Built Environment
Practical legal support for building and infrastructure projects
Growing populations, advances in technology and demand for cleaner energy and modes of transport call for significant investment in commercial and residential buildings, industrial facilities and public infrastructure.
This brings both opportunities and potential challenges for those involved in constructing the physical environment – from overcoming planning obstacles, developing creative design solutions and optimising the procurement process, to managing and documenting projects to avoid litigation and maximise returns.
Our Built Environment practice offers focused, solutions-driven legal and commercial guidance to those undertaking building and infrastructure projects to meet these challenges.
We have advised on building and infrastructure projects the world over, providing those undertaking, or who are affected by, projects with the highest standards of advice.
We count UK-based and international organisations amongst our clients – from public bodies and Government procurement agencies to property developers, industrial facility owners, building and civil engineering contractors and those who operator and fund real estate, manufacturing, energy, transport and public infrastructure projects.
Such a diverse client base and range of projects enables us to understand the concerns and objectives of all project stakeholders and interested parties, to deliver the best possible outcome.
Our people, your team
Working closely with you, we will help you to achieve your aims, whatever your interests in a project may be.
You will find our lawyers to be both responsive and pragmatic in their approach. We focus on the issues that matter and make sure that all documents work together, providing carefully drafted transaction documentation consistent with industry best practice.
How we help
Our advice spans the lifecycle of all building and infrastructure projects – from initial concept, structuring, and development through bidding, financing, construction and operation to decommissioning and site remediation.
We develop robust, well-conceived structures and documentation, providing mature, considered counselling on construction, development and asset management issues throughout the operational life of buildings and infrastructure.
We also advise on the different methods for procuring works and services, including:
- Traditional contracting on industry standard form documentation such as FIDIC, JCT, NEC, IMechE/IET and IChemE
- Use of bespoke construction documentation for more complex engineering and construction projects
- Development of public sector projects under public-private partnership and other private finance arrangements.
Occasionally, projects may not go to plan, and our dispute resolution team is able to assist with claims counselling and mediation services, if required.
Contact usOur services include:
- Feasibility studies and risk assessments
- Commerical risk management
- Joint ventures and other collaborate structures
- Commercial contracts
- Transaction structuring
- Claims counselling and project outcome reviews
- Contract documentation drafting
Recent work
Alternative energy
An Asian infrastructure fund in connection with their investments in the development of hydro-power and rooftop solar energy projects in Pakistan and Nepal.
Local and International development
A UK real estate developer in connection with the proposed acquisition, financing and development of sites in the UK and the United Arab Emirates.
Overseas development advice
An infrastructure fund in connection with the development under public-private partnership arrangements of a mixed-use commercial and government accommodation project in the United Arab Emirates.
House building contracts
A UK contractor in connection with a house building contract for a property in Southern England.
New build hotel in Europe
A hotel developer in connection with its agreement with a major hotel operator for the construction and branding of a new-build apartohotel in Spain.
