Matthew Hanslip-Ward > Dentons > London, England > Lawyer Profile

‘The global reach and breadth of Dentons‘s transport practice means that it remains our top choice for international instructions‘. Matthew Hanslip-Ward is at the helm. The team advises on all aspects of the industry ranging from franchises and concessions, projects and infrastructure through to advising on regulations and reform. It is skilled at handling major acquisitions in the rail sector, as well as advising on passenger and freight operations. The group has extensive rolling stock experience and remains busy advising passenger and freight businesses on a diverse range of issues. The London team continues to be involved in various high-profile rail projects around the world. Counsel Martin Watt has particular expertise in rolling stock. Senior associate Jonathan Smith specialises in railway law and regulation and frequently advises on franchising, concessions, rolling stock and commercial contracts. Other key members of the team include Christopher McGee-Osborne who is a known name in the rail and transport sector. Mark Macaulay often advises on significant infrastructure contracts.

Dentons is well known in the market for its expertise across the broadest ambit of the infrastructure market, with particular specialism in social infrastructure, renewable energy, transport and defence work. The firm supports longstanding clients on a number of high-profile PFI/PPP interests, with a deep bench of experience that allows the group to act on acquisitions, disposals and joint ventures. Team head Euan Wilson is a secondary market PFI/PPP transactions expert, working closely with funds, strategics and foreign public bodies on a number of cross-border deals, regularly working closely with fellow Edinburgh-based team-head Gareth Tenner , who has a similar skillset. Third group head and rail specialist Matthew Hanslip-Ward is a go-to adviser for a number of established transport entities, while Humphrey Douglas has a practice predominantly concentrated on major M&A mandates for oil and gas companies.

Dentons demonstrates strong competence across the financing and delivery of various infrastructure projects, with experience across the healthcare, education and leisure sectors as well as renewable and conventional power assets. Project finance remains a key plank of the team’s offering, working with a number of investors, SPVs, developers and financial institutions on a variety of funding structures, with team head Euan Wilson recognised as a leading figure in the practice for this work. Both Mark Cheney and Dominic Spacie have broad international practices, acting on the financing of oil, wind, gas and solar and battery developments across the globe, whilst also possessing regulatory expertise to provide advice throughout the whole project cycle. Matthew Hanslip-Ward and Gareth Tenner also come recommended, particularly for their rail expertise.