Ranked In

Profile

Practice Areas: Consultant in construction. Early in career mainly represented consulting engineers, defending claims brought against them in UK courts or in arbitration proceedings. Since 1985, has focused upon advising her clients on professional appointments, collateral warranties, the issues surrounding novation and building and civil engineering contracts and also on joint ventures and health and safety. Advises on contracts drafted for specific projects in the UK and overseas and has experience of the main standard forms of construction agreements published in the industry or by the public sector. Assisted the Association for Consultancy and Engineering in drafting the ACE Conditions of Engagement 1995 and the 2002 and 2004 editions and the new agreements published in 2009 and the Construction Industry Council in the production of their forms of Collateral Warranty, Novation Agreement and Consultants' Contract. Advises RIBA members as one of their Specialist Practice Consultants. Speaks at seminars on forms of construction contracts, professional appointments and the issues arising out of them such as novation and uninsurable risks.

Professional Memberships: Law Society. International Bar Association.

Career: Partner with Beale and Company since 1977. Consultant from October 2011.

Publications: 'Professional Services Agreements' jointly with Leslie Edwards in 2000, second edition by Rachel only published in July 2012; contributor, with Clive Marsden, to the section on engineers' appointments in 'Construction Law Handbook'; regular articles in 'Building Magazine'.  

Personal: Bristol University (LLB Hons). Interests include QPR, walking her golden retrievers and 19th century novels.