Paul Thwaite
Senior Partner
Paul is a construction law expert, known for resolving complex disputes and guiding clients through difficult challenges with clear advice.
Senior Partner
Paul is a construction law expert, known for resolving complex disputes and guiding clients through difficult challenges with clear advice.
Language - English
Jurisdiction - England & Wales
Paul has over 25 years of experience in resolving complex multi-party construction and engineering disputes. He is trusted by his clients to deliver successful results on high-profile and high-value matters. He enjoys difficult cases and finding innovative legal solutions.
Paul has a wealth of experience in 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, transport, 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. Paul also specialises in procurement disputes and challenges in the High Court acting for both the public and private sector.
Paul is recognised as a leading practitioner in construction law by Chambers UK and The Legal 500.
Since May 2024, Paul has been the firm’s Senior Partner with responsibility for chairing the elected Supervisory Council and overseeing the management of the firm. Prior to that, Paul was joint practice group leader of commercial litigation.
Multi-party cladding claim on refurbished social housing after Grenfell
Acting for a main contractor in a £190 million multi-party claim arising from non-compliant cladding and insulation and defective cavity barriers installed on 9 social housing tower blocks as part of a major refurbishment scheme. The case involves defending claims from the employer and bringing claims against the supply chain including claims under the Building Safety Act 2022 against product manufacturers and insurers
Delay, defects and additional cost claims on new energy from waste plant
Acting for the public authority on the procurement of a new energy from waste plant and representing the client in adjudication and arbitration proceedings relating to delays and defects and additional costs claimed by the EPC contractor amounting to over £400 million
Fire safety claims on a new schools PFI scheme
Acting for the FM Contractor on a series of claims brought by and against the PFI Project Company arising out of fire safety defects and roof defects at 7 schools. The dispute resulted in multiple adjudications and TCC proceedings including a Part 8 claim to resist enforcement of an adjudicator's decision.
Claims arising out of a landmark multi-storey commercial building in the City of London
Acting for the main contractor on various disputes arising out of the construction of a 40 storey commercial tower in the City of London including (1) a successful claim for delay against the façade subcontractor, (2) a successful claim under a guarantee in respect of the concrete frame subcontractor and (3) claims against insurers in respect of losses arising from the insolvency of the subcontractor.
Claim for major construction defects in an industrial storage and production facility
Acting for the tenant under a long lease in a £160 million claim arising from the defective design and construction of the largest wine production and distribution facility in the UK involving multi-party English High Court proceedings and including a significant claim for business interruption and relocation during remedial works
Claims arising from a new PFI hospital and later operational issues
Acting for the NHS Trust 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 and further claims during the operational phase including variations, calculation of availability payments, deductions, termination rights and benchmarking
Rail procurement challenge
Acting for a major 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
Dispute in connection with development of solar farm projects
Acting for an investment adviser on a dispute arising out of the development of solar farm projects in the UK and successfully defeating a claim for negligent misrepresentation made by the contractor following a default and claim under a parent company guarantee
