Andrew is a Partner in Byrne Wallace Shields LLP’s Infrastructure, Construction and Energy Group.

Having trained with a global law firm in the City of London, Andrew specialises in contentious construction and infrastructure in Ireland and England and Wales. He is experienced in disputes and dispute avoidance concerning non-payment, breach of contract, professional negligence, defective/non-compliant work, project delay and disruption. He has acted for employers, contractors, consultants, sub-contractors, investors/funds and Owners’ Management Companies in the High Court, Arbitration, Conciliation, Mediation, Adjudication and in negotiating settlements in Ireland and England, with exposure to the LCIA and HKIAC internationally.

Andrew additionally advises private clients on development agreements, forward funds/sales and matters availing of amended suites of standard form contracts in Ireland and England, including the Public Works Contract, RIAI, JCT and NEC.

Experience

• Acting for clients in referring and defending statutory adjudications pursuant to the Construction Contracts Act 2013 and the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.
• Acting for a Defendant in complex, multi-party High Court proceedings and mediation concerning fire safety defects entailing alleged breaches of contract and breaches of professional obligations.
• Advising a fund in relation to the forward fund and procurement of warehouse developments in Greater Dublin, including the construction elements of portfolio securitisation and leasing.
• Acting for the Contractor in its dispute with a Hospital Trust concerning the design and construction of a new operating theatre complex and the performance standards concerning the volume and rates of air exchange.
• Drafting the Development Agreement between a house-builder and public body in relation to public realm and infrastructure works and advising on publicly procured main contracts, professional appointments, collateral warranties and third party agreements.
• Representing a public body in defending a claim in arbitration for wrongful termination and breach of procurement law, including the prosecution of the public body’s counterclaim.
• Acting as part of a team advising Transport for London in respect of projects and disputes associated with the extension of the London Underground.
• Assisting in a dispute between a powerplant operator and its Contractor in respect of construction and performance tolerances in a bio-digester waste to energy plant.
• Advising Irish house-builders in respect of their suites of construction contracts, including contractual provisions of interest to private investors, state funders, funders and purchasers and negotiating such provisions.
• Acting for a heavy equipment manufacturer in the preparation of a contract for the international supply of equipment for use in the power generation industry.
• Acting in High Court proceedings relating to the enforcement of adjudicators’ decisions under the Construction Contracts Act 2013 including: Finnegan Contracts v Killycard Developments; Tenderbids Ltd T/A Bastion v Electrical Waste Management Limited (No. 1); and Tenderbids Ltd T/A Bastion v Electrical Waste Management Limited (No. 2).

Qualifications

• LL.B (Hons), Ulster University
• LPC, BPP University
• OISC Level 3 with Supervisor Status
• Qualified as a Solicitor, The Law Society (England & Wales)
• Qualified as a Solicitor, The Law Society of Ireland
• Qualified as a Solicitor, The Law Society of Northern Ireland

Memberships

• The Law Society (England & Wales)
• The Law Society of Ireland
• The Society of Construction Law (SCL)

Recommendations

‘Martin Cooney and Andrew McVea have detailed knowledge of and understanding of the relevant areas of law required to deliver full advice on construction issues.’ - Legal 500, 2025