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Chambers UK 2009

East Anglia
Clients speak highly of the "genuinely first-class service" they receive from this team, appreciating "its commercially aware approach and total willingness to accommodate our needs." The focus of the team remains education and local government-related work. The team advised funders and project companies on the construction aspects of a school PFI project in Newport; it also advised Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust on construction aspects of a mental health project. Contentious work is another aspect of the offering, and the team recently acted for a contractor in a multimillion-pound professional negligence claim against an engineer. Simon Oats heads up the London and South East construction team, and is responsible for managing the construction services provided firm-wide to property and development clients in both private and public sectors. Clients value his knowledge and expertise, as well as his constant availability and swift responses.

The Midlands
Boosted by Eversheds' impressive national construction presence, the Midlands team is renowned for "its prompt and responsive service: it identifies exactly what needs doing and gets on with it!" The practical and hard-working team of contentious and non-contentious lawyers advises clients on the full range of construction and engineering matters. Contentious work remains a key part of the practice, and the team has recently been engaged on significant PFI disputes in the health and education sector. On the non-contentious side, the team is advising RWE npower on the construction of a major new offshore wind farm project at Gwynt y Môr. Renewable energy is an area of increasing activity for the team, while other non-contentious work includes infrastructure projects and regional projects in the education sector. Amrik Kandola leads the firm's construction and engineering group in the central region and is praised as "a personable chap and a commercial deal maker." His practice largely focuses on contentious work, both managing disputes and counselling clients on dispute avoidance, and clients value his pragmatic ability to strategise on a dispute. Market sources admire Peter Scurlock's "absolutely first-class understanding of our industry" and incredibly meticulous approach, "ensuring that every single point is addressed." He is currently advising the Birmingham Development Company on its major mixed-use Birmingham development, The Cube.

North East
Chambers and Partners comment that the North East practice remains highly regarded. In one example of major work, the group recently assisted with matters regarding the building of the new control tower at Newcastle International Airport; it also continues to handle developments and redevelopments throughout the region. The "impressively talented" Mary Ann Roff heads the region's construction and engineering team. She recently assisted a major German mining multinational in a civil engineering dispute with a UK-based power station.

North West
This firm's "open and straightforward approach means it can get right down to the business of helping us," clients report. As one of the leading firms in the education sector, the construction team assists a number of further education colleges with their campus redevelopment schemes, including Winstanley, Carmel, Huddersfield, Stockport and City of Liverpool colleges. However, the group is expanding its areas of focus and has been strengthening its resources in the renewable energy and waste sectors, where the lawyers recently acted for Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority on the construction aspects of a waste PFI project. While the team is primarily recognised for its non-contentious expertise, it also manages a busy contentious practice, out of which Simon Chamberlain is advising a developer client on two multimillion-pound arbitrations arising from disputes concerning the construction of a city centre apartment block. Chamberlain heads the firm's combined North construction team, which encompasses the Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle offices, and is popular with clients for his clear-cut and extremely prompt advice .

Yorkshire
The Yorkshire branch of Eversheds' construction team continues to do the brand proud, with sources admiring the high-calibre service it delivers. Describing it as "customer-focused, highly efficient and responsive to our needs," clients have nothing but praise for this group. The 2007 retirement of Nigel Robson may have been a loss to the team, but following Jo Hatton-Jones' promotion to partner, the team has remained relatively settled, with seven construction practitioners. The education and public sectors provide the team with an array of contentious and non-contentious work. The team is also developing its expertise in the energy and waste sectors; the latter provided recent highlights with the team's appointment to advise Artenius on its Mega PTA and Utilities projects. Team head Andrew Symms has 16 years of contentious and non-contentious construction experience, and recently advised the London Borough of Haringey on the BSF project. Commentators praise his non-contentious expertise in particular, identifying him as "a reliable, safe pair of hands." Jo Hatton Jones' chemical engineering qualifications help her to understand clients' complex projects: "It's impossible to catch her out," exclaimed one. Naturally, the chemical sector is a key source of work for Hatton-Jones, along with the retail, food and utility sectors. She is currently leading the team advising the States of Jersey on the procurement of an energy from waste facility.

Wales
This high-profile team remains a leading firm for construction work in Wales. Sources admire the firm's strong client service ethic: "These lawyers are personable, accommodating of clients' needs and prepared to go the extra mile." Head of the Cardiff team Mary Herbert draws praise for her "great depth of industry knowledge." She is leading the team acting for The Highways Agency, which includes advising on the contract for the second Severn crossing. "Her dedication to the job extends to nigh-on 24-hour service," proclaim clients, who see her commitment as typical of this hard-working team. The group offers significant expertise in the engineering sector, and is able to draw upon the broader firm's renewable energies expertise. Alison Short is recommended by sources as an up-and-coming lawyer. She is particularly admired for her work on the construction side of PFI/PPP projects.

Purchaser-led Procurement: best of the UK
This national firm appears in many of the regional construction tables and provides a considerable portfolio of employer clients with development advice. Its strength in real estate also comes to the fore in this sector: the team has employed it on behalf of TfL, the London Development Agency and SEEDA, and on some Olympic matters despite not being on the ODA panel. Jonathan Bowley's caseload has included advising TfL on a new term maintenance contract for roads and assisting the local council on PFI-based construction of a new library in Brighton. "You always know where you stand with Bowley - he is fair but firm," admire sources. Richard Ward heads the construction group across the firm and "is a determined litigator with great intuition." He has worked with TfL and provided Kenmare Resources with construction advice on international mining projects. Peter Scurlock is a procurement specialist in the Midlands who has recently worked with the likes of RWE, which he advised on the development of four onshore wind farms.

The Legal 500 2009

East Anglia
Rank: 1

Eversheds LLP is 'far superior to other major law firms'. Simon Oats handles a growing national and international portfolio, notably from the Middle East. New partner Dominic Lacey always makes time for clients. Infrastructure work underpins a practice that advises Transport for London and London Underground.

London
Rank: 3

Eversheds LLP targets purchaser clients and boasts a strong infrastructure and transport practice, including key clients Transport for London and London Underground. Headed by Simon Oats, the practice advised an international mining company on a potential dispute and represented the ODA on an underground power-lines project.

The North
Rank: 3

Eversheds LLP's clients include HJ Banks (Construction) Ltd and Tees Valley Regeneration, in addition to a host of other local organisations. Mary Anne Roff leads the team and advises on contentious and non-contentious matters.

North West
Rank: 2

Well known for its expertise in further education work, Eversheds LLP demonstrated its breadth of expertise in 2008 by advising Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority on the construction elements of two substantial PFI waste projects as well as Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority on another significant project. The team has a good balance of 'skill' and 'experience', and Simon Chamberlain is 'strategically astute'.

Wales
Rank: 1

Mary Herbert heads up an experienced team at Eversheds LLP, advising on extensive infrastructure projects, both PFI/PPP projects and traditionally procured contracts. Of note this year was the appointment by Stena Line Ports on the procurement of a new ferry port in Loch Ryan, and advice to Npower Renewables in respect of offshore wind farms, such as Gwyn-t-mor.

West Midlands
Rank: 2

Eversheds LLP has been appointed by RWE npower to act on the construction of a major new offshore wind farm at Gwynt-y-Mor, involving capital expenditure in excess of £1bn. Peter Scurlock attracts some 'great development work', and Amrik Kandola is also recommended.

Yorkshire and Humber
Rank: 2

Eversheds LLP's construction team is recommended for advising on PFI maintenance contracts, particularly those in the healthcare sector. Key client, the States of Jersey, keeps the team busy, along with a broad client base of public sector and private clients. Department head Andrew Symms offers 'good general knowledge and sound practical advice'.

Chambers & Partners – A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession 2006/2007

Our practice

Eversheds has been recognised by Chambers & Partners as one of the leading lights in the purchaser/employer led construction field. We are ranked very highly alongside Ashursts, Herbert Smith LLP, Lovells, Pinsent Masons and Trowers & Hamlins.

The Eversheds construction and engineering team is recognised for its "high standards of talent" and the internal structure is praised for having "swift advisers, who can anticipate issues, adapt and resolve problems."

A "force to be reckoned with."

Our lawyers

Richard Ward - "tactically astute", offering "excellent legal and commercial judgment in his dealings with bespoke contracting and contentious construction issues."

Simon Oats - his "reputation stretches across both contentious and non-contentious disciplines and extends far beyond the boundaries of East Anglia."

Jonathan Bowley - a "switched on problem solver" who is "widely noted for his acutely commercial approach." He is also mentioned for his "skilful juggling of over 30 trade contract disputes to resolution in relation to a City of London mixed use commercial development."

Amrik Kandola - described by his clients as "enthusiastic and committed."

Chris Henshaw - his involvement on a project is "always good news for a deal."

Simon Chamberlain - "deserves strong billing" for his construction procurement and dispute work.

Mary Herbert - "down to earth and practical." Both peers and clients point to her aptitude for "sorting out problems quickly."

Andrew Symms - his arrival from DLA is described as "perceived to be a coup, not only for Eversheds but for the city of Leeds." The guide also refers to his "proven pedigree on cross border construction projects."

Offices

Ipswich - "a regional and national presence on a construction scene" with "an enviable client portfolio."

Birmingham and Nottingham - are "going great guns at the moment."

Newcastle - provides clients with "seamless service." Clients appreciate Networked Law which supplies the momentum to "really move things along."

North of England - our offices "boast a pool of resources, human and organisational, which is the envy of many competitors."

The Legal 500 – The Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession 2007

The Legal 500 is an independent guide to law firms. For the annual UK guide, over 800 law firms are surveyed in depth.

Our lawyers

Richard Ward - clients describe him as "very supportive, shrewd and reliable". The team led by him is "particularly experienced in infrastructure."

Amrik Kandola - known for his "prominent standing in the market."

Simon Chamberlain - noted for having "very good commercial awareness."

Mary Herbert - "a leading player for contentious and non-contentious matters."

Tom Jacobs - heads the Nottingham office construction practice with its "rich vein of national development work" and "healthy volume of contentious and non-contentious work."