Michael Bonning

About My Work

I'm Michael Bonning, I am a Senior Associate in Michelmores’ Construction and Engineering team. I specialise in resolving disputes involving buildings of all sizes, groundworks and engineering matters. These include professional negligence claims against surveyors, architects, etc., but mainly they involve valuations for works, defects, and time over-runs.

I manage to resolve most matters by negotiation. Properly and clearly advised, my clients understand what a good outcome is for them and if the other side is wise, or accepting good advice, they usually identify the clarity in my clients’ position and understand that early resolution is in the parties’ best interests such that an accommodation can be achieved without resorting to litigation.

Sometimes this negotiation takes place in a formal mediation and I have represented clients at literally innumerable mediations in my over 20 years of experience as a lawyer. Usually these result in a settlement on the day, or shortly after.

Where necessary or appropriate, however, I am entirely comfortable dealing with all forms of tribunal including County Court and High Court proceedings, including appeals. I have particular expertise in both contractual and statutory adjudication and have probably participated in even more adjudications than mediations! I routinely issue adjudication enforcement proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court.

This is a second career for me, having been a decorated navigating officer in the Royal Navy before retraining as a lawyer. I joined Michelmores in 2006 and I relish working with the talented and friendly people here.

Notable Experience

  • I represented the (successful) parties in two of the leading cases in adjudication enforcement: S G Hart t/a D W Hart & Son vs Dennis Smith and Jacqui Smith [2009] EWHC 2223 (TCC) Goldsworthy and others (t/a Goldsworthy Builders) v Harrison and another [2016] EWHC 1589 (TCC)
  • Representing a District Council in High Court proceedings in a massively inflated claim by a roofing contractor under a contract to repair or replace the roofs of the council’s housing stock
  • Acting for a sub-contractor in multi-party High Court proceedings in relation to a national Olympic-sized swimming pool
  • Advising a hospital in relation to an under-performing combined heat and power plant
  • Acting for the management company of a large and prestigious apartment block with flammable cladding and structural defects in a High Court action

Education

  • The Manchester Metropolitan University LLB (Hons) 2:1, Law

Specific Areas of Focus

  • Adjudication Matters
  • Construction - ADR
  • Construction - Arbitration
  • Construction - Litigation
  • Construction - Mediation
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Sectors

  • Architects
  • Building Contractors
  • Built Environment
  • Business Owners
  • Construction
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