Construction & Engineering
Henk is ranked as a “Leading Junior” in Construction (Legal500, 2026) and as a “Rising Star” in Professional Negligence (Legal500, 2025-2026). He is regularly instructed to act in a wide range of construction disputes. His practice includes disputes relating to payment, delay, building safety defects and various other forms of defective performance. Henk is currently editing Chapter 11 (Liability for Design) of Emden’s Construction Law and he is also writing a book on the DPA 1972 and BSA 2022. He is frequently instructed in claims relating to, or arising out of, building safety defects, including, in particular, fire safety related defects.
Selected Cases
- Acting for the defendant building contractor in TCC proceedings (c. £3.5m) relating to alleged defects in the design and construction of a bespoke and high-value residential premises (JCT Intermediate Building Contract with Contractor’s Design).
- Acting for an architectural services provider in its successful defence of a multi-party negligence claim (c. £900k) arising from design and construction works relating to a residential care home: Firdous v ED & Ors[2025] EWHC 90 (TCC).
- Acting for a resident management company in an application for a remediation order arising from fire safety and structural defects in a large residential development
- Acting for and advising the owner and developer of five residential blocks (c. 150 flats) in multi-party TCC proceedings (c. £10m+) which includes a P20 claim against a major insulation manufacturer under section 149 of the BSA 2022.
- Acting for and advising the owner and developer of two residential blocks (c. 50 flats) in a fire safety defect claim in the TCC (c.£8m) brought under the DPA 1972.
- Acting for the main contractor in adjudication proceedings (£1m+) against an architectural subcontractor relating to defective works and significant water ingress at a well-known sports venue.
- Acting for a local council in adjudication proceedings relating to alleged non-compliance with the instruction and valuation procedures under a NEC4 Term Service Contract and alleged misrepresentations during tender period (suggested value £1m+).
- Acting for the freehold owner of a residential apartment block in a claim (c. £2m) brought under a collateral warranty for failure to identify patent defects (including fire safety defects) during development works.
- Acting for a façade subcontractor in TCC proceedings (c. £800k) relating to alleged cracking in the rendered façade of a major commercial office building.
- Acting for groups of leaseholders in various claims arising from fire safety defects in residential developments across the country, including in FTT proceedings.
- Acting for a developer in adjudication proceedings (c. £7m) relating to fire safety defects at a large residential development.
- Acting for a building owner in adjudication proceedings (c. £2m) relating to defective waterproofing works and flooding damage at a major commercial office building.
Awards
- Lord Brougham Scholar, Lincoln’s Inn (2017)
- Lord Denning Scholar, Lincoln’s Inn (2018)
Articles
News
Qualifications
- BSc. Politics & Philosophy, First Class, London School of Economics
- GDL, City University
- BPTC, City University
Memberships
- PIBA
- SCL
- COMBAR
- LCLCBA
Rankings
Recommendations
“Henk is exceptionally talented at explaining the most complex of issues in a simplistic manner, which is appreciated by both us as instructing solicitors, and by our clients.”…”a really strong junior with good experience of dealing with clients and tricky cases.”
Chambers & Partners, 2026
“Henk has excellent attention to detail and a rigorous approach to claims. He is particularly good at balancing the commercial and legal interests of the client and giving pragmatic advice.”…”A junior who is able to deal with the complex of instructions, leaving no stone unturned.”…”Henk’s advice is to the point and straightforward. He is very amiable and a lovely man.”
Legal 500, 2026
“Henk’s advice is to the point and straightforward. He is very amiable and a lovely man.”
Legal 500, 2026
“He drafts documents with close attention to detail and a keen eye for the issues that matter.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Henk pays great attention to detail and has an air of authority.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Outstanding attention to detail and clear unambiguous advice.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Henk is excellent, pragmatic and concise in his advice.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Henk is very knowledgeable and helpful. He has great attention to detail and is very good on cross-examination.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Henk is very clever and has a knack of being able to simplify difficult and complex concepts.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Sharp technical knowledge and a practical approach to tactical litigation.”
Legal 500, 2023
