Stuart Pearson (Capital Law)

Stuart Pearson

Partner
Construction, Energy & Projects

Stuart is a Partner in our Construction, Energy and Projects team. He undertakes contentious and non-contentious construction, infrastructure, energy and major projects, from procurement to completion for public and private bodies.

Stuart was promoted to Partner in November 2019. He acts for national and local government, private sector developers, contractors, design consultants and financial institutions.

He has advised on bespoke and standard-form construction contracts for routine projects, through to £multi-billion financed schemes from procurement to completion. His work ranges from drafting and negotiating sector specific agreements (including bespoke and standard form contracts, e.g. JCT and NEC) for road projects; to catering and facilities management contracts, resolving contractual disputes including issues relating to step-in rights, measured term contracts and final accounts.

Stuart has specialist PPP expertise including a working understanding of the Mutual Investment Model. He gave evidence to the Welsh Government in relation to matters affecting the construction industry in Wales and was invited to contribute to its inquiries into the state of the roads in Wales and capital funding sources (both of which centred around the use of MIM).

Stuart regularly delivers external training on a variety of topics and has had a number of articles published in sector focused publications – most recently discussing the future of our cities in view of the growth of innovative transport firms and an in-depth look at Smart Cities.

Stuart is currently recognised as a Next Generation Partner in The Legal 500 and recommended for Construction by Chambers and Partners.

 

Stuart Pearson – his balanced practice of contentious and non-contentious work makes him an excellent litigator, there is very little he has not seen before.

The Legal 500 | 2022

Stuart is a very friendly, approachable member of the Capital Law team, who consistently provides a high level of construction advice.

Chambers and Partners 2022

  • Advising Ceredigion County Council on the “Cylch Caron” scheme, with Welsh Government as funder, providing full legal services in appointing a Delivery Partner for an ambitious Extra Care Facility project in collaboration with the local NHS health board. The project aims to provide a purpose-built centre for integrated delivery of health and social care services together with specialist housing for individuals with care needs.
  • Advising Costain/Ferrovial joint venture in relation to the “Building Schools for the Future” PFI scheme. This included representing the joint venture in multiple disputes via adjudication.
  • Advising Red Kite Securities Limited in relation to the “Mendip Free School” PFI scheme, advising on the procurement of a design and build contractor and ensuring satisfaction of the project objectives and funding requirements. This required the negotiation of construction and funding documents and navigating multiple stakeholders’ approaches to required drafting and derogations from standard documents.
  • Advising an innovative ocean energy company on a design and supply agreement for specialist plant for use in a tidal energy project.
  • Advising a government owned company via its subsidiary when procuring the design and construction of a wind turbine.
  • Advising the Welsh Government on the M4 relief road, one of the largest infrastructure projects in Wales in recent years.
  • Instructed by Welsh Power Limited to provide ad hoc construction advice in relation to the ongoing management of existing and new- build power stations at 20 sites across the UK. By way of example, provided advice in relation to the completion, take-over and performance testing of the MF/1 form of contract.
  • Advising a liquefied natural gas terminal on a variety of engineering and construction related issues.
  • Advising Tidal Energy Limited on an all risks insurance policy and remedial works carried out on the supply cable between the offshore installation and onshore installation (based on LOGIC forms of contract).
  • Advising Bombora on a design and supply agreement for specialist plant used in a tidal energy project.
  • Advising The Royal Mint Limited via its subsidiary when procuring the design and construction of a wind turbine on adjacent land to the Visitor Centre. Advice provided in relation to the contract structure and reviewed and reported on proposed documents. The documents have included a balance of plant contract (FIDIC), connection offer and agreement, power purchase agreement, management agreement, power purchase agreement, private wire agreement and related deeds of novation and supply contracts.
  • Advising Dragon LNG on a variety of engineering and construction related issues, including the procurement of a contractor for an upgrade of the gas transhipment facility. For this particular project we were required to advise on the appropriate form of contract and procurement strategy. Given the complex/technical nature of the project the NEC4 form of contract was used and early contractor involvement was required.
  • Funding and security
  • Construction documentation
  • Bonds, warranties (including step-in rights), guarantees and insurance
  • Review and management of disputes
  • Non-contentious Construction
  • Adjudication
  • Arbitration
  • Litigation
  • Mediation
  • Claim funding structures
  • Procurement
  • Power purchase agreements
  • Novation deeds

Career

  • Partner, Capital Law Limited (Nov 2019 – present)
  • Senior Associate, Capital Law Limited (2018 – Nov 2019)
  • Associate, Capital Law LLP (2016 – 2018)
  • Associate, Foot Anstey LLP (2015 – 2016)
  • Solicitor, Foot Anstey LLP (2012 – 2015)
  • Trainee Solicitor, Hugh James (2010 – 2012)

Education

  • Nottingham Law School: LPC (2004 – 2005)
  • Nottingham Law School: Law and French

Memberships

  • The Law Society of England and Wales

Languages

  • French
  • Welsh