Silver Shemmings LLP – Construction Law / Commercial Law / Employment Law / Environmental Law / Equine Law and Property Law

Silver Shemmings Solicitors - Key Personnel

Sarah Shemmings, Partner

Sarah qualified as a solicitor in 1982 and was a partner in a City law firm for over 10 years.

She has considerable experience in acting for contractors and construction professionals. Whilst her main area of specialism is construction law, she also has wide experience in environmental and commercial law.

She has had several reported cases, including:

• Adonis Construction v. O’Keefe Soil Remediation Ltd (adjudication enforcement)
• Capital Structures Plc v. Time & Tide Construction Ltd (adjudication enforcement)
• Cambridge Water Company Limited v. Eastern Counties plc (Historic Water pollution)
• Department of National Heritage v. S.V.M. (the New British Library)
• Harris Calnan Construction Co. Ltd v. Ridgewood (Kensington) Ltd (adjudication enforcement)
• HG Construction Ltd v. Ashwell Homes (East Anglia) Ltd (adjudication enforcement)
• Pegram v. Tally Weijl (adjudication enforcement)

She is also co-author of the book “Construction Law and the Environment”.

Contact Sarah Shemmings

Richard Silver, Partner

Richard was called to the Bar in 1997 and qualified as a solicitor in 2004. His principal area of specialism is construction disputes with particular emphasis on Alternative Dispute Resolution. He is an experienced Adjudicator and Mediator.

Richard has in excess of 10 years previous experience in the construction industry, having held the positions of Chief Surveyor and Construction Director. He is also a Chartered Surveyor, a Chartered Builder and has acted as an Expert in quantity surveying, programming and planning claims.

Robert Shawyer, Partner

Robert Shawyer has been in the Construction Industry from leaving School at 18 being sponsored by a Main Contractor. Roberts time in the Construction Industry spans 22 years and in that period Robert has worked with organisations in most sectors of the industry including building, civil engineering, timber frame, mechanical and electrical engineering, etc, During  this period Robert was awarded the Area Award of Merit in Quantity   Surveying  and Building Studies by the Building Employers Confederation for three successive years.

Robert specialises in Construction Law, Commercial Law, Equine Law and Land law and disputes including, vetting and drafting contracts, collateral warranty and administration systems, providing legal advice, acting as expert in Quantity Surveying matters, including procedural, management of representations in litigation and for the Referring or Responding party in Adjudication, management of representations for the Claimant or Defendant in Arbitration, Mediation, Expert Determination, etc.

Read Robert's full profile and qualifications

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Matthew Dillon, Consultant

Matthew joined Silver Shemmings as a Consultant in 2009 having previously worked as in-house counsel for a number of publicly quoted infrastructure companies.

Matthew has significant experience of working with a wide range of standard form and bespoke construction contracts having negotiated contract documentation on projects ranging from fifty thousand to one hundred million pounds. Matthew has experience of working on contracts  for hotels, offices, hospitals, schools, custody suites as well as the railway.

Matthew has developed an expertise in  operational pfi and facilities management contracts and has acted in a number of complex multi party disputes concerning the application of deductions amounting to several million pounds.

Matthew also advises on general commercial contracts and business related litigation including arbitration, adjudication and mediation.

Contact Matthew Dillon 

Anthony Philpott, Consultant

Until 2009 and for eleven year Anthony was Legal Counsel for Bovis Lend Lease Limited, one of the leading construction and project management multinationals in the UK.  As such Anthony was published in the Legal 500 as one of the 200 leading in house lawyers in the UK.  Anthony has now joined the practice as a Consultant.

With over thirty years experience in the law as a Legal Executive, as a former Barrister and as a Solicitor since 1994, Anthony has a law degree and the MSc in Construction Law and Arbitration from King’s College London.

Anthony is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and he has recently had articles published in the International In House Counsel Journal entitled "The independence of the in house lawyer - a warning from history" and "Alternative Dispute Resolution - the Preferred Option in the UK Construction Industry".

In addition to advice and assistance upon construction contracts and disputes Anthony has considerable expertise in employment disputes and litigation.

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Rachel Lloyd Williams, Consultant

Rachel Lloyd Williams was admitted as a solicitor in 1995.  Specialising in Family Law since then, she has a wealth of experience.

Rachel specialises in ancillary relief and private law children cases and is able to assist with all aspects of the divorce procedure and co-habitee disputes.

Rachel’s aim is to reach a constructive, agreed settlement wherever possible. When this is not possible she will pursue court proceedings actively and cost effectively, keeping you informed every step of the way.

Contact Rachel Lloyd Williams