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Dermot McEvoy

Partner

Dermot is a Partner in the Construction and Real Disputes team and the wider Dispute Resolution & Litigation Department.

Dermot is a savvy disputes lawyer, who is an accredited mediator, and also has a wide disputes practice in litigation and arbitration spanning over the last 30 years. Dermot imbues the values of commitment, energy, drive and innovation to his role as a disputes lawyer, where he takes great pride in his accepted role as a leading disputes lawyer in Ireland. Dermot seeks to consistently deliver excellence in the provision of the highest quality legal services for his clients. Effective communication remains at the core of understanding his clients’ needs so he can continue to deliver the service they require to assist in meeting essential commercial goals.

Dermot focuses primarily on advising clients in the specialist areas of construction & real estate disputes. This advice spans a wide range of issues across the entire construction supply chain, assisting on managing specialist issues ranging from claims for extensions of time, delay and/or liquidated damages; advising on contract interpretation; and on entitlements to specific performance or other dispute issues. Dermot also continues from time to time to advise other clients on wider commercial issues, particularly in the technology and medical device sectors. Dermot is also one of Ireland’s leading commercial mediators (and conciliators) and he deploys the same skills to assist his clients to resolve otherwise intractable and protracted disputes, seeking to save the management time and legal costs involved in managing a full trial/arbitrations.

Dermot's experience includes:

  • Advising Ireland’s largest contractors on claims for extensions of time and final account disputes in adjudications, mediations/conciliations and/or court/arbitration
  • Advising an international technology company on contentious construction issues relating to the delay costs, variations and finalising claims on the final account
  • Advising an international client who specialises in developing International Data Centres on mitigating a claim for multi million euros arising from the removal and replacement of cabling on the project to mitigate Employer Consequential loss claims and to maintain existing relations with consultants and contractor who were responsible for the damage
  • Acting for John Sisk and Sons, Irelands largest construction company and advising the Board, General Counsel and Company secretary on various matters including an ongoing €50m claim for damages for alleged defective design and construction of a significant apartment block many years ago, and said claim is being vigorously defended
  • Advising a client involved in modular on construction projects in Ireland and around Europe in prosecuting claims for interim and final accounts under the Construction Contracts Act 9ie statutory adjudication)
  • Acting for a US Technology client who developed a Tech Centre in the West of Ireland and has had repeatedly been forced to defend ongoing claims by its shell and core contractor in statutory adjudications
  • Acting for an International renewable Energy provider, on two claims arising from the developing of a Wind Farm in Ireland, the first claim involves seeking to enforce a Performance Bond in the Irish Courts and the second and more substantial claim is an international Arbitration relating to lost revenue claims against Insurers on a business interruption policy dispute following the shut down of the Wind Farm
  • Advising a residential housing developer in Irish Court proceedings seeking to call a performance Bond following the collapse of a sub-contractor resulting in a significant  loss to our client

Dermot McEvoy "has great knowledge and can give great commercial advice" - Chambers Europe

  • Dermot McEvoy "sees a commercial route through problems" and "he knows when to push on with things and when to wait."- Chambers Europe
  • "His thinking on matters is very practicable and he generally offers great advice." - Chambers Europe
  • "He has lost none of his enthusiasm for detail and for doing the job correctly."- Chambers Europe
  • He has a very strong legal mind as you would expect, but what sets him apart is his impressive ability to explore a number of different options to find the most appropriate solution to a problem." – Chambers Europe
  • Dermot McEvoy "is tenacious and doesn't give up" - Chambers Global 
  • "He takes the time to explain things," and clients describe him as "easy to talk to, not full of jargon." – Chambers Europe
  • ‘Dermot McEvoy possesses an excellent focus on the needs of the client. Very proactive in addressing issues and in problem solving. Strong in litigation and in all ADR processes.' - Legal 500
  • Dermot McEvoy has "extensive experience in construction and property disputes" -Legal 500
  • ‘Dermot McEvoy stands out. Great availability, very responsive, clear and honest advice, very personable, extremely well prepared, excellent communicator – a very strong performer all round.’ - Legal 500
  • ‘I mainly deal with Dermot McEvoy whom I find readily available and whom (is) quick to provide advice following instruction with a clear path to resolution as applicable.’ - Legal 500

Other clients have commented:

  • quick, positive, approachable and contactable at any time"  
  • "really knows his stuff and is well respected", “a great commercial litigator and a really honourable sort of guy." 
  • “efficient, on the ball and great to deal with,” while impressed peers say “he is top of our referrals list.” 
  • client-focused and commercial lawyer who is always thinking ahead.” 

Ranked in Chambers Europe 2020, 2021

Ranked in Chambers Global 2020

Dermot McEvoy

Partner

Dermot McEvoy

Partner

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