Joe Bellhouse

Joe drafts and negotiates building contracts, professional appointments, warranties, and project accounts for universities, often under JCT contracts, and advises on dispute settlement for refurbishment, fit-out, and student accommodation projects.

• Drafted and negotiated the building contract for a large-scale refurbishment and new building of graduate and student accommodation for an Oxford University College.
• Reviewed issues regarding defects in student accommodation for an Oxford University College and prepared detailed claim letter. Assisted the client with negotiation and successful settlement of the claim.
• Advised on the initiation of a student living development involving drafting and negotiating professional appointments for an Oxford University College.
• Drafted and negotiated professional appointments and design and build works contracts for a major refurbishment of historic premises at create an exhibition, study, research and storage facility for an Oxford University College.
• Reviewed and advised on construction fit-out contracts and documentation relating to a veterinary facility at Keele University.
• Reviewed an existing building contract for a student centre and public realm works and drafted and negotiated deeds of variation to clarify works and add works for University of Central Lancashire.
• Drafted and negotiated a bespoke works contract for the replacement of a pipe organ in the listed chapel of an Oxford University College with a European master builder and related documents to provide significant upgrade to the music school.

Joe advises on renewable energy and infrastructure projects, drafting and negotiating EPC and O&M contracts, utilities and supply agreements, and power purchase arrangements, frequently using NEC, IChemE, and MF/1 contracts.

• Drafted and negotiated a framework utility infrastructure agreement for the landowner with an independent distribution network operator in respect of large-scale gas and electricity upgrades and supply for the development of land at Silverstone Park Northamptonshire.
• Drafted and negotiated an electricity supply and works agreements with an independent distribution network operator in respect of a major 33/11kV electricity reinforcement project at Milton Park Oxfordshire.
• Drafted and negotiated the EPC (Engineer, Procure and Construct) Contract and the O&M Contract for the development of a private network large-scale solar energy facility on a business park near Aylesbury Oxfordshire.
• Advised on a roof-top solar installation works contract and an operation and maintenance agreement for use in multiple roof-top solar projects for the owners of a number of business parks in Southern England.
• Advised on the development of a wind turbine, solar and battery energy 7MW facility for Keele University including all contracts for the supply, installation and maintenance.
• Advised an Oxford University College on the procurement structure and works relating to the installation of a ground source heat pump.
• Advised on independent power supply projects in the UK for AES Corp – drafting and negotiating EPC works contracts and dealing with project finance requirements.
• Advised on hydro-power and run-of-river energy projects for independent energy suppliers outside the UK including drafting and negotiating project documentation.

Joe drafts and negotiates building contracts, professional appointments, and security documents for hospitals, clinics, and life sciences facilities, advising on procurement and development agreements under JCT contracts.

• Drafted and negotiated building contract and professional appointments for the expansion of GP practices in Oxfordshire.
• Development of a number of care home projects in England acting for the funding bank; reviewed and adapted construction documents used for the projects.
• Development of private hospitals and clinics for a well-known private healthcare provider; drafted and settled construction documentation for various projects.

Joe advises developers on commercial, residential, and mixed-use projects, drafting building contracts, professional appointments, development agreements, and security packages, including warranties, bonds, and guarantees under JCT and NEC contracts.

• Advised the owners of four business parks in southern England on the refurbishment and construction of offices, laboratories, and other facilities; advice included drafting and settling framework appointments for consultants, direct professional appointments, building contracts, warranties, bonds and guarantees.
• Drafted and negotiated the building contract and letter of intent for works on a sports facility and stadium in Portsmouth.
• Advised on the refurbishment of existing buildings (offices, laboratories, and other facilities) including drafting and settling appointments for consultants, building contracts, warranties, bonds and guarantees and related documents for the owners of Milton Park Oxfordshire.
• Drafted and negotiated the building contract and professional appointments and associated documents for the re-build of a rural retail centre in England for the owner with a pre-let tenancy with a national food retailer.
• Advised ACNielson on their move to a new business park in Oxford including drafting and negotiating the building contract and professional appointments and associated project documents.
• Drafted and negotiated the building contract and professional appointments, warranties and associated documents for an owner to develop two warehouses in Oxfordshire in two separate phases with different contractors.
• Advised on a hotel refurbishment in Bath by drafting and settling two direct building contracts for different aspects of the works.
• Negotiated a settlement position with a contractor and variation of building contract for a social housing developer to complete its commitments.
• Advised on the fit-out to establish a data centre for Rackspace as tenant by preparing a construction documents package with particular attention to aspects of the technical specification.
• Drafted and negotiated professional appointments and design and build works contracts and security documents in relation to a complex major refurbishment of Cheltenham House in Cheltenham with multiple existing and new tenants.
• Advised on the redevelopment of the Oval Cricket Ground London for the owner, advised on procurement structure, drafted and negotiated the construction contract and professional appointments, and related documents – one of the first projects to use the JCT Major Project form.
• Advised on a residential and retail development in Marsham Street London – drafting design and construction works conditions and direct agreement with design and build contractor, settling parent company guarantees and retention bond, and reviewing and settling funding issues and insurance arrangements.
• Advised on an office development St. James’ Street London – liaising with and reviewing and input to lease agreement, reviewing and resolving funding agreement issues, drafting and negotiating professional appointments, drafting and negotiating the building contract, assisting with project account arrangements, advising on insurance arrangements.

Joe drafts and negotiates building contracts, professional appointments, and warranties for retailers, advising on pre-construction services agreements, letters of intent, fit-out or new retail development projects delivered under JCT contracts.

• Advised on procurement and drafted and negotiated a number of works and maintenance contracts and professional appointments for building works and the installation of an advanced garment handling plant for a fashion retailer at a large warehousing facility in Northamptonshire.
• Drafted and negotiated the construction aspects of the agreements for lease (and subsidiary construction documents) for many individual projects for development of restaurant and drive-through food retail facilities for a national retailer.
• Drafted and negotiated the building contract and associated documents for a well-known international body care manufacturer and retailer for a London West End presence.
• Drafted and negotiated a building contract for fit-out works at premises on Regent Street for Smeg UK.
• Drafted works contracts for fit-out works for various Body Shop premises.

Recognised by Best Lawyers UK for Construction 2025

Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

Member of King’s College Construction Law Association (KCCLA)

Member of the Society of Construction Law