Bracewell (UK) LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

Bracewell (UK) LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Industry focus > Emerging markets Tier 2

At Bracewell (UK) LLP, energy and natural resources are the core areas of focus, and the firm's oil and gas practice remains central to its emerging markets offering. It has nevertheless continued to branch out into new areas, notably renewable energy. Jason Fox leads the practice and in his long career advising on upstream oil and gas matters he has advised on more than 150 reserve based lending (RBL) financings, as well as numerous other financings. Oliver Irwin and Eimear Murphy are recommended for cross-border financings and upstream oil and gas. Fox and Irwin acted for BP Exploration Operating Company Limited and Eni S.p.A. on their project to combine all of their Angolan oil and gas assets into a new incorporated joint venture, which included advice on a $2.5bn senior secured term loan facility structured as a pre-export financing. Olivia Caddy and Tom Jamieson also has extensive project development and finance experience in the energy sector. Solicitor advocate John Gilbert is among the partners who handle both conventional and renewable energy projects. Key partner Adam Blythe handles upstream, midstream and downstream M&A, project development and other commercial arrangements.

Projects, energy and natural resources > Oil and gas Tier 2

Bracewell (UK) LLP‘s core oil & gas practice is extremely active across the sector, with the team’s deal flow seeing high-profile transactions in the space. The London-based team continues to advise oil & gas companies on business-critical energy transition matters, alongside leveraging the vast experience of the disputes practice to advise on international arbitration and litigation arising out of energy projects. Managing partner and practice head Jason Fox has more than 35 years of experience as an energy finance lawyer, focused on upstream oil & gas. He is praised for his ‘exceptional knowledge of the industry, with corresponding advice’. Olivia Caddy advises oil and gas upstream debt financings, with particular experience in reserve-based lendings. Adam Blythe is experienced across the upstream, midstream and downstream spectrum in M&A, project development and other commercial arrangements in the industry.

Projects, energy and natural resources > Infrastructure: Project finance and development Tier 3

Acting for governments, sponsors and lenders and possessing a wealth of expertise in oil and gas mandates, Bracewell (UK) LLP has a wide international reach, working on largescale infrastructure and energy developments across Central Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The firm regards itself as a go-to for first-of-its-kind financing matters, as evidenced by some of its financing work on windfarm projects and mandates in Saudi Arabia.  The team also has expertise in water, battery storage and waste treatment matters. Jason Fox helms the practice, and has considerable experience in reserve-based lending financings and oil and gas matters, while Oliver Irwin 's practice covers cross-border multi-source project financings. Tom Jamieson , who specialsies in financing energy transition and low carbon ventures, and Gordon Stewart, who is highly proficient in holdco debt financing work, are also recommended. Nina Howell left to join King & Spalding LLP in March 2022.

Projects, energy and natural resources > Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables) Tier 3

Energy finance specialist and managing partner Jason Fox leads Bracewell (UK) LLP‘s power practice, which also Alistair Calvert has extensive experience handling both international arbitration matters and domestic litigation work with an energy focus. John Gilbert also has expertise in energy-related dispute resolution work regarding both conventional and renewable power generation projects. Oliver Irwin is another name to note in the team for his experience handling the financing aspects of significant energy projects. Jo En Low departed to Ashurst in January 2023.

Finance > Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans Tier 5

Combining deep industry knowledge with financing expertise, Bracewell (UK) LLP is able to ‘create structures and solutions to complex cross-border issues in the energy space’ for both lenders and borrowers. Much of this work is within the upstream oil and gas space, with team head Jason Fox, who has an ‘unparalleled ability to structure deals and translate commercial drivers into legal documentation’, particularly skilled at advising on reserve based lending (RBL) financings. The firm has also successfully pivoted to reflect its clients’ needs and now handles a considerable amount of renewables mandates.

Real estate > Construction: non-contentious Tier 5

With an exclusive focus on the energy sector, Bracewell (UK) LLP’s areas of expertise include the oil and gas and renewable energy sectors. Tracy London, the head of the team, focuses on preparing and negotiating construction-related documentation, with experience in energy projects across Africa, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium Tier 6

Bracewell (UK) LLP's practice has a 'specialist expertise in energy sector disputes', acting on high-profile matters across the wind, solar, battery storage, and carbon capture industries, assisting companies in their transition towards alternative energy forms. 'Strategic thinker' John Gilbert is the head of the team, advising on a wide range of disputes related to oil and gas exploration and production, with 'standout operator' Alistair Calvert also integral to the team.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 6

‘An excellent firm', Bracewell (UK) LLP‘s London office focuses exclusively on energy sector work. John Gilbert routinely assists with disputes concerning oil and gas exploration and production, as well as the construction and operation of pipelines and downstream sector-related arbitrations. The majority of Alistair Calvert's recent caseload involves North Sea and Africa-related instructions, while Robert Meade acts in international disputes concerning oil, gas, power, infrastructure, construction and international trade. Jameela Bond is ‘an excellent senior associate‘.