Skip to main content

Paul
Hargreaves

Partner

Construction & Engineering

+44 (0)743 269 8748

Email Paul Hargreaves

LinkedIn

Download VCard

Paul Hargreaves

Paul
Hargreaves

Partner

Construction & Engineering

+44 (0)743 269 8748

Email Paul Hargreaves

LinkedIn

Download VCard

Paul is a Partner in the Construction & Engineering team, with over 17 years of experience advising clients on complex and high-value disputes. He is nationally recognised for his expertise in claims under the Defective Premises Act 1972 (DPA) and building warranty policies, and is currently advising on all aspects of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA). Paul focuses on complex contentious construction matters, particularly those involving defective building works.

Paul works closely with housebuilders, developers, managing agents, leaseholders, government and other stakeholders, guiding them through disputes affecting the built environment, as well as claims involving professional negligence, product liability, and contractual issues. His ability to think creatively and manage large, multi-party claims has earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor, with the Legal 500 describing him as a “force of nature” when advising leaseholder groups on claims arising out of defective premises, and his work continues to make a meaningful impact for clients navigating challenging legal landscapes.

Paul’s experience includes acting for clients such as the Avant Group, Frasers Property, the Scarborough Group, the Mandale Group along with numerous management companies and/or managing agents and leaseholder groups. Paul has been at the forefront of advising on claims arising out of defective apartment blocks well before the Grenfell tradgedy having acted for the claimants in the case of Rendlesham Estates PLC and others v Barr Limited, which clarified the meaning of section 1(1) of the DPA as it applied to blocks of apartments and which is a case that is reguarly cited by all practitioners in this area of the law. Paul also acted for the claimants in the leadings decisions relating to the application of new home warranties (Zagora Management Limited & Others v Zurich Insurance Plc & Others) and in the Court of Appeal in Manchikalipati & Others v Zurich Insurance Plc (T/A Zurich Building Guarantee & Zurich Municipal) & Others.

Awards:

  • Shortlisted for Associate Solicitor of the Year at the British Legal Awards 2015

Languages:

  • English
Experience

Acting for major housebuilders in connection with all matters arising out of the Developer Remediation Contract and all other matters relating out of the BSA, including all potential pass-on claims.

Acting for the leaseholders and the management company in respect of a defective block of flats in Cardiff. Proceedings have been issued against Redrow under the DPA.

Acting for the leaseholders in a converted block of flats in Bradford in connection with an application made under section 123 of the BSA against their landlord.

Acting for a multi-national developer in respect of claims made against various contractors under the DPA in respect of defects to a large residential development in London.

Acting for a developer in connection with all matters arising out of the BSA, including the defence of claims brought and/or any potential pass-on claims and/or in respect of all other rights or obligations arising out of the DPA

Acting for a large student-housing provider in advising them in respect of their rights under the BSA and all potential third-party claims arising.

Advising the management company and leaseholders in connection with a large residential development in Swansea in connection with their claims against their warranty provider and/or the FSCS for major fire safety defects.

Acting for a management company of a prestigious development in Jersey in connection with claims for various defects and claims made against the new home warranty provider.

Acting for a group of individuals in connection with claims made against their solicitors in respect of a failed development in Liverpool.

Insights