People
Shemmings Hathaway LLP was set up by Sarah Shemmings and Henry Hathaway in 2021. Both Sarah and Henry are experienced construction lawyers who have worked together for a number of years before deciding to set up this niche practice working specifically for the construction industry. Our boutique firm now has an expanded team of six experts.
Our Team
Henry Hathaway
Partner
Henry is one of the founding partners of Shemmings Hathaway LLP. Henry acts for construction clients in both contentious and non-contentious matters. He qualified as a Civil/Structural Engineer and has spent more than twelve years in the Construction Industry representing both Contractors and Clients in Engineering and Project Management, before training to become a solicitor. Henry has a Masters of Law (LLM) in Construction Law and Arbitration. He works with clients assisting their growth within the industry and helping them manage risk to businesses.
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Sectors: Construction | Engineering | Built Environment
Areas of Expertise:Pre-Contract Negotiation · Contract Formation · Project Lifecycle · Tender Development · Identification of Delay & Disruption · Establishment of Claims · Ascertainment Of Costs · Seminars & Training
Background and areas of practice:
Prior to becoming a Solicitor, Henry qualified as a civil/structural/environmental engineer in Trinity College and progressed to work in Construction both in design and operational from 2003 until 2015 when he transferred to commence his formal training as a solicitor following completion of his academic qualifications.
His experience was gained in heavy civils works and large-scale developments both in private and public works. Notable project that he was involved with including as management include the redevelopment of Wimbledon Centre Court, the demolition of multi-storey office buildings and the redevelopment of the same in central London. Large scale rail and private development.
Henry qualified as a solicitor in 2017 and quickly moved through the promotion levels on account of his aptitude and understanding of Construction and associated law and quickly developed a following and was one of the highest fee earners.
Predominantly, his work is made up of both contentious and non-contentious matters and he has a number of reported cases in the High Courts in London. Contentious matters make up some 50-60% of his workload in such areas as payment disputes, professional negligence, company law (specific to construction companies), product liability and defective works under a contract. He also acts for companies in matters of corporate insolvency.
His non-contentious work includes the drafting of commercial agreements relating to property and construction companies and regularly drafts and advises on the corporate structures of developments. His experience relates to all levels of organisations from funders to developers, contractors, designers and sub-contractors.
He takes with him the experience of being a partner at a city law firm and has developed litigation teams as well as overseeing the training of solicitors having supervised them as trainees.
Henry was a board member of the British and Irish Trade Alliance (BITA) which fosters growth and development of companies within both Ireland and the UK.
Henry regularly presents seminars and lectures to the public, local authorities, construction companies of all sizes and consultancies and he also provides training on a range of construction law subjects and on a variety of standard forms of construction and engineering contracts.
Professional Qualifications:
Admitted on the Roll of Solicitors, England and Wales in 2017
Admitted on the Roll of Solicitors, Ireland 2019
Currently holds valid practicing certificates in both Jurisdictions.
Education:
2017 Legal Practice Course (LPC), University of Westminster
2015 Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), University of Westminster
2012 LLM, Masters in Construction Law and Arbitration
2003 BA, BAI, Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, University of Dublin, Trinity College.
Publications & Articles:
Dispute Resolution In The Construction Industry (CIF Magazine)
Professional Memberships:
BITA (British Irish Trade Alliance) Board Member
Sarah Shemmings
Partner
Sarah is one of the founding partners of Shemmings Hathaway LLP. Sarah qualified as a solicitor in 1982 and spent a number of years in private practice and working as an in- house lawyer for a large firm of contractors. She spent 13 years working with Berrymans Lace Mawer [BLM] where she became a partner. In 2004 Sarah set up the practice formerly known as Silver Shemmings Ash LLP. She stepped down as a partner in 2018. Throughout her working life she has been involved in claims relating to the construction industry acting for contractors and employers as well as dealing with a large number of professional negligence claims against construction professionals, especially engineers.
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Sectors: Construction | Built Environment | Insolvency | Professional Negligence
Areas of Expertise:
Construction Litigation · Dispute Resolution · Commercial Litigation · Adjudication, Arbitration · Contractual Advice · Environmental claims · Professional Negligence
Background and areas of practice:
Sarah qualified as a solicitor in 1982 and spent a number of years in private practice and working as an in- house lawyer for a large firm of contractors. She spent 13 years working with Berrymans Lace Mawer [BLM] where she became a partner. In 2004 Sarah set up the practice formerly known as Silver Shemmings Ash LLP. She stepped down as a partner in 2018.
Throughout her working life she has been involved in claims relating to the construction industry acting for contractors and employers as well as dealing with a large number of professional negligence claims against construction professionals, especially engineers.
Professional Qualifications:
Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors, England, Wales and Ireland.
Highlights:
Beumer Group UK Ltd -v- Vinci Construction UK Ltd [2016] EWHC 2283 (TCC)
Vinci Construction UK td -v- Beumer Group UK Ltd [2017] EWHC 2196 (TCC)
Harding (t/a MJ Harding Contractors) -v- Paice & Another [2015] EWCA Civ 1231
Lulu Construction Ltd -v- Mulalley & Co Ltd [2016] EWHC 1852 (TCC)
PP Construction -v- Geoffrey Osborne Limited [2015] EWHC 325 (TCC)
Department of National Heritage -v- Steensen Varming Mulcahy [1998] 60 Con LR 33
Cambridge Water Company Ltd -v- Eastern Counties Leather plc [1994] 2 AC 264
Aspect Contract (Asbestos) Ltd -v- Higgins Construction PLC [2015] UKSC 38
Capital Structures Plc -v- Time & Tide Construction Ltd [2006] EWHC 591 (TCC)
Thameside Construction Company Ltd -v- Arthenella Ltd [2011] EWHC 2695 TCC
Harris Calnan Construction Co Ltd -v- Ridgewood (Kensington) Ltd [2007] EWHC 2738 (TCC)
Glendalough Associated SA -v- Harris Calnan Construction Co Ltd [2013] EWHC 3142 (TCC)
Fileturn Ltd -v- Royal Garden Hotel Ltd [2010] EWHC 1736 (TCC)
Publications & Articles:
Dispute Resolution In The Construction Industry (CIF Magazine)
Professional Memberships:
The Law Society of England and Wales
The Law Society of Ireland
Sabra Farmand
Associate
Sabra Farmand is a solicitor at Shemmings Hathaway, bringing senior-level experience navigating both contentious and non-contentious matters. Sabra supports clients in sensitive corporate transactions and provides strategic pre-emptive advice as well as resolving complex disputes. Her approach is grounded in a practical understanding that the best legal work often prevents problems before they begin, while always being prepared to advocate when needed.
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Sectors: Construction | Built Environment | Insolvency | Professional Negligence | Adjudication and Dispute
Summary:
Away from her desk, Sabra is an artist and writer. These interests tie into her passion for the law as they both require patience, an eye for detail, and a fascination with human stories. She believes this broader perspective makes her not just a more thoughtful lawyer, but a more effective one.
Areas of Expertise:
Pre-Contract Negotiation · Contract Formation · Project Lifecycle · Tender Development · Identification of Delay & Disruption · Establishment of Claims · Ascertainment Of Costs · Disputes (Litigation & Adjudication) · Insolvency
Professional Qualifications:
Admitted on the Roll of Solicitors, England and Wales in 2020
Admitted on the Roll of Solicitors, Ireland 2020
Education:
2019 LPC,
2015 LLM, Masters in International Commercial Law
2011 LLB (Hons)
Professional Memberships:
Law society of England and Wales
Law society of Republic of Ireland
Jonathan Sharp
Consultant Solicitor
Harriet Butterfield
Consultant Barrister
Julie Camp
Training & Seminars