Michael Sergeant

Partner, Head of Construction at HFW

Speaker

Michael Sergeant is the Head of the Construction Group at global law firm HFW. With over 30 years' experience, he advises during projects, as well as acting for clients in arbitration, litigation, DAB and adjudication. He mainly works on international infrastructure, transport and energy projects, with experience across the Americas, Africa, Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Michael is the author of Construction Contract Variations, the only specialist legal text on changes to the scope of work, described in reviews as "a master guide" (Doug Jones, International Construction law Review) and "an indispensable classic" (Simon Rainey QC, Law Society Gazette).

Michael is recommended by the independent legal directories that review the legal market. He is recognised as one of the leading individuals in the Legal 500 2026 rankings for Construction Contentious and is also ranked in Chambers 2026. He is described as ''extremely thorough and diligent, very experienced and able to get to the details and deal with the wider strategy" (Chambers Construction Contentious, 2026). Clients have also commented that “Michael is masterful in his strategy - he provides clarity in murky waters.” The Legal 500 similarly notes that "Michael Sergeant has an extraordinary capacity to understand various internal decisions, needs, and changes, and adapts his work immediately to the changed circumstances. " (Legal 500 Construction Contentious 2024).