Contact details

Paul Thwaite

T: +44 20 7809 2341 M: +44 7881 913 246 Email Paul | vCard Office: London

Awards

Construction - contentious and Rail

Construction - contentious and Rail

Construction: Contentious

Construction: Contentious

Paul Thwaite Partner

Contact details

Paul Thwaite

Paul Thwaite
Partner

T: +44 20 7809 2341 M: +44 7881 913 246 Email Paul | vCard Office: London

Paul is a specialist in construction and engineering disputes and procurement claims. He advises on projects in the UK and around the world. Paul has a track record in winning difficult and complex cases. Clients value Paul's clear advice and his determination to achieve their goals.
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He has over 20 years' experience resolving complex disputes. Clients seek Paul out based on his trusted reputation to deliver the right result on high-profile and high-value matters. He excels at difficult cases where innovative legal solutions are called for.  Many of his instructions are referrals from his peers in the industry who have seen first-hand his ability to resolve disputes successfully through adjudication, arbitration, litigation and mediation.

Paul has a wealth of experience in construction and engineering claims as well as advising on risk management and dispute avoidance during the construction phase of major projects. He has acted for both employers and contractors in relation to projects in the commercial, industrial, retail, energy, waste, water, health and education sectors.

Paul specialises in contractor claims for delay and disruption, cases involving major building defects and disputes arising out of FM contracts and PFI projects. He has been involved in some of the largest and most difficult construction related disputes including one of the biggest cases heard in the TCC in recent years (Accolade Wines v GJ3 and others). Paul also specialises in procurement disputes and challenges under the EU public procurement rules acting for both the public and private sector. 

Due to his level of work and the service he provides, Paul is recognised as a leading practitioner in construction law by Chambers UK and The Legal 500.

"He ensures that things get done, is easy to get along with and has good judgement."

Chambers UK 2021

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

Accolade Wines

Acting in a £160 million claim in connection with the defective design and construction of the largest wine production and distribution facility in the UK involving multi-party English High Court proceedings.

Kajima Construction

Advising on multi-party proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court concerning the defective design and construction of an affordable housing development in Leeds.

NHS Foundation Trust

Acting in relation to disputes arising out of the development of a new £130 million PFI hospital including contractor claims for delay and disruption and additional works.

District energy network

Advising on claims arising out of the installation of a district energy network in the Midlands including claims for cost over-runs and defects.

US media company

Acting in relation to claims arising out of basement subsidence at their European headquarters building.

Sovereign wealth fund

Acting in connection with the construction of a Central London landmark office building in various disputes with the main contractor due to concerning delays in completion and defects in construction.

Global hotel group

Representing the owner of a high-rise building in adjudication proceedings against the contractor arising from the defective design and installation of cladding panels.

Multi-disciplinary consultant

Advising on a major negligence claim arising from the extensive refurbishment of a parliamentary building involving two sets of arbitration proceedings and had been settled following two days of mediation. 

University of Greenwich

Acting in a number of disputes arising out of the refurbishment of the former Royal Naval College in Greenwich, a World Heritage Site and Scheduled Ancient Monument.

More: Construction and engineering dispute resolution

London Development Agency

Acting on a dispute over the early termination of a 15 year development agreement for the proposed £1.5 billion regeneration of Silvertown Quays in East London.

North London Waste Authority

Advising on claims made by two bidders following a decision to terminate a long term procurement for waste treatment worth over £3 billion.

Major PFI project

Acting for a bidder in respect of the UK Government's decision to terminate the nationwide £6 billion helicopter search and rescue PFI procurement including advice on claims for wasted costs.

Olympic Park

Advising on construction contracts and concession agreements for the development of the Olympic Park for the London 2012 Games including the primary electricity sub-station, the district energy network and a major sporting venue.

NHS Foundation Trust

Advising on issues arising during the operational phase of a major hospital PFI project in the North of England including variations, calculation of availability payments, termination rights and benchmarking.

Ecodeco Srl

Advising a specialist sub-contractor on a turnkey contract with Shanks Group for the design and construction of two £20 million waste treatment plants in east London utilising innovative bio-technology.

Total UK

Acting for Total in its appeal to the Supreme Court in a $170 million claim by Shell UK for recovery of its economic loss following the explosion at the Buncefield oil storage depot in 2005.

More: Projects, energy and infrastructure
  • Rail and road
  • Construction and engineering
  • Energy and natural resources
  • Hotels and leisure
  • Government and public sector

High Court Challenge

Acting for a large European train manufacturer in a High Court challenge to the decision by HS2 not to shortlist them for the £2.75 billion high speed rolling stock supply and maintenance contract and successfully securing a decision to allow them to participate in the competition.

Judicial Review Proceedings

Advising a Train Operating Company on judicial review proceedings and subsequent appeal brought by a London Borough in relation to a rail network franchise competition.

Transport for London

Advising Transport for London on judicial review proceedings brought by Heathrow Airport Holdings Limited in connection with the decision of the ORR on the Heathrow Spur access charges for Crossrail.

More: Rail and road

Accolade Wines

Acting in a £160 million claim in connection with the defective design and construction of the largest wine production and distribution facility in the UK involving multi-party English High Court proceedings.

Kajima Construction

Advising on multi-party proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court concerning the defective design and construction of an affordable housing development in Leeds.

NHS Foundation Trust

Acting in relation to disputes arising out of the development of a new £130 million PFI hospital including contractor claims for delay and disruption and additional works.

Olympic Park

Advising on construction contracts and concession agreements for the development of the Olympic Park for the London 2012 Games including the primary electricity sub-station, the district energy network and a major sporting venue.

Ecodeco Srl

Advising a specialist sub-contractor on a turnkey contract with Shanks Group for the design and construction of two £20 million waste treatment plants in east London utilising innovative bio-technology.

US media company

Acting in relation to claims arising out of basement subsidence at their European headquarters building.

Sovereign wealth fund

Acting in connection with the construction of a Central London landmark office building in various disputes with the main contractor due to concerning delays in completion and defects in construction.

Global hotel group

Representing the owner of a high-rise building in adjudication proceedings against the contractor arising from the defective design and installation of cladding panels.

Multi-disciplinary consultant

Advising on a major negligence claim arising from the extensive refurbishment of a parliamentary building involving two sets of arbitration proceedings and settled following two days of mediation. 

University of Greenwich

Acting in a number of disputes arising out of the refurbishment of the former Royal Naval College in Greenwich, a World Heritage Site and Scheduled Ancient Monument.

More: Construction and engineering

Total UK

Acting for Total in its appeal to the Supreme Court in a $170 million claim by Shell UK for recovery of its economic loss following the explosion at the Buncefield oil storage depot in 2005.

District energy network

Advising on claims arising out of the installation of a district energy network in the Midlands including claims for cost over-runs and defects.

Korean engineering company

Advising on a proposal to construct a new oil refinery in the Middle East.

New power station in Indonesia

Advising on claims under bank guarantees and related contracts in connection with delays to the construction of a new power station.

Utility supply agreements

Advising on the variation of utility supply agreements under a 30 year district energy concession arrangement.

More: Energy and natural resources

Global hotel group

Representing the owner of a high-rise building in adjudication proceedings against the contractor arising from the defective design and installation of cladding panels.

Accor SA

Advising on the £10 million development of two new hotels at Birmingham International Airport.

International hotel group

Advising on procurement options for hotel and leisure projects in various countries and drafting a model form of construction contract.

Croydon Centrale

Advising on defects claims arising out of the construction of a large shopping mall in South London.

Restaurant chain

Advising on claims against the contractor for delays in the completion of the fit out of new restaurant premises.

More: Hotels and leisure

London Development Agency

Acting on a dispute over the early termination of a 15 year development agreement for the proposed £1.5 billion regeneration of Silvertown Quays in East London.

North London Waste Authority

Advising on claims made by two bidders following a decision to terminate a long term procurement for waste treatment worth over £3 billion.

Major PFI project

Acting for a bidder in respect of the UK Government's decision to terminate the nationwide £6 billion helicopter search and rescue PFI procurement including advice on claims for wasted costs.

Olympic Park

Advising on construction contracts and concession agreements for the development of the Olympic Park for the London 2012 Games including the primary electricity sub-station, the district energy network and a major sporting venue.

NHS Foundation Trust

Advising on issues arising during the operational phase of a major hospital PFI project in the North of England including variations, calculation of availability payments, termination rights and benchmarking.

City Literary Institute

Advising on a construction dispute including issues relating to quality of concrete work and defective design of natural ventilation resulting in the need to install mechanical cooling.

Royal College of Art

Advising on claims arising out of the design and construction of the College's major new campus development in Battersea.

City of Westminster College

Advising on claims against the M&E consultant for increased costs caused by over-specification of power needs and further claims regarding the insolvency of the main contractor leading to delays and increased construction costs.

More: Government and public sector
  • Europe
  • UK

Accolade Wines

Acting in a £160 million claim in connection with the defective design and construction of the largest wine production and distribution facility in the UK involving multi-party English High Court proceedings.

Kajima Construction

Advising on multi-party proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court concerning the defective design and construction of an affordable housing development in Leeds.

NHS Foundation Trust

Acting in relation to disputes arising out of the development of a new £130 million PFI hospital including contractor claims for delay and disruption and additional works. 

Olympic Park

Advising on construction contracts and concession agreements for the development of the Olympic Park for the London 2012 Games including the primary electricity sub-station, the district energy network and a major sporting venue.

NHS Foundation Trust

Advising on issues arising during the operational phase of a major hospital PFI project in the North of England including variations, calculation of availability payments, termination rights and benchmarking.

London Development Agency

Acting on a dispute over the early termination of a 15 year development agreement for the proposed £1.5 billion regeneration of Silvertown Quays in East London.

North London Waste Authority

Advising on claims made by two bidders following a decision to terminate a long term procurement for waste treatment worth over £3 billion.

Major PFI project

Acting for a bidder in respect of the UK Government's decision to terminate the nationwide £6 billion helicopter search and rescue PFI procurement including advice on claims for wasted costs.

District energy network

Advising on claims arising out of the installation of a district energy network in the Midlands including claims for cost over-runs and defects. 

More: Europe

Accolade Wines

Acting in a £160 million claim in connection with the defective design and construction of the largest wine production and distribution facility in the UK involving multi-party English High Court proceedings.

Kajima Construction

Advising on multi-party proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court concerning the defective design and construction of an affordable housing development in Leeds.

NHS Foundation Trust

Acting in relation to disputes arising out of the development of a new £130 million PFI hospital including contractor claims for delay and disruption and additional works. 

Olympic Park

Advising on construction contracts and concession agreements for the development of the Olympic Park for the London 2012 Games including the primary electricity sub-station, the district energy network and a major sporting venue.

NHS Foundation Trust

Advising on issues arising during the operational phase of a major hospital PFI project in the North of England including variations, calculation of availability payments, termination rights and benchmarking.

London Development Agency

Acting on a dispute over the early termination of a 15 year development agreement for the proposed £1.5 billion regeneration of Silvertown Quays in East London.

North London Waste Authority

Advising on claims made by two bidders following a decision to terminate a long term procurement for waste treatment worth over £3 billion.

Major PFI project

Acting for a bidder in respect of the UK Government's decision to terminate the nationwide £6 billion helicopter search and rescue PFI procurement including advice on claims for wasted costs.

District energy network 

Advising on claims arising out of the installation of a district energy network in the Midlands including claims for cost over-runs and defects. 

More: UK

Awards

Construction - contentious and Rail

Construction - contentious and Rail

Construction: Contentious

Construction: Contentious

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