MPGQS Claims Capability Statement

1. Introduction
MPGQS have an established and international reputation with a client portfolio to be proud of -
including major developers, blue chip corporates, contractors and sub-contractors with high levels
of retention. All our clients benefit from a comprehensive dispute resolution service having
expertise in each major aspect of constriction and property law.
We are proud of below average employee turnover which allows us to provide clients with stable
teams develop long term relationships and develop our people
We are also extremely active in the community by way of pro-bono work we’ve also launched a
firm-wide initiative to reduce the environmental impact of the firm and increase our awareness of
environmental issues as part of our corporate social responsibility.
The genuine open and supportive environment within the firm translates into our ability to deliver a
client experience that is professional, flexible and tailored to your needs and culture. MPGQS
combines innovation and market knowledge with customer driven service and quality people.
We are famous for our longstanding client and employee relationships, our straightforward and
transparent way of doing business and flexible approach to our client’s needs. We also welcome
and encourage diversity and individuality in all of our people.
Excellence, innovation & experience
We believe we provide our clients with an excellent legal and dispute resolution advice, providing
innovative solutions where required.
We are experienced in advising throughout the lifecycle of construction and engineering projects
and act for a diverse range of clients, including employers, contractors, sub-contractors, funders,
public and corporate bodies engaged in procuring construction work, suppliers, consultants and
insurers.
In addition to established directors Michael Gallucci and Bambos Zandes, MPGQS has recently
strengthened its construction credentials with the appointment of Commercial Consultant, Gavin
Lotfian from Phoenix and Engineering Expert, Roy Pentley from Shreeves. Their appointment brings
the number of dedicated construction professionals at the firm to twelve.
Added value
We are committed to delivering a broad range of value added benefits to our clients and to finding
ways to strengthen our relationships with them. As well as helping our clients on a practical level,
we aim to provide them with cost certainty, reduced spend and minimise the risk of claims. To this
end, we have set out our approach to fees on page 4, including our ‘risk share’ product.
We are also happy to discuss providing additional services that might be of benefit to you, including
comprehensive seminar programmes, email bulletins regarding recent cases / changes in the law
and secondments.
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2. Contentious experience
Redevelopment of Arts Centre – Undertaking an expert determination relating to valuation of circa
400 engineering services variations, value approximately £3m
Defence Dockyard - On behalf of the employer assisting the quantum expert on a dispute with a
main contractor associated with a nuclear submarine dry dock, specifically involved with analysing
contractor’s alleged delays with a view to determining culpability associated with the engineering
services aspect of the works, contractor’s claim for damages approximately £9m
Military Bunker for Trident - On behalf of a mechanical and electrical subcontractor, providing
advice and quantum information to the legal team relating to a military bunker, specifically
involved with the production of documentation to assist with the valuation of the variation account
and analysing the documentation to establish the basis of entitlement relating to prolongation,
subcontractor’s claim for damages approximately £5m
Residential Project - On behalf of subcontractor defending Adjudication proceedings relating to
the variations aspect of the final account, including providing alternative quantum valuations in the
event that the adjudicator decided on liability that we would fail, value of dispute £950K
Specialist Eye Care Hospital - On behalf of contractor compiling a loss and expense claim including
details of causation and quantum, claim value £660K
Academy for Dramatic Arts - Assessing a controls subcontractors account and reporting on the
further particulars required relating to the demonstration of the events that caused the delays and
quantum particulars, claim value £1m
Hotel Project (5 star) - Assessing a contractors account and reporting on the further particulars
required in order to enable ascertainment to take place, claim value £1.2m
Media City - On behalf of an engineering subcontractor, general assistance to demonstrate that
they were not culpable for specific delays, i.e. the demonstrating that the dominant cause rests
with, for example, variations, delays in builders work activities, claim value £11m
Hotel and Residential Project - Preparing a brief demonstrating causation to form part of a request
for an extension of time, a preliminary assessment of the quantum that may flow there from, on
behalf of contractor assessed claim value and preparation of final account £18m
National Sports Stadium - Drafting an acceleration narrative and quantum and preparation,
negotiation and settlement of final account including draft of deeds of agreement, £53m
Airport Terminal - General advice on projects in progress, i.e. when to issue non-completion
notices, certificates, valuations, variations under NEC 3 contracts.
Data Centre - Quantum Expert reports on Data Centre project in Dublin, disputed sum €1.8m
Juvenile Court - Retained as Expert Witness for Contractor and preparation and negotiation of
claims on Court buildings in Singapore, $80m
New Town Development - Quantum Expert Reports and Claims Management for Civil Contractor in
Abu Dhabi on dispute heard at DIAC, Dubai, disputed sum AED53m
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3. Office Building - Expert Reports for Property Owner in Temple London regarding Chiller Systems
and Fan Coil Unit Installation and Expert Reports for Property Owner in Lombard Street, London
regarding Chiller System and Lift Installations
New Build Residential Project - Preparation for Arbitration in Dublin on Residential Scheme for
MEP Contractor, disputed sum €2m
Hospital Scheme - Preparation of claims for prolongation and loss and expense for Hospital Project
in Dublin and submission and preparation for Arbitration
World Airport - Preparation for Adjudication of six account and claims submissions for contracts
terminated by Airports Authority in Dubai, disputed sums AED200m
Religious Building – On behalf of the Audit team preparation of Due Diligence reports for live
contracts, £30m.
London Underground – Full Quantity Surveying services including the preparation of Claims
amounting to £6m.
Dockyard Project – Expert report preparation for a litigation case totalling £180m.
Internet Comparison Sites – Monitoring and preparation of cost plans in a variety of countries
including; Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt and London.
Utility Company – Preparation of tender documents, process audit of historical cost and AMP
contracts database analysis tools, £22m.
Major Railway Station – Overall Commercial Management of interior packages, final accounting
organisation, financial submissions and preparation of acceleration of claims, £6m.
M&E Adjudications – Preparation of quantum particulars on 4 adjudications for Contractor on M&E
issues.
Major Media Broadcasting Office Development Project – Preparation of Stage 2 Tender process,
totalling £16m.
Central London Hospital – Non-Executive Director role to the Ceilings Contractor – providing advice
on procurement and contractual risk, £21m.
Residential Project – Independent valuation of variation account and reporting on Quantum,
Prolongation and Disruption, totalling £1m.
Underground Station Project – Negotiation with LUL representatives, re-drafting variation
submissions and checking Quantum for Dispute Team, £11m.
Central London Buildings – Providing assistance to court appointed expert, £9m.
Military Barracks – Quantum preparation on 14 separate claim issues to the total value of £8m. Also
acted as a Witness of Fact on Variation disputes in Court of Technology Litigation.
Cypriot Residential Development – Pre-planning advice to the Client, £20m.
Specialist Heart & Chest Hospital – Re-drafting of Variation documents for Claim submission and
preparation of £250k Insurance Claim.
Luxury Hotel Project – Preparation of final account and claims for Fit Out Contractor, £17m.
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4. Fees
Our hourly rates are based on the time spent dealing with your matter at the notified charging
rates of the staff concerned, where possible we always attempt to agree an appropriate fixed cost
for the matter or stages of that matter at the outset. We will supply the charging rates applicable
to individuals and various grades of staff at any time on request.
Our current hourly rates are:
Managing Director £245 Per hour
Senior Consultant (Delay) £180 Per hour
Senior Consultant (Quantum) £160 Per hour
Consultant £125 Per hour
Fee Earning Secretary £70 Per Hour
Our Legal Team rates are as follows:
Partner £260 Per hour
Associates £220 Per hour
Junior Solicitor £155 per hour
Paralegal £110 Per hour
The above hourly rates are exclusive of all expenses and VAT where applicable and are in
accordance with our Standard Terms and Conditions.
Any travelling time required will be chargeable at £50 per hour plus VAT.
Risk Share
Risk share is a no win, low fee dispute resolution product available to claimants in a wide range of
contractual, property and construction disputes.
The firm has teamed up with leading funders and brokers to provide this comprehensive product to
help share the risk in commercial disputes and substantially lower costs.
We can also offer discounts on our hourly rates, as well as insurance against paying defendant’s
legal costs if the case is lost and potential funding to pursue the client’s case
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5. Your Contacts
Michael Gallucci
Michael is the Managing Director and majority shareholder in MPG Quantity Surveyors Limited,
Partner in MPG Shreeves LLP and 50% shareholder of MPG Quantity Surveyors in Abu Dhabi. Michael
is an accomplished and experienced quantity surveyor with over 20 years’ experience principally
within the construction industry and his general quantity surveying skills span from preparation and
negotiation of tenders to production of loss and expense claim documentation. Michael also has a
wealth of specific experience relating to formal dispute matters such as acting as an Expert Witness
or M&E Contractor on £1m dispute.
Bambos Zandes
Bambos is the Director of Finance and Business for MPG Quantity Surveyors Limited. He is highly
versatile and extremely capable with extensive and successful experience dealing with both
domestic and major corporate customers on a business to business basis. Bambos has a vast range
of skills including commercial and financial expertise and is a result orientated and profit focused
individual. He also has the ability to promote good sales practices in an ever-changing environment.
Gavin Lotfian
Gavin currently holds the position of Commercial Manager for MPG Quantity Surveyors. He is a
proficient project Mechanical and Electrical Quantity Surveyor with 9 years’ experience working on
projects ranging in value from £500k to £326m. Specific projects that Gavin has worked on as a
Project QS and Commercial Manager include; the development of the East London underground line
and the Heathrow Terminal 5 development. He has also been involved in the McAlpines’
development of the Emirates Football Stadium and as a Consultant on Cross Rail and Network Rail
projects. Gavin also specialises in the production of loss and expense claim documentation.
Peter McAllen
Peter’s career has seen him hold various senior level positions such as Sales Director of Leonard
Lifts Ltd where he was responsible for all areas of company sales as well as being responsible for all
estimating, surveying and preparation of tenders. Peter has also held the position of Senior
Engineer for Kone Marryat & Stone where his responsibilities included all areas of consultancy
reports, preparations of technical specifications and project management. At present Peter holds
the position of Managing Director of Peter McAllen & Associates (Southern) Limited, which offers a
wide range of consultancy services within the vertical transportation service.
Roy Pentley
Roy has held various positions within the plumbing industry, ranging from Plumbing Design and
Contracts Manager at How Group Southern Ltd to Partner at Medway Design Associates. Most
recently Roy has been employed as an Engineering Expert by MPG Shreeves LLP. Roy’s skills range
from trouble shooting systems that have defects or inbuilt problems and giving assistance and
guidance to correct these problems, to acting as a Clerk of Works and Contractors Engineer on
install only projects.
Lee Barwick –
Lee is proficient quantity surveyor with over 20 years’ experience. This experience has been gained
by working for a varied selection of Electrical, Mechanical and BMS contractors. Lee also has a vast
knowledge of the contractual, commercial and financial areas of the M&E services industry as well
as strong management skills. Lee currently holds the position of International Managing Director for
MPG Associates Ltd and during this post he has been engaged by various Clients including, HKH
Electrical, James Scott and Gleeds to carry out services such as preparation of annual budget
allowances for M&E service expenditure for both refurbishment and new build projects.
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6. John Tobin
John is an accomplished quantity surveyor with over 15 years experienced gained from working for
a Major Mechanical and a Professional Commercial and Facilities Consultant. John has strong
management skills and a wealth of knowledge of all financial, contractual and commercial aspects
of the M&E service industry. As a Chief Surveyor and commercial consultant for a variety of projects
John’s responsibilities have included: preparation of interim valuations, negotiation and settlement
of contractual claims as well as provision of Expert Witness services. John currently holds the
position of Director of MPG Wilkins Limited, and is responsible for the risk analysis, RICS and
business development of the company.
Joanne Prior
Joanne is an experienced Quantity Surveyor and specialist in construction claims, contractual
issues, forensic reviews and dispute resolution.
With over twenty years in the construction industry Joanne has gained experience in the UK and
internationally across a variety of projects and sectors.
As an RICS accredited expert witness, Joanne has frequently been appointed to provide quantity
surveying evidence. She has acted as a Single Joint Expert and given evidence both in Court and
Arbitration Hearings.
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7. Our Offices
Head Office
14 Hanover Street
London
W1S 1YH
Tel: +44 (0) 203 384 7216
Fax: +44 (0) 203 432 2372
Projects Office
2 Apsley Mills Cottage
London Road
Apsley
Hertfordshire
HP3 9QU
Tel: +44 (0) 845 3047251
Fax: +44 (0) 845 3047253
Abu Dhabi Office
PO Box 111703
Abu Dhabi
UAE
Tel: +971 26 398 113
Fax: +971 42 115 101
Dubai Office
Union House
5th Floor
Port Saeed Road
PO BOX 43659
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 50 1532680
Fax: +971 4211 5101
Cyprus Office
Central Court
3rd Floor Suite
17 Demosthenis Severis Avenue
PO BOX 28978,
CY2081 Nicosia
Cyprus
Tel: +357 22 8650000
Fax: +357 22 661621
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