Tom Handley

Partner | Manchester, United Kingdom
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Profile

Tom joined Kennedys' Manchester team in 2017.

He has particular expertise in defending heavyweight construction claims against architects, engineers, surveyors, project managers, building inspectors and D&C Contractors. Tom has handled litigation in the County Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Crown Court (HSE prosecutions). He regularly deals with Adjudication and Arbitration proceedings, and he commonly uses mediation as a form of dispute resolution.

He also has a growing practice in defending professionals before their regulatory bodies, including the ARB, RIBA, and RICS. Tom sits on RIBA’s disciplinary hearing panel and so is uniquely placed to advise on the disciplinary process.

Qualifications:

  • Qualified in England and Wales in 2006
Tom Handley has a solid understanding of the construction profession and the technical issues that arise. He is unphased by the most complex of technical issues and delivers clear advice.
The Legal 500 UK 2024

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Market recognition

  • Next Generation Partner and recommended lawyer for 'Professional negligence (North West)'
    "Tom Handley has a solid understanding of the construction profession and the technical issues that arise. He is unphased by the most complex of technical issues and delivers clear advice".
    The Legal 500 UK 2024
  • 'Up and Coming' lawyer and notable practitioner for 'Professional Negligence (North West)'
    Chambers UK 2024
  • 'Up and Coming' lawyer and notable practitioner for 'Professional Negligence (North West)'
    "Tom Handley is knowledgeable and dedicated, a rising star of the construction world".
    "Tom Handley is a good technical lawyer and works really hard for his clients".
    Chambers UK 2023
  • Rising Star and recommended lawyer for 'Professional negligence (North West)'
    The Legal 500 UK 2023
  • 'Associate to watch' and notable practitioner for 'Professional Negligence (North West)'
    Chambers UK 2022
  • Rising Star and recommended lawyer for 'Professional negligence (North West)'
    "Tom Handley specialises in dealing with heavyweight claims against construction professionals."
    The Legal 500 UK 2022

Awards

Work highlights

  • Defending a number of construction professionals and D&C Contractors in respect of significant cladding & fire safety litigation in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster.
  • Defending the architects in a multi-million claim involving the design and construction of a training academy for a premiership football team.
  • Defending the structural engineers in a high profile HSE prosecution following a catastrophic crane collapse in Liverpool.
  • Acting for an expert witness in one of the first major cases to reach the Technology and Construction Court following the removal of the immunity for experts in litigation by the Supreme Court in Jones v Kaney.
  • Acting for the successful civil and structural engineers in the High Court decision in Co-operative Group Limited v John Allen Associates [2010] EWHC 2300 (TCC). The judgment is notable for findings on reliance by construction professionals on specialist advice and design.

Services

Sectors