With particular experience in nuclear and other energy projects, CMS‘ energy, projects and construction department in Manchester advises on high-profile and significant national and international energy and infrastructure projects, covering contentious and non-contentious elements. ’Strategic in his thinking and pragmatic in his advice’, Chris Hallam, who is head of energy, projects and construction, has vast experience in contracts relating to complex high-profile construction, energy, and infrastructure projects. Chris Henshaw covers all aspects of procurement matters relating to infrastructure and development projects.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Chris Hallam has created a fast-growing and dynamic first-rate team, rivaling any competitor, UK-wide. What is particularly noticeable is the collegiality with the Manchester team and the associated quality of service they provide.’
  • 'Nick Case and Lucy Baily are both very impressive and destined for partnership.’
  • ‘Excellent partner-led service with unrivalled comprehension of the sector, which provides a level of strategic insight vital to successful negotiations.’

  • ‘Chris Hallam is strategic in his thinking and pragmatic in his advice, which leads to a highly proficient and cost-effective legal service.’

Key clients

  • Polish Government Nuclear Energy agency
  • The SZC MEH Implementation Participants (comprising Balfour Beatty, Altrad Services, Cavendish Nuclear, Altrad Babcock, Bilfinger and NG Bailey)
  • Lendlease Construction
  • Equinor New Energy
  • Candu Energy (part of AtkinsRéalis)
  • EDF Group
  • Sanofi SA
  • Mace Construction
  • Dragados Construction
  • The Freedom Group of Companies
  • UK Health & Security Agency
  • Equans Group
  • Ipsen Biopharm
  • Balfour Beatty
  • NG Bailey
  • Altrad Group
  • Bilfinger
  • Luton Town Football Club
  • Care UK
  • University College London
  • Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust
  • Blackrock
  • CBRE
  • GRS Roadstone Group
  • Henry Boot plc
  • Sheffield United Football Club
  • Hyde Housing Group

Work highlights

  • Advising the Polish Government on a $20bn engineering, procurement and construction contract and related contracts for the country’s first nuclear power station.
  • Advising the Mace Dragados joint venture on the construction contracts for new railway stations at Euston and Birmingham as part of HS2.
  • Advising a consortium of six international contractors (Balfour Beatty, Altrad Services, Cavendish Nuclear, Altrad Babcock, Bilfinger and NG Bailey) on a multi-billion pound alliance contract for the UK’s new Sizewell C nuclear power station.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Chris Hallam

Other key lawyers

Chris Henshaw, David Turner, Nick Case, Lucy Baily