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Carly
Thorpe

Partner

Construction & Engineering

+44 (0)794 409 1886

Email Carly Thorpe

LinkedIn

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Carly Thorpe

Carly
Thorpe

Partner

Construction & Engineering

+44 (0)794 409 1886

Email Carly Thorpe

LinkedIn

Download VCard

Excellent with clients and highly efficient and well-organised.

Specialising in risk management, dispute resolution, and advising clients across the construction sector, Carly brings over a decade of experience to the Construction and Engineering team. As well as a Partner at Walker Morris, Carly is a qualified Adjudicator and is regularly appointed to determine disputes arising under construction contracts.

As a leading expert in construction and engineering law, Carly focuses on managing risks before, during, and after construction projects. She has extensive experience advising contractors, subcontractors, developers, and consultants across various sectors, particularly on infrastructure and energy projects and projects in the healthcare and retirement living sector. Carly’s expertise spans high-value, complex claims working with high-profile clients such as Metso OYJ, MVV Group, and Kier Property, and she is renowned for her ability to distil complex issues into clear, actionable advice.

Carly is ranked in the Chambers UK Guide, identified as a Next Generation Partner by Legal 500 (in 2 categories: Construction and Health), and named on the O Shaped Lawyers List in November 2023 for driving change in the legal profession. Carly won the European Women in Construction & Engineering Award (Construction Law) 2025 for her work in improving diversity in the legal profession.

Cases

Sports Clubs

Acting for various Premier League Football clubs in respect of disputes relating to various defects including in the pitch, floodlighting, and drainage systems.

Acting for a Premier League Football Club drafting and negotiating the Construction Documents for an expension of their stadium and associated development.

Outotec (USA) Inc

Defence of a $400millionUSD claim under ICHemE Yellow Book in respect of gasification plants in Hull and Surrey. Proceedings took place in the Technology & Construction Court and in the Court of Appeal: Energy Works (Hull) Limited v (1) MW High Tech Projects UK Limited (2) M+W Group GMBH and Outotec (USA) Inc [2020] EWHC 2537 (TCC); Energy Works (Hull) Limited v (1) MW High Tech Projects UK Limited (2) M+W Group GMBH and Outotec (USA) Inc 2022] EWHC 3275 (TCC); Energy Works (Hull) Limited v (1) MW High Tech Projects UK Limited (2) M+W Group GMBH and Outotec (USA) Inc (Judgment No.2) [2023] EWHC 1142 (TCC); MW High Tech Projects UK Limited v Outotec (USA) Inc and Metso OYJ [2023] EWHC 2885 (TCC); Outotec (USA) Inc & another v MW High Tech Projects UK Limited [2024] EWCA Civ 844.

 

Adjudication - Party Representative

Carly has been representing parties in referring and responding to adjudication proceedings since 2011. Carly has experience of the Scheme for Construction Contracts, the TECSA Adjudication Rules, the Construction Industry Council Model Adjudication Procedures, the ICE Adjudication Procedure and bespoke contractual adjudication procedures.

Adjudication Enforcement

Carly is experienced in bringing and defending adjudication enforcement proceedings in the TCC regional District Registries and in the TCC in London. Examples of Carly’s work include: McCarthy Management Services Limited v M.B. McNamara Construction (UK) Limited (unreported) HT-2022-000322; BM Services Inc Ltd v Greyline Builders Ltd [2018] EWHC 3884 (TCC). Carly also assists Adjudicators in recovering unpaid fees.

FIDIC SILVER BOOK

Acting for the operator of 5 biomass plants in respect of a £6millionGBP dispute with the EPC Contractor relating to defects and delays.

ACA Term Partnering Contract

Acting for a maintenance contractor in a claim against a housing association for £800,000GBP in unpaid fees. Successfully obtained an adjudicator’s decision in the client’s favour.

Bond Claims

HCC: Acting for a student accommodation developer in making a claim under a performance bond following main contractor insolvency. The surety refused to pay and we issued successful Part 8 Proceedings for a declaration in support of our claim: Ziggurat (Claremont Place) LLP v HCC International Insurance Company plc [2017] EWHC 3286 (TCC)

Languages:

  • English
  • Spanish

Memberships & professional associations:

  • Fellow Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  • Fellow Institution of Civil Engineers
  • RICS President’s Panel Adjudicator
  • UK Adjudicators Panel Adjudicator
  • Regional Coordinator: The Adjudication Society
  • ICE Advanced Certificate Law & Contract Management (2025)
  • RICS Diploma in Adjudication in the Construction Industry (2025)

Carly is very astute and commercially aware. She grasps the detail and nuances of each claim very quickly. She is a pleasure to work with and always has her clients’ interest at the forefront of her mind.

Chambers

Carly’s exceptional ability to analyse options and find solutions is highlighted in her Legal 500 ranking as a Next Generation Partner. Her approach is commercially astute, and she delivers excellent service.

Carly Thorpe is our main contact. She is simply amazing. Very approachable and works in a collaborative manner. Carly devises great strategies and her ability to respond efficiently is to be applauded.

Carly Thorpe deserves particular mention for her succinct advice.

Excellent with clients and highly efficient and well-organised.

Insights

Comment & Opinion

Adjudication Matters: October 2025

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Comment & Opinion

Living Horizon Scanner: September 2025

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Comment & Opinion

Adjudication Matters: September 2025

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