BARRY HEMBLING IS A PARTNER IN THE REAL ESTATE GROUP.

Barry is a leading construction lawyer working across a broad spectrum of domestic and international construction projects. Consistently recommended in leading legal directories, he has 30 years in-house and private practice experience of both non-contentious and contentious construction work, supporting clients throughout the entire project lifecycle, from procurement strategy, contract negotiation and project delivery, through to dispute avoidance, adjudication, mediation, arbitration and litigation.

Acting for developers, investors, occupier, contractors, consultants and architects on a diverse portfolio of projects, Barry has particular expertise in hotels and hospitality, airports and aviation infrastructure, sports and leisure developments, defence facilities, building safety and fire remediation programmes, corporate occupier fit-outs and major mixed-use developments.

His experience includes advising on landmark international projects and high-value disputes, helping clients manage risk, protect value and successfully delivering critical infrastructure and real estate assets across multiple jurisdictions. He has a reputation for commercial acumen, building long-term global client relationships and cost-effective commercial solutions to minimise risk.

He has prosecuted and defended all types of construction disputes including before the UK Supreme Court, House of Lords, Court of Appeal and the Technology and Construction Court, including eighteen reported UK judgments.

Barry has advised on some of the world’s most iconic projects including the Lloyds Building, the London Aquatics Centre, the London Eye, the Sydney Tower and Western Sydney Airport.

Barry serves as a Board Member of the Technology and Construction Solicitors Association, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Society of Construction Law. As a construction thought leader Barry regularly contributes to several leading construction law publications including Cockram’s Manual of Construction Agreements, Knights Guide to Building Regulations Law and the Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents. He has also contributed articles to The Times and Estates Gazette. He has presented at Chatham House, Oxford and Cambridge Universities, Houses of Parliament, the Third UK-China Rule of Law Roundtable in China, Architects’ Journal Conference and at the Construction Law Summer School.

Barry has been shortlisted for DE&I awards for two consecutive years (2024 and 2025) in recognition of his work to create inclusive cultures and his role as ambassador for change.

Show key areas

Show key areas

  • Acting for the successful tenant and appellant in UK Court of Appeal proceedings to establish that statutory adjudication rights apply to collateral warranty claims.
  • Acting as construction law adviser to a firm of well-known architects on a global portfolio of construction projects, including projects in China, Japan, Russia and Middle East in addition to the UK.
  • Acting for a developer on the construction aspects of an acquisition and subsequent redevelopment of an existing building into a new 145 key "Moxy" branded hotel in central Manchester.
  • Acting on the construction aspects of a £76m redevelopment of a 500k sq. ft. site in the City of London involving the extension and conversion of an existing office building to create a new hotel plus the construction of 87 new homes and a public space.
  • Acting for a UK contractor in a termination of contract claim against a well-known housing association on a project for the construction of a £10m mixed use development scheme.

Education

  1. 1993 – 1996 Anglia Law School, Law
  2. 1989 – 1993 King’s College, University of London: Masters of Arts (MA), Associate of King’s College, London

Memberships and Associations

  1. Technology and Construction Solicitors’ Association
  2. Society of Construction Law
  3. Solicitors Regulation Authority