Former builder who spent 20 years on the tools becomes lawyer to tackle ‘huge number of disputes’ in construction

Alan Stanley, 53, spent more than 20 years as a civil engineering subcontractor getting developments of all kinds out of the ground, before switching to a legal career in 2016. 

He started in family law before expanding into civil litigation and dispute resolution and has now set up a construction law department in Bournemouth. 

“I spent an awful lot of time in muddy holes getting very wet and cold, pouring concrete, installing drains and putting pipes together,” said Stanley. 

“Unsurprisingly, there are a huge number of disputes in the building world – for example between clients and contractors or between contractors and subcontractors over issues such as non, late, reduced or withheld payments, quality of work, failure to pass on warranties, negligence and missed deadlines.” 

Construction law is based on the usual laws of contract, with added obligations and protections implied in large part by statutory legislation. 

This legislation prohibits practices such as ‘pay when paid’ which can be disastrous for small and medium-size companies and provides the right to refer disputes to adjudication, most of which are resolved within a month. 

The purpose of the legislation is to ensure the construction industry is fluid and fit for purpose. 

“It can be an incredibly complex and contentious area and affects many groups in the sector including builders, developers, surveyors, architects, carpenters, engineers, construction workers to name just a few,” said Stanley. 

“Players in the construction sector are not always good at upholding their contractual obligations to each other, which is one reason why there are so many disputes and why the legislation exists.” 

The construction industry experienced the highest number of insolvencies last year – with subbies bearing the brunt. 

Construction firms in the UK have gone under at the highest rate in a decade, with more than 11,000 firms lost since 2021 as well as around 100,000 workers.  

Of the five UK sectors with the most insolvencies in the 12 months to November 2024, construction saw 4,102 cases (17 per cent of cases captured), according to the latest findings by the Insolvency Service.  

“The outlook for the construction sector for 2025 remains opaque, with some grounds for optimism but persistent issues might delay any emergence of green shoots for a good part of the year,” said Mark Supperstone, partner at business advisory firm, Evelyn Partners.   

Stanley became a fully qualified lawyer at Rawlins Davy Reeves in 2022.  

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