Vijay Bange

Vijay Bange is a leading construction and infrastructure lawyer with over 30 years’ experience advising on high value disputes and major international projects. As Head of Construction, Engineering and Arbitration, he leads the national practice with a dynamic blend of technical expertise, commercial sensibility, and a deep understanding of the global construction landscape.

Admitted as a solicitor in 1994, Vijay has carved out a career that spans complex disputes, multi jurisdictional arbitration, major infrastructure development, and large scale project advisory work. His clients include global contractors, developers, public sector bodies, consultants, and blue chip multinationals, many of whom turn to him for both crisis guidance and long-term strategic direction.

Vijay’s approach is grounded in clarity, commerciality, and pragmatism. Whether navigating high value adjudications, steering multi-party negotiations, or leading international arbitration teams across continents, he is recognised for decisiveness under pressure and an ability to break down the most technical disputes into clear, result driven strategies.

Ranked repeatedly in Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, and the Legal Experts Directory, Vijay is commended for being “excellent on the disputes side”, “responsive, commercial and strategic”, and “a standout leader with unrivalled construction sector insight.”

A leader in major construction and infrastructure disputes

Vijay’s practice covers the full lifecycle of project delivery and dispute resolution, with deep experience in:

• UK and international construction litigation
• Complex adjudications and expert determinations
• International arbitration (including under ICC, LCIA, SIAC, UNCITRAL, AAA, and ad hoc rules)
• Dispute avoidance and project risk management
• Contract drafting, negotiation, and interpretation involving JCT, NEC, FIDIC and bespoke agreements.

He has advised on airports, marine developments, highways, energy facilities, major public assets, sports complexes, pharmaceutical plants, and landmark commercial schemes, including numerous highly contentious matters that have shaped the industry.

Having held senior leadership positions at Duane Morris, Trowers & Hamlins, and Pinsent Masons, Vijay has spent decades building market leading construction teams. His work has taken him across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Caribbean, and the US often coordinating multi jurisdictional legal teams, technical experts, and counsel from multiple countries.

Contentious construction expertise

Vijay is known for his skill in resolving disputes of immense technical and commercial complexity. Some representative examples include:

• £30M Marine Energy Project — JV Dispute: Acted in a series of high stakes adjudications arising from the development of a marine based energy facility. Secured multiple declarations that narrowed the issues and ultimately reshaped the parties' dispute position moving toward negotiated resolution.
• Global Tech Company — Defect Claims: Represented a major technology multinational in extensive defect claims relating to its UK headquarters. Managed expert determination processes involving specialists in architecture, building surveying, MEP engineering, quantum, programming and US based mould experts.
• High Profile University — Catastrophic Escape of Water Incident: Advised on a unique building failure involving modular construction, complex insurance coverage, business interruption claims, and multi party liability issues, attracting academic interest from engineering and materials researchers.
• Grenfell Aftermath — Cladding Compliance Advice: Advised a large housing provider following the post Grenfell regulatory overhaul. Handled contentious regulatory interpretations, safety obligations, and eligibility assessments for major remediation funding programmes.
• Urgent TCC Injunction (Same Day Relief): Secured an emergency without notice injunction in the High Court to prevent a contractor from unlawfully removing materials from multiple sites, successfully obtaining indemnity costs due to exceptional circumstances.
• National Infrastructure & Public Projects: Experience includes hospital construction disputes (including a £35M multi issue claim), enforcement issues with the Environment Agency relating to reservoirs and flood risk, and disputes involving large PPP sport and leisure complexes.

His contentious work regularly involves coordinating multiple experts, engaging with statutory bodies, and strategically navigating the interface between contract law, regulatory compliance, and technical engineering principles.

International arbitration capability

Vijay has acted in major cross border disputes with stakeholders based in:

• Europe
• Middle East
• Caribbean
• Asia
• US & US Territories
• Africa.

Examples include:

• $125M Oil Pipeline Arbitration: Acted for a litigation funder in a high value arbitration involving a European contractor and Middle Eastern employer. The case required analysis of foreign law, delay claims, retention disputes and complex final account issues intertwined with Sharia law considerations.
• Major Caribbean Airport & Road Projects: Advised international contractors on disputes valued over US$20M across airport and road construction schemes, navigating FIDIC conditions, bilateral investment treaty options, and interactions with governmental authorities.
• International Energy & Civils Disputes: Handled bond-related disputes for an Irish contractor following a high-profile restructuring, negotiated with insurers across Europe, and advised on credit insurance recovery issues arising from contractor insolvency.
• Climate & Conflict Driven Disruption Claims: Advised a funder on potential investment treaty arbitration relating to civil unrest in North Africa — analysing complex issues of public international law and sovereign responsibility.

Non-contentious work and project advisory

Alongside his disputes practice, Vijay advises on:

• Project procurement strategies
• JCT, NEC and FIDIC amendments
• Biomass and energy from waste projects
• Large-scale commercial developments
• Marine and coastal infrastructure
• Contractual risk allocation and drafting
• Project rescue and recovery scenarios

His non contentious work often involves early-stage risk assessment and “front-end triage” to maintain project momentum and avoid disputes before they escalate.

A respected thought leader

Vijay has spent more than 15 years contributing thought leadership to the sector, including:

• Guest editing Construction Law
• Publishing widely on Lexology and industry journals
• Leading construction law blogs
• Delivering seminars nationally/internationally
• Speaking on regulatory reform, dispute tactics, and arbitration strategy
• Mentoring junior lawyers and supporting sector-wide development

He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) and an accredited adjudicator on both the CIOB and CIC panels.

What clients say

Across multiple legal directories:

• “Very intelligent, personable and always goes the extra mile.”
• “Excellent on the disputes side — decisive, fast-moving and deeply knowledgeable.”
• “Provides responsive, commercial solutions with exceptional industry insight.”
• “A superb strategist — especially in high-stakes disputes.”

A human side beyond law

Outside practice, Vijay balances an intense professional schedule with:

• Weight training and fitness
• 5K and 10K running
• Boxing (fitness)
• Travel, including a spiritual sabbatical spent exploring India
• Community and charitable work

He is known among peers not only as a formidable legal mind but also as a supportive mentor, collaborator, and advocate for continuous learning and professional development.

Publications

Arbitration-in-Jamaica-–-A-Rising-Seat-In-The-Caribbean.pdf

The SIAC Rules, 7th Edition: Faster, Better, Cheaper? – Construction Law

Refinements and Reforms of the Arbitration Act 1996: Reforming Landmark Legislation – Construction Law

Contents – Page 3 – Construction Law

Irwin Mitchell FOI reveals Gateway 3 backlog for higher risk buildings

Testimonials

"Vijay Bange is considered “excellent on the disputes side” of construction law.  He is experienced in resolving claims through techniques such as adjudication, as well as in cases requiring full litigation. He also advises clients on contract negotiations". - Chambers & Partners

"Vijay Bange provides a responsive service and delivers commercial solutions". - Legal 500

“Vijay Bange is very intelligent, personable, a hard worker, and always prepared to go the extra mile.” Legal 500, 2023