Matthew Cocklin
Partner
Areas of Expertise
With 20 years’ experience of the construction industry and construction disputes, Matthew specialises in construction dispute resolution.
Matthew is described in Legal 500 as “a star in the field”, an “exceptional lawyer”, “a real fighter on behalf of his clients” and “someone you want in the trenches with you”.
Client testimonials in Legal 500 recognise Matthew for his “outstanding work”, “sharp, practice advice” and “excellent understanding of the construction industry, deep knowledge of the law, great commercial and litigation instincts and an eye for detail”.
“Extremely hard-working and client-focused”, other Legal 500 testimonials identify Matthew as “effective in discussing and setting strategies for…complex issues”, “immensely commercial”, “someone who offers practical solutions to problems” and “to top it off, very easy to work with”.
Matthew represents clients in relation to all disputes related to construction projects including delays, defects, payments, termination, insolvency and additional fee claims. This includes all forms of dispute resolution including mediation, expert determination, adjudication, arbitration and litigation in the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) in relation to all forms of contract.
Experience
Prior to Devonshires, Matthew worked for the cost consultancy and project management division of Mott MacDonald, a global engineering, management and development consultancy, where he advised clients on major projects across a range of industry sectors.
This included a four-year secondment to a nuclear licensed site to provide strategic project advice and manage adjudication and arbitration proceedings across a £5 billion major engineering and construction programme (new build and decommissioning) and a 12-month secondment based in Ireland to manage a final account arbitration in relation to a main drainage scheme.
In addition, Matthew reviewed consultancy agreements for professional services and advised quantity surveyors, project managers and engineers at Mott MacDonald on claims for additional fees.
Publications
Matthew is the author of two chapters in the Architect’s Legal Handbook (10th Edition): Chapter 21 – Contractor and sub-contractor collateral warranties and third party rights; and Chapter 31 – Architects’ collateral warranties.
Matthew is the author of papers on delay published by the Construction Law Journal ((2014) 30(1) Cons. Law 41-56)) and the Society of Construction Law (Paper No.182) cited in Keating on Construction Contracts (10th and 11th Editions), Hudson’s Building and Engineering Contracts (13th Edition) and Bailey (2nd and 3rd Editions).
Matthew also maintains a guidance note on Delay to Construction Contracts published by Practical Law (No. 1-595-4752) and a guidance note on the professional conduct of expert witnesses published by Isurv.
Conferences
Matthew is very experienced in delivering engaging and practical seminars and lectures on construction law.
Matthew has delivered talks to members of the Society of Construction Law at the National Liberal Club in London as well as to regional branches of the society in Kent, Bristol, the South-West, the North-West and the North-East.
Matthew has also delivered numerous talks to members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
Matthew regularly speaks at seminars and conferences hosted by Devonshires on all aspects of contentious construction law with a particular emphasis on time, money, defects and fire and building safety, including the Building Safety Act 2022.
Education
Matthew graduated from the University of Bristol with a Master’s degree in Law. He successfully undertook his Bar exams before dual-qualifying as a solicitor and successfully completing an MSc in Construction Law & Dispute Resolution at King’s College (as part of which he studied construction technology).
Awards
Matthew has won prestigious prizes for his research and innovative writing on extensions of time and concurrent delay including the Hudson Prize 2012 (First Prize) of the Society of Construction Law and the Master Thesis Prize 2013 (First Prize) of the European Society of Construction Law (ESCL). The ESCL Jury Report described his work as “very well executed…with intelligent analysis.”
Professional Membership
Matthew is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He is a member of the Society of Construction Law and the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple.
Testimonials
Legal 500, 2023“Matthew Cocklin is a young partner and future star. Extremely hard-working and client-focused.”
Legal 500, 2022"Matthew Cocklin is a star in the field. He has an excellent understanding of the construction industry, deep knowledge of the law, great commercial and litigation instincts and an eye for detail."
Legal 500, 2021"Matthew Cocklin has it all: great academic knowledge of the law, experienced across multiple sectors of the construction industry, immensely commercial, and a real fighter, but someone who offers practical solutions to problems. I always recommend him to people who ask for a construction lawyer."
Legal 500, 2021"Matthew Cocklin is always well briefed and prepared...I have found him to be receptive and effective in discussing and setting strategies for some complex issues."
Legal 500, 2020“Matthew Cocklin is a star. He is intelligent, commercial, committed, knowledgeable and, to top it off, very easy to work with.”
Legal 500, 2020“Matthew Cocklin is an exceptional lawyer, highly cerebral, but also very commercially savvy – he gives sharp, practical advice and works extremely hard. He is a real fighter on behalf of his clients – someone you want in the trenches with you.”
Legal 500, 2019“Matthew Cocklin produces ‘outstanding’ work and is known for his expertise in relation to the fire safety of rain-screen cladding systems on high rise buildings.”
Get in touch
020 7065 1813 |
07809595900 |
matthew.cocklin@devonshires.co.uk |
London Office
Devonshires Solicitors LLP 30 Finsbury Circus London EC2M 7DT |
020 7880 4332 |
charlotte.ward@devonshires.co.uk |