Johnny Ward

Johnny undertook a construction-based pupillage in Kings Chambers, and has received instructions in large scale construction disputes from the beginning of his time at the bar. Johnny also undertakes construction-related professional negligence work.

Adjudication

Advising and representing contractors, employers, professionals and adjudicators on a wide variety of disputes, including loss and expense claims, payment disputes, liquidated damages and delay claims, and adjudicators' fee disputes. Johnny has appeared in the various TCCs around the country on, amongst other things, applications to enforce or resist the enforcement of adjudicator's awards.

Arbitration

Johnny accepts instructions to appear at and advise upon arbitrations. He recently represented a contractor at an arbitration relating to the meaning of a standard form sub-contract, and has been involved in a number of arbitration proceedings in relation to final account disputes.

TCC

Johnny appears regularly in the TCC and the county courts on all types of construction disputes.

Examples of recent work include:

Trials on defective work and final accounts

Parent company guarantee disputes.

Liquidated damages and delay claims.

Professional negligence action in relation to failure to secure a performance bond / failure to deduct liquidated damages from interim certificates.

Advising developers of large scale projects on dispute resolution strategy in relation to current and likely claims.

Applications in the High Court and County Court (e.g. security for costs, stays under Arbitration Act, summary judgment).

Adjudications and enforcement of awards in the TCC.

IT-defects and provision of services disputes.

Limitation trials.

Recently represented an employer in a building dispute at a 2 day trial of a preliminary issue as to limitation, where it was held that the limitation period under section 1(5) of the Defective Premises Act 1972 does not begin to run in circumstances where a dwelling is substantially completed to a habitable standard several years before practical completion.

Instructed on behalf of a developer to draft proceedings and appear at a mediation in a professional negligence claim, resulting in a settlement of over £250k.

Two week trial in the TCC (as junior) in a product liability matter in relation to materials used in hundreds of construction projects.

ADR

Johnny has been instructed to attend several mediations and joint settlement meetings, including in multi-party actions, in relation to final account disputes, architect's negligence, surveyors and contract administrators' negligence, and misrepresentation.

Insured Loss and Subrogated Claims

Johnny is regularly instructed in relation to the recovery of construction-related insured losses or to defend such actions.

Examples of recent work include claims arising out of oil spills, petrol spills, floods, fires, a collision between a lorry and a railway bridge, damage to underground pipelines and cables, and building collapses / construction site accidents. Issues of design obligations and contribution often arise.

Career & Education

2003  Institut National des Sciences Appliquées, Lyon (Erasmus)

2004  BA Birmingham University (Joint Honours, Artificial Intelligence and French) - Class I

2006  Graduate Diploma in Law, Northumbria University - Distinction, ranked 1st in year

2007  Bar Vocational Course, Northumbria University - Outstanding, ranked 1st in year

Chancery House Prize for best overall student, Northumbria BVC

Dickinson Dees Prize for best overall student, Northumbria GDL

Speaker at the Lincoln's Inn Call Ceremony, July 2007 Lord Denning Scholarship (Lincoln's Inn)

Harwicke Award (Lincoln's Inn)