He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Technology and Construction Solicitors’ Association.

Clients tend to come to Chris early, when issues start to bubble and judgement matters. He is trusted for straight answers and commercial realism with the client’s best interests at the heart of every step to finding a resolution of disputes. Relationships are built to last. Many instructions come from contractors, subcontractors, developers and consultants who value a solicitor who not only grasps the detail but speaks both site and boardroom from genuine experience.

His core focus is construction dispute resolution. Typical matters involve payment and valuation, delay and extensions of time, defects and professional negligence. Chris has a detailed knowledge of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and the Scheme for Construction Contracts – payment notices, pay less notices, suspension rights and the mechanics of due dates and final dates for payment. He frequently represents parties in adjudication and uses mediation and structured negotiation where that preserves value and programme. He also supports his team members with his sector experience of negotiation of contract terms and associated project documents.

Chris’s manner is calm and direct. He isolates what will decide outcome, fronts the key evidence and uses conversation with the other side to uncover what is really blocking progress before committing clients to more process. Costs and risk are explained plainly, decision points are set early and momentum is sustained with purposeful communication. The thread is careful preparation, targeted expert input and written advocacy that lands cleanly.

Chris demonstrates an innovative approach to dispute resolution where the opportunity arises. He is proud to have been a member of a collaboration of regional specialists in construction law who authored the award-winning Constructing Excellence Construction Mediation Guide and Protocol, published by Constructing Excellence South West.