Richard Bailey

Druces LLP

London www.druces.com

r.bailey@druces.com Tel: +44 7971 418051

Biography

Richard is a highly regarded construction lawyer with broad international experience. This encompasses all forms of contractual work and the handling of complex construction and engineering disputes, both domestic and international. Clients include contractors and subcontractors; property owners and developers; and consultants and project stakeholders. Richard regularly conducts international arbitrations or co-counsels with other firms. A member of the International Bar Association’s construction projects group, he is a frequent speaker at construction events across the globe.

My experience of working with John Birch, a partner of Bevan Ashford, early in my career was transformational. He introduced me to the fundamentals of adjudication in the late 1990s, just as it was starting to grow in importance in the UK.

What are the most common sources of construction disputes and how do you think clients can minimise the risks of them occurring?

Payment disputes are the most common and the simple advice - carefully follow the terms of your contract – can avoid many of them.

Have you seen in an increase in disputes arising from renewable projects? If so, why?

It’s no surprise that, as renewables have continued to grow in importance, there has been a matching growth in the number of disputes arising from this part of the market.

It has been noted that mediation is increasingly being used to resolve construction disputes. Why do you think it is becoming more popular as a form of dispute resolution?

Mediation is cost effective and that is at the heart of its popularity: it is trusted by people in the construction industry as a way of reaching commercial settlements.

What impact do you think third-party funding will have on construction disputes in the coming years?

The key point is that third-party funding will allow parties – particularly in larger disputes - to pursue claims that previously would be difficult to sustain.

What impact will technological innovation have on the construction industry over the next five to 10 years?

Let’s be clear, technological innovation has already had a huge impact on the construction industry. But looking ahead, I expect more and more innovation with the increasingly easy use of BIM, off-site production and the use of 3D printing all being significant.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

There are two things: the complex legal challenges which cross my desk every day (and which I in turn have to distil and articulate to my clients) and the extraordinarily diverse set of talented people that I get to work with.

How do you see your practice developing over the next five years?

I joined Druces LLP in the autumn of 2021 and my plans for the next five years will see us building the team into a leading construction practice providing highquality legal advice across the full spectrum of the construction industry.

Peers and clients say: “Richard impresses as a tough litigator in construction disputes” “He brings invaluable insight to the possible strategies being played out by the other side”