Michael Tomlinson

Full Profile

Michael advises across the full spectrum of contentious construction, engineering and projects matters, with specialist expertise in the energy, infrastructure and healthcare sectors as well as PFI/PPP projects nationally and internationally. He acts for clients in the Technology and Construction Court, arbitrations, adjudications and mediations.

Michael is instructed by clients in the UK and Canada. Michael has advised on large infrastructure and healthcare disputes in Canada, and is a member of the Society of Construction Law North America.  

Legal 500 describes Michael as “handling disputes with flair” and clients comment that Michael is a "first-rate lawyer with a straightforward approach and a sharp intellect" who "delves into the detail quickly and translates complicated legal issues into sensible and business friendly advice."

Experience

• Defending over a dozen adjudications launched simultaneously and without notice by two subcontractors claiming time and money under a project subject to the Official Secrets Act, resulting in a successful outcome for the client.
• Acting as project counsel for an international joint venture on the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, a C$2bn PPP project in Canada, resolving disputes with the supply chain and employer.
• Acting for the subcontractor in a multi-party, cross-border dispute on a wind farm in Kherson Oblast, Ukraine, successfully preventing a multi-million dollar bond call. 
• Acting for a major national contractor on a multi-party PFI dispute defending a claim for defects and deductions in excess of £100m.
• Acting for the employer in a claim against the contractor for liquidated damages and defective work on a nuclear project in the UK.
• Acting for a contractor in an arbitration defending a claim for defect rectification costs and delay damages brought by the employer on a Canadian project. 
• Resolving a £15m final account dispute for a specialist subcontractor against a contractor on an internationally renowned sports ground by strategically commencing a series of successful adjudications resulting in a positive negotiated settlement.
• Providing project advisory support to a Middle Eastern employer on an international airport expansion facing significant delays and cost overspend.
• Defending a contractor in a £8m final account adjudication brought by a specialist subcontractor in relation to a landmark national headquarters building.