Contact details

Ron Nobbs

T: +44 20 7809 2280 M: +44 7831 245 682 Email Ron | vCard Office: London

Awards

Construction: Contentious

Construction: Contentious

Construction: Contentious and Rail

Construction: Contentious and Rail

Ron Nobbs Partner

Contact details

Ron Nobbs

Ron Nobbs
Partner

T: +44 20 7809 2280 M: +44 7831 245 682 Email Ron | vCard Office: London

A construction and engineering law expert, Ron is highly rated by his clients and in legal directories. Recognised for giving practical yet innovative legal and strategic advice, Ron is totally committed and absolutely tenacious in pursuing his clients' objectives.
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Ron has over 34 years' experience working for UK and international clients on construction and engineering projects around the world. From roads, railways, tunnels, bridges, airports and ports to stadiums, factories, hotels, offices, retail, housing, power stations, process plants, waste facilities, oil rigs and FPSO's, Ron has worked on some of the world's largest projects and used all of the principal forms of contract including JCT, NEC, FIDIC, ICE, IChemE, GC/works as well as numerous bespoke forms.

Ron has acted as legal advisor on projects covering all major forms of procurement including EPC, EPIC, DBFO, PPP and partnering. He also has extensive real time project pre-dispute and dispute management expertise including arbitration, litigation, adjudication, arbitration (under ICC, LCIA and UNCITRAL Rules amongst others) and mediation. Chambers UK 2023, construction contentious records that Ron's advice is "always practical, digestible and shows a strong grasp of the dynamics at play" and that he is "an absolute pleasure to work with."  In Legal 500 UK 2023 for construction contentious a client comments that  "Ron Nobbs is my favourite lawyer! He understands our complex issues and provides clear advice in a prompt manner."

Ron also advised the winning contractor in the leading decision of Walter Lilly v DMW Developments and Giles Mackay.

Ron also regularly lectures on construction and engineering law issues to UK and international audiences. Ron is recognised by Chambers UK, The Legal 500 and Legal Business as a leading practitioner.

"Ron Nobbs is my favourite lawyer! He understands our complex issues and provides clear advice in a prompt manner."

The Legal 500 UK 2023

  • Construction and engineering dispute resolution
  • Projects, energy and infrastructure
  • International arbitration

Walter Lilly, UK

Acting on this leading construction case on global claims, notices, extensions of time, loss and expense and disclosure arising from the development of a £60 million private home in London.

Major international hotel groups

Acting for two major international hotel groups in adjudication disputes with their contractors arising out of major refurbishment fit out projects. These included claims for defects, delays and additional costs.

Flagship hotel in London

Acting for a major international hotel group on the significant High Court litigation arising out of the fit out of their flagship hotel in London.

Owners of a prestigious development

We are acting for the owners of a prestigious development in their litigation with the main contractor arising out of defects with the façade and pipework of the building.

Contractor for the refurbishment of major sports and entertainment arena

Acting for the contractor in relation to disputes arising out of the refurbishment of major sports and entertainment arena.

Contractors and developers

Advising contractors and developers on UK and international commercial and residential developments and disputes arising from them including ground conditions, curtain walling and M&E works.

Insurers

Advising insurers on a number of subrogated claims for consultants and contractors on education and hotel projects.

Education projects

We acted for a main contractor in its disputes with a leading University and its engineering subcontractor arising from the construction of a science and engineering facility at a cost in excess of £30 million.

Veolia Energy & Utility Services UK

We were instructed by Veolia, in relation to it's claims against its Employer arising out of the Sheffield biomass fuel plant, including the related Part 8 proceedings issued by the Employer.

Iraqi Gas plant

Acting for an international power and engineering contractor in a US$75 million ICC arbitration arising out of a contract for the installation of pipework at a Gas Plant in Iraq.

Tunisia and Algeria power plant

Acting for an international power and engineering contractor in a series of disputes arising out of the construction and operation of power plants in Tunisia and Algeria.

PFI Disputes

Advising a number of FM Contractors and SPV companies in relation to disputes arising out of the operation of social housing and healthcare PFI projects.

UK Gas Plant

Acting for an international power and engineering contractor in a dispute arising out of the management and inspection of pipework.

More: Construction and engineering dispute resolution

Main contractor for airports

Advising a main contractor in relation to disputes at Heathrow and Stansted airports.

Main contractors in education project

Advising main contractors in relation to various disputes arising out of education projects. 

Leading global engineering contractor

Acting on a major dispute on the London Underground and advising on two adjudications and the subsequent court case successfully overturning the adjudicator's first incorrect decision.

International contractor in development of a major road

Acting for the international contractor joint venture in disputes with the government on the development of a major road DBFO.

Contractor for the refurbishment of major sports and entertainment arena

Acting for the contractor in relation to disputes arising out of the refurbishment of major sports and entertainment arena.

International contractor in reclamation contract

Advising an international contractor in relation to disputes arising out of a reclamation contract in Hong Kong.

International contractor in a tunnelling contract

Advising an international contractor on a dispute on a tunnelling contract in New Territories, Hong Kong.

Veolia Energy & Utility Services UK

We were instructed by Veolia, in relation to it's claims against its Employer arising out of the Sheffield biomass fuel plant, including the related Part 8 proceedings issued by the Employer.

Energy plant

Acting for a contractor in an ICC arbitration arising out of three subcontracts between a main contractor and an engineering subcontractor with a total contract price in excess of £30 million.

Iraqi Gas plant

Acting for an international power and engineering contractor in a US$75 million ICC arbitration arising out of a contract for the installation of pipework at a Gas Plant in Iraq.

Tunisia and Algeria power plant

Acting for an international power and engineering contractor in a series of disputes arising out of the construction and operation of power plants in Tunisia and Algeria.

PFI Disputes

Advising a number of FM Contractors and SPV companies in relation to disputes arising out of the operation of social housing and healthcare PFI projects.

UK Gas Plant

Acting for an international power and engineering contractor in a dispute arising out of the management and inspection of pipework.

More: Projects, energy and infrastructure

Energy plant

Acting for a contractor in an ICC arbitration arising out of three subcontracts between a main contractor and an engineering subcontractor with a total contract price in excess of £30 million.

Nuclear dispute

Advising a contractor JV on a Nuclear power plant ICC arbitration in Abu Dhabi.

Iraqi Gas plant

Acting for an international power and engineering contractor in a US$75 million ICC arbitration arising out of a contract for the installation of pipework at a Gas Plant in Iraq.

Offshore Windfarms

Advising an international power and engineering contractor in relation to a number of disputes arising out of the supply of electrical equipment for offshore windfarms.

More: International arbitration

  • Construction and engineering
  • Energy and natural resources
  • Rail and road
  • Power and renewables

Major international hotel groups

Acting for two major international hotel groups in adjudication disputes with their contractors arising out of major refurbishment fit out projects. These included claims for defects, delays and additional costs.

Flagship hotel in London

Acting for a major international hotel group on the significant High Court litigation arising out of the fit out of their flagship hotel in London.

Owners of a prestigious development

We are acting for the owners of a prestigious development in their dispute with the main contractor arising out of defects with the façade of the building.

Walter Lilly, UK

Acting on this leading construction case on global claims, notices, extensions of time, loss and expense and disclosure arising from the development of a £60 million private home in London.

Contractor for the refurbishment of major sports and entertainment arena

Acting for the contractor in relation to disputes arising out of the refurbishment of major sports and entertainment arena.

Contractors and developers

Advising contractors and developers on UK and international commercial and residential developments and disputes arising from them including ground conditions, curtain walling and M&E works.

Insurers

Advising insurers on a number of subrogated claims for consultants and contractors on education and hotel projects.

Veolia Energy & Utility Services UK

We were instructed by Veolia, in relation to it's claims against its Employer arising out of the Sheffield biomass fuel plant, including the related Part 8 proceedings issued by the Employer.

Energy plant

Acting for a contractor in an ICC arbitration arising out of three subcontracts between a main contractor and an engineering subcontractor with a total contract price in excess of £30 million.

Iraqi Gas plant

Acting for an international power and engineering contractor in a US$75 million ICC arbitration arising out of a contract for the installation of pipework at a Gas Plant in Iraq.

Tunisia and Algeria power plant

Acting for an international power and engineering contractor in a series of disputes arising out of the construction and operation of power plants in Tunisia and Algeria.

Offshore Windfarms

Advising an international power and engineering contractor in relation to a number of disputes arising out of the supply of electrical equipment for offshore windfarms.

UK Gas Plant

Acting for an international power and engineering contractor in a dispute arising out of the management and injection of pipework.

PFI Disputes

Advising a number of FM Contractors and SPV companies in relation to disputes arising out of the operation of social housing and healthcare PFI projects.

UK Gas Plant

Acting for an international power and engineering contractor in a dispute arising out of the management and inspection of pipework.

More: Construction and engineering

Smelting Plant disputes

Advising on disputes at a Smelting Plant in Saudi Arabi, relation to the liability for defects arising out of the supply and installation of Rectifiers.

Power project

Advising a contractor in relation to a power project in Oman.

Nuclear dispute

Advising a contractor JV on a Nuclear power plant ICC arbitration in Abu Dhabi.

Owner operator in UK gas storage facility

Advising the owner operator in relation to a dispute with the main contractor arising out of the contract for the construction of a UK gas storage facility.

Major international and UK contractors

Advising major international and UK contractors in relation to disputes at six UK Power Stations.

Contractors for process and water treatment plants

Advising contractors in the UK, Far East and Middle East in relation to a large number of process and water treatment plants.

International contractor and utility company

Advising in a large number of disputes arising out of waste handling facilities and contracts, waste-to-energy plants and the decommissioning of oil and gas platforms from the North Sea.

International water utility company

Advising an international water utility on disputes with its contractor arising out of the construction of pipelines and water treatment facilities.

Japanese contractor

Acting for a Japanese contractor in relation to the installation of a large sub-station in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong based contractors

Advising contractors in Hong Kong in relation to a series of power stations and sub-stations.

UK Gas Plant

Acting for an international power and engineering contractor in a dispute arising out of the management and inspection of pipework.

More: Energy and natural resources

International contractor joint venture on Jubilee Line extension

Advising the international contractor joint venture on disputes arising out of the Jubilee line extension to London docklands, including the driving of twin bore tunnels and the construction of underground stations.

Leading global engineering contractor

Acting on a major dispute on the London Underground and advising on two adjudications and the subsequent court case successfully overturning the adjudicator's first incorrect decision.

Main contractor on Jubilee Line extension

Acting for the main contractor in a dispute with its cabling subcontractor on the Jubilee line extension.

Main contractor on DLR extension

Acting for the main contractor in High Court proceedings with the employer arising out of the DLR extension.

Main contractor on recabling works

Acting for the main contractor in arbitration proceedings with its M&E subcontractor arising out of the recabling works to four London mainline stations.

Main contractor on a Light Rail project

Acting for the main contractor in a dispute with the rolling stock supplier arising out of a light rail project.

Balfour Beatty

Acting for Balfour Beatty in court proceedings arising out of the extension to the Docklands Light Railway including the construction of stations, track work, signalling, tunnels and bridges.

Contractor consortium on Channel Tunnel

Acting for the contractor consortium on disputes arising out of the construction of the Channel Tunnel and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

More: Rail and road

Main contractor on Aberthaw Power Station

Advising the main contractor in relation to a dispute on the NEC contract at Aberthaw Power Station.

International main contractor

Advising an international main contractor in relation to a dispute at the Enfield Power Station.

Main contractor on Peterborough and Corby Power Stations

Advising the main contractor in disputes arising out of the contraction of Peterborough and Corby Power Stations.

Energy plant

Acting for a contractor in an ICC arbitration arising out of three subcontracts between a main contractor and an engineering subcontractor with a total contract price in excess of £30 million.

Contractors for process and water treatment plants

Advising contractors in the UK, Far East and Middle East in relation to a large number of process and water treatment plants.

Water utility

Advising a water utility on disputes with its contractor arising out of the construction of pipelines and water treatment facilities.

International contractor and utility company

Advising in a large number of disputes arising from waste handling facilities and contracts, waste to energy plants and the decommissioning of oil and gas platforms from the North Sea.

Hong Kong contractors

Advising contractors in Hong Kong in relation to a number of power stations and sub-stations.

Japanese contractor

Acting for a Japanese contractor in relation to the installation of a large sub-station in Hong Kong.

Veolia Energy & Utility Services UK

We were instructed by Veolia, in relation to it's claims against its Employer arising out of the Sheffield biomass fuel plant, including the related Part 8 proceedings issued by the Employer.

Iraqi Gas plant

Acting for an international power and engineering contractor in a US$75 million ICC arbitration arising out of a contract for the installation of pipework at a Gas Plant in Iraq.

Tunisia and Algeria power plant

Acting for an international power and engineering contractor in a series of disputes arising out of the construction and operation of power plants in Tunisia and Algeria.

Offshore Windfarms

Advising an international power and engineering contractor in relation to a number of disputes arising out of the supply of electrical equipment for offshore windfarms.

UK Gas Plant

Acting for an international power and engineering contractor in a dispute arising out of the management and injection of pipework.

Battery Farm

Advising the owner of a UK Battery Farm in relation to a dispute concerning its operation and tariff agreements.

More: Power and renewables
  • Asia
  • The Middle East
  • Europe
  • Africa

Japanese contractor

Acting for a Japanese contractor in relation to the installation of a large sub-station in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong based contractors

Advising contractors in Hong Kong in relation to a series of power stations and sub-stations.

International contractor in reclamation contract

Advising an international contractor in relation to disputes arising out of a reclamation contract in Hong Kong.

International contractor in a tunnelling contract

Advising an international contractor on a dispute on a tunnelling contract in New Territories, Hong Kong.

More: Asia

Contractor on terminal and oil pipeline

Acting for the contractor in relation to the construction of a terminal and associated oil pipeline in the Middle East.

Contractors for process and water treatment plants

Advising contractors in the UK, Far East and Middle East in relation to a large number of process and water treatment plants.

Power project

Advising a contractor in relation to a power project in Oman.

Smelting Plant disputes

Advising on disputes at a Smelting Plant, in relation to the liability for defects arising out of the supply and installation of Rectifiers at a Project in Saudi Arabia.

Nuclear dispute

Advising a contractor JV on a Nuclear power plant ICC arbitration in Abu Dhabi.

Iraqi Gas plant

Acting for an international power and engineering contractor in a US75m ICC arbitration arising out of a contract for the installation of pipework at a Gas Plant in Iraq.

Tunisia and Algeria power plant

Acting for an international power and engineering contractor in a series of disputes arising out of the construction and operation of power plants in Tunisia and Algeria.

More: The Middle East

Walter Lilly

Acting on this leading construction case on global claims, notices, extensions of time, loss and expense and disclosure arising from the development of a £60 million private home in London.

Contractors and developers

Advising contractors and developers on UK and international commercial and residential developments and disputes arising from them, including ground conditions, curtain walling and M&E works.

Contractor consortium on Channel Tunnel

Acting for the contractor consortium on disputes arising out of the construction of the Channel Tunnel and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

UK contractor in the Tiffany offshore platform

Acting for a UK contractor in relation to design, delay and disruption disputes arising out the construction and installation of the Tiffany offshore platform in the North Sea.

Owner operator in UK gas storage facility

Advising the owner operator in relation to a dispute with the main contractor arising out of the contract for the construction of a UK gas storage facility.

Balfour Beatty

Acting for Balfour Beatty in Court proceedings arising out of the extension to the Docklands Light Railway including the construction of stations, track work, signalling, tunnels and bridges.

More: Europe

South African contractor

A dispute with its employer under a bespoke contract from power station works. Advising on implications of the inadequate extension of time provisions and application of the South African prevention principle.

South African sub-contractor

An adjudication dispute with its main contractor from works to a power station near Johnannesburg under a NEC3 form of contract and claims for time and money arising out of compensation events.

Zambian mine owner

Advising the employer in its dispute with the contractor in relation to the contractor's claims for extensions of time and the operation of the liquidated damages provisions.

Africa road project

Advising a national roads authority on issues arising out of the construction of a road project by an international contractor.

More: Africa

Awards

Construction: Contentious

Construction: Contentious

Construction: Contentious and Rail

Construction: Contentious and Rail

Latest news & insights

21 Sep 2023

From Insights

Current spotlight - Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete ("RAAC")

The current spotlight on the use of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete ("RAAC") started with concerns raised in relation to schools and the subsequent guidance on ..

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18 Nov 2022

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Taking possession of Restriction of Use claims

Writing for Rail Professional, partner Ron Nobbs and associate Charlotte Thomas provide some tips for making and managing RoU claims.

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18 Oct 2022

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Strategic considerations for handling disputes

Writing for Rail Professional, partner Ron Nobbs, and managing associate Amy Steenson, outline the strategic considerations for handling disputes in the industry.

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06 Jul 2020

From Insights

Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020

The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act received royal assent on 25 June 2020 and comes into force immediately.

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06 May 2020

From Insights

COVID-19: ‘Top tips’ for effective contract management

Effective contract management can ensure that parties minimise risks and avoid disputes from arising. In this bulletin, we summarise some ‘top tips’ that contract mana..

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17 Apr 2020

From Insights

COVID-19: Force majeure in UK construction contracts

This alert provides a quick guide on the operation of force majeure in two widely used standard form UK construction contracts – the JCT 2016 Design and Build and NEC ..

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16 Apr 2020

From Insights

COVID-19: Force majeure, frustration and next steps

The unprecedented impact of COVID-19 is having a wide-reaching effect on supply chains in the construction industry.

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01 May 2019

From Insights

Disputes under NEC

Writing for Rail Professional, partners Ron Nobbs and Charlotte Heywood provide their tips on managing NEC infrastructure contracts, in the last of the team's series o..

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