’

‘Brendan Fox, partner, is very experienced, quickly identifying weaknesses within a client’s position, bringing a common sense approach to a client’s expectation under law, and developing a strategy to best deal with the legal issues at hand.’

‘Very strong team of specialist construction and engineering lawyers – excellent client base, very commercially minded and excellent legal knowledge and experience.’

Principaux clients

Northern Ireland Housing Executive


The Old Bushmills Distillery Company


Kingsbridge Private Hospital Limited


Kainos


McAleer & Rushe Ltd


Northern Ireland Water


Farrans/ Sacyr Joint Venture


Newriver Reit


Granville Ecopark Limited


Connex Offsite Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Prepared a Deed of Consent which had been requested by the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company in respect of proposed construction works for the Transport Hub in Belfast City Centre, on behalf of Northern Ireland Water.
  • Advised Dawson Wam on a dispute related to piling works that DWL had carried out for Westfield Europe Limited in relation to the construction of 1223 luxury apartments at Westfield Shopping Centre Complex in Olympic Park, London.
  • Advising McAleer and Rushe as developers of the Ewart Building Complex, a listed building which has undergone significant redevelopment.

Carson McDowell

Carson McDowell's large team of dedicated construction law specialists offers comprehensive expertise in planning, procurement, and health and safety, in addition to contractual and dispute resolution matters. The group has broad sector expertise, with areas of strength including social housing, education, and the agri-food sector. Heading the team is Stuart Murphy, who has significant experience working in both contentious and non-contentious matters across Northern Ireland and England. John Dugdale is experienced in litigation and arbitration, and advises on the project delivery process of high value and complex mandates from end to end. Associate Gavin Kerr is a key name.

Responsables de la pratique:

Stuart Murphy


Autres avocats clés:

John Dugdale; Gavin Kerr


Les références

‘The construction team are well versed in contemporary issues, always commercially astute and provide clients with value for money.’

‘John Dugdale – really excellent demeanour, very approachable and makes sense from madness. Stuart Murphy – very experienced, can quickly cut to the chase of the issues that matter.’

Principaux clients

Belfast Harbour Commissioners


Translink


McAleer and Rushe


GRAHAM


Gilbert-Ash


Queen’s University, Belfast


Royal County Down Golf Club


Education Authority


Ulster University


Oakland Holdings


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for Queen’s University Belfast in relation to several major projects being funded under the Belfast Region City Deals scheme, including the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre.
  • Representing John Graham Construction in a significant ICC arbitration and other related proceedings arising out of a renewable energy project.
  • Acting for Historic Royal Palaces in proceedings arising out of works to a unique major historic building in Northern Ireland.

Tughans

Tughans provides the full range of specialist construction law services across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and England and Wales. The 'focused, professional' group is jointly led by Michael McCord and Tim Kinney. McCord specialises in dispute resolution, and has expertise in litigation, arbitration, adjudication and mediation. Kinney advises on major commercial and public construction projects in a broad range of sectors, including energy, waste, retail and transport. Associate director Grainne Kirk is a key name for construction disputes.

Responsables de la pratique:

Michael McCord; Tim Kinney


Autres avocats clés:

Grainne Kirk


Les références

‘We deal mainly with Tim Kinney on construction contract law and find his specialist knowledge invaluable.’

‘Given Tim comes from a construction background, he understands the complexities of each contract we enter into, and together we try and mitigate risks.’

‘Tughans’ construction team has vast, long term experience in the industry. They are used to high level projects and their complexity.’

Principaux clients

Indaver NV


Department for Infrastructure


BT Ireland,


FP McCann Limited


Deloitte LLP


Admiral Care Services


Dale Farm


BAM McCann (Joint Venture)


Ardagh Metal Beverage UK Limited


Adston Limited


Principaux dossiers


Pinsent Masons Belfast LLP

Pinsent Masons Belfast LLP works as part of the firm's all-Ireland team, and has key expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Ciaran McNamara leads the team, and is qualified in Northern Ireland, England and Wales, and the Republic of Ireland.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ciaran McNamara


Principaux clients

NTR


SUSI Partners


Sacyr Somague


Arthur Cox Belfast

Arthur Cox Belfast fields a team described as 'responsive, direct and always commercial', with expertise in high value contentious and non-contentious matters. Cahal Carvill co-leads the team alongside William Curry. Carvill covers the full spectrum of construction matters, and has experience working both within Northern Ireland and internationally. Curry specialises in non-contentious projects, and works with clients from inception to completion. Associate Darren Fitzsimmons is an integral member of the team.

Responsables de la pratique:

William Curry; Cahal Carvill


Autres avocats clés:

Darren Fitzsimons


Les références

‘The team has a very broad range of knowledge and very high professional standards. Professional work is always carried out to the highest standard and on a timely basis.’

‘I work with Cahal Carvill. He is very commercial and understands my business requirements. I have always found Cahal very professional, knowledgeable and approachable.’

‘They are simply the best in the business – responsive, direct and always commercial. They are trusted advisers who we feel are an extension of our business.’

Principaux clients

Apex Housing Association (Glenmona)


John Graham Construction Limited


Receivers of Roadbridge Limited


Department for Communities


Mutual Energy Limited


Ostick & Williams Ltd


TES Group Ltd (Hinchley Point C)


William Coates Limited


Welltower Inc (Project Gold)


Donegall Quay Management Company Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Apex Housing Association on its development of the largest single social housing scheme in the history of Northern Ireland.
  • Acting as lead advisors to the Department for Communities on the Stadia Funding project, which includes the Casement Park Stadium Project.
  • Advised Mutual Energy Limited on the recently completed state-of-the-art refurbishment of the Moyle Interconnector’s control system.

Cleaver Fulton Rankin

Cleaver Fulton Rankin‘s dedicated team of construction lawyers cover the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Team lead Patrick Fleming has expertise in construction and procurement law, and regularly advises local authorities on high value projects. Aaron Moore, who heads the contentious construction team, has a particular focus on dilapidations claims. Anna McClimonds, who made director in November 2022, specialises in construction disputes, and acts for private clients, councils, and construction companies.

Responsables de la pratique:

Patrick Fleming


Autres avocats clés:

Aaron Moore; Anna McClimmonds


Les références

‘Strong depth of resource and highly competent and diligent team.’

‘Patrick Fleming – clear communicator. Always available and quick to address queries.’

‘A professional and competent service.’

Principaux clients

Northern Regional College


Northern Ireland Housing Executive


BAM FP McCann JV


Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council


BDO


Lyric Theatre


Leading Property Developer


Non-departmental government body


Department for Infrastructure


Principaux dossiers


Caldwell Solicitors

Specialist construction, engineering and procurement law practice Caldwell Solicitors, founded in 2018, fields a growing team with a record of contentious and non-contentious work across Northern Ireland and internationally. Team lead and managing director Kenny Caldwell is a well-regarded practitioner with experience in all areas of construction law. ‘Committed and detail focused’ associate solicitor Stefan Berry has experience working across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Responsables de la pratique:

Kenny Caldwell


Autres avocats clés:

Stefan Berry


Les références

‘Caldwell Solicitors make you feel like you are their only client!’

‘The attention to detail and professionalism of Stefan Berry is unparalleled. It is a small boutique firm with real specialist knowledge and committed lawyers. It punches above its weight.’

‘Stefan Berry is a committed and detail focused individual. His work ethic is second to none.’

Principaux clients

Waterways Ireland


Combined Facilities Management Ltd


Pure Fitout Associated Limited


Ballymore Civils Limited


Entegro Limited


Oakleaf Contracts (Europe) Limited


Atlas Fire & Security (NI) Limited


Michael Nugent Limited


M. Clarke & Sons Ltd


Esidock Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Combined Facilities Management Limited as a notice party in respect of procurement challenge proceedings in relation to a procurement process which it was the successful tenderer.
  • Advised one of the world’s leading electrical engineering and manufacturing firms in respect of an agreement worth $25m for the supply of switchboards and distribution panels to a multinational technology conglomerate.
  • Negotiating the appointment of Entegro Limited for various design and construction works, as part of the installation of full fibre optic broadband across Ireland, for a multinational telecommunications company.

DWF

The DWF Belfast team works alongside the firm’s other offices across the UK and Ireland to provide a comprehensive multijurisdictional service. David McNeice, who is qualified in Northern Ireland, England and Wales, and the Republic of Ireland, leads the construction and infrastructure team across all three jurisdictions. Senior associate Aine McGuinness specialises in construction disputes.

Responsables de la pratique:

David McNeice


Autres avocats clés:

Aine McGuiness


Les références

‘Strong team with good support for all queries.’

‘Always available and informed on the case progression.’

Principaux clients

Whitbread PLC


Welsh National Government (GCRE Limited)


National Museums Liverpool


Oceanglade


Gulermak


Johnson Matthey


Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists


Severn Trent PLC


Royal Borough of Greenwich


Liverpool City Council


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for Gülermak, a leading Turkish engineering and construction company, tendering for the Washwood Heath depot and NCC as part of the HS2 project.
  • Acting for Oceanglade in relation to the development and sale of the largest self-storage portfolio across the island of Ireland.
  • Advising Liverpool City Council in relation to drafting and procuring the very first NEC4 Facilities Management Contract in the UK.

Mills Selig

Mills Selig is a prominent name in the residential sector, and is highly active for housing association clients. The 'approachable and helpful' Adrian Kerr leads the practice, and covers the full range of contentious and non-contentious construction matters. Associate Conor Mulligan has experience in construction, engineering and procurement disputes.

Responsables de la pratique:

Adrian Kerr


Autres avocats clés:

Conor Mulligan


Les références

‘Sound understanding of construction related legal matters. Contactable and available to discuss matters – time spent to understand nuance of the client and approach is adapted to meet specific client requirements – that is important to ourselves.’

‘Adrian Kerr – approachable and helpful. Will make self available to support client approach.’

Principaux clients

Clanmil Housing Association


Radius Housing Association


Belfast International Airport


Choice Housing Association


McAdam Design Limited


Mott MacDonald Limited


Glenfort Timber Engineering


Habinteg Housing Association (Ulster) Limited


Urban Pulse


Braidwater Homes


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for Clanmil Housing on all construction matters.
  • Acting for Choice Housing Association in relation to its extensive, ongoing construction project portfolio.
  • Acting for Habinteg Housing Association Limited on all construction aspects of a new 150-home housing development at the Old Adria Factory Site in Strabane.