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Paul Giles

He/himPartner
Head of Construction and Engineering Disputes practice, UK
He knows our business, buys in to what I and the organisation are trying to achieve, delivers as and when required and works with a great team. Paul is also clearly an expert in his field.
Head of litigation, major utility company
About

Paul Giles advises on high value and complex construction/engineering disputes and is experienced in all relevant forums - adjudication, arbitration, litigation, DAB and international arbitration. Paul also focuses on working with project teams on live projects before disputes arise helping the project teams manage change/risk.

Paul has significant experience in the oil and gas, power (including nuclear), water and heavy engineering sectors. Paul has also worked on major infrastructure projects both within the UK and internationally. As a result, Paul has experience of contracts commonly used on international projects as well as the dispute resolution mechanisms on those projects (from dispute review boards to international arbitration). Domestically, Paul has worked extensively on all the commonly used standard forms ranging from NEC3, JCT, IChemE, FIDIC, MF1 to LOGIC.

Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales

EXPERIENCE

  • Advising a main works contractor on a delay, disruption and final account claim in relation to the design and construction of an offshore wind farm, utilising a novel foundation design for offshore wind farms.
  • Advising an airport company on claims from a main works contractor on a new runway project (GBP100 million), including very significant claims relating to earthworks and AGL systems.
  • Advising a statutory undertaker on the resolution of GBP70 million of claims from a framework contractor, including high volume, low value repair and maintenance works and a large number of significant network infrastructure projects (amended NEC3 contract).
  • Advising a water company in relation to a systemic defect in the design of a tertiary treatment plant designed and constructed under NEC3 Contract. Claims were made against 12 different contracting parties under Framework Agreements.
  • Advising a specialist civil and piping contractor on time/money claims arising out of the construction of one of the largest LNG terminals in Europe.
  • Advising a major gas operating company based offshore in the far east of Russia on very significant deficient design claims relating to the design and construction of one of the world’s largest integrated oil and gas projects (with specific focus on an onshore processing facility).
  • Advising an international oil company on indemnity claims relating to the construction of one of the world’s largest oil field developments in Kazakhstan.
  • Advising a cable supply company on an EPC contract in relation to delays and variations arising on an onshore cable installation project.
  • Advising a nuclear authority in relation to the design and construction of a boiler park on a nuclear site where issues relate to defective welding and pipework.
  • Advising a main works contractor on significant delay claims as part of a wider final account dispute claim on the design and construction of a Premier League training academy, issues including significant claims relating to the M&E works.
Education
  • University of Northumbria, LPC, 1999
  • University of Northumbria, GDL, 1998
  • University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, BA Politics, 1997

Awards

What clients say

"Flexible approach to costs, extremely client-oriented, result-focused." (Head of Litigation, Russian LNG Company)

"Very approachable, great client care skills (with internal commercial client), responsive, clear and practical advice. Grasps the key issues very quickly. First class..." (In house lawyer, energy company)

"... knows our business, buys in to what I and the organisation are trying to achieve, delivers as and when required and works with a great team. Paul is also clearly expert in his field." (Head of Litigation, major utility company)

What the directors say

Paul is described as "personable and bright" in the Legal 500 Directory.

Paul is described in Chambers 2014 as having "great knowledge in his expert area and a business-oriented approach when providing advice."

Memberships And Affiliations

  • ICES

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