The importance of setting up well drafted contracts at the outset of a project cannot be underestimated. They act as a rule book for the project, setting out the risks, responsibilities and obligations on the parties.

Additionally, it is often a condition precedent to development funding that your contracts are institutionally acceptable, and engaging a solicitor early may avoid costly delays to your project funding.

Construction & engineering contracts are often complicated, with detailed provisions and documents. Our team are experienced in dealing with a wide range of industry standard form contractsincluding JCT, NEC, ICE, IChemE, MF/1 and FIDIC together with the bespoke amendments that regularly accompany those contracts.

We offer specialist expertise and experience in drafting, negotiating and completing a range of construction & engineering documents, including:

• Building Contracts;
• Sub-Contracts;
• Professional Appointments (including Sub-Consultant Appointments);
• Framework Agreements;
• Novation Agreements;
• Collateral Warranties;
• Letters of Reliance;
• Notices of Assignment; and
• Performance Bonds and Guarantees.

Our team also regularly draft and negotiate provisions within:

• Development Agreements;
• Agreements for Lease; and
• Funding Agreements.

We appreciate that you may also wish to seek a ‘high-level’ opinion on any proposed contracts you are asked to enter into (e.g. at tender stage) so we also offer a ‘red flag’ contract review service, providing you with a short report identifying potential key risks for you within the document.

Our experience includes:

• Advising a client in connection with the design, build and operation of a new wastewater treatment plant in southern Europe;
• Advising the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on a variety of matters including drafting numerous construction and engineering contracts based upon the NEC and JCT suites and carrying out due diligence on the construction documents provided in property transactions;
• Advising Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to negotiate and complete a construction contract for the provision of an aseptic drug manufacturing hub in Northumberland based upon an amended NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract;
• Advising a North East based contractor in relation to the multi-million pound building contracts and ancillary documents for the provision of residential units on a large, high profile redevelopment of a local city centre;
• Negotiating contracts on behalf of Meldrum Construction Services Ltd for;-
  • the construction of an office facility forming part of the wider construction of the world’s largest bespoke XXXL monopile (40-70m depth) manufacturing facility at Teesworks;
  • the completion of a new mixed-use development at Bedlington Town Centre, Northumberland for Advanced Northumberland;
• Negotiating the construction contracts for a multi million pound school and residential development in West London;
• Advising The Auckland Project on the construction contracts for its renovation of the historic Auckland Castle and rejuvenation of the town of Bishop Auckland;
• Advising a well known food retailer in the construction, supply, installation and commissioning of an automated freezer facility in a new build 3,650m2 high bay frozen storage area;
• Acting for a City of London based main contractor in connection with the design, construction and completion of a residential development of 92 containerised dwellings for the homeless in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham;
• Drafting and negotiating the entire suite of construction contracts for a Bedfordshire – based care home operator in respect of a two phased development comprising the construction of a 72 bed nursing home and 42 extra care apartments with a combined build cost of over £10 million;
• Drafting and negotiating the construction contract for the first professional sports club in the North East to install a 3G synthetic pitch as their main playing surface;
• Acting for a large Norfolk – based care home operator, drafting and negotiating the entire suite of construction contracts for the construction of 25 assisted living bungalows and a 60 bed care home with a combined build cost of over £7 million;
• Acting for a housing developer to negotiate a complex Project Management and Development Agreement for the management and construction of a 37 unit development, including profit sharing provisions; and
• Drafting and negotiating the entire suite of construction contracts on behalf of a Christian care provider in respect of a new 48 bed residential care home for the elderly in Chippenham.

If we can assist you in any way, or if you simply want to discuss the needs of your construction and engineering project, we would be delighted to meet with you either in our office or at your office to discuss your issues. Please contact us at any time.