Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, a developer-led practice, provides front-end project implementation advice across multiple sectors. Renowned for its expertise in the real estate sector, the firm delivers expert counsel on significant UK development projects. In the energy and infrastructure spheres, the firm’s insights extend to interconnector projects, renewable energy initiatives, and pioneering decarbonisation projects. Tim Healey, head of the team, offers strategic procurement advice and leads negotiations for high-profile development projects, particularly in sustainable construction and decarbonisation. Nicholas Downing offers vast experience on major domestic and international projects across the commercial real estate development, energy, transport and infrastructure sectors. Matthew Bool, who joined the group in April 2023 from Ashurst, where he was head of the non-contentious construction team, contributes his expertise in UK real estate development. Iain Suttie, of counsel, is highly regarded for his specialisation in major urban regeneration and infrastructure programmes within the transport and energy sectors.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The team is strong, and they work well together, so the client does not have a single focal point.’
‘Their strengths are (1) availability, (2) knowledge, and (3) teamwork.’
‘Quality team who are able to assist with the most complicated of projects.’
‘Iain Suttie is an absolute font of knowledge and brings assurance to any transaction.’
'Absolutely bang up to date in law and expected legal changes.'
'Nick Downing has lustrous skills in construction, but with a fabulous legal bandwidth. He never fails to return a call, and the work produced under his supervision is never, ever less than of the highest and most rigorous quality.

Key clients

British Land
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
Related Argent
Brookgate
HB Reavis
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners
BP Exploration Operating Company Limited
Cero Generation
IGI Poseidon
High Speed Two Limited
Hammerson
Nuveen
RWE Supply & Trading AG
VPI Immingham
Schroders

Work highlights

Advised British Land on the 53-acre redevelopment of Canada Water to provide up to 3,000 homes as well as workspace and retail, leisure, entertainment and community space.
Advised Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners' Energy Transition Fund on the development of the HØST power-to-x facility in Denmark, using electricity from renewables to produce CO2-free green ammonia and provide district heating to the local area.
Advised HB Reavis on the large-scale redevelopment of Elizabeth House, Waterloo, London to provide 1.2m sq ft of workspace, retail space and public realm connected to Waterloo Station, including significant rail interfaces.