Partner

Chris Hallam

Languages

English

Social media

Chris specialises in construction, engineering and infrastructure projects and has advised on some of the most high profile projects to have been procured in the UK.

He has particular expertise advising on the construction and engineering aspects of complicated projects including in the PFI and PPP arena. Chris has extensive experience of construction procurement and support businesses with their strategy and contractual approach, to ensure that the best commercial model is adopted. He has extensive experience negotiating and drafting EPC/D&B contracts across various sectors and is fully cognisant of the requirements of the various stakeholders, in particular the project funders. His experience of working with the construction supply chain means he also understands the issues that will be of most concern to them – allowing time to be spent more efficiently and effectively on what really matters.

Awards & Recognitions

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"Chris Hallam continues to provide stand-out strategic advice in an ever-changing infrastructure landscape. He is my 'go-to' adviser and his team is exceptional in continuing his pragmatic approach to problem solving."

Legal 500, 2026
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"Chris is absolute quality and excellent."

Chambers, 2026
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"Chris Hallam is always accessible, always finds pragmatic solutions to complex problems and is a pleasure to work with."

Chambers, 2026
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"We always felt properly looked after by Chris. He is across all of the detail and his strength and depth in knowledge is something not found easily."

Chambers, 2025
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"Chris is the glue that binds a first-class service and offering from CMS."

Chambers, 2025
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"Chris Hallam and David Turner provide us with excellent customer service, they both display excellent, balanced judgement and their subject matter knowledge is second-to-none. They are both avid listeners, hence they understand our business needs and most importantly can articulate solutions to service those legal needs from a creative problem-solving perspective which aligns perfectly with our business ethos."

Legal 500, 2025
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"Chris Hallam is a giant in his field. Chris' commercial acumen in contractual matters is second-to-none. Hugely experienced and undaunted by new challenges. Chris is also a pleasure to deal with on either side of the table."

Legal 500, 2025
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"Exceptional focus on client needs."

Legal 500, 2025
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"He is really practical, understands client concerns and has a great team under him to support."

Chambers, 2024
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"Chris Hallam is responsive, quick to understand issues and provides sound advice dealing with key issues."

Chambers, 2024
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"A true professional and expert in his field, Chris is always committed to achieving his client's objectives pragmatically and effectively and is the reason for our continued instruction."

Chambers, 2024
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" Incredibly pragmatic and cost effective expertise."

Legal 500, 2024
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"Chris Hallam is very approachable and has an excellent level of experience and broad knowledge. He readily gives advice but also listens well."

Chambers, 2023
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"Chris has built a good team at CMS and he is working on significant, complex projects."`

Chambers, 2023
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"His advice is both legally sound and practical and is well trusted for these qualities."

Chambers, 2023
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"Chris Hallam provides a very pragmatic and an excellent client focussed approach."

Legal 500, 2023

Relevant experience

Greater Manchester Waste PFI – advising the SPV on the £5bn Greater Manchester waste management PFI project - Europe’s largest municipal waste management/energy from waste project. This deal comprised eight different waste and energy technologies across 48 facilities over 42 sites, debt funded by a club of eight lenders with prudential borrowing, significant EIB funding and the first project to use TIFU funding. Chris led on all the construction arrangements including drafting the EPC contract and related documentation, the interface arrangements between the EPC contractor and the operator, flowing finance agreement requirements into the construction arrangements and (unusually on a PFI arrangement) preparing and ‘feeding up’ construction drafting into the project agreement in order that the construction, commissioning and completion arrangements between the EPC Contract and the project agreement were seamless. Chris continues to advise on this project seven years after financial close.
Hinkley Point C new nuclear power station – advising Nuclear New Build Limited, the project developer, on the £16bn new station. Amongst other work streams, Chris led the teams dealing with the mechanical erection, electrical erection and HVAC packages and the highly complicated interface arrangements between these works.
Crossrail – advising various contractor clients on TfL’s £15bn Crossrail programme, including several of the tunnelling packages and the station boxes.
North Lanarkshire Schools PFI – advising Balfour Beatty on the project comprising the construction and maintenance of 24 brand new schools and community facilities on 17 sites. The project was also the first education PFI project in the UK to be financed by a public bond issue.
Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon – advising China Harbour on the £300m marine works package for the new tidal lagoon project at Swansea bay.
Enviroparks Hirwuan – advising Zeus Renewables on the development and construction of a new Energy from WEaste facility in South Wales.
Wembley Stadium – advising WNSL, the new stadium developer, on the demolition of the old stadium and construction of the new 90,000 seat national stadium at Wembley.
Hanhikivi new nuclear power station – advising the development manager in respect of the design and construction of a new nuclear power station at Pyhäjoki in Northern Finland.
Ipsen Pharma SA – advising Ipsen on the design and construction of various pharmaceutical laboratory/manufacturing/office facilities in the UK and overseas.
Heathrow Airport – advising the owner and operator of the fuel tank and hydrant system on various new developments and ongoing hydrant maintenance.

Publications

Chris writes for a number of industry and national publications - including Construction News and Building Magazine

Memberships & Roles

Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors
Society of Construction Law

Lectures list

Chris regularly gives/hosts presentations and conferences on construction law topics, in particular with regard to Building Information Modelling (BIM), Smart Cities, the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ and the use of technology in the construction industry. He is an occasional industry commentator/‘talking head’ on BBC Breakfast, BBC News and BBC Radio 5Live.

Education

1996 – 1997 - PG Dip Legal Practice, Legal, Distinction - Nottingham Law School
1993 – 1996 – Law (LL.B Hons), Legal, 2:1 – The Nottingham Trent University
1990 – 1992 – St Thomas Aquinas College

sectors

Construction & Engineering Infrastructure & Projects Development Work Energy & Mining Infrastructure Energy & Climate Change

Insights

Global Reach

UK Pay Gap Report 2024