Cripps Harries Hall

James Lee

Associate

James Lee is a solicitor specialising in non-contentious construction and civil engineering matters, dealing with all aspects including all the major forms of building and engineering contracts, bespoke development agreements, professional consultants' appointments, sub-contracts, collateral warranties and financial security documentation.

Expertise

  • Construction (non-contentious)
  • Development agreements
  • Agreements for lease (construction aspects)
  • Building contracts
  • Engineering contracts
  • Professional consultants' appointments
  • Sub-contracts
  • Financial security documentation (for construction projects)
  • Collateral warranties
  • CDM Regulations

Memberships

  • Society of Construction Law

Career

  • Associate, Cripps Harries Hall LLP, 2010
  • Solicitor, Cripps Harries Hall LLP, 2005
  • Trainee Solicitor, Cripps Harries Hall LLP, 2003
  • Successfully completing a complex PFI transaction for a University involving the negotiation of a development agreement and associated construction documentation using private finance to build around 500 bedrooms for students at the University at a build cost of over £22 million
  • Advising the UK Border Agency in respect of a development agreement for refurbishment works to various floors totalling over 200,000 sq ft, including the instruction of tenant fitting-out works worth around £11 million
  • Acting for the private developer of one of the largest mixed-use developments in Europe (comprising 2.2m sq ft of commercial office space, 2,750 residential dwellings, 100,000 sq ft of retail) in relation to the negotiation of their building contracts and professional appointments for their office, residential and infrastructure construction projects and providing disputes advice
  • Acting for a major London commercial property developer in its first foray into residential development. The scheme involved a complex site assembly, the surrender of occupational leases, the creation of a joint venture and bank and secondary lending. We also handled the letting of the main construction contract and associated construction documentation, the pre sale of an apartment block to a housing association and the sale of the remaining units
Legal updates view all
+ Construction law update - Know your contract! - January 2011
A recently reported case from the Technology and Construction Court has re-emphasised the critical importance of knowing the form of engineering or building contract you are working with and completing it properly, as well as providing a timely reminder of the need to expressly select arbitration in the contract as the relevant form of dispute resolution if this is to be the preferred choice.
 03/01/2011
+ Construction law - Shaken not stirred - Know your bond! - June 2010
Performance bonds protect employers against contractor default, non-performance or insolvency. However, many employers wrongly assume that a bond provides an insurance policy which automatically pays out in such circumstances. This is rarely the case and it is crucial to check carefully the circumstances under which a claim can be made.
 01/06/2010