Chris is a Partner and Head of our Construction Team.
He started his working life on-site as a carpenter, before moving into contract management with his family’s building firm. Today, as a practicing Mediator, Adjudicator and Solicitor, you won’t always see Chris on site, however his connections in the industry and his experience provide him with a unique insight in his legal work, which clients truly appreciate.
Chris specialises in construction dispute resolution with expertise in contractor claims, professional negligence, and other technical disputes. He is familiar with standard forms of building contracts (JCT and NEC) and supports clients with drafting and reviewing project documentation.
Chris regularly acts for contractors, sub-contractors, employers, and consultants and has formed close working relationships with other construction professionals, experts, and specialist Counsel.
Specialisms
Resolving Disputes
Disputes concerning payment in the construction sector.
Application of Housing Grants and the Construction and Regeneration Act
Chris has a comprehensive understanding and application of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 along with the Scheme for Construction Contracts Regulations in terms of the legislation itself and incorporation into building contracts.
Payment Notices
Expertise with analysis of payment notices, pay less notices and suspension – identifying correct due dates, final date for payment and related deadlines.
Contractors & Developers
Providing legal support to contractors and developers on a full range of commercial issues arising at tender and construction phases.
Non-Contentious Work
Including drafting bespoke amendments to the JCT Prime Cost form of building contract in relation to a period house refurbishment and associated collateral warranties.
Contract Interpretation & Application
Supporting contract administrators and employer’s agents and project managers on matters of contract interpretation and application.
Adjudication Proceedings
Regularly acts as party representative in adjudication proceedings.
In Practice
Commercial dispute
Acted for an employer developer who had entered into contracts in the JCT Intermediate Building Contract with Contractor’s Design 2011 Edition with a building contractor for the construction of student accommodation and successfully argued that it was not liable to pay the balance of four interim certificates totalling £1.2M which had been issued earlier by the contract administrator despite the absence of any pay less notices.
The employer was successful in overturning a High Court decision in the Court of Appeal so as to prevent the building contractor presenting a winding up petition.
Sub-issues in this matter included the successful defence of insolvency proceeding brought against the directors who had entered into personal guarantees for payment of the certified sums.
The case involved complex matters of valuation, disclosure, professional negligence, professional fees and insolvency. Established legal principles concerning payment in the construction industry in the context of insolvency.
Professional Negligence
Assisted home-owners in claims against Architect and Mechanical Services consultant relating to defective works carried out at their home, and over-certification of the same.
Following a significant win on an attempt to have the case struck out, the case ultimately settled with a favourable outcome for the clients.
Matter included complex issues of expert evidence relating to defects to listed property, renewables installation and electrical components.
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© Copyright 2025 Steele Raymond LLP
Steele Raymond LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales under number OC311376 Registered Office: Richmond Point, 43 Richmond Hill, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 6LR
Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA number 419728)
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Steele Raymond LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales under number OC311376 Registered Office: Richmond Point, 43 Richmond Hill, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 6LR
Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA number 419728)