Construction & Engineering
Richard has an extensive practice in the field of construction and engineering disputes. Richard acts for employers, contractors and sub-contractors, and related construction professionals. Richard undertakes drafting and advisory work, and regularly appears in the High Court (TCC) and Court of Appeal, both in his own cases, and as junior counsel. Richard is also instructed to act in adjudication and arbitration disputes. Richard is a co-author of Emden on Construction Law. Richard is ranked in both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for his work in construction law.
Selected Cases
- Acting in several ICC arbitrations arising out of the construction of major industrial plant in Saudi Arabia, with a combined value exceeding £200M.
- Acting for sub-contractors in major dispute relating to the construction of a steam generation plant in Saudi Arabia.
- Acting for sub-contractors in substantial dispute arising out of alleged defects in multiple off-shore wind farm projects.
- Acted for employer in multiple disputes arising out of construction of new university premises in north of England.
- Acted (led by Roger Ter Haar KC) for main contractors in a claim brought by the M&E subcontractor following delays to the construction of a landmark government building in a Middle East capital, including a substantial (US$100M+) counterclaim.
- Acted for the main contractor in a substantial (£30M+) TCC claim arising out of alleged defects in the construction of a distribution centre.
- Acted (led by David Sears KC) for M&E contractors in a substantial dispute arising out of the construction of a college.
- Acted (led by Ben Quiney KC) in construction defects insurance dispute arising from various warranties provided on a multi-million euro asset purchase, which involve issues of Austrian law.
- Counsel for Highways England in several disputes arising out of construction of highways infrastructure.
- Counsel for M&E contractors in dispute arising out of installation and operation of energy efficiency technology in national supermarket chain.
- Counsel for electrical contractors in a TCC claim brought by two major British retailers in respect of the installation, commissioning, testing and certification of electrical switchgear.
- Acting for main contractors in a claim brought by sub-contractors following the overturning of a piling rig on a building site.
- Acted for design and build contractors of a school extension in a claim arising out of water ingress caused by alleged defects in the design and construction of the building.
- Acted for civil / structural engineers in claim for unpaid fees following design of bus depot. Involved issues of contractual interpretation and allegations of professional negligence.
- Acting for owners of a warehouse in a claim against design and build contractors arising out of defects in the design and construction of the roof.
- Acting for sub-contractors in a substantial TCC dispute arising out of underpinning works connected with a large basement extension in London.
- Acted for sub-contractors in c.£4m dispute involving allegations of defective piling / ground improvement leading to the settlement of a leisure centre.
- Acted for main contractors in a substantial TCC dispute concerning the termination of a large petro-chemical process plant.
- Acted for defendant in dispute arising out of damage caused to property as a result of building works, and effect of Party Wall Act.
- Acted for electrical contractors in substantial dispute involving allegations of defects in the design, supply, installation and commissioning of an off-shore windfarm.
Awards
- Arbitration Club Phillip Ranner Prize
- Kings College Construction Law Association Prize
- Lord Mansfield Scholar (BVC), Lincoln’s Inn
- Lord Haldane Scholar (CPE), Lincoln’s Inn
Articles
- King v Stiefel: a useful guide to making and responding to wasted costs applications
- New Guidance Published on Responsible Contractual Behaviour
News
- King v Stiefel: a useful guide to making and responding to wasted costs applications
- Success in Metal-on-Metal hip group litigation
Events
Qualifications
- BA History (First Class), Oxford University
- CPE (Distinction), City University
- BVC (Very Competent), BPP University
- MSc Construction Law & Dispute Resolution (Distinction)
Memberships
- Technology and Construction Court Bar Association (TECBAR)
- Society of Construction Law
- Adjudication Society
- Young International Arbitration Group
- Professional Negligence Bar Association
- Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR)
- London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association (LCLCBA)
Recommendations
“Richard has provided comprehensive advice at all stages and has been particularly strong in conference, in complex and changing areas of law, coupled with strong drafting skills and advocacy.”
Legal 500, 2023
“Richard is great on detail, and on working with technical experts to ensure sometimes extremely complex technical issues are presented in the most effective and comprehensible way. He is very easy to get on with, user-friendly, and good with clients and experts.” “Tactically astute; very user friendly. No obvious weaknesses.”
Legal 500, 2023
“He is a pleasure to work with, extremely responsive and produces tightly written well considered pleadings and advice.” “”Richard is very good on the detail as well as the analysis of the law and expert issues.” “”He is a pleasure to work with, extremely responsive and produces tightly written well considered pleadings and advice.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023
“He advises his clients with great skill and sensitivity and he’s an excellent team player and a brilliant advocate.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“Richard is a class act and very knowledgeable. His key strengths from an international perspective are his ability to work as part of a team and his excellent tactical acumen. His advice is clear, concise, and commercially-minded.”
Legal 500, 2022
“His attention to detail is very good and he always thinks through to the end game. He is thoroughly easy to deal with, very approachable and very good with clients.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“Richard’s technical expertise is first rate, but his true strength is his ability to communicate complex technical legal issues in a manner which is readily understandable by the lay clients.”
Legal 500, 2021
“A very responsive and thorough purveyor of sound, measured analysis. He is also very easy to deal with.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
“Very hardworking and will dedicate himself to a case. He is always available to provide a guiding hand and his advice is invaluable.” “His quiet confidence belies a sharp, keen mind and a steady, measured determination and focus that make him an incredibly reassuring and competent advocate to work with.” “He is tactically astute, responds quickly and has excellent drafting skills.”
Legal 500, 2021
“He is sharp and focused and has an unassuming brilliance.” “He is very collaborative in his approach.” “He is exceptional and very highly regarded.”
Legal 500, 2020
“Extremely sensible and a really good, safe pair of hands.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
