Sarah Elliott

Partner

Head of Construction Team
Profile Image

Expertise

Sarah advises on a wide range of construction projects from inception to completion. Projects include new build and refurbishment of high end residential, office, retail, hotel, hospital and mixed use developments.

She also advises on the construction elements of complex property transactions acting for landlords, tenants, purchasers or sellers.

Sarah acts principally for developers, funders, property investors, consultants and specialist contractors.

She has also advised employers, contractors, sub-contractors and consultants involved in adjudication, proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court and various forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including mediation.

Sarah provides commentary and articles for Lexis PSL in her capacity as Editorial Board member.

Recent Experience

  • Advising tenant on the construction of a new state of the art 155,000 square foot (with option for a further 70,000 square feet) biotech facility providing a full non-contentious construction service liaising closely with the Landlord’s solicitors in relation to an agreement for lease, building contract, pre-construction services agreement, appointments and related documentation.
  • Advising hotel owner in relation to a high end hotel refurbishment in Mayfair to include liaising closely with the project team to put all relevant measures in place to reduce the impact of the works on the guests as the hotel will remain open during the works.
  • Advising on the redevelopment of a Grade 2 listed building within the Grosvenor Estate converting it from offices to a single high end luxury family home producing all construction documents for agreement with the project team and approval by the Grosvenor Estate and funder.
  • Acting for the developer owner in relation to the redevelopment of a Grade 1 listed 18,213 square feet prestigious terrace on the Grosvenor Estate providing a full non-contentious construction service and advising with our banking colleagues on a refinancing exercise negotiating a new facility agreement with all the related construction issues.
  • Advising owner on development of hotel for well-known budget hotel group.
  • Acting for a developer in relation to the redevelopment of a prime riverside location occupying 4.45 acres to provide 218 luxury residential units with 258 secure underground car parking spaces.

Career History

Sarah has a degree in mathematics from Imperial College London. She attended the College of Law, London to obtain her legal qualifications and then qualified as a solicitor in 2002 having trained at Wedlake Bell and became a partner in 2012.

She is a member of the Lexis PSL Construction Consulting Editorial Board and the Society of Construction Law. Sarah also regularly sits on the Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) drafting sub-committee.

She's a delight to work with and is incredibly helpful and proactive.

Chambers UK, 2023

Sarah is highly sophisticated, with great commercial acumen. She has an excellent understanding of client needs.

Chambers UK, 2023

Sarah Elliott is exceptional – exceptional contract knowledge and goes out of her way to support her client in whatever is needed.

Legal 500, 2023

Sarah Elliott in the construction team demonstrates dedication to the client’s needs. She understands the way the client operates and tailors her service to suit.

Legal 500, 2022

"Sarah is a recognised practitioner"

Chambers UK, 2018

Sarah Elliott is also a key contact.

Legal 500, 2017

She provides a ‘first-class service.’

Chambers UK, 2013

Clients praise her ability to ‘get straight to the nub of the matter'.

Chambers UK, 2012

Sarah is 'very eloquent, accessible and responsive'.

Chambers UK, 2011

News

Professional indemnity insurance for construction professionals- hard boiled?

The hardening of the professional indemnity market will not have escaped the notice of anyone in the construction industry recently renewing their cover or developers relying on it.  Factors includingRead more

News

Contractual Issues Arising from the National Mourning Period

On behalf of their members Build UK asked our construction team for general advice on the effect of mourning for the Queen and funeral Bank Holiday on building contracts. WithRead more

News

INFLATIONARY COSTS IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

The construction industry is experiencing inflationary pressures, not seen in the UK for 40 years.Unfortunately,  it is likely to be with the industry for some time to come. Below weRead more

Bulletins

Slaving away

What does the Modern Slavery Act do? It introduces a requirement for certain businesses to ensure there is no slavery or human trafficking in their own business and their supply chains. For those businessesRead more

Bulletins

Sectional Completion – are you sure your liquidated damages will be enforceable in the event of delay?  

Having gone to the lengths of negotiating a building contract with sectional completion, it is key that the technical description explaining which part of the works are included in eachRead more

Bulletins

Why it’s even more important now to check the interest clause within your building contracts and appointments – adjudication costs

In a recent case (Lulu Construction vs Mullalley & Co) the contractor benefitted from a legal uncertainty regarding compensation for late payment and was awarded his adjudication costs. Although theRead more

News

Silver linings in the material shortages clouds

In Construction Global, Partner Sarah Elliot discusses the positive measures from the current supply chain and material challenges. To read the full article please click here.

Building Safety Act

Construction Products and materials – testing & safety

The Government has recently published a report by Paul Morrell OBE and Anneliese Day KC titled “Testing for the Future – An Independent Review of the Construction Products Testing Regime“.Read more