Business Details
16 Years
experience
Specialist Construction Law Solicitors Brentwood
MJD Solicitors was established in June 2010 by Matthew Dillon, a solicitor with over 25 years of post-qualification experience in commercial disputes and construction law. Our firm specialises in providing pragmatic, focused legal advice to clients in the construction sector, including landlords, developers, main contractors, and subcontractors. We pride ourselves on handling all work directly through Matthew Dillon, ensuring clients benefit from his extensive expertise without delegation to junior fee-earners. Our services span adjudication, arbitration, litigation, contract drafting, and dispute resolution, with a proven track record of securing favourable outcomes in County Court, High Court, and alternative dispute resolution processes.We prioritise client relationships, offering tailored solutions that align with individual business needs while maintaining competitive hourly rates and fixed-fee structures. Our commitment to in-house expertise eliminates unnecessary disbursements, and our success in enforcing adjudication awards and resolving complex disputes underscores our reputation as trusted construction law specialists. With a client base ranging from small subcontractors to companies with turnovers exceeding 100 million, we combine deep industry knowledge with a straightforward, responsive approach to deliver value-added legal services.
Services
Adjudication
Commercial Litigation
Construction Disputes
Contract Negotiation
Debt Recovery
Dispute Resolution
Employment Law
Arbitration
Mediation
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- We offer over 25 years of post-qualification legal expertise in construction law
- All work is handled directly by experienced solicitor Matthew Dillon
- Proven success in adjudication enforcement and complex dispute resolution
- Competitive rates with fixed-fee and capped-cost options available
- Tailored contract negotiation services for construction industry professionals
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
What people say
Exceptional strategic insight
Commercial approach
Direct solicitor access
Successful enforcement record
Tailored contract advice
Services
Adjudication
Specialist construction adjudication services with 20+ years of experience. We handle both referring party and respondent cases, offering strategic representation in fast-track disputes. Our expertise includes smash-and-grab adjudications, payment disputes, and enforcement proceedings. With a 100% enforceable decision record, we combine technical knowledge with practical commercial awareness to achieve favourable outcomes for main contractors, subcontractors, and developers.
Commercial Litigation
Comprehensive commercial litigation support covering contract disputes, professional negligence claims, and insolvency matters. We represent clients in County Court and High Court proceedings with a focus on construction-related litigation. Our approach prioritises early resolution through mediation while maintaining robust trial preparation. Clients benefit from direct solicitor engagement without junior fee-earner involvement, ensuring consistent strategy execution from case inception to conclusion.
Construction Contracts
Specialist contract drafting and negotiation services for construction projects. We handle JCT amendments, bespoke agreements, and procurement documentation for main contracts and subcontracts. Our expertise includes risk allocation, collateral warranties, and professional appointments. With experience in projects ranging from 1m to 100m turnovers, we ensure contractual frameworks protect client interests while maintaining commercial viability through practical, enforceable terms.
Debt Recovery
Strategic debt recovery solutions tailored to construction industry needs. We employ statutory demands, winding-up petitions, and adjudication processes to recover unpaid invoices. Our approach balances commercial realities with legal enforcement, offering cost-effective options from initial letters to court proceedings. We specialise in construction-specific payment disputes, including retention monies and final account settlements, with experience in offshore enforcement cases.
Dispute Resolution
Alternative dispute resolution expertise covering mediation, arbitration, and expert determination. We facilitate negotiated settlements while maintaining litigation readiness. Our experience includes multi-party mediations with KC-appointed mediators and complex arbitrations involving cross-border elements. We focus on preserving commercial relationships through creative solutions while maintaining rigorous advocacy when formal proceedings become necessary.
People
Matthew Dillon
Solicitor & Founder
Qualified solicitor with 25+ years' experience in construction law. Former in-house counsel at major contractors including John Laing plc. Specialises in adjudication, litigation, and contract negotiation. Member of CIArb, Society for Construction Law, and TECSA. Handles all client matters directly without junior fee-earners.
Questions
What construction law services do you specialise in?
We focus on adjudication, dispute resolution, contract negotiation, and commercial litigation for construction sector clients including contractors, developers, and subcontractors.
How experienced is your team?
Matthew Dillon has 25+ years' experience as a construction solicitor, including 10 years in-house at major contractors before establishing MJD Solicitors in 2010.
What areas do you cover?
Based in Brentwood, Essex, we serve clients across the UK construction industry with remote case management available nationwide.
How do you charge for services?
Competitive hourly rates with fixed-fee and capped-cost options. No junior fee-earners or unnecessary barrister involvement to control costs.
What's your success rate in adjudication?
100% enforceable decisions with multiple successful High Court enforcement actions, including reported cases like Bilton & Johnson v Three Rivers.
Can you handle complex international disputes?
Yes, we've successfully resolved cross-border cases involving offshore retention monies and multi-jurisdictional issues during the pandemic.
