England - London • Real estate
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
The planning team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP demonstrates ‘exceptional experience and expertise’ across commercial development and energy and infrastructure projects. Practice head Matthew White has a wealth of experience advising developers on the promotion of commercial regeneration schemes and mixed-use developments, working on projects across the UK and internationally. Senior associate Martyn Jarvis also advises on significant mixed-use commercial development projects. Catherine Howard has ’capably led’ the growth of the energy and infrastructure practice, and the team is acting on an increasing number of solar DCOs. The group has a strong judicial review practice; Ben Hazenberg has experience in all aspects of contentious planning law and Charlotte Dyer has led on advising EDF Energy on the judicial review regarding the DCO for the Sizewell C nuclear power station. The firm is also advising on other developing areas within the planning space, including life sciences projects, data centres, and logistics; senior associate Ian Mack is taking a lead role advising Gatwick and Luton Airports on their DCO expansion plans.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Experienced, insightful, and straightforward advice each and every time. The team at HSF continue to provide us with strategic, tactical and detailed advice, which keeps our project moving forward.’
‘Catherine Howard brings so much to any conversation; her advice is tailored and to the point.'
'Charlotte Dyer has a powerful input; no stone is left unturned and no detail missed.’
‘Catherine Howard's NSIP and DCO knowledge and experience is second-to-none. Charlotte Dyer has possibly the most thorough legal mind I have ever encountered.’
‘HSF’s planning team is the very best in the City. It has truly exceptional experience and expertise, and offers a level of analysis and insight that is very rare. The team has grown in recent years, building a strength in depth that has significantly increased the firm’s capacity to deal with the biggest and most complex projects.’
‘Catherine Howard is in a league of her own. I cannot think of any solicitor who is as clever, incisive and tactically astute as her. Catherine’s team really look up to her, and clients know that they can trust her completely. She is 100% committed to the client’s interests, and pursues them with rigour and determination at all times.'
- 'Charlotte Dyer is an outstanding associate.'
‘Matthew White is very easy to deal with and understands clients' requirements and objectives.’
Key clients
- British Land
- EDF Energy
- EDF Energy
- British Land and GIC
- Brockton Everlast
- Gatwick Airport Limited
- Lendlease
- AQUIND Limited
- London Luton Airport Operations Limited
- Greater London Authority and Transport for London
- Berkeley Homes
- London Legacy Development Corporation
- Indaver
- Sellar Property Group
- bp Exploration Operating Company Limited
- Schroders
- Evolution Power
- Landsec
- The British Library
- SMBL Developments Limited
- Castleforge
Work highlights
- Advising British Land on their development proposals for the Canada Water Masterplan in the London Borough of Southwark and British Land and a sovereign wealth fund on all planning matters in relation to its 32-acre iconic Broadgate campus in the heart of the City of London.
- Advising EDF Energy on its £20bn new nuclear power station at Sizewell in Suffolk (Sizewell C).
- Advising Gatwick Airport on its DOC promotion to authorise a £500m airport reconfiguration project to turn the existing emergency runway into a second operational runway and related plans for enhanced airport infrastructure.
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Leading individuals
Next Generation Partners
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Matthew White