Full Profile
Michael advises across the full spectrum of contentious construction, engineering and projects matters, including issues of payment, valuations, deductions, delay, disruption, defects, suspension and termination. Michael has a thorough working knowledge of NEC, JCT, FIDIC, IChemE and bespoke contracts.
Michael has specialist expertise in the energy, infrastructure and healthcare sectors and PFI/PPP projects nationally and internationally, acting for clients in the Technology and Construction Court, and at arbitrations, adjudications and mediations.
Clients describe Michael as a "first-rate lawyer with a straightforward approach and a sharp intellect" who "delves into the detail quickly and translates complicated legal issues into sensible and business friendly advice."
Experience
- Defending over a dozen adjudications launched simultaneously and without notice by two subcontractors claiming time and money under a project subject to the Official Secrets Act, resulting in a successful outcome for the client.
- Acting as project counsel for an international joint venture on the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, a C$2bn PPP project in Canada, resolving disputes with the supply chain and employer.
- Acting for the subcontractor in a multi-party, cross-border dispute on a wind farm in Kherson Oblast, Ukraine, successfully preventing a multi-million dollar bond call.
- Acting for a major national contractor on a multi-party PFI dispute defending a claim for defects and deductions in excess of £100m.
- Acting for the employer in a claim against the contractor for liquidated damages and defective work on a nuclear project in the UK.
- Acting for a contractor in an arbitration defending a claim for defect rectification costs and delay damages brought by the employer on a Canadian project.
- Resolving a £15m final account dispute for a specialist subcontractor against a contractor on an internationally renowned sports ground by strategically commencing a series of successful adjudications resulting in a positive negotiated settlement.
- Providing project advisory support to a Middle Eastern employer on an international airport expansion facing significant delays and cost overspend.
- Defending a contractor in a £8m final account adjudication brought by a specialist subcontractor in relation to a landmark national headquarters building.
