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John Cleaveley

Partner, Construction & Engineering
Manchester

Expertise

John has over 30 years' experience of working in and with the construction industry. John advises developers, funders, purchasers, tenants, contractors and consultants on standard form and bespoke building contracts, appointments, frameworks, warranties, security documents and subcontracts for a wide range of projects. In addition, John provides strategic advice to clients on construction issues and disputes. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and holds an MSc in Construction Law and Arbitration.

John worked in-house at Mowlem plc and Bovis Lend Lease, so has a good understanding of the major contractors’ approach to contractual risk and negotiations. He was also General Counsel for the Fulcrum Group, a leading utilities business and head of construction for national law firm Weightmans. Prior to joining Addleshaws, John led the Manchester Construction team at Shoosmiths. Schemes he has worked on include Salford Media City, Blackpool Central, New Scotland Yard and Gateshead Quays, together with PPP schemes, student accommodation, later living and PRS developments, commercial and industrial developments and energy and infrastructure schemes.

John is listed as a Leading Individual in the 2024 Legal 500 rankings and a ranked lawyer in Chambers 2024:

I have known John Cleaveley for several years now; I thoroughly trust his judgement and advice, he has a great reputation within the industry whereby his appointment is popular on both sides. (Client quote, Legal 500 2024).

Experience

Acting for Vita Group on the development of a number of their student and other accommodation projects throughout the UK.
Acting for the Mayor’s Office on Policing and Crime (MOPAC) on the £30million redevelopment of the Curtis Green Building in Westminster, London to become New Scotland Yard.
Acting for Ask Real Estate on several office and other commercial developments, including the £400million development at Gateshead Quays which includes an Exhibition Centre, Arean and Hotel.
Acting for Nikal on the Blackpool Central Scheme, a £300million phased redevelopment in Blackpool which includes a multi-storey car park, theatre, indoor theme parks, hotel and heritage quarter.
Acted for Lendlease on the negotiation of the construction documents for Media City, Salford, a £500million mixed use development for Peel Media at Salford Quays.
Acting for a joint venture between Muse Places and Wirral Borough Council on the £70million redevelopment of Birkenhead Town Centre.
Acting for Robertson Construction on a number of contentious and non-contentious matters, including the £64million PFI-style contract arrangements for the construction of a high school and primary school in Flintshire, Wales.
Acted for H.E Simm (specialist M&E contractor) on several contentious and non-contentious construction projects.

Testimonials

I have known John Cleaveley for several years now; I thoroughly trust his judgement and advice, he has a great reputation within the industry whereby his appointment is popular on both sides

Client quote, Legal 500 2024