Private finance initiative (PFI) in East Midlands
Browne Jacobson LLP
Browne Jacobson LLP's government and infrastructure department is renowned for its work on large and high-profile projects, and it has a particularly sizeable following of public sector clients (including local and central government, and local authorities), although work from private sector clients is another pillar of the practice. The team in Nottingham is led by Craig Elder, whose experience includes PFI/PPP projects, and also those in areas such as waste management, defence, energy and health. Anja Beriro and associate Alex Kynoch are also recommended.
Practice head(s):
Craig Elder
Key clients
Chichester District Council
London Borough of Havering
London Borough of Ealing
London Borough of Enfield
Melton Borough Council
Lincolnshire County Council
Blackpool Borough Council
Manchester City Council
Walsall Council
London Borough of Croydon
Prospect Law Ltd
Prospect Law Ltd has established a market-leading reputation in the energy and infrastructure sector, where it undertakes contentious and non-contentious work for banks, developers and governments, among other clients. The firm's international reach is a hallmark of the practice, and it is making an increased push for work from the Middle East. In addition to fielding a multidisciplinary team of legal experts, the firm also has an in-house group of electrical engineers, surveyors and other professionals. The firm is increasingly becoming an active player in the nuclear energy sector, where it is sought out to advise on £1bn-plus contracts. It has a particular strength in the operation and decommissioning of nuclear sites. Work in the renewable energy sector is also growing. On the contentious front, clients are able to count on the experience of the firm's in-house barristers, such as Edmund Robb, who heads up the contentious practice. Edward de la Billiere specialises in the commercial and regulatory aspects of energy projects. Both Robb and de la Billiere divide their time between the East Midlands and London, as do Jonathan Leech and Rupert Cowen.
Practice head(s):
Edward de la Billiere; Edmund Robb
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Countryside Renewables Limited
Underwater Construction Corporation UK Limited
Envirofusion Limited
The Radioactive Material Transport Users Committee
Brooke Energy Group
Waste Facilities Audit Association
Glen Conan Hydro Partnership LLP
Low Level Waste Repository
Molegrove (Civils) Limited
UK Nuclear Waste Management
Work highlights
- Advised Brooke Energy Group, an installer and operator for biomass energy systems, in relation to various issues surrounding entitlement to Renewable Heat Incentive payments from Ofgem.
- Acted for Envirofusion on a public law challenge to the grant of planning permission for its circa £25m energy from waste project in Derby.
- Advised Countryside Renewables on a technical dispute with Scottish Power, the distribution network operator in this instance, which provided a technical specification and associated quote for a new grid connection for a multi-MW PV plant in Wales.
- Prospect advised Skye Hydro on a challenge raised by Ofgem into the effectiveness of the commissioning of the client’s hydro-electric scheme.
- Instructed by Underwater Construction Corporation UK to deploy in-house regulatory and business consultants, alongside lawyers, to identify and assess business opportunities and advise on contracting terms and risk.
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP plays roles on a wide variety of domestic and international projects, with the work spanning areas such as clean energy, oil and gas, transport and social infrastructure. In Nottingham, principal associate William Spickett advises the Department for Transport on rail franchise and rolling stock issues, and he also assists other clients with PFI and PF2 projects in the education, social housing and blue light sectors. Senior associate Mike Turner supports clients in global PPP and infrastructure projects; his projects experience has covered more than 25 countries.
Practice head(s):
Robert Pitcher (London); Alex Doughty (London); Michelle Davies (Cardiff); Jubilee Easo (London); Dominic Lacey (Cambridge); Mark Dennison (London)
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Deutsche Bahn
Blackrock
Centrica
EDF
Pensions Infrastructure Platform
Wartsila
Macquarie
E.ON
Rwanda Development Board
IFC
Work highlights
- Together with local counsel, the firm advised the International Finance Corporation (part of the World Bank Group) on the implementation of the Philippines Health PPP, for the delivery of a new cancer treatment centre at the Philippine General Hospital.
- Together with local counsel in Canada, advised a consortium bidding for the Toronto Metrolink Project. The project involves the delivery of more than $20bn in fixed infrastructure and rolling stock investments whilst simultaneously continuing to operate the vital transit service without severe disruption.
- Advising Light Rail Manila Corporation on a programme of works for the Manila Light Rail Transit – Line 1.
Nelsons Solicitors Limited
At Nelsons Solicitors Limited, a cross-practice team advises energy sector clients on various matters, such as property issues (leases and licences, deeds of easements), corporate work (such as acquisitions and disposals of interests in energy companies) and employment law matters. Contentious work is another area of activity. Martin Jinks in Derby is a key contact.
Practice head(s):
Martin Jinks