Dentons leverages its nationwide multidisciplinary team to competently advise on projects in the UK and overseas. The firm is well-placed to handle complex PFI/PPP ventures from both the inception through to the handback stage, and has wider engagement with conventional and renewable energy mandates. The London team is led by Mark Cheney and Esther McDermott; the former is noted for his work with traditional energy assets and the latter for her contentious construction practice. The arrival of John Inglis from legacy firm Shearman & Sterling in May 2023 has brought further project finance capabilities to the team, while Matthew Hanslip Ward is a go-to figure for development and regulatory work, particularly in the rail sector. Outside of London, the Edinburgh-based Gareth Tenner provides expert PFI/PPP knowledge to clients while Mark Macaulay, also based in Edinburgh, is rated for his construction procurement work.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The Dentons team has always been responsive, helpful and very personable - great individual qualities and values and a fantastic team to work with. The sector knowledge, attention to detail and ability to provide focused one-to-one support has been second to none.’

  • ‘Euan Wilson and Gareth Tenner and their team were instrumental in ensuring the effective and timely transfer of our mandates, whilst also preparing additional mandates where necessary. This support was absolutely critical to the establishment and growth of our business.’

  • ‘Breadth of the team and experience across all key sectors, with particular strengths in transport and public law.’

  • ‘I would highlight Gareth Tenner for his approachability and industry knowledge.'

Key clients

  • Pale Blue Dot
  • MTR Corporation (Crossrail) Limited
  • Department for Transport
  • Dalmore Capital 51 GP LLP
  • Deutsche Bahn International Operations
  • East West Railway Company
  • Morgan Sindall Investments Limited
  • XLCC Ltd
  • Almalyk Mining Metallurgical Complex Joint Stock Company
  • Diamond Transmission
  • Ferrovial Construction UK Ltd
  • Capita Property & Infrastructure Limited
  • 13 EDF Renewable

Work highlights

  • Advising on the development of the East West Railway scheme, a new rail link between Cambridge and Oxford.
  • Acting for EDF and Masdar on the 1,800MW DEWA VI solar project in Dubai.
  • Acting as project counsel for the c. £4bn project development of the Acorn Carbon Capture & Storage project in Scotland.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Mark Cheney, Esther McDermott

Other key lawyers

John Inglis, Matthew Hanslip, Gareth Tenner, Mark Macaulay