George Woods
Call 2003
Instruct George
To instruct George please contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7842 5555 or email [email protected].
George Woods is a highly regarded construction and commercial barrister with experience in handling complex and high value disputes across a range of sectors. His reputation as an advocate means he is regularly instructed as sole counsel in High Court proceedings, alongside a thriving practice in acting for referring and responding parties in adjudications (and related enforcement proceedings).
George is a director of two Scottish hydro electric power generating companies which gives him a unique perspective at the bar, having been intimately involved in the development, planning, fundraising, construction and now operation of two run-of-river power stations.
He has a complementary commercial practice, acting in a wide variety of contractual, insurance and professional negligence disputes, often involving media, music and sports entities. George is often instructed in contentious technology and telecoms cases for providers and businesses. Most recently he acted in a number of disputes relating to allegations of telecoms fraud arising out of alleged hijacking of telecoms networks in Africa, and consequential disputes over payment for traffic.
Furthermore, George has been a pilot for over 20 years in the UK and internationally, providing him with a real grasp of the practical issues of aircraft ownership, maintenance and operation and so has a deep understanding of the issues at the heart of aviation disputes.
George has advised at a London Law Centre on a regular basis for over 10 years and is a supporter of pro bono advocacy initiatives.
Construction & Engineering
George is regularly instructed to appear for employers, contractors and sub-contractors.
Featured Construction & Engineering cases
Advising and acting for the referring and responding parties in numerous adjudications, including in enforcement proceedings.
Railways:
- A number of railway construction and timetabling disputes.
Water systems:
- Representing the designer and installer of building management services in a claim arising out of a severe flood.
- Acting for a property manager in a dispute over extensive leaks in an office.
- Acting for the developer of a defective waste water treatment system.
Construction Professionals:
- Disputes involving allegations of professional negligence in the construction industry. Recent cases have involved surveyors, architects, quantity surveyors and structural engineers.
Cladding:
- Instructions on behalf of landlords and tenants in cladding disputes.
Glazing:
- Acting for various parties in a number of glazing disputes in office and residential buildings
Acting for a hotel developer in a number of disputes with the contractor, involving allegations of fraud, delay and defects.
Advising the developer of a combined cycle gas turbine in Europe in a long running dispute with the D&B contractor.
Advising an offshore installation contractor in a wind farm development.
Acting for a groundworks contractor in a claim arising from the settlement and demolition of a central London property following neighbouring excavation works.
Acting for the claimants in cases involving property damage caused by works to neighbouring property. Claims made under the Party Wall (etc.) Act 1996 and in nuisance.
Representing the Defendants in litigation arising out of construction of The Shard, Cleveland Bridge UK Limited v Severfield-Rowen Structures Ltd [2012] EWHC 3652 (TCC).
Representing the employers, contractors and professionals in a number of long-running multi-million pound domestic construction disputes.
Advising the owner of a recycling facility claiming that the facility is not fit for its purpose, addressing failings in design and construction.
Advising the owner of a warehouse following settlement and subsidence.
Acting for the Claimant in a dispute over the destruction of an electricity generator following failed maintenance.
Acting for the claimants in cases involving property damage caused by works to neighbouring property. Claims made under the Party Wall (etc.) Act 1996 and in nuisance.
Various cases involving allegations of defective workmanship, delay and tree-root litigation. Has represented house builders, a steelwork supplier, architects, property managing agents and other parties to construction contracts.
Technology & Telecoms
George has experience of acting in several public and private telecoms and IT procurement disputes.
Featured Technology & Telecoms cases
A number of disputes relating to allegations telecoms fraud arising out of alleged hijacking of telecoms networks in Africa, and consequential disputes over payment for traffic.
Regular instructions from BT in relation to domestic telephone fraud and allegations of AIT (Artificial Inflation of Traffic).
Acting for the defendant in Atheer v Orascom, concerning construction of a tax indemnity in a telecoms licence.
Acting for a telecoms provider in an expedited trial arising from the termination of a significant local authority services agreement.
Acting for the defendant software designer in an action brought by a law firm in relation to billing software.
Acting for the claimant telecoms business in a cross jurisdictional dispute over telecoms termination services.
Advising a telecoms contractor in relation to DC power and Local Loop Unbundling equipment.
Acting for claimant telecoms and IT service providers in disputes with present and former staff.
Settling Particulars of Claim and advising a government body in a claim against an IT supplier.
Advising a telecoms business in a multi-national telephone and IT services contract, and drafting Particulars of Claim.
Advising a manufacturing business on interim remedies following the removal of all IT and telecom services by a supplier.
Appearing in the Court of Appeal in relation to a dispute over negligent mis-statement on a website, Patchett v Spata.
Professional Negligence
George has extensive experience acting for claimants and defendants in solicitors’ negligence actions. Cases have included conveyancing disputes, a planning dispute and contractual advisory work.
A recent case involved a claim for loss of a chance in a high profile employment dispute and a missed litigation deadline.
Aviation
George has had a private pilot’s licence for over 20 years and has flown in the UK and internationally, providing him with a real grasp of the practical issues of aircraft ownership, maintenance and operation.
Featured Aviation cases
Advising on the application of lease provisions governing ownership and repair obligations of a helicopter in Colombia, and an airliner in Holland.
A dispute between an airport developer and its technical consultant after severe difficulties were encountered with operation of the completed airport.
George was junior counsel for the Claimant in relation to the purchase of a business jet in Air Transworld v Bombardier [2012] EWHC 243 (Comm). The Court considered sale of goods legislation and the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977.
He recently acted for an executive aircraft management and leasing firm in a dispute with crew.
Shipping and Transport
George has broad experience across the shipping and transport sectors including a specific interest in aviation work. George has a pilot’s licence, flies regularly and has a keen interest in aeronautical matters.
Featured Shipping and Transport cases
Advising on the application of lease provisions governing ownership and repair obligations of a helicopter in Colombia, and an airliner in Holland.
A dispute between an airport developer and its technical consultant after severe difficulties were encountered with operation of the completed airport.
Acting for the claimant in relation to the purchase of a business jet in Air Transworld v Bombardier [2012] EWHC 243 (Comm). The Court considered sale of goods legislation and the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977.
Acting for an executive aircraft management and leasing firm in a dispute with crew.
Insurance
Featured Insurance cases
Application of the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 2010.
Disputes arising from the application of the Insurance Act 2015 in relation to disclosure.
A claim brought by an art gallery following rejection of its pandemic business interruption cover.
All manner of disputes arising out of property insurance.
Insurance of goods stolen or damaged in transit.
Solicitors’ legal indemnity insurance.
Regular instructions from insurers in resisting claims on coverage issues.
Regular instructions from insurers in fire and flood cases.
Acting for insurers in claims where there is a suspicion of fraud.
Hydro Electric, Renewable Energy & Waste
George is a director of two Scottish hydro electric power generating companies. He has been intimately involved in the development, planning, fundraising, construction and now operation of two run-of-river power stations. He is in the process of developing two further sites.
George’s commercial experience of these projects is useful in helping him to provide realistic commercial advice and an understanding of business needs.
He has an ongoing involvement in negotiating Power Purchase Agreement terms and all other contracts with the distribution network, metering providers, generator and turbine maintenance contractors and insurers.
Professionally, he has advised in recent cases involving the development of a combined cycle gas turbine power station, a straw fired power station and a dispute arising from the failure of a waste gas powered generator.
He also acted in a significant dispute relating to the design and build of a new materials recycling facility.
General Commercial
Featured General Commercial cases
Representing the provider of white label spread betting services to a finance company in a dispute over those services.
Acting for Lucasfilm in a dispute over rights to ‘Star Wars’.
Defending a TV developer from a claim relating to rights to the ‘Horrid Henry’ books.
Acting for a well known 1980s pop band in a dispute over licensing rights.
Members of 4 Pump Court attend Riyadh International Disputes Week
Sean Brannigan KC, Lynne McCafferty KC, Ben Pilling KC, George Woods, Laurence Page and Richard Sumarno will be in...
Bresco Electrical Services Ltd v Michael J Lonsdale – The Supreme Court Judgment
Analysis written by George Woods. The Supreme Court has handed down its decision in Bresco Electrical Services Ltd v...
M Davenport Builders Limited v Greer – For how long can the cracks be papered over?
The latest edition of our Construction Newsletter features the recent decision given by the Technology &...
Construction Newsletter – Issue 32
The latest edition of our Construction Newsletter features yesterday’s decision of the Court of Appeal in North...
Instruct George
To instruct George please contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7842 5524 or email [email protected].
Would you like to know more?
For help and advice talk to a member of our clerking team. They can advise on the best options for your matter.
Call: +44 (0) 20 7842 5555
