MATTHEW
NEEDHAM-LAING
PARTNER
Admitted as a solicitor: 1994
CONTACT DETAILS
Tel: 020 7189 1793
Email: matthew.needham-laing@djblaw.co.uk
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Construction Law (Contentious and Non-Contentious)
Engineering
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Matthew qualified and practiced as an architect before qualifying as a solicitor in 1994 and gaining an MSc in construction law in 1997. Prior to joining Davitt Jones Bould, Matthew was the Head of Construction and Engineering at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP (UK).
Matthew specialises in contentious and non-contentious construction and engineering law. His non-contentious practice covers drafting and negotiating all forms of construction and engineering contracts, advising on all associated bonds and guarantees as well as advising on the implications of the Building Safety Act. Matthew also has considerable experience of advising on engineering contracts for oil and gas companies and pharmaceutical infrastructure projects.
His expertise in contentious construction and engineering law covers adjudication, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. Matthew has acted as an adjudicator in numerous construction and engineering disputes.
Matthew's earlier qualification and career as an architect ensures he not only understands the law but also the technical and commercial requirements of his clients. For example, he worked as an architect on hotel, office and retail projects and this background lends unique insight into the problems associated with major construction projects.
Matthew lectures on matters relating to construction law and adjudication, and has featured in the construction and property press. He contributed to the seventh and eighth editions of the Architects Legal Handbook, and holds memberships at the Worshipful Company of Arbitrators, the Society of Construction Law and the Society for Computers and Law.
WORK HIGHLIGHTS
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Acted for the Design Museum, London in relation to a dispute with their landlord over access rights during the conversion of the building from the old Commonwealth Centre and separately a dispute with their fit-out contractor over the Final Account and defective works.
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Acted for a private individual in respect of a £5m claim against the professional team on her project. The build project was a luxury six-bedroom, eight-bathroom mansion with four car garage and one bedroom apartment on site, none of which was habitable. Matthew secured a settlement out of court for the client.
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Acted for International five-star hotel chain, on disputes and negotiating their construction contracts and appointments, including:
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refurbishment projects for the ground floor bar and tea lounge at their London hotel;
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refurbishment projects for the bedrooms at their hotel in Edinburgh;
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refurbishment of the main hotel kitchens at their London hotel; and
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refurbishment of a hotel in St Petersburg.
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On behalf of a multinational company specialising in luxury goods, reviewed an advised on the contract for the design, fabrication and installation of pop-up exhibition space and advising on the contracts for the design and construction new boutiques in the UK.
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Advising a UK company on contractual obligations in relation to potential defects in the air handling plant and ducting, servicing a facility manufacturing medicinal products.
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Action on behalf of a UK university in relation to the construction of a new Veterinary School, advising and negotiating the construction contract, advising on the acquisition of a new campus building, reviewing and advising on the construction contracts, appointments and development/sale agreement and investigating and advising on potential defects in a recently completed campus building.
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Advising landlords on the impact of the Building Safety Act 2022 and the actions they are required to take to comply with their obligations under this legislation.