Contact Details

Holmes & Hills Solicitors,
A12 Commercial Hub | London Road | Marks Tey Colchester | Essex | CO6 1ED

Phone: 0330 055 9863
Email Address: britbuild@holmes-hills.co.uk
Web Address: https://www.holmes-hills.co.uk

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Working in Partnership With Clients

Our large team of legal experts work in partnership with public sector, commercial and individual clients to provide them with specialist legal advice.

Introduction

Holmes & Hills’ Construction Department is a specialist team of construction solicitors supporting contractors, funders, developers, consultants, property owners, and industry bodies across the UK. While Holmes & Hills is a leading East Anglian law firm with seven offices across Essex and Suffolk and more than 200 legal professionals, its construction solicitors advise clients nationwide on both contentious and non-contentious matters, including adjudication, contract drafting and negotiation, dispute avoidance, and dispute resolution. The Department is recognised for providing practical, proactive advice that helps construction businesses manage risk, protect their position, and achieve their commercial objectives with confidence. Clients instruct Holmes & Hills because they receive specialist construction law advice from a team that combines national sector expertise with direct senior involvement, practical dispute-avoidance support, and a clear focus on protecting commercial outcomes. The team also delivers tailored training for construction businesses and industry bodies, helping clients understand key legal risks, avoid common contractual pitfalls, and strengthen their internal knowledge. Holmes & Hills’ mission is to build long-term relationships with clients by delivering clear, commercially focused legal advice wherever clients are based.

Testimonials

Sam’s approach has always been about trying to avoid disputes. The training he provided for CRS really helped our team to understand common legal pitfalls and how to avoid them. Where there have been disputes, I’ve always been really impressed with the level of direct involvement from Sam in trying to resolve them, which has been beyond what I have previously experienced from other solicitors.
Neil Hayes, Complete Roofing Systems (CRS)
Chrissie provided clear, practical support throughout the contract process, taking the time to talk me through each section so I could fully understand both the detail and the bigger picture. As this was my first experience working on a commercial contract like this, her guidance made everything feel much more accessible and far less daunting. Her approach to negotiation was thoughtful and commercial, helping us reach a fair and workable outcome for all parties.
Emily Caton , Audley End Miniature Railway LTD
Since our first engagement we found Holmes & Hills (H&H) professional yet personable with the underlying feeling that our issues actually matter to them. That first engagement resulted in a successful outcome for us which was fantastic as before H&H got involved we didn’t think that possible. Since then we have communicated with Lawrence and Chrissie on a regular basis for both advice and representation giving us comfort in what is an extremely volatile and ruthless industry. Highly recommend!
Darren, Summit Electrical Installations Ltd

Holmes & Hills’ Construction Department is independently recognised by both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. In addition to departmental recognition, Sam Bawden and Lawrence Pearce are also individually ranked, reflecting the strength and depth of expertise within the team. Holmes & Hills is trusted by leading industry bodies as a legal partner to The Scaffolding Association (TSA), the National Association of Shopfitters (NAS), the Lead Contractors Association (LCA), and the Federation of Traditional Metal Roofing Contractors (FTMRC). These relationships reflect the team’s specialist expertise and standing within the construction industry.

Key Members of Staff

SAM BAWDEN – Partner

LAWRENCE PEARCE – Partner

ABBIE CHISNALL – Senior Associate

SOPHIE BENNETT – Associate

CHRISSIE PARKES – Associate

FIONA CURSONS – Trainee Solicitor

Latest News

LESSONS LEARNED: THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND THE JCT 2024 RESPONSE

July 21, 2026
Sophie Bennet, Associate at Holmes & Hills, discuss the lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic and how the JCT 24…

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DELAY UNDER THE JCT DESIGN AND BUILD CONTRACT 2024

July 10, 2026
Delay is a persistent source of disputes in the construction industry. Sophie Bennett, Associate at Holmes & Hills, examines…

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CHANGES UNDER GB 24 EXPLAINED

June 26, 2026
Construction changes are dynamic by nature, Evolving client requirements, design development, and unforeseen site conditions all generate the need for…

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BUILDING SAFETY LEVY – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

June 19, 2026
Sophie Bennet, Associate at Holmes & Hills, provides a clear overview on the upcoming Building Safety Levy. The Building…

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ASSIGNMENT IN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS

June 10, 2026
Sophie Bennet, Associate at Holmes & Hills Solicitors breaks down what assignment in construction contract is and why it…

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CHRISSIE PARKES APPOINTED TO THE WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION ANGLIA INDUSTRY MANAGEMENT BOARD

April 28, 2026
Holmes & Hills is proud to announce that Chrissie Parkes, specialist construction solicitor, has been appointed to the Industry Management..

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