Contracts and project advisory

Our renowned contracts and projects advisory team have advised on some of the biggest projects across the globe, providing expert advice with a commercial dimension.

Contracts and project advisory

The team advise on all front-end aspects of projects, including: contract reviews and tender checks; contract formation and project procurement; tender procedures and competitions; the negotiation and conclusion of contract documents; joint venturing and contractual entitlement; project variations; and dispute avoidance.

We have extensive experience of advising on various procurement routes, including: traditional, design and build, construction management, management construction, partnering, alliancing and PPP, including PFI and LIFT.

Recently, we have advised on several variations and terminations on long-term contracts including two of the largest by value PFIs procured in the UK.

The team are often involved in innovative procurement procedures, such as drafting the first and second editions of the CIC BIM Protocol in the UK, and helping shape collaborative arrangements such as alliancing agreements by advising bidders during many competitive dialogues.

Our Contracts and project advisory Experience

Police stations, Democratic Republic of Congo

Acting for an international consultant in respect of procurement and the preparation of project documentation relating to construction and major refurbishment of police stations throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo; working closely with DRC counsel in respect of public procurement issues.

Djibouti airport, Djibouti

Advising the Djibouti Ports & Free Zone Authority in relation to the procurement and construction of a new international airport and associated transport infrastructure in Djibouti, East Africa. Advice included advising on proposed construction contracts (FIDIC Yellow Book), negotiating these with a Brazilian contractor, and concluding the contractual documentation.

Defective foundations in a warehouse, Ireland

Acting for a structural engineer and its professional indemnity insurers in action for negligence and breach of contract concerning defective foundations in a warehouse. Settlement achieved at mediation at €1.8 million inclusive of costs for complex professional indemnity claim against structural engineer.

Railway Track Alliance, UK

Advising a consulting engineer in relation to its participation in an Alliance, which also includes major contractors, which is bidding for major track improvement schemes throughout the UK.

Oil Refinery, Germany

Advising a contractor on a proposed contract with a major oil company in connection with the upgrade of an oil refinery in Germany

Road upgrade project, Ghana

Acting for an international contractor to prepare, negotiate and conclude the construction contract with the Government of Ghana, (based on FIDIC Silver Book 1999), subcontracts and consultancy agreements, project security documents, and other related documentation for the delivery of the project.

Saudi Arabia Stadium programme, Saudi Arabia

Advising two different architects in relation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Stadium programme.

Affordable housing project, Iraq

Advising an Iraqi investor in relation to a large scale affordable housing project in Iraq, including drafting and negotiating a memorandum of understanding with a developer and advising on regulatory issues.

Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya

Drafting a suite of consultants’ appointments in relation to the Aga Khan University in Nairobi, Kenya.

Cement Plant, Mozambique

Acting for a developer in relation to an EPC contract relating to the construction of a cement plant in Maputo, Mozambique. Work included preparing the EPC contract based on the FIDIC Silver Book (1999), and negotiating and concluding the same with the contractor. We have provided ongoing advice.

2022 World Cup, Qatar

Advising various design consultants regarding contractual documents for their appointment in relation to the 2022 World Cup.

King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Advising a design and fit out contractor including drafting and negotiating bespoke design consultancy agreements, and supply and installation contracts including a main contractbased on the FIDIC red book and a sub-contract based on the FIDIC sub-contract.

Hotel and serviced residences, Karbala, Iraq

Acting for a Dubai-based developer on the development of a hotel and serviced residences complex in the city of Karbala, Iraq. This included preparation and negotiation of the construction contract (FIDIC based) for the complex and negotiation of hotel management and ancillary contracts with an international hotel operator which is part of the Kempinski group.

Baby food processing plants, Russia

Advising a contractor on the terms of two contracts for the construction of baby food processing plants in Russia

Hotel, Conakry, Guinea

Preparing a building contract based on FIDIC Red Book (1999) for a Dubai-based developer for the construction of a hotel in Conakry, Guinea.

Industrial City Programme of Works, Saudi Arabia

Acting for an international consultant providing detailed masterplanning and engineering services for the Saudi Industrial Property Authorities 2013 Industrial City Programme of Works.

Victoria Crossrail Development, UK

Advising a consultant regarding their scope of works under an amended NEC3 contract including the risk of variations and changes to the compensation event mechanism on the Victoria station Crossrail development, London.

Water Treatment Plants, UK

Advising a consulting engineering in respect of the design, ongoing support and use of water treatment plants using the revolutionary Nereda technology, a wastewater treatment technology that purifies water using the unique features of aerobic granular biomass, which can save up to 50% on energy-costs.