Construction & Engineering

New Temple Chambers’ advice and representation in construction, engineering and infrastructure is highly sought after.

New Temple Chambers has a tradition of excellence in construction and engineering law.

New Temple Chambers provides high quality legal advice and robust representation in all aspects of construction and engineering law, from inception to completion on major complex construction projects. . Chambers has a tradition of excellence in construction in construction and engineering law. provides high quality legal advice and robust representation in all aspects of construction and engineering law, from inception to completion on major construction projects.

The Head of Construction & Engineering at New Temple Chambers is Charles Edwards, (Charles Edwin Edwards (2002), MSt(Cantab) MSc(Lond) MRICS FCInstCES of Middle Temple, Barrister (England and Wales), Adjudicator (Head of Chambers), a dual qualified, first-class high performing Construction Barrister and Chartered Quantity Surveyor with long established expertise in construction and engineering law and is a graduate the University of Cambridge (Departments of Engineering and Architecture), King’s College London (Centre of Construction Law) and the Inns of Court School of Law (Gray’s Inn). Charles is a legal expert in construction and engineering law. Charles’s knowledge and insight has been described as “unparalleled’. Charles’s “grasp and in-depth knowledge of construction, construction law and dispute resolution…is second to none.” Charles is “… extremely dedicated, precise and utterly relentless…”. He has been described as “…a leading thinker in the construction law field” and is “an advocate you most certainly want on your side”.

Chambers advises on all standard forms of construction contracts including JCT Contracts (JCT 2011 and JCT 2016), NEC Contracts (NEC3 and NEC4), FIDIC suite of contracts, ACA partnering contracts, GC Works contracts, IChemE and IMechE as well as bespoke forms of construction contracts, adjudication, arbitration and construction litigation in the Technology and Construction Court.

Chambers accepts instructions from a wide range of clients on a direct access basis, including construction and engineering organisations, contractors, subcontractors, employers, architects, structural engineers, civil engineers, quantity surveyors, claims consultants, corporate clients and international organisations as well as instructing solicitors.

Instructions include:

Court of Appeal – Successful Appellant in the Court of Appeal (before Couslon LJ, King LJ and Poppwel LJ) representing the successful Appellant in A & V Building Solutions Ltd v J & B Hopkins Ltd [2023] EWCA Civ 54. (https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2023/54.html).TCC (High Court) enforcement proceedings regarding the enforcement of an adjudicator’s decision in relation to complex construction and engineering works.
High Court (Technology and Construction Court (TCC)) proceedings regarding defective work on a major construction project following proceedings between the Employer, Contractor and Sub-Contractor.
Advising and drafting a defence for proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court (TCC).
Successful adjudication pursuant to section 108 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (as amended) concerning payment, loss and/or expense and interim payments.
High Court (Chancery Division) – Advised on a winding petition (insolvency), payment and valuation dispute, the interpretation of contract terms and conditions, a proposed winding-up petition in the High Court and the best strategy to be adopted in order to achieve the client’s objectives and recover the outstanding payment.
Successful adjudication pursuant to section 108 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (as amended) concerning major change in scope of works.
Advice in relation to a major construction dispute arising from a change to the scope of works pursuant to a heavily amended JCT2011 Design and Build Contract.
Advising and drafting bespoke construction contract and associated contractual documentation for a multi-million pound construction project.
Successfully advising and acting in insolvency proceedings in the High Court (Companies Court) in relation to a JCT contract construction and insolvency of one of the parties, proceedings by the insolvency practitioner.
Advising on an interim payment dispute following deduction of substantial amounts of monies for late completion and non-payment of loss and/or expense pursuant to a JCT Contract.
Advising on a dispute involving non-payment and compensation events pursuant to an NEC3 Contract on a major construction project.
Successful adjudication pursuant to section 108 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (as amended) concerning recovery of Overheads Contribution as part of loss and/or expense claim pursuant to a heavily amended JCT Contract.
Advising on arbitration provisions pursuant to a construction contract.
Drafting a bespoke construction contract for use by a Contractor for use on all its projects.
Advised on a payment and valuation dispute, the interpretation of contract terms and conditions, a proposed winding-up petition in the High Court and the best strategy to be adopted in order to achieve the client’s objectives and recover the outstanding payment.

TESTIMONIALS

What Clients Say

"We were able to meticulously comb through the data we had with your legal and commercial brain…in order to write a robust rebuttal to their claim…Thank you for your diligence… more than once you went beyond the call of duty to support us…"

“Charles…he has unbelievable depth of knowledge…and we would have no hesitation in recommending him…”

“…in a recent adjudication conducted against a large multi- national corporation…Charles was instrumental in putting together the adjudication documents and dealing with all correspondence from the opposing side’s solicitors …in an adjudication that proved to be very successful in its conclusion…I have no hesitation in recommending Charles to others and…look forward to working with him in future…”

“…I…engaged Charles as part of a very delicate dispute and subsequent Adjudication process which was awarded in our favour despite an extensive legal team in opposition. Charles proved to be incredibly dedicated and passionate in his support and I found his knowledge and insight to be unparalleled. I cannot recommend him highly enough…”.

“…I worked with Charles on a number of complex construction disputes and found his grasp and in-depth knowledge of construction, construction law and dispute resolution to be second to none…”

“…We have known and worked with Charles on a regular basis over several years. We have found Charles to not only be friendly, approachable and professional, but his advice is considered, diligent and thorough. Our relationship with Charles has evolved to a point where he is our first port of call in litigious matters, with our supply chain also specifically requesting his services…”

“Having had the privilege of working with Charles I can say he is extremely dedicated, precise and utterly relentless. A leading thinker in the construction law field, and an advocate you most certainly want on your side.”

Years of Experience

We have a wealth of knowledge and experience in providing high quality legal advice, drafting and robust presentation in the civil courts and tribunals in England and Wales.

Construction & Engineering