Browne Jacobson LLP advises major corporations and government bodies on their projects and energy matters. With offices across the UK, the firm can draw on regional expertise to assist its Birmingham team. Paul Hill, leading the practice from Birmingham, specialises in PPP, PFI, acquisition finance and private equity advice. Zoe Stollard is noted for her advice on construction matters in the nuclear and renewable energy sectors. The team expanded, with James Skivington and Emma Capper joining from Pinsent Masons LLP in December 2023 and Fieldfisher LLP in July 2023 respectively. In June 2023, Selina Hinchcliffe left the firm.
Energy, project finance and PFI in West Midlands
Browne Jacobson LLP
Practice head(s):
Paul Hill
Other key lawyers:
Zoe Stollard; James Skivington; Emma Capper; Nick Smee
Testimonials
‘Easy to work with, they take time to understand our issues and their advice is excellent.’
‘Paul Hill and his team are excellent at working as part of a wider advisory team; there is no “us” and “you”, Paul and his team pick up seamlessly just at the point they are needed.’
‘Various of the team have deep sectoral expertise in areas of law where large City firms can’t reach; their ability to be “gamekeeper turned poacher” is extremely helpful to clients seeking to understand how local authorities might approach a problem, for example.’
Key clients
Encyclis
Suez SA
Glanure
OCU Group
HTSL Group
R Capital Partners
Welsh European Funding Office
Welsh Government
Igneo Infrastructure Partners
Clean Power Hydrogen
H2Go Power
PBE Group
hyperTunnel
British Gas
Onto Holdings
Ingersol Rand
Osprey
Turnbull
Hero Future Energies
Avonside Energy
Ferguson Advanced Composite
ETA Green Power
Work highlights
Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG is adept at advising on government projects in the infrastructure and critical services space. Its clients include both major companies and government departments. It advises clients on battery storage development, road construction and accommodation PPP mandates. Elizabeth Williams, who assists public authorities in procurement and single source procurement matters, is co-lead of practice along with Dominic Richardson, who advises on rail, road and nuclear projects. Stephen Kenny
is a key name in the practice, experienced in major government projects in the infrastructure space.
Practice head(s):
Elizabeth Williams; Dominic Richardson
Other key lawyers:
Stephen Kenny; Gus Wood; Paul Green; James Stanier
Key clients
National Highways
Ministry of Defence Noments Sarl
St Modwen Homes
TENT Holdings Limited
Ancala Partners
Bedford Borough Council
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
London Borough of Barnet
Alfanar Company
Work highlights
- Advising Alfanar Company, a leading Saudi Arabian construction and operations company, on the project development and financing for the construction, operations and maintenance of five Residential Communities procured by the NEOM Company, which successfully reached financial close.
- Advising the Ministry of Defence on the Defence Marine Services project.
- Advising DVLA on all aspects relating to the expiry of its PFI contract with Trillium.
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
boasts especial strength in the energy sectors, with an array of private providers included in its clientele. The firm is experienced with public tender advice and is also well-versed in renewable energy mandates, advising on battery and solar projects. Its national presence also allows for regional-specific advice when necessary. Andrew Whitehead spearheads the practice, specialising in energy regulation and contracts for utility providers and developers. Martyn Thorpe joined in February 2023 from an in-house position, whilst Selina Hinchcliffe joined from Browne Jacobson LLP in April 2023.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Whitehead
Other key lawyers:
Martyn Thorpe; Selina Hinchcliffe
Key clients
National Grid Electricity
Grain LNG
Cadent Gas
E.ON
Utilita
Agratas
Last Mile Infrastructure Group
Bluestone Energy
Arlington Energy
Joint Office of Gas Transporters
Statera Energy
National Gas Transmission plc
Compleo
Severn Trent plc
Shell Energy Retail
Highway Stops Retail
Sustainable Energy First
Business Power & Gas
BritNed Development
Marble Power
FPC Electric Land Limited
Electricity North West Limited
Certas Energy
Coventry and Solihull Waste
South Staffordshire Water plc
Anglian Water plc
SUNEL UK
Whitetower Energy
Ripple Energy
FW Thorpe Plc
Bryt Energy
FPC Electric Land Ltd
Packaged Energy Solutions Limited
Power Data Associates
Work highlights
- Supporting National Grid ESO on tenders for services to restore the network in the event of a total or partial shutdown of the national electricity transmission system.
- Worked with the Grain internal team to draft and issue the auction documentation, as well as assist in gaining Ofgem approval and advising on the process throughout.
- Appointed as “virtual in-house” counsel for Agratas Limited, which is a new company set up by Tata Sons.
Bevan Brittan LLP
Bevan Brittan LLP advises across the spectrum of the project and energy landscape, including construction, insurance and handback assistance. The firm is also familiar with waste-to-energy and carbon capture project work. Nadeem Arshad leads the team and specialises in advising on solar, battery storage and smart grip developments. Rupert Lugg joined the firm from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP as David Hutton retired from practice in May 2023.
Practice head(s):
Nadeem Arshad
Other key lawyers:
Rupert Lugg
Testimonials
‘Bevan Brittan have exceptional depth of experience and expertise in waste services, construction and engineering contracts and can draw on a broad range of complimentary disciplines to provide really comprehensive legal advice and support.’
‘The work quality of associates and juniors is impeccable.’
‘Nadeem Arshad is exceptional in terms of the level of knowledge and experience he brings to bear.’
‘In addition to the high level of legal expertise which I would expect from partners in any law firm, the partners at Bevan Brittan are particularly effective at engaging with all the key disciplines deployed across a project including technical, financial and commercial advisors.’
‘The partners have experience of representing the various different participants in large and complex projects in both the public and private sector giving outstanding insight into their different perspectives, perception of risk and commercial drivers.’
‘The Bevan Brittan team listens and interacts with the project as a whole. Legal aspects are at the forefront with a strong commercial long term view always considered.’
‘Very friendly, knowledgeable and committed. Also able to draw on specialists from within the wider company.’
‘The Bevan Brittan team has a strong partnering ethos and worked in a collaborative manner. A particular strength was understanding the needs of both the public and the private sector and navigating a path that would provide the optimal outcome for both parties.’
Key clients
Birmingham City Council
Viridor Energy
Char.gy
Legal and General
Boom Power
Ethical Power Developments
Peridot Solar
London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
Western Riverside Waste Authority
Welsh Government
London Borough of Haringey
Argent LLP
London Borough of Islington
Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust
Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust
Work highlights
- Advising Boom Power on two of their proposed Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project renewable energy projects: the East Yorkshire (400 megawatt) Solar Farm and Battery Energy Storage project, and the Fenwick (237 megawatt) Solar Farm and Battery Energy Storage project.
- Advising Viridor Energy on their £2.1 billion bid for the Tees Valley Waste Management PPP and which involves the development of 49.9MW Energy Recovery Facility.
- Advising Birmingham City Council on their £500 million Waste PPP Project and which includes the 25MW Tyseley Energy Recovery Facility.
Freeths LLP
Freeths LLP, with its dedicated clean energy, waste and sustainability practice, offers comprehensive advice across the projects and energy space. The firm has particular strength in advisory work on secondary market transactions and asset management. In Birmingham, James Larmour, an adept at infrastructure and project finance transactions advice, and Kirsten Roberts, an expert on waste and renewables project matters, leads the team. Reece Ballett adds strength to the firm’s renewable energy infrastructure project abilities.
Practice head(s):
James Larmour; Kirstin Roberts
Other key lawyers:
Reece Ballett
Testimonials
‘Friendly and approachable with a personal touch.’
‘James Larmour is a key individual.’
‘Great knowledge and practical approach to matters.’
‘James Larmour is great to work with. Personable, pragmatic and gets deals done.’
Key clients
ALDI Stores Limited
Amber Infrastructure
B&B Skip Hire Limited
Biodiversify Ltd
Bio Dynamic Limited
Calisen
CIVIS Infrastructure
Dalmore Capital
Daedalus Development Company Limited
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
Encyclis
Engie UK
Enovert Limited
Equans
Equitix
FCC Environment
Greenshanks Limited
Hull Esteem Consortium LEP Limited
Johnson Aggregates Limited
LNT Carehomes Limited
P&H
Plymouth Energy Community and Plymouth Council
SmartParc
Tarmac
Vital Energi Limited
Work highlights
- Advised funds managed by Equitix on the refinancing of the Croydon and Lewisham Streetlighting PFI Project, involving the replacement and ongoing maintenance of approximately 38,000 streetlights and 8,000 street signs and bollards, over a 25-year concession.
- Advised INPP and HOCHTEF on the restructuring of equity and subordinated debt in the Halton Building Schools for the Future project.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP offers a full range of services in the projects sector, including planning, development, disputes, disposals and handback advice. The firm’s global presence allows it to draw on a wealth of experience to assist on novel and complex mandates. The Birmingham team is led by construction expert Nigel Blundell, clean energy expert Pete Feehan, energy and infrastructure specialist Kultar Khangura and John Tyerman whose focus is renewables matters. Gemma Glasspole adds to the firm’s public sector specialism, particularly around PPP projects in energy, waste and infrastructure.
Practice head(s):
Nigel Blundell; Pete Feehan; Kultar Khagura; John Tyerman
Other key lawyers:
Gemma Glasspole
Testimonials
‘They have excellent sector knowledge and experience.’
‘Pinsent Masons have an in depth knowledge and involvement in the sector which is matched by very few firms. They can involve colleagues in very specialist areas and arrangements.’
‘John Tyerman is excellent. He has deep industry knowledge.’
Key clients
Verkor SA
Volker Rail
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Cardiff Capital Region
FCC Environment
Viridor Limited
Orsted
Hitachi Zosen Inova A E
Amber Infrastructure
Cory Riverside Limited
Westminster City Council
Morgan Sindall
EPH Group
RWE A.G. Group
InterGen
Centrica Plc
London Array Limited
VPI Immingham LLP
Work highlights
- Providing ongoing advice to bp on the Northern Endurance Partnership and Net Zero Teesside Carbon Capture & Storage projects.
- Advising the Coventry City Council on every aspect of its collaboration with a number of strategic partners across the West Midlands to bring together the latest innovations in the automotive sector and to apply them to the light rail sector to create an affordable tram system utilising very light rail technologies.
- Advising Carlton Power on its joint venture with Schroders Greencoat LLP established for the roll-out and acceleration of a platform for the development, construction and operation of green hydrogen schemes in the UK.