Christopher James Reeves

Reported Cases

Wilson & Sharp Investments Ltd v Harbourview Developments Ltd
[2015] EWCA Civ 1030[Court of Appeal]

Acted for the employer developer (Wilson and Sharp) who had entered into contracts in the JCT Intermediate Building Contract with Contractor’s Design 2011 Edition with a building contractor for the construction of student accommodation and successfully argued that it was not liable to pay the balance of four interim certificates totalling £1.2M which had been issued earlier by the contract administrator despite the absence of any pay less notices.

The employer was successful in overturning a High Court decision in the Court of Appeal so as to prevent the building contractor presenting a winding up petition.

Sub-issues in this matter included the successful defence of insolvency proceeding brought against the directors who had entered into personal guarantees for payment of the certified sums.

The case involved complex matters of valuation, disclosure, professional negligence, professional fees and insolvency. Established legal principles concerning payment in the construction industry in the context of insolvency.

R G Spiller Ltd v Derhalli
[2014] EWHC 2458 (TCC)

Obtained ex-parte interim injunction for main contractor against Employers on £4M private residence refurbishment contract preventing the Employers from making any call, demand or other claim on an on-demand bond.

Matter had included resolution of dispute over contractors final account including claim for extensions of time with loss and expense, variations, defects and liquidated damages.

Dispute over final certificate issued by Architect before the issue of the making good of defects certificate.

Final hearing concerned costs of proceedings.

Dixon & Anor v Radley House Partnership & Ors
[2016] EWHC 3485 (QB)

Assisted home-owners in claims against Architect and Mechanical Services consultant relating to defective works carried out at their home, and over-certification of the same.

Following a significant win on an attempt to have the case struck out, the case ultimately settled with a favourable outcome for clients.

Matter included complex issues of expert evidence relating to defects to listed property, renewables installation and electrical components.

DR Jones Yeovil Limited v The Stepping Stone Group Limited
[2020] EWHC 2308 (TCC)

Recovering retention and defending defective works claim on behalf of Contractor. Engaged complex issues of transferred loss and entitlement to retention payment in the absence of a final or making good certificate.

Successfully defended all counterclaims for defective works.

Claimant ultimately recovered a significant portion of legal costs upon beating its Part 36 offer to settle.

D R Jones Yeovil Ltd v Drayton Beaumont Services Ltd
[2021] EWHC 1971 (TCC)

Successful application to amend claim to introduce alleged defects in fire stopping outside of ordinary primary limitation period.

Case included hard fought argument over whether client’s terms and conditions applied.

Matter had included earlier successful vacation of trial date due to discovery that defendant had been carrying out attempted remedial works unseen by the expert.

Matter had also included earlier successful defence of adjudication enforcement proceedings brought by defendant.