Ruth Kavanagh

I have coming up for fifteen years’ experience as a dedicated construction solicitor. Before founding Archor and being elected its first Managing Partner (a purely ceremonial role I am told!), I was a partner in the construction team of a large regional firm, part of what was at the time one of the leading construction teams outside London.

I have a wealth of experience in construction disputes acting for a wide range of clients including employers, insolvency practitioners, main contractors, subcontractors and professionals. 

As a specialist construction disputes lawyer, much of my work is large value adjudications and court/arbitral proceedings under all standard forms of contract as well as bespoke forms. My adjudication work includes claims for extensions of time, loss and expense, variations and contra charges. I also act for clients through to enforcement of adjudicators’ decisions in the High Court. 

I have extensive experience in high value court claims, acting for clients in all manner of construction disputes including professional negligence claims and defects claims. In recent years, I have gained a particular specialism in fire safety and cladding claims.

In addition, I frequently act for clients in alternative dispute resolution, which includes advising in the background before the dispute reaches adjudication or court/arbitration, acting for clients at mediations and brokering settlements via negotiation. 

Chambers and Partners has quoted one of my clients as saying: “She has great knowledge of the construction industry and of contracts. She’s able to disseminate a large amount of information very quickly, and gives commercial and pragmatic advice“. I hope that all of my clients would comment in similar terms…