Lawrence Stephens

We are a *team of bright minds

Matthew Needham-Laing

Director
Construction and Development Finance
Practice areas:
  • Construction & Development Finance
Expertise includes:
  • Civil Engineering
  • Construction and Development Finance
  • Energy

Meet Matthew

I have more than 25 years of experience in construction and engineering as both a litigator and a transactional lawyer and provide my clients with advice spanning both contentious and non-contentious matters relating to construction, engineering and infrastructure projects. 

As a litigator, I have experience in adjudication, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution and have acted as an adjudicator in numerous construction and engineering disputes. On the non-contentious side, I draft and negotiate all forms of construction and engineering contracts and advise on bonds and guarantees related to those contracts. I have also advised on engineering contracts for oil and gas companies and pharmaceutical infrastructure projects.

Prior to qualifying as a solicitor, I practiced as an architect where I was involved in hotel, office and retail projects. This background provides me with unique insight into the problems associated with construction projects.  

Experience highlights

  • Acting for an international five-star hotel chain on disputes and negotiating their construction contracts and appointments
  • Acted for a private individual in respect of a £5m claim against the professional team on her build project where the property was not habitable. Secured a settlement out of court for the client.

  • On behalf of a multinational company specialising in luxury goods, reviewed and 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.