The 5 best construction lawyers in London who know how to keep projects on track
Renovation projects can go from exciting to excruciating in a snap. It’ll come with faces of delays, unexpected costs, and a contractor suddenly ghosting your emails.
With so many moving parts in any construction job, having the right legal guidance is very crucial. When things go sideways (knock on the wood), you need someone in your corner to protect your interests.
If you’re unsure who to turn to when contract terms get murky or disputes start brewing, we’ve done some research for you. Here’s a list of some of the most reliable construction lawyers in London who know how to keep things from falling apart.
| How much do construction lawyer services cost in London? Construction lawyer services in London typically cost between £150 and £500+ per hour, depending on the lawyer’s experience and the complexity of the case. |
1. Edwin Coe LLP
Address: Lincolns Inn, 2 Stone Buildings
Phone: +44 20 7691 4000
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
We noticed that Edwin Coe LLP covers the full construction law spectrum. Unlike some firms that focus on contract drafting or disputes, their team works with developers, contractors, funders, and more.
That means they’re familiar with the dynamics between all parties of a construction project.
They seem to understand construction funding really well, especially around the Building Safety Fund. This isn’t something every firm gets right, but they do. They could handle remediation projects under tight funding.
Edwin Coe, the firm’s founder, has carved out a niche here. It’s a powerful pro for building owners or developers dealing with fire safety or remediated after Grenfell.
They also don’t work in isolation. If your project needs tax advice, planning support, or input from property lawyers, they loop in the right people from other departments.
That said, they don’t seem like the cheapest option. They work with bigger projects, and we got the sense they can be selective about the clients they take on.
If you’re a small developer looking for help on a modest build, they might not be the right fit.
She always puts her clients as a priority and tries her best to succeed in the case
“I was recommended by another friend to contact Christine from Edwin Coe. She helped me with my 10-year-long residence application recently, and I was very impressed by her work. Her expert industry knowledge, combined with her in-depth experience, makes her the best immigration Consultant without a doubt. She always puts her clients as a priority and tries her best to succeed in the case. I cannot recommend her more!”
Rinko Shen, Google review
They have acted with the utmost professionalism and knowledge
“Once again, Dhruti Thakrar and her team (in this case George Curie) have acted with the utmost professionalism and knowledge to navigate my partner and me through some difficult immigration processes. Not only are they great at what they d,o but I would also like to acknowledge the personal element of their service, sometimes under great duress from frustrated and often emotive clients. Dhruti is simply the best in the business and complements her extraordinary work with a sense of calmness and patience that would be beyond most people in the industry. I add that this was not the first time we have required their services, and this recent experience was consistent with previous dealings. These guys come with the highest of recommendations possible.”
Stephen Ruberry, Google review
2. White & Case LLP
Address: 5 Old Broad St
Phone: +44 20 7532 1000
White & Case LLP has a single point of contact approach. This is nice for developers who prefer a streamlined legal strategy that evolves with the project lifecycle.
They handle project development, contracts, and disputes under one roof. You don’t have to juggle five different firms. That kind of continuity matters when things get messy.
They’re really strong when it comes to complex contract setups too, especially for projects that need to impress banks or investors. Whatever strategy you’re using, they’ll shape it to reduce risk and make it more bankable.
It also stood out to us how well they know big-name standard contracts. They’ve actually helped shape the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) or New Engineering Contract (NEC) contracts.
These are used worldwide on major construction projects, so that’s not just legal knowledge, that’s insider status. They could spot problems before they exploded later down the line.
Dispute resolution is another strong point. Their team handles litigation, arbitration, and mediation. And since they’ve been involved from day one on many projects, they’re not starting cold when a fight breaks out. They already know the history.
Now for the downsides: they’re not cheap. This is high-end, full-scope legal advice. If you’re working on a tight budget or a smaller project, it might be overkill.
Great people. Best service
“Great people. Best service. The offices are so nice and welcoming. Recommended!”
Uriel Cohen, Google review
Legal services were completed on time to our full satisfaction
“Every dealing we’ve ever had with W&C has been first-rate. Legal services completed on time to our full satisfaction at reasonable prices and fees.”
David Anderson, Google review
3. Fenwick Elliott LLP
Address: Aldwych House, 71-91 Aldwych
Phone: +44 20 7421 1986
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 9 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Fenwick Elliott LP is the UK’s biggest law firm that deals only in construction and energy law. They cover the whole life of a project. They’re involved in design, procurement, and construction.
We also liked that they understand how things work on-site and in boardrooms. That mix of legal and commercial smarts is a win for anyone juggling multiple stakeholders.
We were especially impressed to find out they’ve worked with governments, main contractors, developers, and more. They’ve touched everything from airports and bridges to hospitals and nuclear facilities.
With that level of experience, it’s no surprise their contract advice is sharp. Whether you’re using FIDIC or NEC, they know how to shape contracts to make sure they fit your project.
Their dispute avoidance doesn’t get talked about enough. As much as possible, they help clients avoid it. We found this proactive stance refreshing, particularly because avoiding a dispute can save a lot of time and money.
Some might find their scale a bit daunting, though. They’re geared toward high-value and often international work. While they do handle a lot of UK-based projects, their client base and pricing structure may not suit those with modest budgets.
What a great and fantastic company
“What a great, fantastic company. What would we do without their amazing USB drives? Thanks to them. The original Xbox has been successfully modified. Best law firm ever!”
Joshua Connelly, Google review
They’re involved in a number of international arbitrations in the construction
“‘Fenwick Elliott is a superb outfit, led by a highly specialised and knowledgeable partnership. They are involved in a disproportionately high number of the leading international arbitrations in the construction and infrastructure field and have an amazing client base.”
Anonymous, Legal500
4. Withers
Address: 20 Old Bailey
Phone: +44 20 7597 6000
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
One of the most impressive things about Withers is the range of sectors and client types they work with. We’re not just talking about usual corporate developers. They advise charities, private landowners, and even high-net-worth people.
They’ve got experience with socially impactful and luxury projects alike. This diversity tells us that they’re used to tailoring their legal approach to meet very specific needs.
We also liked that they work closely with other teams, including real estate. It’s very important if you’re dealing with a complicated project that crosses into different legal areas.
Clients who’ve worked with them on projects, like The Ned in London, consistently praised their ability to identify problems early and offer practical solutions. So they’re both technically strong and commercially minded.
They also do dispute resolution. The fact that they support adjudication, arbitration, mediation, and litigation makes them versatile. It’s important in an industry where things don’t always go as planned.
That said, our review wasn’t without red flags. At least one client shared that they reached out and got no reply, which isn’t very ideal.
Outstanding firm providing a very high standard of professional advice
“Withers is an outstanding firm providing a very high standard of professional advice. Withers is small enough to really care about personal relationships yet big enough to provide a global network.”
Guy Lane, Google review
They also have cross-subject expertise, and they all operate very effectively
“‘Knowledgeable, on top of issues, thorough, responsive, respectful, and diplomatic. Punctual and will send follow-up chasers. The team is also multilingual and incredibly efficient at managing very difficult time differences. They also have cross-subject expertise, which is very important, and they all operate very effectively.’”
Anonymous, Legal500
5. Clyde & Co
Address: St Botolph Building, 138 Houndsditch
Phone: +44 20 7876 5000
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Clyde & Co works a lot with architects, engineers, and project managers. Based on client feedback, they offer more than vague advice.
They know the industry forms like the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE). That’s essential in environments where multiple agreements overlap.
They’re also used to handling big and complicated issues, including class actions and disputes that cross international borders. That tells us that they’re comfortable dealing with high-pressure, high-stakes situations that could affect your reputation.
From the clients we spoke to, one thing stood out: the lawyers here don’t drown you in legal jargon. They give practical advice that lines up with your needs. And even when things get tense, they stay calm and focused.
That said, they may not be everyone’s cup of tea. They’re a big global firm. They can be a bit stiff if you’re used to a small team. They’re best suited to medium to large companies that need structured support.
Also, we noticed that their sweet spot seems to be in traditional infrastructure sectors, like energy, transport, and healthcare. If you’re building something niche, it’s worth checking whether some of their solicitors have relevant experience.
Massive edifices and well equipped meeting rooms
“Clyde & Co law firm provides legal services and equally has massive edifices and well-equipped meeting rooms.”
Rex Mentor, Google review
Thank you for reassuring me that the outcome would be positive
“…The advice provided was practical, and I was kept well-informed throughout. Yasmin’s knowledge and expertise in this field are invaluable. Thank you for reassuring me that the outcome would be positive and for always going above and beyond…”
Mandeep Dugal, Google review