James Ashwin

I hail from New Zealand where I began practicing as a solicitor in the commercial property and construction department at New Zealand’s premier law firm. After several years of practice, I made the move to London to continue to develop my career focussing solely on non-contentious construction.

I have subsequently been practicing construction law in London for circa 8 years and recently joined Fladgate in late 2023. My work is primarily transactional based acting on a broad range of construction areas such as development finance, development agreements, building contracts / consultant appointments, landlord / tenant works, acquisitions and sales.

The size, scope and complexity of developments in London is what drew me to move from New Zealand. I love the nuances and complexities that some of the larger developments and/or clients bring (but I do miss the warm weather of New Zealand).

Outside of work I enjoy live music and can often be found at Alexandra Palace and the like. I am also a big sports fan - I was bitterly disappointed to see the All Blacks lose in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, but we will be back in 2027.

• Advising Global Holdings Limited on their portfolio of developments. Most recently, its development at Gray’s Inn Road. The development is a mixed used scheme comprising 8 floors of offices along with restaurants and affordable housing. Once completed it will be UK’s largest full timber structure. Specific work has included drafting and negotiating the construction contracts (PCSAs, building contracts, consultant appointments and all ancillary document such as bonds/guarantees).
• Advising Shiva Hotels on their portfolio of hotel developments. Most recently, “Middle Eight Hotel” in Soho and “BoTree Hotel” in Covent Garden which have both now opened. Specific work included drafting and negotiating all construction contracts as well as assisting with the drafting and negotiation of the development facility.
• Advised Ashtrom Properties in the acquisition of No 8 First Street in Manchester. No 8 First Street is 170,000 sq. ft. of Grade A, BREEAM Excellent office accommodation over six floors which represented one of the largest transactions in Manchester for several years. Specific work involved undertaking all construction related DD, reporting on the same, feeding into the sale contract and ensuring all warranties, guarantees, TPRs etc were assigned accordingly.
• Advised Trans Africa Energy Limited (previously Coven Energy) on the “Takadori Pipeline” being a gas pipeline to be constructed through the east side of in Ghana, Africa. Specific work has included drafting and preparing the RFP, amended FIDIC building contract and all amended FIDIC consultant appointments.