Expertise

Matthew advises on a wide range of construction and engineering projects in a variety of sectors (both private and public). He advises clients throughout the lifecycle of projects from drafting and negotiating contractual documentation at the outset to advising on issues arising during the project, including distress and insolvency scenarios. Matthew is familiar with most standard form construction contracts including JCT, NEC, MF/1, FIDIC and IChemE and he regularly advises on amendments to such forms as well advising on bespoke documentation.

Matthew acts for developers, end-users, funders, investors as well as specialist contractors and consultants. Recent projects include the new build and refurbishment of retail, office, mixed use, healthcare and heritage developments. Matthew has also advised on a number complex UK and international engineering and infrastructure projects in the utilities, transport, processing plant and energy sectors.

Recent Experience

Private Sector

• Acting for UK producer and retailer of skincare products on all construction documentation for the construction of its new automated production and logistics facility.
• Acting for a life sciences company which researches and manufactures respiratory appliances and medicines on all construction documentation for the construction of its new build HQ development and testing facility in the UK.
• Acting for UK PLC healthcare provider on the development of its new central records storage and warehousing facility.
• Acting for UK PLC healthcare provider on construction of two new hospitals and other major developments including operating theatres and other “clean” rooms, advising from procurement through to completion including dispute resolution.
• Acting for a UK retailer on the funding, leasing and construction of drive-thru buildings on multiple sites across their UK estate.
• Acting for a food retailer advising in relation to the construction of a new food processing and refrigerated storage facility using an amended MF/1 contract and associated construction documentation.
• Acting for healthcare provider on construction of two new hospitals and two other major developments, advising from procurement through to completion including dispute resolution.
• Acting for care home provider in the acquisition and £60m development of ten care homes and advising on the development funding and construction security document elements.
• Acting for a Chinese developer and EPC Contractor in the formation of a consortium and the drafting and negotiation of related bespoke (FIDIC-based) contractual documentation to construct Chile’s biggest transmission project to transport energy across 1,500km.
• Acting for a heritage site to renovate and refurbish an ancient Castle and associated buildings in the North East of England.

Public Sector

• Advising a UK Government Agency on the circa £1bn upgrade and fit out of a safe processing and storage facility for nuclear waste based on NEC ECC conditions.
• Advising a UK Government Agency in the nuclear sector on the drafting and negotiation of a suite of multi-lot professional services NEC framework agreements.
• Acting for a local government body in the renewal of its CCTV and other technology repair and upgrade works across its large transport network by means of a number of bespoke multi-lot NEC ECC and bespoke framework agreements.
• Acting for a London Borough Council and advising on the re-development of its headquarters into a multi-use site.
• Acting for a Channel Island Government on the construction of a new sewage treatment works development and advising on ongoing issues including insolvency-related matters.

Career History

Matthew graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2009 with a degree in Ancient History and Archaeology. He subsequently completed the GDL and LPC and started working at Wedlake Bell in 2011.

Matthew qualified into the Construction team at Wedlake Bell in September 2014 where he worked until November 2018. He re-joined the firm in January 2022.

Matthew is a member of the Technology and Construction Solicitors’ Association and The Society of Construction Law.