Carly
Thorpe

Carly is a specialist in construction and engineering law, known for advising clients on managing risks before, during and after construction projects, and in avoiding, resolving, and minimising the impact of construction related disputes.

With a reputation for focusing on pragmatic commercial solutions and extensive knowledge of construction case law, Carly always starts by asking “what is the best outcome for the client?”. 

Describing herself as skilled at distilling complex information into simple, pragmatic advice, her clients would agree: she was named as a Next Generation Partner by Legal 500, who refer to her “exceptional ability to analyse the options available and find a way through difficult negotiations”.

Client service is paramount

Carly tailors her approach to suit her clients, considering herself a de facto project manager who can drive forward transactions or disputes on their behalf. She says: “I’m part of the client team – working with them to achieve their goals”. 

Building long term relationships with clients is one of the most rewarding elements of the job for Carly. She enjoys getting to know how they like to do business and being able to identify and resolve risks before they arise is a vital part of what she does.

Her clients have described Carly as “commercially astute” and pointed out that she “delivers excellent service”. For Carly it’s all about being a sounding board – always available for a chat and an integral part of the problem-solving process.

Trusted commercial advisors

This approach helps with one of the most challenging aspects of her role, when clients come to Carly with problems when they are at an advanced stage and it’s too late to help them avoid liability or improve their position. “I encourage clients to contact me as soon as possible. That way I can offer initial advice with a view to de-escalating matters at an early stage”.

Carly’s way of working is very much a reflection of life at Walker Morris: “we’re trusted commercial advisors who focus on client service”.

“No other area of law has ever come close”

A Diversity Champion and Mental Health First Aider, Carly grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield. The first person in her family to go to university, she studied Law with Spanish at the University of Sheffield. When she was placed in the construction team at the start of her training contract, she had no idea what construction law was, or what to expect – but that soon changed. “No other area of law has ever come close” Carly says now: “I love learning the technical aspects of each project or dispute, for example how the quality of RDF impacts the gasification process, or how a raft foundation can protect against sinkholes, and which maintenance measures can increase the stability of a sports pitch – I’d be an excellent teammate in a construction pub quiz!  It’s great to see a project go from initial concept to construction, knowing that I played a small part in getting it done”.

Primarily working for contractors, subcontractors, developers and consultants across all sectors of the industry throughout England and Wales, Carly also advises clients based internationally in respect of their UK projects and is particularly experienced in the Infrastructure and Energy Sector. Carly is now a member of TECSA and the Adjudication society.

Carly is ranked as Band 4 in Chambers UK Guide 2025.

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Adjudication Matters

Introducing Adjudication Matters, your comprehensive review of recent adjudication enforcement decisions, from the Walker Morris Construction & Engineering team.