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Steven Williams
Partner

Lawyer

Steven Williams

Co-head of the Infrastructure, Construction and Energy Disputes Group

London, United Kingdom
Languages
  • English
Social media

Steven is a Partner and Co-head of the Infrastructure, Construction and Energy (ICE) Disputes Group. He has over 25 years’ experience of resolving some of the most high-profile construction and engineering disputes in the UK and internationally.  

His wide experience covers all forms of dispute resolution including: project advisory and forensic investigations, ADR processes, litigation and international arbitration.  He works for clients from all sides of the construction and engineering industry. His sector expertise includes hospitals; sports stadia; highways; rail; power; oil & gas; offshore windfarms; waste to energy; marine installations and commercial buildings (office, retail and residential).

Ranked by the latest edition of Legal 500 and Chambers as a Leading Individual and named in the Legal Expert Guides and Who's Who Legal: Thoughts Leaders Construction. Recognised as a leading practitioner in "The Legal 500 International Arbitration Powerlist" 2019.

Steven is a regular speaker and writer on construction related topics including speaker at the International Bar Association Conference.
 

Awards & Recognitions
01 –
  • Quote
    "Steven is who you want managing a case. He is very, very good."
    Chambers, 2026
  • Quote
    "Steven has great experience. He attracts the highest calibre of work, brings great experience and is skilled in negotiation."
    Chambers, 2026
  • Quote
    "Steven Williams and Matthew Taylor lead an excellent team of experienced construction lawyers. Deep thought and tactical nous pervade all their thinking."
    Legal 500, 2026
  • Quote
    "Steven Williams has real gravitas and immense experience. He combines his considerable legal ability with shrewd commercial thinking."
    Legal 500, 2026
  • Quote
    “Steven is impressive. He is a good operator."
    Chambers, 2025
  • Quote
    "Steven excellently manages complex litigation within the field of construction law."
    Chambers, 2025
  • Quote
    "Steven Williams is hugely experienced and has great commercial and legal insight."
    Legal 500, 2025
  • Quote
    "adept in handling high-value disputes, both in the UK and internationally."
    Legal 500, 2024
  • Quote
    "Steven Williams has huge experience in complex and international dispute resolution within construction."
    Chambers, 2024
  • Quote
    "Steven provides excellent client service and is one of the best strategists I've seen in action."
    Chambers, 2024
  • Quote
    "Steven is very thoughtful in considering all aspects of a case and developing strategy from all angles. He's very responsive and well versed in international arbitration."
    Chambers, 2023
  • Quote
    "A 'top-drawer lawyer who really understands the commercial realities clients face,' and also praise him for being 'great on litigation strategy'."
    Legal 500, 2020
  • Quote
    "Steve is a commercial and pragmatic lawyer. He's transparent and open, recommending the best advice and ensuring there's always a consistent service."
    Chambers, 2023
  • Quote
    "benefits from a 'wealth of experience."
    Legal 500, 2020
  • Quote
    "First-class lawyer" Steven Williams maintains his excellent reputation for handling high-value construction disputes, especially those relating to the infrastructure and energy sectors. He is sought out by both purchaser and supplier-side clients for his “wealth of experience in the area.” Market sources also compliment his “sensible and firm style.”
    Chambers, 2019
  • Quote
    "excellent, proactive, sensible and pragmatic lawyer who is skilled at delving into the detail quickly and converting complicated issues to business-friendly and easily understood advice."
    Chambers, 2018
  • Quote
    "excellent strategist"
    Legal 500, 2018
  • Quote
    "He is very strategic, very considerate of cost and has a very keen commercial sense".
    Chambers and Partners 2017
  • Quote
    'excellent strategist'.
    Legal 500, 2017
  • Quote
    "Practice head Steven Williams has very good client skills"
    Legal 500 2016

Relevant experience

  • AECOM in TCC litigation and forthcoming Supreme Court Hearing arising from allegations of negligent design and interpretation of new Building Safety Act.
  • Advising international data centre developer on project risk and claims in relation to development of its Amsterdam and Paris data centres.
  • Babcock & Wilcox on multiple DIA arbitrations seated in Copenhagen in relation to series of distressed UK energy from waste projects.
  • Lendlease in multi-party TCC litigation in relation to Cramlington hospital.
  • Acting for an international design consultant in relation to ICC arbitration proceedings arising out of Riyadh Metro project.
  • Arup in TCC litigation and in the Court of Appeal in relation to allegations of professional negligence arising from a regeneration site in Barry, South Wales.
  • Laing O'Rourke on claims relating to Willesden Junction upgrade rail project and resolution of final account dispute with Severn Trent Water of framework agreement.
  • Morzine Limited (JV between Shell, Greenergy and Vopak) on resolution of disputes relating to the reconfiguration of the Thames Oil Port refinery.
  • Willows (Waste Management Inc / Cory Environmental) on resolution of claims resulting from termination of energy from Waste PFI project.
  • Greenland (Chinese state-owned developer) on disputes relating to the Spire tower project.
  • BNP Real Estate on disputes arising from completion of development at Kings Cross Central.
  • Multiplex on project advisory and disputes advice on Principal Place and One Blackfriars developments.
  • Scottish and Southern Energy/RWE NPower – on LCIA arbitration proceedings arising out of Greater Gabbard Offshore wind farm.
  • Tristan Capital on warranty and indemnity insurance claim relating to defects in Stadlau shopping centre in Vienna.

Memberships & Roles

  • Former Chair TECSA sub-committee on civil litigation.  
  • CEDR mediator and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
  • Member of the IBA and its International Projects Committee.

Lectures list

  • A regular attendee of the annual IBA Conference and has spoken on international construction procurement issues.

Education

  • LL.B, Southampton University, London
  • MSc, Construction Law and Arbitration, King's College, London
Practice Areas
Dispute Resolution Construction & Engineering Disputes Energy Disputes

Insights by Steven

See all Insights
Publication United Kingdom

Building Safety Act Annual Review 2026

17 Mar 2026 3 min read
Legal Update United Kingdom

Supreme Court rules on termination for repeated breach under the JCT

16 Jan 2026 7 min read
Legal Update United Kingdom

CMS Annual Review of English Construction Law Developments: An International Perspective

30 Sep 2025 2 min read
Legal Update United Kingdom

The Supreme Court rules on Building Safety Act issues

19 Jun 2025 7 min read
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