Thomas specialises in advising clients on all types of contentious matters arising from construction and engineering projects, including acting for owners, developers, funders, contractors, and sub-contractors. Thomas takes a keen interest in in large engineering and infrastructure (including PFI and PPP) projects, particularly in the healthcare sector. 

Thomas also provides risk management advice to a number of clients in respect of construction-related issues during the lifecycle of the project.

Thomas has experience of all dispute processes; litigation, international and domestic arbitration, adjudication, and bespoke dispute avoidance forums. He also spends a significant amount of time advising clients how to avoid disputes and resolve issues without recourse to formal dispute procedures.

Featured experience:

• Acting for an NHS Trust in the TCC in respect of a claim where the value exceeds £125m against a contractor in relation to defects at a hospital 
• Advising a number of NHS Trusts in relation to construction defects disputes (in both adjudication and court proceedings) in their portfolio of properties 
• Providing risk management advice in respect of defects and final account negotiation advice to an energy employer in relation to a £66m onshore wind farm project 
• Advising a local council in relation to a number of defects claims arising from the Building Schools for the Future programme and advising in respect of construction-related matters in its wider property portfolio 
• Advising an institutional investment fund in relation to a £2.5m claim in the TCC against a contractor regarding defective concrete slab floors at three of its warehouse units in Yorkshire

Endorsements:

• “Thomas Hurst is both a work horse and a war horse. He is outstanding at putting together and managing teams in the most massive of healthcare cases. He also gets outstanding results” - Legal 500 UK, 2023 
• "Thomas Hurst is highly commercial, a brilliant lawyer and loved by clients." - Legal 500 UK, 2020 
• “Thomas has worked closely with the council on a number of complex construction contract issues and his advice has always been cogent, succinct, helpful and pragmatic”, Roger Kirk, Service Director – Fixed Assets, Luton Borough Council 
• "Thomas has provided the Trust with highly valued advice and guidance during a complicated construction dispute. Throughout Thomas has been sensitive to the needs of the Trust and given clear, timely and comprehensive advice.” Paul Dunn, Executive Director of Finance – Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust