The projects and infrastructure team at Gowling WLG has a very strong reputation for advising UK government related entities and non-departmental bodies on some of their most complex PPP work, as well as other big-ticket infrastructure schemes. Their client list includes groups like National Highways and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority group. The team also advises on international matters covering Africa and the Middle East. Stephen Kenny is the national head of the practice, specialising in complex UK government projects involving significant infrastructure or assets. Andrew Newberry typically leads the project finance work stream, while newly-promoted partner Elizabeth Williams specialises in defence and security work. Dominic Richardson and principal associate James Stanier are also highly recommended.
Energy, project finance and PFI in West Midlands
Gowling WLG
Practice head(s):
Stephen Kenny; Andrew Newbery
Other key lawyers:
Gus Wood; Dominic Richardson; James Stanier
Testimonials
‘The team are very knowledgeable, friendly and very professional. They have a very collaborative nature, supporting me and my project beyond the terms of the contract.’
‘Liz Williams has delivered beyond the brief, facilitating calls outside of normal hours. She has a very natural and friendly approach that is conducive to establishing a good working relationship. She takes the time to really understand the problem and individuals. I have enjoyed working with her.’
‘Easy to work with, friendly and down to earth. Approachable and humble, taking the time to explain and support their clients.’
‘Stephen Kenny – extremely nice, kind and supportive. Fun and approachable.’
Key clients
Ministry of Defence
National Highways
Kansai Electric Power Corporation
GuarantCo
AIB Group PLC
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Zzoomm plc
Greenage Power Limited
Brockwell Energy
Eelpower
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority group (including Magnox, Nuclear Waste Services, Nuclear Transport Solutions…)
UK Health Security Agency
Department of Health and Social Care
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Work highlights
- Advising National Highways on one of its flagship projects, the procurement of the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down (Stonehenge) road/tunnel project.
- Advised leading UK energy storage company and valued client Eelpower on a £100 million joint venture partnership with specialist solar power renewable energy listed fund NextEnergy Solar Fund.
- Advising the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) on its Defence Marine Services project, which is tasked to deliver the new commercial arrangements for the delivery of the MODs future Marine Services requirements when the current Provision of Marine Services and Range Safety & Aircrew Training contracts expire.
Pinsent Masons LLP
The projects team at Pinsent Masons LLP leverages the firm’s strong international presence to take on some of the most high profile energy and infrastructure projects in the UK from their Birmingham office, working with prestogious clients such as E.ON. The team has a deep understanding of the energy and infrastructure sectors, with a specialism in helping energy services companies respond to the Net Zero agenda. Practice head Didar Dhillon specialises in PPP projects across the energy, waste and infrastructure sectors. He also leads the firm’s Cleantech sector’s focus on Community Energy and Smart Cities. At the senior associate level, important names are Gemma Glasspole and Arminder Dhillon.
Practice head(s):
Didar Dhillon
Other key lawyers:
Nigel Blundell; Gemma Glasspole; Chris Haines; Arminder Dhillon
Testimonials
‘I have always found them very efficient, friendly, easy to approach and very knowledgeable as well as relatable and unpretentious. They can usually find the answer to any questions very quickly.’
‘The individuals I work with are extremely knowledgeable on the subject of district heating and have a good insight into the industry. They are very concise in explaining new areas of approach and come across very confidently.’
‘Chris Haines and Didar Dhillon are really approachable, friendly and easy to deal with. They are both very helpful and will go the extra mile to assist with the issues we have faced with our particular project.’
Key clients
Viridor Limited
Ørsted
E.ON UK PLC
FCC Enviroment
Hitachi Zosen Inova A E
Amber Infrastructure
Cory Riverside Limited
Enfinium Limited
Westminster City Council
Morgan Sindall
Volker Rail
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Cardiff Capital Region
Work highlights
- Advising CCR on the purchase of a 489-acre decommissioned coal-fired power station at Aberthaw from RWE for redevelopment as an exemplar £1bn+ green energy production park in the region as a means of driving and sustaining clean economic growth and spreading prosperity benefits across the region.
- Advising in relation to the onshore property elements of their proposed Hornsea Project Four offshore windfarm (following the successful development of Hornsea Project 3).
- Advising the Council on the Seaham Garden Village Low-Carbon Minewater Heat Network which aims to deliver a low-carbon district heating network to serve the Seaham Garden Village Development in Durham. The initial phase of the development comprises circa 1,500 new homes, a school and a commercial centre being constructed by a trio of national developers / housebuilders. Phase 2 of the development aims to provide a further 1,500 new homes and associated community and commercial units. This innovative project will take heat from water from the abandoned Dawdown mine (extracted via the adjacent Dawdon Minewater treatment plant) and supply low-carbon thermal energy to the residents and other occupiers of the development site. This will be the first such project to draw heat from abandoned mines and, having secured significant support from the Coal Authority and BEIS, is intended to open up a number of similar projects across the UK.
Browne Jacobson LLP
Browne Jacobson LLP is well known in the Midlands for its capabilities with regards to power generation, renewables, energy-from-waste and energy disputes. The team is led by Paul Hill , who is a specialist in infrastructure transactions, private equity and general corporate lending. He is supported by venture capital specialist Mike Jackson and senior associate Nick Smee .
Practice head(s):
Paul Hill
Other key lawyers:
Mike Jackson; Nick Smee
Key clients
First Sentier Investors
Enfinium
Covanta
British Gas
Oxford City Council
South London Waste Partnership
Onto
Aceleron
PBE Group
H2Go Power
nmcn plc
Homes England
Argent Energy
The Aurora Group
Care Fertility
Work highlights
- Advised First Sentier Investors on two significant acquisitions in the energy-from-waste sector: the acquisition of SSE’s 50% stake in the Multi-fuel Energy Joint Venture for £995m; and the agreement to acquire Enfinium (then Wheelabrator U.K) from waste management company Wheelabrator Technologies Inc., an entity owned by Macquarie.
- Advising Oxford City Council on its Electric Vehicle charging Superhub project.
- Advised the PBE Group both on its successful acquisition of Advanced Diesel Engineering (ADE) – a leading UK manufacturer and supplier of generators and critical power solutions for an undisclosed sum – and a cross border holdco corporate financing and refinancing.
Freeths LLP
With one team for projects and another team for energy, waste and sustainability, Freeths LLP provides a full-service offering to clients in the energy and infrastructure sectors. The team also boasts a particular expertise in transactions underpinning major developents and advising on the refinancing of PPP projects. James Larmour leads the projects team and has significant experience of infrastructure and project finance transactions. He is also a prominent adviser on PFI secondary market transactions. The energy, waste and sustainability team is led by Kirstin Robert, who displays a comprehensive knowledge of energy from waste projects, with an accreditation as a chartered waste manager.
Practice head(s):
James Larmour; Kirstin Roberts
Other key lawyers:
Perveen Akhter; Alex Johnson; Steve Evans
Testimonials
‘Freeths have been an exceptional team lead by James Larmour. He is always at the forefront of market developments, PFI handback being a particular example.’
‘James Larmour always provides excellent balanced and commercial advice. Well known and regarded in the infrastructure market. A go to lawyer.’
‘Clever lawyers who use their legal intellect to guide you towards sound practical conclusions. Good value for money.’
‘James Larmour is our main contact. While we haven’t yet worked on a full transaction together, from the work he has done for us we have been pleased with the level of service provided. He can be depended on to provide clear commercially-minded advice.’
‘James Larmour is a fantastic project finance and PFI practitioner, with a skill set that is easily as strong as the best magic circle firm partners I have dealt with in the sector over the years.’
Key clients
Amber Infrastructure
International Public Partnerships
Dalmore Capital
Equitix
CIVIS
InfraRed Capital Partners
EQUANS (formerly ENGIE)
Calisen
Cambridge Power
Catalyst Capital
Cornwall Council
FCC Environment
SmartParc Limited
Whites Generation Limited
Nova Pangea Limited
Staffordshire County Council
Derbyshire Dales District Council
Rochford District Council
Bio Dynamic Limited
CL:AIRE
Enovert Limited
Johnson Aggregates Limited
Stone Technologies Limited
Hive Energy
Landmark Power Holdings Limited
Work highlights
- Advised funds managed by Amber Infrastructure on the £100m acquisition of an additional stake in Angel Trains (largest rolling stock company in the UK).
- Advised International Public Partnerships on a £30m+ acquisition of a portfolio of PFI investments from the Costain Pension Fund.
- Advising Hull Esteem Consortium LEP Limited on a significant variation to phase 2 of the Hull BSF project.
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
With a strong national and international presence, the energy and utilities team at Shakespeare Martineau LLP spent much of 2021 advising on the collapse of a number of prominent energy suppliers, including Green Supplier, Pure Planet and Daligas. Areas of focus for the team include renewable projects, customer contracts, industry metering agreements and wholesale energy trading, as well as handling regulatory investigations. Team leader Andrew Whitehead is a specialist energy regulatory and contracts lawyer who works with many of the firm’s top clients. He is supported by Peter Dilks , who covers real estate with a focus on energy developments, as well as Ian Griffiths, who specialises in energy infrastructure and construction.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Whitehead
Other key lawyers:
Peter Dilks; Ian Griffiths
Testimonials
‘Shakespeare Martineau has a team whoich understands the energy sector. It has key individuals who are leaders in this field especially to do with electricity. It is a number one choice outside of the more well known London firms.’
‘The specific individuals take the time to understand our business and are experienced, polite and professional when dealing with our matters.’
‘Large multi disciplined firm capable of dealing with large or small scale work types practically and efficiently’
‘Approachable, knowledgeable and efficient and professional in their advice’
Key clients
National Grid
Grain LNG
Cadent Gas
Npower (part of E.ON)
Last Mile Infrastructure Group (formerly Energetics)
Statera Energy
Octopus Energy
Innogy e-Mobility
Severn Trent Green Power
Shell Energy Retail
Highway Stops Retail
British Independent Utilities
Business Power & Gas
BritNed Development
Marble Power
FPC Electric Land
Electricity North West
Forsa Energy Gas Holdings
Tetronics Technologies
Certas Energy
Coventry and Solihull Waste
South Staffordshire Water
Anglian Water
SUNEL UK
Whitetower Energy
rePLANET
Ripple Energy
Birmingham University
FW Thorpe Plc
Macquarie Bank
Utilita Group
Bryt Energy
Work highlights
- Advising Last Mile Infrastructure Group on the negotiation and documentation of land rights for electricity and gas infrastructure, notably gas pipes and electricity cables and substations.
- Advised National Grid Electricity System Operator on the development and launch of modifications to the “dynamic containment” balancing service, and on two new services, “dynamic moderation” and “dynamic restoration”.
Bevan Brittan LLP
Bevan Brittan LLP is very strong at handling contract and asset management, as well as operational issues on energy, PFI and PPP projects. Kirtpal Kaur Aujla has a wealth of experience advising public sector partners on PPP projects, while senior associate Rosie Tabrizi has been advising Birmingham City Council on a complex waste disposal package.
Practice head(s):
Nadeem Arshad
Other key lawyers:
Kirtpal Kaur Aujla; Rosie Tabrizi
Testimonials
‘The team are knowledgeable. They clearly know the sector and key players well. They are also pragmatic and approachable.’
‘Nadeem Arshad was the lead partner. We know Nadeem well and have worked with him before. He knows the sector well and provided good oversight.’
‘Market leading team that understands the commercial realities of project finance / PFI in a manner that few others do.’
Key clients
Viridor
Equans
Birmingham City Council
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Bank of Ireland
JFS School
Sheffield City Council
West Berkshire Council
Work highlights
- We are advising the Council on their #500 million new Waste PPP Project and delivery of their future waste management strategy.
- Advised Bank of Ireland as the lender to significantly restructure a project financed Social Care PFI project.
- Advised the Welsh Government and 24 participating local authorities on a new PPP delivery model – the #1.5bn Welsh Education: 21st Century Schools MIM Programme.
Harrison Clark Rickerbys inc Shawcross
The team at Harrison Clark Rickerbys is known for its expertise in all areas of renewable energy and technology. Specifically, the practice advises businesses and individuals on legal issues surrounding renewable energy, including land assembly aspects and regulatory requirements. The team is led by Harriet Murray Jones, who has deep experience in the renewables sector. She is supported by construction litigation specialist Hefin Archer-Williams, as well as Natalie Minott and Gareth Williams.
Practice head(s):
Harriet Murray Jones
Other key lawyers:
Andrew James; Hefin Acher Williams; Natalie Minott
Key clients
Boom Power Limited
Biogen
Ethical Power Limited
New Forest Energy Limited
Innova Capital Limited
Noriker Power Limited
Safran Landing Systems UK
New Stream Renewables
Novaluxx Energy
Eco2Solar Limited
Caplor Energy Limited
Sunetik Limited
Horus Capital