The Legal 500

United Kingdom > London > Projects, energy and natural resources > Water

Editorial sections

Other

All countries

Index of tables

  1. Water
  2. Leading individuals

Allen & Overy LLP is the ‘best firm for managing complex multi-jurisdictional transactions’, and ‘understands, interprets and has empathy with the nature of commercial relationships in the water sector’. The practice spans domestic regulation through to international project financings, acting for banking clients, water companies and governments. The ‘exceptionally pragmatic’ Conrad Andersen is noted for his problem-solving skills, and is recommended for structured finance, recently advising the banks and bond arrangers on the refinancing of Osprey.

Herbert Smith LLP has ‘the leading water specialist in town’ in Trevor Turtle, who is singled out for his ‘encyclopedic knowledge of the water industry’. Regulatory work is a recognised strength, but the firm also wins headline deals on the corporate and finance sides. Among its recent highlights, it advised EDF on the £5.8bn sale of its network distribution assets, including water-related interests; and also advised Scottish Water on price review matters.

Linklaters LLP’s reputation for structured financing in this area is second to none; it is the only firm to have advised on all the structured utility bonds programmes completed in the water sector to date. Julian Davies heads a team that advised Anglian Water’s holding company, Osprey Acquisitions, on the £475m refinancing of a syndicated loan. The team is also active in corporate matters.

With notable strength on the construction side, Pinsent Masons LLP was recently instructed by the Degremont, Sumitomo and Aljomaih Power and Water Company consortium in relation to its bid for the $250m financing and development of a new sewage treatment plant in Bahrain. Mark Lane is highly recommended.

While SNR Denton attracts praise for its Middle East practice, the firm also packs a punch in domestic mandates. Nick Graham advised Thames Water on the outsourcing of its managed metering services, while Christopher McGee-Osborne continued to advise the Oman Power and Water Procurement Company on the Salalah IWPP.

White & Case LLP continues to excel in major project financings. It advised the sponsors on a $2.5bn financing of a water and power project in Fujairah in the UAE; and also advised the lenders on the Bahraini Muharraq Wastewater Treatment PPP Project.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s ‘consistently excellent team’ is now led by Patrick Somers following John Hurdley’s departure to Bircham Dyson Bell LLP in 2010. The firm is advising trophy client Thames Water on numerous projects including the Thames Tunnel; the Mogden STW extension; and the Deephams Sewage Treatment Works extension.

Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP is strong on the projects side, and recently advised Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority on two waste water treatment projects worth $1bn.

Lenders’ specialist Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP advises on big-ticket project financings, and is applauded for its ‘reliable, cutting-edge and commercial advice’. Deals included advising the lenders on the $3.5bn Marafiq IWPP in Saudi Arabia. John Dewar is recommended.

At Norton Rose LLP, Peter Hall heads a water group that covers the full gamut of financing, regulatory and environmental issues. The firm advised London Thames Gateway Development Corporation on several linked applications by Thames Water Utilities. Dalkia and Ofwat are also representative clients.

Shearman & Sterling LLP has a strong record in advising on headline Middle East water projects from London, under the leadership of co-head of global project finance Nicholas Buckworth. Clients include Rabigh Arabian Water & Electricity Co.

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s Mike Webster is advising Southern Water on the development of a £300m wastewater treatment plant and sludge recycling facility.

Bircham Dyson Bell LLP has ‘excellent knowledge of industry regulation’, with new arrival from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP John Hurdley attracting particular praise. Clients include the Environment Agency, South East Water and Southern Water.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP continues to advise the Electricity and Cogeneration Regulatory Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on various regulatory matters, including advice on desalination issues.

DLA Piper UK LLP advised Northern Ireland Water on a range of matters following the winter frozen pipes crisis.

Dundas & Wilson LLP is acting for the Environment Agency on its Banbury and Cobbins Brook flood alleviation schemes.

Eversheds LLP has a solid record on the regulatory side, and advises across the full spread of competition, environment, real estate and contentious matters.

Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP secured a good result for Bristol Water in its groundbreaking challenge to Ofwat’s price review. Regulatory specialist Stephen Tupper is recommended.

McGrigors LLP secured several contentious instructions through the hire of a three-partner construction team from Squire Sanders Hammonds. The firm also has experience in waste water projects.

Osborne Clarke has ‘outstanding and in-depth knowledge of the utilities sector’. Litigation is a strong area of focus for the team, which recently represented Thames Water in a large group action.

Simmons & Simmons’ Charles Bankes heads a team that specialises in regulatory and litigation matters but also has experience in IWPPs and desalination projects.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP’s London office works in conjunction with the firm’s strong Middle East network to advise on major water projects including sewage treatment plants.

Search News and Articles

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to
© 2012 www.legal500.com