Jerome O’Sullivan
Partner
Construction, Professional Negligence and Commercial Dispute Resolution
Jerome is a Partner and member of the Construction, Professional Negligence and Commercial Dispute Resolution Groups at Davis Woolfe. He acts for a wide range of commercial and high-net-worth clients in range of commercial disputes including construction, professional negligence, insurance and property disputes.
Jerome advises on a wide range of construction disputes including; latent and apparent defects, delays, extensions of time, claims for loss and expense, prolongation and disruption; LADs, interim and final accounts, suspension of works, retentions, collateral warranties, NHBC type warranties and nuisance claims.
Jerome succeeded at trial in the Technology and Construction Court in the case of Freeborn v De Almeida Marcal (t/a Dan Marcal Architects) [2019] EWHC 454 (TCC), which was a case of wide-spread significance to those who commission construction professionals. Issues included; the scope of the architect’s retainer; whether the brief was properly prepared, documented and agreed; the scope of a project manager’s responsibilities including obtaining competitive tenders, timely ordering of components and construction defects; the extent to which the architect had delegated his obligations to specialist contractors; and interpretation of the Building Regulations in relation to means of escape from fire.
He has conducted a wide range of professional negligence disputes involving lawyers, valuers, construction, finance and insurance professionals.
Jerome was successful at trial and at the Court of Appeal in the ground-breaking case of Dreamvar (UK) Limited v (1) Mishcon de Reya (2) Mary Monson Solicitors, which involved an ID fraud in a property transaction. Dreamvar clarified solicitors’ potential liabilities for breach of trust, breach of undertaking and breach of warranty of authority, to both the vendor and the purchaser. As a consequence Jerome’s comments on the case appeared in the Daily Telegraph, Times and Law Gazette.
He has extensive experience of high value insurance disputes including contractors all risks, commercial property, business interruption, employers and public liability, directors and officer’s liability, new building warranties and pollution liability. His practice includes both advising in regard to the primary claim and any related third party subrogation claim.
Jerome has been involved in a range of contractual disputes involving clients in the insurance, construction, infrastructure, information technology, healthcare, finance, recruitment and shipping sectors.
Jerome’s practice also includes a range of insolvency matters including bankruptcy and winding up petitions, related injunctive relief, directors’ disqualification and other director liabilities on insolvency.
Jerome represents his clients in the various divisions of the High Court including Chancery, Commercial, Companies, Technology & Construction Courts and the Court of Appeal. He also advises in relation to mediation, arbitration and adjudication.
Legal 500 Recommendations
“Clients will struggle to find a more tenacious representative than Jerome O’Sullivan” – Legal 500 2023
“The ‘brilliant’ Jerome O’Sullivan is the leading advisor for the claimant in a £1.1m dispute against two firms of solicitors in relation to a fraudulent property transaction” – Legal 500 2018
Jerome O’Sullivan is a ‘tenacious and a strong negotiator’. – Legal 500 2017
Jerome has acted for clients in a wide range of complex and high-value disputes, a selection of which are set out below.
Construction
- Acting for a group of Investors who purchased a timber framed block of flats in Exeter to rent to the local student population. Substantial structural defects were discovered in regard to fire safety and waterproofing, that required the block of flats to be substantially demolished and re-built. Jerome was involved in extensive correspondence with the Defendants since April 2020, which include two firms of Architects and a firm of Structural Engineers.
- After extensive pre-action correspondence, proceedings were issued in the Rolls Building as: (1) Mrs S E Gray (2) Mr R Armitage and Others v (1) Robin Jones Architect Limited and Others – Claim No: HT-2021-000265 for a sum in excess of £2.5 million. The issues included claims under The Defective Premises Act 1972 and negligent misstatement in relation to the Professional Consultant Certificates issued by the above professionals, the investors reliance on the PCCs, the scope of each of the Defendants’ obligations in relation to design and inspection, contributory negligence, mitigation, causation, diminution in market value and measure of damages. The parties commissioned expert evidence in the fields of architecture, structural engineering, quantity surveying and valuation.
- While the proceedings were underway, a winding up order was made in relation to the First Defendant. Jerome filed a successful application in the Insolvency Court to lift the automatic stay under Section 130(2) of the Insolvency Act 1986 to enable the investors to proceed against the First Defendant’s insurers under the Third Party (Rights against Insurers) Act 2010.
- The investors reached a settlement agreement with the Fourth Defendant 4 months before trial. After extensive without prejudice negotiations, the remaining parties reached a settlement during the weekend before the trial was scheduled to commence on terms advantageous to the investors, including recovery of their legal costs.
- Acting for the main contractor Marbank in Mr and Mrs Vainker v (1) Marbank Construction Ltd; (2) Mercer & Miller (a firm); and (3) SCd Architects Ltd [2024] EWHC 667 [TCC] in a £1,500,000 dispute arising out of a bespoke residential property construction in Wimbledon involving the occupants, the architects and the contract administrators. The judgment determined key legal issues in relation to defective construction works including:
- Obligations under the Defective Premises Act 1972 (“DPA”) including:
- The scope of obligations and measure of damages under Section 1 DPA.
- The meaning of “fit for habitation”.
- The exclusion of issues of aesthetics or inconvenience.
- Obligations under the Defective Premises Act 1972 (“DPA”) including:
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- Scope of an architect’s inspection obligations.
- Relevance of departure from best practice in design of buildings.
- Operation of a Net Contribution Clause and limitation
- Net Contribution Clause being ineffective by virtue of Section 6(3) of the DPA.
- Operation of Section 14A of the Limitation Act 1980 including:
- Timing of knowledge that the damage was attributable in whole or in part to the Defendant.
- Limitation in relation to contribution claim.
- Claimant’s obligation to take reasonable steps to mitigate their loss and the burden of proof.
- Scope of alternative accommodation awards.
- Damages for distress and inconvenience.
- Procedural requirements under the JCT Standard Building Contract without quantities 2011 for:
- Variations and Contract Administrator’s Instructions
- Time limit for submission of interim and final statements by the contractor.
- Acting on behalf of a national demolition and civil engineering contractor in regard to a £100 million dispute with the developers in relation to the Battersea Power Station Redevelopment. Issues included the amount due under the final account, the construction of a number of sub-contract packages, the express, implied, apparent or ostensible authority of Battersea’s project team, , whether an agreement had been reached in relation to the balance of the final account, the enforceability of a non-oral variation clause, waiver and estoppel.
- Acting on behalf of a main contractor in relation to a £4 million-pound commercial development in Chelmsford, constructed in compliance with the JCT Design & Build Contract 2016 with bespoke amendments. The issues involved included the Employer’s failure to grant reasonable extensions of time due to relevant events; including changes, employer defaults and statutory works; refunds of liquidated damages withheld by the Employer, variations and loss and expense.
- Advising a main Contractor in relation to a £11 million commercial and residential development in South London, constructed in compliance with a JCT Design and Build Contract 2011 with bespoke amendments. The project involved the construction of 40 residential flats and a ground floor and basement commercial unit. We were involved in extensive correspondence with the freeholders (a local authority) over a period of 2 years, in which they made a number of unparticularised allegations. During July 2020, the freeholders issued a Protocol Letter of Claim alleging a number of defects, mainly related to fire safety instigated by the Grenfell Tower tragedy, claiming remedial costs in excess of £13 million. We have robustly defended all allegations and commissioned expert architectural and fire engineering evidence in support of their Defence. We have also served Protocol Letter of Claims on the project architects and structural Engineers. Pre-Action correspondence between the parties is continuing and we are attempting to convene a without prejudice meeting.
- Defending a design and build main contractor with an annual turnover of £60 million in relation to a dispute with a pension fund and a global merchant bank (who purchased the development) in relation to alleged defects in the construction in a claim in excess of £1 million. The issues included whether third party rights have been effectively transferred to the bank, the scope of the remedial works required under the JCT contract, the liabilities of the novated structural engineers and architects and whether the main contractor was liable for any consequential losses.
- Advising an employer in relation to a dispute with the main Contractor in respect of a refurbishment contract for a block of flats in the sum of £1 million including claims for delays and loss and expense in relation to project delays caused by the Covid-19 lockdowns and subsequent social distancing and procurement problems, extensions of time, liquidated damages, significant patent and latent defects and non-compliant work remaining after Practical Completion, consequential losses of rental income, the obligations of the Contract Administrator, delays caused by mismanagement of the project by the Contractor, balance due under the Final Account and the requirements for a compliant independent expert report.
- Advising a sub-contractor on the terms of their agreement with the main contractor in relation to the installation of specialist fire protection equipment in the Battersea Power Station project.
- Jerome has advised a sub-contractor in their dispute with the main contractor in relation to tunnelling works in the Cross-Rail project in the approximate sum of £4 million. The issues include construction of a bespoke NEC3 Subcontract including the effect of pre-contractual representations, obligations in relation to the design of the permanent and temporary works, the effect of a step-down clause, the effect of an entire agreement clause and variations. Jerome negotiated a settlement of the dispute pre action after the exchange of Part 36 offers.
- Jerome has advised a design and build main contractor with an annual turnover of £60 million in relation to an £11 million commercial and residential development in south London. Once the development was practically completed, the developer entered into member’s voluntary liquidation. The issues included construction of a JCT Design and Build Contract 2011 with bespoke amendments, amounts outstanding in relation to interim and final accounts, Employers’ Agents’ Instructions, variations, liquidated damages, extensions of time, Pay Less Notices, alleged defects, failures to issue timely Notices of Completion of Making Good Defects, transactions at an undervalue, preferential payments, transactions defrauding creditors, the liquidators’ investigatory powers under the Insolvency Act. Jerome negotiated an advantageous settlement for his client shortly after the dispute was referred to arbitration.
- Jerome represented a high net worth couple in an adjudication in relation to their dispute with a design and build contractor over a £4 million refurbishment of their property in Notting Hill. The issues included the construction of a JCT Standard Building Contract without quantities 2011, the scope of an adjudicator’s jurisdiction including considering a substantial counterclaim, delays caused by the contractors, poor administration and management of the project, substantial defective and non-compliant works, loss and expense and variation, setting out errors and liquidated damages.
- Jerome acted on behalf of a corporate purchaser, whose ultimate controlling shareholder appears in the Sunday Times Rich List, of two luxury detached properties located in the suburbs of Birmingham. The proceedings were issued in the Technology & Construction Court in the approximate sum of £1 million and involved serious structural defects throughout the properties, the developer’s failure to comply with its obligations under the Construction, Design and Management Regulations 2015 and defects in the planning permission. The issues included contractual interpretation, liabilities under the NHBC Buildmark Scheme, expert evidence in relation to effective remedial work to substantial waterproofing defects, defective planning consents, liabilities under the Defective Premises Act 1972, liabilities for loss of use and/or rental income and breaches of the Pre-Action Protocol for Construction & Engineering Disputes.
- Acting on behalf of a main contractor in relation to a dispute with a specialist sub-contractor in relation to the design, supply and installation of gas services to a new commercial development in the sum of approximately £1 million pounds. The issues included construction of the express and implied terms of the contract between the parties, delay, loss and expense, incorporation and effect of the sub-contractor’s standard terms, the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 and the extent to which overheads and profit are recoverable in breach of contract. Jerome secured a settlement advantageous to our clients at a without prejudice meeting before proceedings commenced.
- Acting on behalf of senior manager of a national demolition and civil engineering contractor with a turnover of £400 million in regard to an NHBC building warranty dispute in relation to substantial structural defects to a new property in Gerrard’s Cross with remedial costs of approximately £500,000.
- Acting on behalf of a sub-contractor in its dispute with the main contractor in relation to infrastructure works carried out to a gyratory system in Rugby involving variations, extensions of time, the effect of a purported payless notice, defective works and the construction of the NEC3 form of contract.
- Acting on behalf of a high-net-worth couple in relation to a £1 million dispute with a main contractor in relation to substantive refurbishment works carried out to their Holland Park home. Issues included interpretation of the construction of the JCT Intermediate Building Contract with Contractors Design 2011, the scope of an adjudicator’s jurisdiction and power to deal with the Claimant’s counterclaim, obligations arising under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, substantial defects left outstanding by the main contractors, mismanagement of the project, the effect of Pay Less Notices and the validity of a completion certificate.
- Defending a national demolition and civil engineering contractor with a turnover of £400 million in regard to a £10 million nuisance claim arising out of a large demolition project in the City of London.
Professional Negligence
- Acting on behalf of a high net worth client in relation to a dispute with his former solicitors Baker Law LLP (“ BL”). BL had advised our client in relation to a professional negligence claim against a further firm of solicitors, M, who had negligently advised our client in relation to a property sale agreement with an overage clause. The overage clause proved entirely ineffective and BL commenced proceedings for a loss of chance claim against M for a sum of approximately £1.5 million. After pursuing the litigation for approximately 5 years at considerable expense, M’s insurers demonstrated that the claim against M had been issued three days outside the relevant limitation period, with the result that the claim was struck out and our client suffered an adverse cost award.
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- After extensive pre-action correspondence, proceedings were issued in the Rolls Building as: Mr S P Shah -v- (1) Michael Baker Solicitors Ltd (2) Baker Law LLP (3) Ms A Glover – Claim No. BL2020-000172. The matter involved extensive disclosure under the Disclosure Pilot. There were two CCMCs and the claim did not settle during Mediation. However, without prejudice discussions continued between the parties and an advantageous settlement was reached just before the parties were about to complete Extended Disclosure.
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- The issues included quantification of the loss of chance, our client’s locus standii under the terms of his parents’ wills, both of whom had died between the date of M’s negligence and the proceedings against M having been issued, the client’s rights against his sister who had failed in her obligations as an executrix and trustee of her parent’s wills and the relevance of offers made in mediation involving M to a loss of chance claim. While BL had acted for our client, it had split into two legal entities and the apportionment of responsibility to each entity was an issue.
- Acting on behalf of the Claimant developer purchaser against two firms of solicitors in relation to a fraudulent property transaction. Dreamvar succeeded in obtaining a judgement against the First Defendant for breach of trust after a 6 day Trial. The First Defendant appealed, the Claimant cross-appealed and the Court of Appeal considered it together with a co-joined appeal for four days beginning on 26 February 2018.
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- The issues included both solicitors’ liabilities to the innocent purchaser in the event of a fraudulent property transaction in contract, negligence, trust, warranty of authority, SRA Code of Conduct, the Money Laundering Regulations and the Law Society Code for Completion by Post.
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- The Court of Appeal held that the Second Defendant was also in breach of trust and breach of undertaking to Dreamvar and were jointly liable with the First Defendant for Dreamvar’s losses. The Second Defendant was potentially found to be in breach of warranty of authority, save for the fact that Dreamvar was unable to establish reliance upon same.
- Advising a developer in relation to a professional negligence claim is in excess of £2 million against an architect in relation to the construction of a detached luxurious property in Weybridge, Surrey. The issues included failures of design and inspection, failures to coordinate and integrate the Contractor’s Designed Portion, over valuation of payment certificates, delays and loss and expense, failures to ensure the works complied with the Building Regulations and failure to keep adequate records.
- Jerome acted on behalf of a high net-couple in relation to an architect’s professional negligence claim in the sum of approximately £1 million in relation to the defective design and construction of a private cinema and other works to a mansion located in Totteridge, North London. The issues included; the scope of architect’s retainer; whether the brief was properly prepared, documented and agreed; the scope of a project manager’s responsibilities including obtaining competitive tenders, timely ordering of components and construction defects; the extent to which the architect had delegated his obligations to specialist contractors; and interpretation of the Building Regulations in relation to means of escape from fire. Jerome’s clients succeeded at trial in the Technology and Construction Court Freeborn v De Almeida Marcal (t/a Dan Marcal Architects) [2019] EWHC 454 (TCC) in a judgment of wide-spread significance to those who commission construction professionals.
- Acting for a property developer in regard to a professional negligence claim against a solicitor in regard to a missed deadline on a conditional contract resulting in a loss in the approximate sum of £2.3 million.
Insurance
- Advising a national demolition and civil engineering contractor with a turnover of £400 million on a failure by the insurers to indemnify the client in regards to a building, plant and loss of rent claim in the approximate sum of £4 million arising from a catastrophic fire.
- Advising a national demolition and civil engineering contractor with a turnover of £400 million on a dispute with two insurance companies, both of which were seeking to avoid responsibility for an employer’s liability claim approaching £10 million.
- Acting for a high net worth couple in a multi-party dispute in regard to loss and damage in the approximate sum of £1.3 million caused by an accidental heating oil spillage.
- Advising a main Contractor in relation to a dispute with his Contractors All Risks insurers involving issues surrounding the construction of the Insurance Policy and the JCT Contract, the interaction of the Insurance Clauses, the effect of a Bona Fide Sub-Contractor condition. Proceedings were issued and directions were set down for Trial at a Cost and Case Management Conference. The dispute was settled on terms advantageous to our clients during a Mediation.
Commercial Dispute Resolution
- Advising a main contractor in relation to a dispute with Network Rail Infrastructure in relation to an outstanding debt and disputed variations in the approximate sum of £500,000 arising from railway works. A statutory demand was issued before Christmas and Network Rail paid the undisputed amount of the debt a few hours before the clients were entitled to seek petition for their winding-up. The disputed element of the debt was settled a few weeks later by negotiation.
- Advising a national demolition and civil engineering contractor with a turnover of £400 million in relation to their claim against a former director for breach of contract and breaches of fiduciary duty including misappropriation of funds and business opportunities.
- Acting on behalf of a high net worth client, a director of national demolition and civil engineering contractor with a turnover of £400 million, in relation to the sale of a classic car by an auctioneer in Holland and the auctioneer’s repeated unlawful refusal to release the sale proceeds to our client. Issues included the scope of the auctioneer’s obligations to the client as agents, negligence on the part of the auctioneers, the rights of an undisclosed principal and the relevant merits of the insolvency and litigation procedures
- Acting for a firm with an annual turnover of £12 million in a multi-party breach of contract and competition law claim for a sum in excess of £5 million arising out of an agreement to provide advertising on the London Underground.
- Acting for property developers in regard to a multi-party dispute arising out of the failure on the part of a number of leaseholders to complete purchases on two blocks of flats after the “credit crunch” involving claims for sums in excess of £2 million.
Reported Cases
Mr and Mrs Vainker v (1) Marbank Construction Ltd; (2) Mercer & Miller (a firm); and (3) SCd Architects Ltd [2024] EWHC 667 [TCC]
Dreamvar UK Ltd v Mishcon de Reya & Mary Monson Solicitors [2016] EWHC 3316 Ch
Freeborn & Anor v Marcal [2017] EWHC 3046 (TCC)
P&P Property Limited v Owen White & Catlin LLP and Dreamvar (UK) Limited v Mishcon de Reya & Mary Monson Solicitors [2018] EWCA Civ. 1082
Freeborn v De Almeida Marcal (t/a Dan Marcal Architects) [2019] EWHC 454 (TCC),
Press Commentary – Dreamvar
The Telegraph
Law Gazette
The Times
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/watch-out-for-the-fraudsters-selling-homes-they-dont-own-3rm8w9l7h
Today’s Conveyancer
https://www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk/main-news/qa-jerome-osullivan-acted-dreamvar/
Legal Futures
https://www.legalfutures.co.uk/blog/check-your-retainers-the-lessons-of-dreamvar
Press Commentary – Freeborn
The Times
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/banker-sues-over-home-cinema-he-says-is-a-horror-glhk8nfp5
London Standard
Daily Mail
The Architects Journal
Scottish Construction Now
Hidden Wires
Press Commentary – Vainker
Professional Memberships & Awards
Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales
Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute
Chartered Insurance Practitioner
Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Testimonials
“I am very happy with the extremely professional and methodical manner in which Mr Jerome O’Sullivan represented the Group throughout this very complicated case. I have no reservations whatsoever in recommending him and Davis Woolfe to others who may require his services… I have recently appointed Mr O’Sullivan to again represent me on another matter and I am confident that he will achieve the same positive end result”.
– Mr Ronald Channon, Investor in Specialist Student Accommodation.
“Jerome has handled a number of very complex cases on our behalf with outstanding ability, efficiency in acumen. His work on the recovery of debts and legal costs from opponents is second to none. He has kept us regularly informed of all developments with the case and is prompt in response to calls and emails. He displays a very pro-active approach, which is manifested in his negotiating ability to obtain the best possible outcome from his client. His advice prior to and during meetings regarding the settlement of a dispute has always been first class. He is a lawyer of the very highest calibre, and we highly recommend him”.
– Mr Cyril Bourke, Chief Executive of Gloucester Enterprises Limited
“Jerome has always given us practical and accurate legal advice in regard to the legal and quantum aspects of disputes. He is very practical and commercial and has very good negotiating abilities. His strategic and tactical focus is on reaching an acceptable settlement as soon as reasonably possible, with a view to avoiding us suffering the costs and risks of a trial lasting several weeks.”
– Mr John Keehan, Deputy Managing Director of Keltbray Group (Holdings) Ltd
“You’re a genius. Please bite their hand off!…… Very many thanks – a really good result!”
“That’s great news. Thank you so much for all your hard work – I’m not embarrassed to say that we would never have achieved this result without your drive, professional knowledge and persistence.”
– Finance Director of a Principal Contractor
Contact - [email protected]