James Stewart

James is a Partner based in our Guildford office and heads Laytons' Construction team. 

James deals with all aspects of construction law from project commencement through to completion including outstanding defects and account issues.  This encompasses advising:

• on the original set up of projects (whether engineering, commercial or residential) including professional appointments, bonds, warranties and construction contracts;
• on funding issues in relation to the relevant project;
• on finalising the construction aspects of development agreements and related documentation;
• throughout the design and construction phases; and
• on all matters relating to completion, disposal and settlement of accounts.

James has significant development finance experience having advised many institutional lenders on the construction aspects of development projects, forward funders and also borrowers funding significant and high value commercial and residential schemes.

In terms of contentious work, James advises on all aspects of dispute resolution including mediation, adjudication, arbitration and court proceedings in the specialist Technology & Construction Court and those matters include professional negligence, loss and expense claims, delay and disruption, bond claims, defects and final account claims as well as issues arising out of contract determination and insolvency. 

James acts on behalf of clients from all sectors of the construction industry including developers, funders, consultants and specialist sub-contractors.