Contact

Partner, Construction & Engineering

Chris Kirby Turner

Chris leads on the team’s dispute resolution, litigation and adjudication matters. His practice encompasses all stages of construction disputes from initial advisory work and input on ongoing commercial negotiations on live projects through to complex adjudications and multi-party claims in the Technology & Construction Court (TCC). He has considerable experience in devising and implementing effective strategies to resolve disputes at an early stage, and regularly resolves complex disputes by way of mediation.

As well as being an experienced negotiator, Chris specialises in representing parties in adjudications and claims in the TCC, where he has particular experience in dealing with claims involving insolvency issues, complex professional negligence claims arising from design failings, and claims against insurers.

Chris Kirby Turner

Specialisms & expertise

  • Acts on disputes concerning defective works, design issues, disputed valuations / final account, interim payment disputes, non-payment, extensions of time, loss and expense, termination and insolvency issues
  • Settlement of vast majority of matters at early stage through negotiations, settlement meetings, mediation, and expert determination (Alternative Dispute Resolution)
  • Settlements involving substantial re-negotiation of live construction contracts and/or in bringing projects to a point where there can be an orderly handover to a replacement contractor
  • Adjudication – bringing or defending “slam dunk” interim payment disputes, final account disputes, substantive disputes, serial adjudications, and adjudication enforcement proceedings in the TCC
  • Claims in the Technology & Construction Court, with considerable experience in multi-party construction disputes involving insolvency issues, complex professional negligence claims arising from design failings, and claims against insurers.

Examples of work

Dealing with a complex dispute involving numerous projects undertaken between developer and contractor over many years through various entities.

Defending serial adjudications brought in relation to a subcontractor dispute

Successfully defended a high value “smash and grab” adjudication on an interim application

Negotiated outcome to a complex multi-party professional negligence case

Dealing with issues arising from a professional indemnity insurer’s declinature of cover

Mediated outcome to a highly technical multi-party dispute

Achievements & other appointments

Chris has been consistently ranked since 2012 as a ‘leader in his field’ by leading independent legal guide to UK law firms, Chambers UK, who have praised his ‘knowledge of industry practice’ and ‘straightforward and practical approach’, noting that he ‘receives market recognition for his strong dispute resolution practice’. Chris is also recognised as a ‘next generation partner’ in the Legal 500 directory.

He is a member of the Society of Construction Law, and since 2020 has been a regional co-ordinator for the Kent Region. He has chaired a number of events for the Kent region, which are also delivered virtually to the society’s national and international members. He is also a member of the Technology & Construction Solicitors Association (TeCSA).

Chris Kirby-Turner, Chambers 2024 The Legal 500 Next Generation Partner

Education

Chris studied Law LLB at Exeter University and his Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, Guildford. He trained with the firm and joined the Construction & Engineering team upon qualification in September 2008. He became a Partner in 2017.

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