David is a construction lawyer and solicitor advocate of the Senior Courts, specialising in resolving disputes through arbitration, mediation, adjudication, expert determination, and complex litigation. He has expertise in risk management, dispute avoidance, and resolution for a broad range of clients involved in building and engineering projects worldwide. David also represents clients before the courts and professional bodies such as ARB and RIBA.
David also advises on crisis and reputation management and his experience covers fatalities, construction collapses, and urgent court applications for injunctive relief.
Expertise
- Dispute resolution
- International projects
- Marine engineering
- Construction and engineering procurement
- Contract drafting and negotiation
- Warranties
- Bonds
- Insurance
- Health and safety
Experience
Disputes (Adjudication)
- Acted for a design and build contractor of a 150-bedroom hotel in Shoreditch in respect of four adjudications and associated enforcement proceedings in the TCC.
- Acted for a UK port defending claims brought by a contractor arising from the construction of a revetment wall.
- Acted on the development of Heckfield Place into a luxury hotel. Construction work started in 2009 with completion in 2019. Five adjudications.
- Acted for a dredging contractor on Triton Knoll windfarm.
- Acted for the supplier of fuel to a major UK airport in two adjudications in relation to defects and delay.
- Acted for a major UK port on a BIMCO contract for the removal of two block ships.
Disputes (Arbitration)
- Defended a major UK port and harbour in respect of numerous claims arising out of piles driven offshore, including High Court application seeking to overturn the Award.
- Advised on Europe’s largest liquid natural gas import terminal at South Hook near Milford Haven.
- Advised on the Chevron-operated Gorgon LNG project on Barrow Island, Australia.
- Acted for a major German civil engineering contractor in an ICC arbitration in Paris concerning an irrigation project in Libya.
- Acted for a contractor against an insolvent developer of a Tesco superstore. Successful recovery.
Disputes (High Court and Crown Court)
- Acted for a dredging contractor in TCC proceedings in relation to claims arising out of a capital dredging project in La Guairá, Venezuela.
- Acted for a contractor against London Underground in relation to station refurbishment projects including Heathrow.
- Acted for a ‘client’ under the CDM Regulations in a HSE prosecution of multiple alleged breaches on two sites with a starting-point fine of £960,000 for each site.
- Advised a dredging contractor on a capital project at the Port of Ardersier for the assembly of offshore wind turbines.
- Proceedings in the Upper Tribunal on behalf of a social housing provider against a developer of a landmark building in Ashford in respect of defective fire stopping to 50 apartments.
- Proceedings in the Upper Tribunal on behalf of a social housing provider against a developer of a landmark building in Ashford in respect of defective fire stopping to 50 apartments.
- Acted for a UK dredging contractor in connection with an intended prosecution by DEFRA in relation to alleged breaches of the Food and Environmental Protection Act.
Reported Cases
MTD Contractors Ltd v Willow Corp Sàrl [2019] EWHC 1612 (TCC)
Willow Corp. S.À.R.L. v MTD Contractors Ltd [2019] EWHC 1591 (TCC)
Herbosch-Kiere Marine Contractors Limited v Dover Harbour Board [2012] EWHC 84 (TCC)
Vranicki v Architects Registration Board [2007] EWHC 506 (Admin); [2007] All ER (D) 288
Investments Limited v Development Ventures Limited & Others [2005] BLR 478 and [2006] EWHC 1586 (TCC): (Default Judgment and Action on an Account)
Yarm Road Limited v Costain Plc [2001] 01-228 TCC: (Novation Agreement within s104 HGCR Act 1996)
Floods of Queensferry Ltd v Morrison Shand & Others [1997] 54 ConLR 138
R v Chester & North Wales Legal Aid Board (Ex parte Floods of Queensferry Limited) LTL 19/12/97: (Assignment under the FCEC Blue Form and Grant of Legal Aid to a Limited Company)
Fairclough Building Ltd v Vale of Belvoir Superstore Ltd (1992) 56 BLR 74
Westminster City Council v Clifford Culpin & Partners (1987) Con LR 117
John Laing Construction Ltd v County and District Properties Ltd (1983) 23 BLR 1
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised by Chambers UK as a leading lawyer for Construction (Thames Valley)
“David Gwillim is noted for his proficiency in disputes concerning delay, disruption and loss and expense claims, among other matters. He frequently represents contractors and developers in mediations, adjudications and proceedings before the Technology and Construction Court.”
Chambers UK 2023
Recognised by The Legal 500 as a leading lawyer for Construction law
“David Gwillim is experienced, pragmatic and efficient. He is adept at managing large teams of lawyers, witnesses and experts. On top of that, he is a gentleman and a pleasure to work with.” The Legal 500 2024
“highly personable; high attention to detail; active case manager; widely respected by the industry; a trusted lead in complex, multi-party litigation” The Legal 500 2023
Memberships and professional bodies
Central Dredging Association (CEDA)
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Committee Member of Thames Valley Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
The Law Society
Society for Construction Law
Solicitors’ Association of Higher Court Advocates
Other
Lecturer and Tutor at King’s College
Career
David qualified as a solicitor in 1981. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2024, he worked at the following firms:
- BDB Pitmans
- Charles Russell Speechlys
- Mayor Brown
- Herbert Smith