Mark is a Partner in the Construction Department. He is head of the construction dispute resolution team, which forms an important part of the firm’s Construction and Engineering Group. The Group is recognised as a leader by the Legal 500 and Chambers.

Mark and his team specialise exclusively in all forms of modern day construction dispute resolution. He acts for contractors, developers and consultants, advising on all issues arising out of construction and development projects.

Mark has 20 years experience in resolving construction disputes across all standard forms of contract and sophisticated bespoke documentation. He and his team work on the very simple basis of making sure that their clients know the answers to the following questions in any dispute: Are you going to win? What is it going to cost? How long is it going to take? What would you do if you were me?

This refreshing approach has seen the team win many major contractors and developers as clients. Clients include: Taylor Woodrow, Persimmon, Bellway, Berkeley Group, Kier Group, Atkins, ROK, CLC, Jack Lunn and Metnor.

Based on the commercial reality that prevention is much cheaper than cure, Mark is doing a lot of work with progressive contractors and developers providing behind the scenes tactical advice on live projects as soon as there is any hint of a potentially significant issue on site. This helps clients manage their risk by doing everything necessary at the time to maximise their legal position.

Mark’s work takes him all over the UK, acting for members of the construction industry‘s leading trade federations.

• Multi-million pound final account disputes for some of the largest developers and contractors in the UK
• Multi-million pound fit out dispute on Britain’s most expensive house
• Steelwork dispute on the new Wembley Stadium
• Multi-million pound M & E disputes on the Canary Wharf developments
• Court of Appeal decision on security for costs: Roburn Ltd v William Irwin & Co Ltd

Mark has spoken at conferences, and has written many articles for various publications.

Legal 500 said “Mark Lawton (is one) of the best-known construction lawyers in the North East“; “Mark Lawton is highly recommended”; Chambers commented “Mark Lawton really delivers ‘Commercially minded and down-to-earth, he proves popular with clients, some of whom “won’t use anyone else”; “Contentious specialist Mark Lawton ‘talks the construction language,’ impressing onlookers with his responsiveness and ‘perfect client service’; “Mark Lawton is considered excellent at all manner of disputes, including strategic advice on projects, adjudications and final account disputes.” “Mark Lawton is strongly recommended”