Construction
The Construction team advises at every stage of the construction life cycle, from feasibility planning and design, throughout the procurement of the building project, to successful completion. The team plays a proactive role in any project team – responding to the client’s needs and driving the project forward. In the event that a dispute arises, the team is skilled at guiding the client through problems, obtaining legal and technical expert input and if necessary, representing the client in adjudication, litigation, arbitration or alternative dispute resolution as required.
They are experienced across the real estate industry sector spectrum in advising on project procurement strategy and implementation; risk allocation and insurance; tender agreements; joint venture arrangements; framework agreements; pre construction and before construction engineering contracts for commercial developments, infrastructure and engineering projects; consultant appointments; development agreements; project management agreements; payment and performance security and third party rights; operation, maintenance and supply contracts.
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. With… Read more →
News
Legal Moves – April 2022
This article was originally published in Legal Moves V18.06, 15th April 2022 issue.
News
Wedlake Bell: Multiple Appointments – New Law Journal
Pleased to share the appointment of Adam Betts (IP and Commercial), Harriet Forster (Commercial Property), Brad Fearn (Construction), Natalie Pilagos (Construction) and Lindy Day (Projects and Infrastructure) as Partners has… Read more →
News
Ukraine conflict, rising costs and claims?
I am pleased to have contributed to this insightful article in Building Magazine on the potential for contractual claims for delays and costs arising from the impact of the Ukraine… Read more →
News
WEDLAKE BELL PROMOTES FIVE NEW PARTNERS
Wedlake Bell is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam Betts (IP and Commercial), Harriet Forster (Commercial Property), Brad Fearn (Construction), Natalie Pilagos (Construction) and Lindy Day (Projects and Infrastructure)… Read more →
Bulletins
Cartels and Cover Pricing
1. What is a business cartel and what are cartel activities? A cartel exists when rival businesses agree to act together instead of competing. This agreement is usually secret and… Read more →
News
Certifiable! Another looming blow for supply of construction materials?
Much has been written recently about the current issues facing supply of construction materials and the resulting effect on project cost and programme (including my comments of 13 May 2021:… Read more →
News
30 YEAR LIMITATION PERIOD INTRODUCED INTO BUILDING SAFETY BILL
In the House of Commons a very significant amendment was made to the Building Safety Bill in January whereby, if it remains in the Bill, claimants will be able to… Read more →
News
Construction Contracts – a weapon in the fight to save the world?
With climate discussions dominating the headlines and COP26 commencing in Glasgow, it is inevitable that such discussions will also be edging their way up corporate agendas. The built environment reportedly… Read 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.
News
Time to think outside the (Big) Box? – Material Shortages and Logistics
There has been much commentary of late on the effects of material and labour shortages arising due to several factors not least COVID-19, Brexit and global supply chain issues: Bricks-it!… Read more →
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 including… Read more →
Bulletins
CLAIMING FOR COVID
Covid has become such a major part of our personal and business lives but so far as construction contracts are concerned, where are we a year on? In April 2020… Read more →
Campaigns
Tomorrow’s City, Today’s Challenge
What’s it all about? The World Health Organisation predicted that by 2030 over 60% of the world’s population will live in cities. What will that mean for the built environment… Read more →
"knowledgeable, thorough and attentive."
— Chambers UK, 2022
"[provides] practical advice that offers solutions."
— Chambers UK, 2022
Offering diverse expertise, the team at Wedlake Bell LLP acts on behalf of owners, funders and operators both domestically and internationally. Its sector specialities include a strong focus on care sector projects, as well as expertise in housebuilding, medtech and high-end residential work. Sarah Elliott heads up the team, acting on a number of high-value matters. Helen Garthwaite and Suzanne Reeves are also well regarded.
— Legal 500, 2022
Helen Garthwaite is very personable and easy to work with, and she provided excellent advice throughout.
— Legal 500, 2022
An excellent team of lawyers. They work well together, with other teams within the firm and with external consultants.
— Legal 500, 2022
An extremely responsive, practical and helpful team who know our business intimately and can be trusted to get on with the job efficiently and always deliver a quality product. Key differentiation is knowledge of our business, trust and relationships with the right people, developed over years, making it a relatively hands-off work-stream for the in-house lawyer.
— Legal 500, 2022
Suzanne Reeves’ depth of knowledge of the sector and our business and very personable nature are highly valued. She has ensured a consistent calibre of associates who always provide a thorough and reliable service. They make it easy for us and have always kept our trust over many years.
— Legal 500, 2022
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. Wedlake Bell has introduced an online collaboration portal and loads contracts, appointments and other legal documents in a place where we can easily find and download them for all our different projects.
— Legal 500, 2022
Wedlake Bell has a diverse pool of talent that has been extremely useful to us as a company when looking at the various types of contractual arrangements we use within our business. All of the team are professional, conscientious and commercially minded as well as having the ability to explain complicated matters simply to their clients.
— Legal 500, 2022
The firm has a very good and professional approach and is responsive to all our requirements.
— Chambers UK, 2021
'Clients appreciate the team for its "very detailed understanding of the realities of working in the construction sector for both SMEs and large contractors" as well as its "really practical and helpful advice".
— Chambers UK, 2020
'The team has a commercial and pragmatic approach.'
— Legal 500, 2020
"They are commercial but pragmatic and to the point, but they still comprehensively go through strategy."
— Chambers UK, 2018
"Every lawyer there has a good depth of knowledge. They're very friendly and easy to deal with."
— Chambers UK, 2018