Construction and Development

Our specialist Construction and Development Team deals with all aspects of disputes arising out of construction projects and the development of property.

We are regularly instructed to deal with high-value commercial JCT contract disputes across England and Wales, and it is a measure of our position in the legal services market that we are the exclusive provider of legal services to the Federation of Master Builders (“FMB”) in Wales as well as providing services to the FMB nationally.

In addition to high value and complex cases, we also handle smaller, domestic disputes as well. Our overriding aim is to provide you with the best possible advice, which is practical and straightforward, in order to assist you to resolve your dispute.

The best way of resolving a construction dispute as quickly and as effectively as possible will depend upon individual circumstances and the provisions of the contract. For that reason, we tailor our advice to the particular needs of our clients.

In assisting you to resolve your dispute we may consider various methods of resolution. We deal with all forms of dispute resolution on a regular basis, including Mediation, Adjudication, Arbitration and proceedings through the Courts at all levels. For that reason, we will discuss with you which is the most appropriate method of resolution for you before embarking on one particular route.

We have a wide experience of acting for and against developers, main contractors, sub-contractors, homeowners, architects, surveyors and structural engineers in disputes covering all aspects of construction. The type of claims which we are most commonly asked to help resolve involve: –

• Incomplete Works
• Defective Works
• Application and recovery of LADs
• Extensions of Time
• Loss & Expense claims
• Professional negligence

At Berry Smith, we recognize that construction-related disputes can often form part of broader issues relating to the development of property. The Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 independent guides to the legal profession has ranked our Property Dispute Resolution Team as one of best in Wales, and both this team and the Construction & Development Team work together closely in order to provide our clients with a complete service.

If you have a problem, or if you are simply looking for further information, our specialist solicitors are always happy to have a discussion with you on a no-obligation basis. If you are member of the FMB, your membership entitles you to a free fifteen-minute telephone consultation with the team.