Lorna believes empathy and a sense of humour are essential tools in resolving construction disputes

Lorna Carter

Chartered Legal Executive & Partner

lecarter@greenwoods.co.uk

Lorna has been working with members across all sectors of the construction industry for more than 25 years and has found that her natural empathy and sense of humour aid both client relations and relations with other lawyers or parties involved in the process, which is often crucial in the resolution of disputes. Working for a wide variety of client types across the industry has also provided Lorna with a valuable perspective and a keen sense of fair play. She listens and looks for solutions.

Testimonials

“We work with Lorna Carter whose extensive experience of the construction industry, and contribution to our work on standards in the industry, are very valuable to us.”

(The Legal 500 2024)

“Lorna Carter offers sensible opinions with a commercial acumen that challenges and questions the approach to resolving matters. She has exceeded our highest expectations in all areas.”

(Chambers & Partner 2023 )

“Lorna Carter provides excellent service. Always listens to the wants and needs and provides solutions.”

(The Legal 500 2024)

“Personal and friendly service by Lorna Carter and her team, service always provided in a professional and timely way.”

(The Legal 500 2024)

“Lorna Carter is an exceptional lawyer who listens and quickly understands the needs and wants of us as a client.”

(The Legal 500 2022)

Lorna has been my lawyer for the past 4 years. She provides sage counsel and explains things in a way I easily understand. I highly value her legal knowledge and expertise, but equally appreciate that she delivers that expertise with humanity and humour, rather than in a dry, detached way. She lets you know she’s in your corner, which is incredibly reassuring.

(DM, Interior Designer, London, July 2021)

Case studies

Leading case on net contribution clauses (construction)

Lorna acted for the Claimants in the TCC and Court of Appeal in the case of West v Finlay & Associates (2014)

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Construction documents for Cambridge College

Lorna has acted for the University of Cambridge and several Colleges. Most recently (and ongoing) she and the team have been drafting the construction documents for significant works at a Cambridge College.

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Lorna is a Chartered Legal Executive who joined the profession in 1987 as a trainee in general litigation. She has specialised in construction law since 1995. Lorna has been a member of the Society for Construction Law for several years. Lorna joined Greenwoods in 2019 as Partner to head up the Construction team.

Lorna has considerable experience with construction disputes of all kinds, including in relation to claims heard in the County Court, the Technology & Construction Court and the Court of Appeal, as well as handling complex adjudications and numerous mediations. Clients value her down to earth approach and practical but empathetic manner in aiding difficult decision making.

She is also highly experienced in drafting building contracts, bonds, guarantees and warranties and other documents supporting development works. Lorna looks to finalise the construction documents on a practical basis; Lorna seeks to strike a fair balance between the contracting parties in order to set the foundations for a successful project whilst being mindful of the possibilities for and impact upon a wider ongoing relationship.

Lorna has been an independent member of the Federation of Master Builder’s (FMB) Standards Committee for many years, which considers the conduct of FMB members as well as wider conduct issues for the FMB.

For several years Lorna has been recognised in the Legal 500 as a “Leading Individual”.

Lorna delivers webinars, seminars and workshops on a wide range of construction industry topics including industry trends and important changes in case law.

Lorna also enjoys training junior lawyers and instilling in them the importance of providing a prompt service which is clear and no nonsense, whilst maintaining a clear line of communication throughout.