CMS is trusted by a broad roster of high-profile clients, ranging from energy and logistics to retail and data centres. On the energy side, the firm has been engaged in large renewable energy schemes, as well as carrying out work related to alternative technologies. At the helm of the practice, Rebecca Roffe has a demonstrable track record of securing consent for complex schemes for data centre, energy, and infrastructure clients. David Hardy is noted for his position as a specialist advocate in the renewable energy sector. Roisin Laycock is a key contact for work at the intersection of planning and environment, while Kelly Brown provides planning due diligence to investors and developers.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- We use CMS due to their practical and approachable way of dealing with matters. We often want swift advice, and they are always responsive to that. The advice we get is always intelligent, and they get to the crux of the issues quickly. They also have first-class advocacy skills when needed.
- Robert Garden - very knowledgeable, strong interpersonal skills, robust advice, reliable, strong utility consents knowledge. Rebecca Roffe - very knowledgeable, emotional intelligence, able to apply examples from a wide range of case law.
- All the CMS Planning team members I have worked with are knowledgeable, approachable, down to earth, and reliable. I enjoy working with the team and can depend on them to provide robust advice.
- I have mainly been working with Rebecca Roffe (Partner), Robert Garden (Partner), and Jonathan Ward (Associate). They are very astute and commercially minded and combine this with impressive legal acumen.
- Good strength in depth in infrastructure planning and excellent knowledge of the specific practical, commercial, and regulatory challenges facing utility undertakers.
Key clients
- Econergy International Limited
- Infinis Energy Services Limited
- Statera Energy Limited
- Statkraft
- ADAS
- Flotation Energy Limited
- REPD
- Falkingham
- Clear Channel
- SSE
- Cadent Gas
- Lightsource BP
Work highlights
Advising Statkraft on a proposed DCO for a solar farm with a capacity of approximately 500MW in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Advising Energiekontor, a Leeds-based company, on consenting a major portfolio of nationally important onshore wind schemes in England and Scotland.
Assisting multiple clients, including Tritax Big Box, National Grid, Tarmac, Plantlife and Vattenfall on structuring the provision of biodiversity net gain.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Rebecca Roffe
Other key lawyers
David Hardy; Roisin Laycock; Kelly Brown