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.

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.

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

Following a successful high value adjudication which accounted for the vast majority of the quantum difference between the parties, obtaining within the enforcement proceedings a freezing injunction following discovery of dissipation of the contractor’s high value property assets to related companies, preventing onward dissipation pending settlement of the judgment sum, as a foundation for mediation to take place.

Defending serial adjudications brought in relation to a subcontractor dispute

Obtaining decisions successfully preventing attempts by the subcontractor to re-value works on a re-measurement basis, resisting “slam dunk” adjudications, and determining major points of principle in our client’s favour, as a basis for reaching a favourable overall final account resolution.

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

Following alleged deficiencies in certification processes, leading to substantial tactical advantage in subsequent negotiations and narrowing of live valuation issues.

Negotiated outcome to a complex multi-party professional negligence case

Concerning a highly unusual mode of failure of timber structures and apportionment of liability between those with concept and detailed design responsibility.

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

As a result of the pre-insolvency actions of one of the defendants.

Mediated outcome to a highly technical multi-party dispute

Concerning the failure of a major piled wall during the construction of a prestigious coastal development to enable successful completion of the project, despite the main contractor’s insolvency.

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).

The Legal 500 2025 - 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.

Partner, Construction & Engineering

Specialisms & expertise

Examples of work