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Arthur Cox has ‘excellent knowledge on procurement law’ and is ‘very good on all fronts’ for energy matters. It advised the Department for Social Development on its £60m-plus medical services procurement, and is local counsel for Western Education and Library Board’s £250m-plus C2K IT project. Practice head Peter Curran is ‘excellent for procurement and very diligent on contracts’, and Jane Hollway is also recommended. The ‘professional, efficient and friendly’ Alan Bissett, who joined from Carson McDowell, heads the dedicated energy and natural resources team, which is chief legal adviser to arc21, and counts AES Corporation as another active client.

‘At the top of the tree’, McGrigors Belfast LLP is assisting the Police Service of Northern Ireland in relation to a new training college; acting for Northern Ireland Tourist Board on the Titanic Quarter project and a new visitor centre for the Giant’s Causeway; and advising on NHS 24’s £50m-plus frontline services procurement. It is also advising Northgate on its bid to remain IT managed service provider to 1,200 schools. Adrian Eakin and director Stuart Cairns are recommended, and senior associate Richard Murphy is an excellent energy lawyer.

A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland is acting for South Eastern Education and Library Board and Lagan College on the £25m PFI procurement of a new special-needs school, and the refurbishment and extension of Lagan College. It also advised Firmus Energy on regulatory issues, and acted for Barclays on its €35m financing of the 20MW Screggagh wind farm. The firm relies on its Dublin team – and its ‘all-island’ positioning – to serve clients in Northern Ireland. Consultant David Flinn is the key name in Belfast.

Carson McDowell is advising University of Ulster on procuring consultants for the Greater Belfast Development project; Quinn Group as one of two remaining bidders for SwaMP2008 waste project; and NIE plc on its planning application for the North-South electricity interconnector. New clients include ESB Wind Development and TCI Renewables. Michael Johnston heads the corporate finance group; Neasa Quigley and Emma Cooper lead on energy matters; and Gary McGhee on planning matters.

Tughans advised FCC on a new £267m hospital in Enniskillen. The group is active in energy matters, including advising Renewable Power Systems Ltd on gas supply agreements. Biffa Waste Management is a significant client. Practice head John-George Willis is recommended, along with energy and environment expert Andrew Ryan.

Cleaver Fulton Rankin advised in relation to Belfast Metropolitan College and the Northern Ireland Public Record Office at Titanic Quarter. It also advised Biffa on its bid for SwaMP2008, and advises Invest NI and Lisburn City Council on procurement. Patrick Fleming heads the team, which has strong credentials in IT procurement.

John McKee & Son has ‘very good expertise’ in project financing and PFI matters for banks. Clients include Bank of Ireland, NatWest, RBS and Ulster Bank. Avril McCammon heads the team.

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Legal Developments in the UK

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  • Immigration update May 2012

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Press Releases in the UK

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