Helen Birchall
Senior Associate | Sheffield,
United Kingdom
Helen.Birchall@kennedyslaw.com
+44 1142 532 001
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Profile
Helen qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2013, after completing her training contract with Kennedys. Helen is based primarily in Sheffield, but also works out of Kennedys’ London and Manchester offices.
Helen specialises in advising developers, contractors and consultants on both contentious and non-contentious construction and commercial matters.
Described by the Legal 500 as “impressive”, Helen has wide and varied experience of acting for a range of clients in Technology and Construction Court litigation, adjudication, arbitration and mediation. Helen also has vast non-contentious experience, providing advice on construction contract drafting, interpretation and negotiation.
The brilliant Helen Birchall frequently collaborates with lawyers across the country to advise on due diligence matters as well as adjudication.
Market recognition
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Recommended lawyer for 'Construction (Yorkshire and the Humber)'"The brilliant Helen Birchall frequently collaborates with lawyers across the country to advise on due diligence matters as well as adjudications".The Legal 500 UK 2024
- 'Associate to watch' and notable practitioner for 'Construction (Yorkshire)'
"Helen Birchall is keenly aware of all of the relevant issues and provides great service."
Chambers UK 2023 - Recommended lawyer for 'Construction (Yorkshire and the Humber)'
"Senior associate Helen Birchall, who advises on the drafting and negotiation of construction contracts, is a key member of the team in Sheffield".
The Legal 500 UK 2023 - 'Associate to watch' and notable practitioner for 'Construction (Yorkshire)'
"She is approachable and provides clear, on-point advice."
Chambers UK 2022 - Recommended lawyer for 'Construction (Yorkshire and the Humber)'
"Helen Birchall provides 'precise and thorough advice on contractual issues'."
The Legal 500 UK 2022 - Associate to Watch for 'Construction (Yorkshire)'
"She has experience representing clients in adjudications as well as advising on major development projects."
Chambers UK 2021 - Recommended lawyer for 'Construction (Yorkshire and the Humber)'
“Helen Birchall - A real star partner in the making. Puts everything into each case.”
The Legal 500 UK 2021 - Recommended Lawyer for ‘Construction (Yorkshire and the Humber)'
"Helen Birchall is definitely one to watch. She is a dedicated lawyer who gives her clients 110%, no matter the time of day".
The Legal 500 UK 2020
Awards
Work highlights
Contentious work highlights
- Advising construction arm of leading international integrated support services business in defence of substantial claims for Disallowed Costs (circa £10m) under a framework agreement incorporating the NEC3 Engineering & Construction Contract (Option E).
- Defending large international contractor client on substantial breach of statutory duty and negligence claims relating to asbestos contamination, including counterclaims and additional claims; settling claim at mediation.
- Acting for insurer client defending contractor against multi-party property damage claim brought by statutory water and sewerage undertaker, arising out of defective piling works.
- Defending local constabulary against multi-party misrepresentation action valued at circa £13m, involving circa 30 claimants.
Non-contentious work highlights
- Acting on construction due diligence exercises advising international investors in relation to multi-million and multi-billion pound asset and share purchases.
- Providing multi-faceted contractual advice to JV relating to complex corporate documents on large-scale land regeneration project around Manchester Airport.
- Providing commercial advice to contractors and consultants on construction contracts (both standard form and bespoke), and conducting related negotiations.
- Drafting standard terms of business, professional appointments, sub-consultancy agreements and sub-contracts for numerous consultants, contractors and employers.