Christopher Pedder
Chris Pedder joined Birketts in April 2023. He is a Legal Director in our construction and engineering team based in our Sevenoaks office.
After starting in the public sector, Chris then worked for a major global construction consultancy before joining a major global law firm where he worked for 16 years. Chris now has over 25 years of experience of providing a wide range of construction related advice to both the public and private sectors on a variety of projects ranging from traditional construction contracts through to PFI/PPP contracts and large scale public sector projects.
Chris advises on construction procurement routes, building and engineering contracts, security within construction procurement including bonds, guarantees, warranties and third-party rights and professional appointments. Chris also regularly advises landlords and tenants in a number of sectors on construction issues within development agreements and agreement for leases and in particular as regards issues found in carrying out fit-out works in single and multi-tenanted commercial space. He has wide experience of advising on a variety of industry standard forms including JCT, NEC, GC/Works and MF/1 contracts but also relationship contracting using PPC 2000, TAC-1 and FAC-1.
Whilst primarily a transactional lawyer he also advises clients on early dispute resolution and settlement agreements.
Chris is particularly known for his work with local authorities and registered providers in regeneration, investment and asset management projects where he has worked on many public-sector large-scale projects and assisted public sector clients who have received statutory notices from housing regulators and advised them on their construction procurement to improve internal processes and achieve better outcomes for both the client and tenants Chris also advises contractors, sub-contractors and professional construction consultancies on liability issues under standard and bespoke forms and how best to mitigate these issues.
Recent work highlights
Advising a boutique investment bank in relation to its construction contract for fit-out works circa £42million in Victoria.
Advising a leading not-for-profit education and training provider on its new build construction contract for a new further education college circa £100millon at Wembley.
Advising a student accommodation provider on a suite of construction documentation relating to new student accommodation in Southampton circa £35million.
Experience & education
2023 Legal Director, construction and engineering team, Birketts LLP
2016 – 2023 Consultant
2006 – 2016 Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
1999 – 2006 Senior Associate Trowers & Hamlins
2000 – 2002 Legal Practice Course De Montfort University (part time)
