Commercial advice in four specialist areas

We advise developers, regional contractors and specialist subcontractors on the agreements and disputes that affect project delivery and commercial return.

Our contract work covers building contracts, subcontracts and professional appointments, together with commercial development, sales and agency arrangements. We examine how scope, payment and responsibility interact across the project’s agreements.

In disputes, we address payment and notices, variations, extensions of time, final accounts, defects and termination. We reconstruct the contractual and documentary position and work with qualified planners, quantity surveyors or engineers where a technical opinion is required.

Conveyancing, deeds, land instruments and court proceedings are handled by a separately instructed authorised provider.

We advise owner-managed businesses, closely held companies and commercial joint ventures where control, funding and personal relationships are closely connected.

Our work addresses how decisions are made, what each party must contribute, how returns are allocated and what happens when interests diverge. We draft and negotiate commercial joint venture and shareholder arrangements, funding terms and exit provisions.

Where a relationship breaks down, we examine the rights and records behind the competing accounts. We advise on deadlock, disputed authority, funding obligations, profit allocation and negotiated separation. Court remedies and reserved transaction work require separate legal representation.

We advise franchisors, franchisees and businesses operating across several locations, including hospitality, leisure and food and drink businesses.

Our work covers franchise and operating agreements, supplier arrangements, technology and delivery-platform terms and commercial fit-out contracts. We examine how the obligations work across the network, including fees, reporting, territory and operational control.

In disputes, we assess the basis for alleged non-compliance, the evidence supporting financial claims and the consequences of termination. We advise on negotiation and settlement, with attention to continuing operations and post-termination obligations.

We advise manufacturers, industrial suppliers and businesses operating through distribution and logistics networks, including those serving chemical, pharmaceutical and food and drink operations.

Our work covers supply and purchase terms, contract manufacturing, quality agreements, plant and equipment contracts, distribution, carriage, warehousing and fulfilment. We examine how specifications, acceptance, payment and liability pass through the supply chain.

Disputes can concern rejected goods or batches, delayed supply, interrupted production, plant performance and loss in transit. We separate the contractual questions from the technical questions and identify the specialist evidence needed to support the position.

For process plant and industrial projects, we assess the available dispute mechanism at contract stage. The contract may need an express adjudication or other resolution procedure rather than reliance on a statutory route.