Gowling WLG's team advises public and private sector clients engaged in major infrastructure projects across the country. Of particular note is the firm's ongoing work for Highways England regarding its flagship infrastructure project; in addition, the team stands out for serving as the sole legal adviser to several public departments regarding the UK government's five year £5.8bn International Climate Finance initiative, which focuses on de-carbonisation initiatives designed to tackle climate change. Stephen Kenny specialises in advising clients on PPPs, PFIs and various other complex infrastructure projects. Jonathan Brufal has developed key knowledge of different funding models in various parts of the world, including Africa and the Middle East, which he leverages to advise clients on a wide range of infrastructure and energy initiatives. Gus Wood stands out for his expertise in energy transactions, power purchase agreements and refinancing arrangements, and Dominic Richardson and principal associate James Stanier are also recommended.
Energy, project finance and PFI in West Midlands
Gowling WLG
Practice head(s):
Stephen Kenny; Jonathan Brufal
Other key lawyers:
Gus Wood; Dominic Richardson; James Stanier
Key clients
Ministry of Defence
Highways England
International Finance Corporation
Department of Health
CRRC
Crossrail Ltd
Amey plc
Tarmac Plc
Bacanora Lithium PLC
Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office
Kansai Electric Power Corporation
Highview Power
Bushveld Minerals
The London Clinic
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
InfraCo Africa
CPCS Transcom Ltd
Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Limited
Poti New Terminal Corporation
Bombardier Transportation UK Limited
Amey Hallam Highways Limited
Midlands Air Ambulance
Work highlights
- Advising Highways England on one of its flagship projects, the procurement of the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down (Stonehenge) road/tunnel project.
- Advising the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in respect of its five year £5bn International Climate Finance programme.
- Advised a JV comprising FCC, Roadbridge and Tarmac, on a long term operation and maintenance contract as part of the A465 MIM project in Wales.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP's Birmingham team leverages the firm's national energy practice to advise clients on major projects, including numerous renewable energy initiatives and major infrastructure developments. Its ongoing work includes advising Coventry City Council on its VLR Programme, which aims to use the latest technology to develop a new light rail system. Didar Dhillon has notable expertise in PPP projects spanning energy, waste and infrastructure mandates, in which he advises project sponsors, financial institutions and procurement bodies. Satwinder Ubhi is noted for his expertise in handling the financing of large-scale energy projects, and senior associate Gemma Glasspole stands out for advising clients on significant waste projects, including Lincolnshire's £500m energy from waste project.
Practice head(s):
Didar Dhillon
Other key lawyers:
Satwinder Ubhi; Gemma Glasspole
Key clients
Coventry City Council
FCC Environment Limited
E.ON UK PLC
Amber Infrastructure
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Peterborough City Council
Tees Valley Combined Authority
Ørsted
Cory Riverside Limited
Arena Central Developments LLP
Hitachi Zosen Inova AG
Westminster City Council
Volker Rail
Morgan Sindall
Work highlights
- Advising FCC Environmental on the £3bn Tees Valley energy from waste project which is being jointly procured by eight local authorities in Tees Valley to treat municipal waste.
- Advised E.ON on its letting to Vital Energi of part of its former Drakelow power station as part of a £100m development of an 18MW energy-from-waste facility.
- Advising Ørsted on the development and management of the 660MW Walney extension windfarm which is currently the world’s largest offshore windfarm.
Freeths LLP
With a 'depth of knowledge and experience' in the sector, Freeths LLP provides a full-service offering to clients engaged in infrastructure and energy projects, with particular expertise in transactions underpinning major developments. 'Great commercial lawyer' James Larmour specialises in the refinancing of PPP projects and PFI secondary market transactions, while Jason Richards has a strong renewable energy practice, encompassing solar, onshore wind and battery storage developments. The 'excellent' Kirstin Roberts is noted for her comprehensive knowledge of energy from waste projects.
Practice head(s):
James Larmour; Jason Richard; Kirstin Roberts
Testimonials
‘We have worked with Freeths now for a number of years on complex projects through an SPV. The team are practical and knowledgeable and are able to apply those two aspects together to secure the optimal solution for the client.’
‘Excellent staff with great knowledge and ability. They know the sector and clients really well and can provide bespoke tailored advice quickly, efficiently and pragmatically.’
‘They are extremely commercial and very responsive; you get no-nonsense, practical advice at every turn.’
‘James Larmour is a great commercial lawyer and a pleasure to work with. You can expect timely, practical advice delivered with a wry sense of humour.’
‘Kirstin Roberts is very knowledgeable, personable and client focused.’
‘James Larmour is a very experienced and knowledgeable lawyer. His advice is always technically sound, pragmatic and commercially focused.’
Key clients
Amber Infrastructure/International Public Partnerships
Dalmore Capital
Equitix
Prime plc
ENGIE
Transmission Investment
Bio Dynamics Limited
CL:AIRE
Western Bio-Energy Limited
FCC Environment (UK) Limited
Jack Moody Plc
Johnson Aggregates Limited
Mercia Waste Management Limited
Severn Waste Services Limited
Staffordshire County Council
Work highlights
- Advised International Public Partnerships on the £50m refinancing of Phase 2 of the Blackburn Building Schools for the Future Project.
- Advised Dalmore Capital on the £25m acquisition of a 50% interest in the South-East London Police PFI accommodation project from funds managed by InfraRed.
- Advising Bio Dynamic UK on a lump sum contract to upgrade three concrete process tanks to achieve 4MWe equivalent biogas output.
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP's team predominantly acts for utilities and renewable energy clients; currently, the team is advising National Grid on its entire suite of balancing services agreements used in the UK. Andrew Whitehead, who leads the firm's work for National Grid, has over 20 years of experience in energy regulation, which he leverages to advise several major clients including Npower, Shell and Octopus Energy. Peter Dilks is a go-to contact for energy clients engaged in infrastructure projects, and Ian Griffiths is also recommended for his depth of expertise in a wide range of energy projects.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Whitehead
Other key lawyers:
Peter Dilks; Ian Griffiths
Testimonials
‘The firm has a very good energy practice which is knowledgeable. The energy team has built up great expertise in the field of electricity interconnectors and is a favourable alternative to the city firms. The team is both professional and helpful and in all cases timely with their advice.’
‘Andrew Whitehead also stands out in this field, given his extensive knowledge of the energy business.’
‘The team always understands our requirements, always offers appropriate advice, delivers the advice in a timely manner and at a fair and appropriate price.’
‘Friendly and professional service. They always explain complex legal topics in an easy to understand manner.’
‘Highly professional with a fantastic work ethic – no matter what the work gets done to the highest possible standard.’
Key clients
National Grid
Grain LNG
Cadent Gas Limited
Npower Limited
Last Mile Infrastructure Group
Statera Energy Limited
Octopus Energy Limited
Innogy e-Mobility Limited
Severn Trent Green Power
Shell Energy Retail Limited
Highway Stops Retail Limited
British Independent Utilities
BritNed Development Limited
Marble Power Limited
FPC Electric Land Limited
Electricity North West Limited
Forsa Energy Gas Holdings Ltd
Plasma Processing UK Ltd
Certas Energy
Coventry and Solihull Waste
South Staffordshire Water plc
Anglian Water
SUNEL UK
Whitetower Energy
Work highlights
- Advised Grain LNG on the sale of a new terminal capacity to Qatar Petroleum.
- Advising Last Mile Infrastructure in relation to over 450 leases, transfers and easements across the UK.
- Advised Robin Hood Energy on the sale of its customer book to Centrica.
Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Harrison Clark Rickerbys focuses primarily on advising clients in the renewable energy sector on corporate transactions and commercial matters, including joint ventures, sales and acquisitions, project financing mandates and power purchase agreements. The ‘exceptional’ Harriet Murray Jones has particular strength handling the real estate aspects of acquisitions involving renewable energy companies, and ‘pragmatic’ practitioner Hefin Archer Williams is recommended for construction litigation.
Practice head(s):
Harriet Murray Jones
Other key lawyers:
Hefin Archer Williams
Testimonials
‘HCR have a very reactive and responsive group of professionals.’
‘Harriet Murray-Jones is exceptional and very pragmatic.’
‘Hefin Archer Williams – Pragmatic, clarity of message and when able will always look at cost as part of obtaining a solution. Always willing to hand on to a colleague if they have a better experience in the matter in hand. Strong interpersonal skills and communicator.’
Key clients
Ethical Power
New Forest Energy
Innova Capital
Noriker Power
Safran Landing Systems UK
New Stream Renewables
Novalux Energy
Caplor Energy
Sunetik
Kingdom Energy
Boom Power
Upper House Farm
Square Meadow
Amber Energy