England - London • Projects, energy and natural resources
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s water team takes instructions on the full spectrum of issues, advising water companies on commercial matters, major projects, financings and regulatory concerns, while also acting for construction companies and investors involved in the water industry. Additionally, the practice also acts for water companies in disputes. Leading the practice are competition and regulatory specialist Tim Briggs, who also advises on procurement and state aid, and Malcolm Lombers, who handles water-related M&A. Kristen Roberts focuses on financing work, with a particular niche in debt finance, while Tom Marshall handles infrastructure transactions in regulated sectors.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The HSF team provides exceptional support to our business and holds an excellent insight into our corporate history and issues that may affect us.'
- 'The advice is always tailored and on-point to our specific needs.'
- 'The depth of the team is impressive, but very personalised support is provided.'
- 'The team adds significant value to our business and have helped us navigate through some difficult issues / projects.'
- 'HSF are regarded as the go-to firm for all our complex, high-profile matters and have continued to differentiate themselves from the competition through the quality of their service and key personnel.'
- 'The long-term retention of the same core team in utilities economic regulation sector is highly commendable. This enables in-house teams to work with an external advisory team that already has a demonstrable understanding of the client's issues and ways of working.'
- 'The team's lead partner for the various engagements with us, Tim Briggs, brings a calm, measured, very knowledgeable approach to addressing often difficult and complex regulatory issues, which is always welcome and very useful in the midst of sometimes frenetic programmes.'
Key clients
- Anglian Water
- Severn Trent
- Tideway
- Southern Water
- Thames Water
- Water UK
- Market Operator Services LimitedMitsubishi Corporation
Work highlights
- Advising Southern Water in connection with its PR24 price control review.
- Assisted Tideway to secure modifications from Ofwat to the revenue and incentive provisions of its licence to allow for additional costs caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Advised Thames Water in connection with on its South East Strategic Reservoir Option project – the proposed new reservoir near Abingdon, Oxfordshire.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Tim Briggs, Malcolm Lombers