Biography
Francesca is an Associate (CILEX) in the Construction and Infrastructure team and deals with a variety of contentious construction matters.
Francesca has experience of dealing with a wide range of commercial contract litigation, with a particular focus on construction disputes. She advises on all aspects of a construction project and disputes that arise in relation to payments, delay, defects, variations and design responsibility.
Francesca has in-depth knowledge of the standard forms of construction contracts such as JCT/ NEC and has assisted clients through mediation, arbitration, adjudication and court proceedings.
Prior to joining Ashfords in January 2023, Francesca worked for a large firm in Bristol and headed a small construction team. In this role, she acted for contractors, subcontractors and employers.
Relevant experience
- Local Authority: Successfully opposing a £multi-million adjudication brought by a consultant against a local authority.
- Local Authority: Acting in High Court litigation against a contractor relating to defects at an entertainment venue.
- Local Authority: Advising in connection with recovery of Liquidated and Ascertained Damages relating to a large mixed use scheme.
- Subcontractor: Acting in relation to renovation works at several London tube stations. Assisting the client in defending a delay claim, whilst also pursuing its subcontractor for defective workmanship.
- Engineering company: Acting for a company which was contracted to design and manufacture a machine to produce switches to be used in vehicles. Advising and representing the client in the Technology and Construction Court.
- Multi-Academy Trust: Acting for a school pursuing a large contractor in relation to defective cladding installation. The dispute concerned the cost of precautionary measures taken by the school to avoid injury/further damage.
