Richard Stead (Head of Chambers)
Call 1979 (Middle Temple)
Qualifications MA (Cantab), ACI Arb
Professional Memberships Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Society of Construction Law, and Technology and Construction Bar Association
Judicial Office Recorder 1996
Mediation Richard is also a trained mediator and has mediated, particularly, in construction disputes.
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Areas of Practice
Construction & Engineering
Richard has experience and expertise in a large variety of construction and engineering matters. Examples of his experience in specialist issues and subject matter are as follows:
- Commercial property and residential developments
- Condensation and thermal insulation
- Curtain walling
- Defective works and other contractual disputes
- Final account, extension of time and defect claims
- Mundic Block and pre-fabricated concrete construction in residential buildings
- Product liability with particular reference to building materials
- Roads, bridges, drains and waterways
- Sports stadia and leisure facilities
Reported Cases
- Freemans v Railtrack [2002] EWHC 477 (TCC)
- Benaim UK Ltd v DMD [2005] EWHC 1370 (TCC) (representing DMD in the arbitration at first instance)
Commercial Litigation
Commercial contractual disputes, with particular expertise in :-
- Arbitration
- Commercial Agency
- Damage to property by tree roots, flooding, landslip, subsidence, impact and vibration
- Insurance
- Product Liability
- Sale of Goods
Court of Appeal cases
- Bacchiocchi v Academic Agency Ltd [1998] 1 WLR 1313
- AMB Imballagi Plastici SRL v Pacflex Ltd [1999] Times Law Reports 510 (Commercial agency)
Professional Negligence
Acting for claimants, defendants and their insurers, Richard has strong expertise in negligence claims against:
- Architects
- Engineers
- Quantity and Building Surveyors
- Project Mangers
- Solicitors (in respect of claims arising out of litigation involving construction / personal injury disputes)
Direct Access
Richard is qualified to undertake Direct Access work in appropriate cases, for further information, please visit our Direct Access page.
Recommendations
Chambers UK 2012
- Commercial Dispute Resolution: “Highly tenacious” Richard Stead proves popular with instructing solicitors, who praise his “fantastic way with clients.” His practice is complemented by tremendous expertise in construction disputes.
- Construction: In spite of his many years of experience, sources say, Richard “remains incredibly enthusiastic” and is known for his “forensic investigation of detail” and “direct manner with clients.”
Chambers UK 2011
- Commercial Dispute Resolution: Richard Stead has a strong focus on the construction industry and is particularly expert in construction-related professional negligence claims. He also regularly handles commercial contract and sale of goods disputes. Observers note the depth of his construction expertise and say he is “pleasant and amiable to work with.”
Chambers UK 2010
- Commercial Dispute Resolution: Richard Stead has a practice that spans construction, engineering, insurance and property disputes. Clients describe him as “a consummate lawyer” who works well with immense amounts of detail. “His advice is sensible and commercial, and he takes a pragmatic view of problems that his clients appreciate.”
Legal 500 2011
- Richard Stead is a forceful advocate who is not afraid to argue novel points.
Articles
- Stead & Lavers – Damage to buildings by tree roots – Construction Law, March 1999.
