England - London • Public sector
Winckworth Sherwood LLP
Winckworth Sherwood LLP’s infrastructure team comprises ‘intellectually first class, practically minded lawyers’ who advise on the promotion of parliamentary bills and secondary pieces of legislation for major, strategically important projects. The team is widely noted for its work on the promotion of hybrid bills in relation to all phases of the HS2 railway project, and it continues to advise on the implementation of the project under the leadership of practice head Paul Irving, a vastly experienced Parliamentary Agent and key contact for railways and harbours work. Irving often works alongside Parliamentary Agent Alex Dillistone, whose expertise drafting Transport and Works Act Orders as well as Harbours Act Orders makes her a key contact for clients such as Network Rail and Associated British Ports on a variety of high-value and complex projects. Hazel Anderson and Jane Wakeham are further key contacts in the team, and their experience as Parliamentary Agents allows them to conduct legislative reviews and conduct impact assessments for some of the country’s largest railways and harbour projects. Alison Gorlov continues to act for the firm as a consulting Parliamentary Agent, and Emma Rodican-Jones is another name to note.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘WS are the pre-eminent specialists in this field of practice. Paul Irving leads the team with all the benefit and advantage of over 30 years of experience and expertise in Parliamentary work. All members of the team are intellectually first class, practically minded lawyers who are a joy to work with.’
‘Paul Irving has unrivalled experience and expertise in Parliamentary work and promoting transport orders. A man whose quiet demeanour belies a brilliant mind and a formidable grasp of the issues. Alex Dillistone is now established as a superb specialist practitioner with a clear eye for detail allied to strong strategic thinking. Hazel Anderson is so impressive on environmental issues and fearlessly analytical in her advice. Jane Wakeham is calmness personified, always on top of the issues, with clear and focused advice.’
Key clients
- Associated British Ports
- Canal & River Trust
- Crossrail
- Dover Harbour Board
- HS2
- Harwich Haven Authority
- Network Rail
- Port of London Authority
- Secretary of State for Transport
- West Midlands Combined Authority
Lawyers
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Leading individuals
Winckworth Sherwood LLP
Senior associateJane practiced at the common law bar for 5 years before spending 14 years in industry. Since joining Winckworth Sherwood in May 2005, Jane has been involved in a variety of contentious and non-contentious work, mainly on behalf of public bodies. Jane joined the Parliamentary and Planning team in August 2006 and has since assisted on a range of infrastructure projects.Jane has recently been involved on applications for Development Consent and Transport and Works Act Orders to authorise new railway infrastructure, including a number of promotions on behalf of Network Rail Infrastructure Limited, such as the Network Rail (Ordsall Chord) Order 2015, Network Rail (Ipswich Chord) Order 2012 and Network Rail (Nuneaton North Chord) Order 2010.
Next Generation Partners
Winckworth Sherwood LLP
Senior associateAlex is a public law, planning and environmental lawyer specialising in infrastructure and energy projects.She has acted on many high-profile and politically sensitive matters and has particular expertise in drafting legislation, advising on legislative scope and conducting stakeholder negotiations. Recent areas include advising on the passage of the Infrastructure Act 2015 and revisions to the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive. She also has market-leading experience in advising on unconventional gas exploration.Alex has worked extensively with Government and other regulatory bodies and is a former member of the Government Legal Service.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Paul Irving