Publication date: 29.04.2025
I am a qualified English solicitor and Ukrainian advocate with nearly 20 years of legal experience, including over 10 years of practice in the United Kingdom. I specialize in international business law, cross-border transactions, complex commercial dispute resolution, and project management. I have deep expertise in corporate, commercial law, and international taxation. I advise HNW clients, international companies, and startups. Education: MBA (Cambridge), LLM in International Taxation (Sweden), legal education (Ukraine).
Initial Information: A client — a development company — approached me for the legal support of a large residential project in London. The project involved the construction of a multi-apartment building with 85 units located in a prestigious area of the city, requiring phased development, cooperation with dozens of subcontractors, financing from multiple sources, and strict regulatory oversight from city authorities.
Problem: The client needed full legal support at all stages — from initial planning to the commissioning of the building. Special attention had to be given to contract management with subcontractors, which included architects, builders, suppliers, engineering companies, and technical inspectors.
In addition, several commercial disputes arose during implementation, related to delays in the fulfillment of contractual obligations, late deliveries, and amendments to initial contract terms.
An extra challenge was ensuring compliance with UK building standards (BSI), fire safety regulations, and environmental requirements, along with meeting local government expectations for affordable housing provision.
Solution: Legal support began with a thorough analysis of project documentation and land law aspects, including verification of ownership rights, encumbrances, and necessary permits.
Then, detailed work was carried out on the drafting and execution of detailed contracts with all subcontractors. All agreements included provisions regarding:
- deadlines for work completion;
- liability for breach of obligations;
- dispute resolution mechanisms;
- guarantee obligations after project completion.
I personally coordinated negotiations between investors and subcontractors, ensuring a transparent contract model based on JCT (Joint Contracts Tribunal) and FIDIC standards, adapted to the specifics of the UK real estate market.
During the project implementation, several conflict situations occurred, including:
– the supplier failed to fulfill the contract regarding ventilation equipment delivery,
– a subcontractor delayed finishing works, disrupting agreed timelines.
I promptly prepared claims, conducted pre-trial negotiations, and resolved part of the disputes by adjusting schedules and applying penalties, while more complex cases were referred to mediation.
Simultaneously, I provided legal support for communications with local authorities, particularly with the London Borough Council, architectural services, and fire inspection services, ensuring full compliance of the documentation with:
- Building Regulations 2010,
- Fire Safety Regulations,
- Energy Performance of Buildings standards,
- Accessibility and inclusive housing standards (Approved Document M).
Client Achievements:
As a result, the client received a fully legally protected development project, where each stage was properly controlled:
– from land verification to signing final acceptance certificates;
– from contract preparation to dispute resolution;
– from licensing to the registration of ownership rights to completed properties.
The client's team was able to focus on project implementation without being distracted by legal issues.
Result:
The residential complex was successfully commissioned within the agreed timeframe, without legal delays. The investments were protected, and the project’s contract base was recognized as exemplary in terms of compliance with UK law.
The developer received not only a fully completed project but also a ready legal model for future development initiatives.
This case confirms that high-quality legal support in development projects is the key to the safe and efficient implementation of even the largest real estate projects in the United Kingdom.
Comprehensive legal support at all construction stages enabled the client not only to avoid delays and financial risks but also to successfully implement a large-scale residential project in London. Through proper contract structuring, effective dispute resolution, and strict regulatory compliance, the investor received a safe, profitable property and a reliable legal framework for future development projects.
