Expertise

Natalie specialises in advising on disputes in relation to a wide range of construction projects including energy, manufacturing, retail, offices, hotels, infrastructure, student accommodation, stadia and commercial/private residential development. She is experienced in all forms of dispute resolution including adjudication, mediation, arbitration and litigation in the Technology and Construction Court. Clients she has advised include end users, developers, contractors, consultants, local authorities, SPVs, private clients and investment companies/funders.

She proactively works closely with her transactional colleagues and clients to anticipate issues before they arise and prevent disputes from escalating. In addition to her contentious experience, Natalie also has previously gained many years of valuable non-contentious construction experience. She has previously been involved in reviewing, drafting and negotiating a wide range of construction documents including development agreements, project agreements, building contracts, operation and maintenance agreements, parent company guarantees, bonds, consultant appointments, interface agreements and collateral warranties. This experience bolsters her skills as a contentious construction lawyer by providing her with in depth working knowledge of a wide range of documentation related to construction projects.

Recent Experience

• Acting for wind turbine manufacturer in relation to £15 million claim from employer in relation to defective blades on turbines at large wind farm
• Acting for a student accommodation developer in relation to cladding issues and negotiating the £5 million remediation of a student accommodation complex in Cardiff entirely at the contractor’s cost
• Acting for Russian oligarch in relation to personal construction dispute successfully defending two adjudications.
• Advising international architectural practice in relation to various claims made under the Pre Action Protocol for Construction & Engineering Disputes.
• Acting for a Premier League football club in relation to issues relating to the completion of their new stadium.
• Acting for a high-end residential developer in relation to a series of adjudications relating to a luxury development in Belgravia in relation to extension of time claims from large national contractor.
• Acting for an international contractor in relation to an arbitration relating to a payment dispute.
• Acting for property investment company in Technology & Construction Court proceedings relating to defective rainscreen cladding at office park and in subsequent mediation and settlement negotiations.
• Acting for Real Estate Investment Trust in relation to issues at practical completion of warehouse due to be handed over to online retail.

Career History

Natalie qualified as a solicitor in 2008 and became a Partner at Wedlake Bell in 2021. Immediately prior to joining Wedlake Bell, Natalie was at Taylor Wessing LLP for 8 years, three years of which she held the role of Senior Counsel. She has regularly contributed to industry publications including Construction News, the RICS iSurv and is featured as a leading construction lawyer in the Legal 500. She has also written numerous articles featured in Lexology.

She is a member of the Technology and Construction Solicitor’s Association and a member of the Society of Construction Law. Natalie has a degree in Law from The University of Bristol. She completed the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in London (formerly the College of Law) with Distinction.