The 'responsive and pragmatic' team at Burness Paull LLP is led by Bob Ruddiman and regularly acts as lead counsel for prominent clients in the UK on both major transactions and development work. Peter Ward has built a solid reputation among major renewables companies, utilities and lenders for his capabilities advising on highly complex matters concerning grid connection, off-take agreements and power purchase agreements (PPAs), as well as corporate and regulatory mandates. Neil Bruce specialises in the property aspects of renewable energy projects, leading the real estate team across a broad range of renewables areas including wind, solar, waste and energy storage, while banking and funds director Sophie Coffey is an authority on renewables finance.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘They are responsive and pragmatic, using their market knowledge as well as legal expertise to deliver solutions that are valuable to clients.’
‘In addition to high-quality legal advice, they are responsive and personable, making them very easy to work with.’
‘Their key strength is in their depth and sector specialism.’
‘Burness Paull are a renewable energy firm who intimately understand the sector and the market. Their lawyers are well experienced with projects in this asset class and the unique challenges and risk allocation they bring.’
‘Neil Bruce has extensive knowledge of the real estate market in Scotland, in particular, the relevant intricacies from the perspective of renewable energy project development. This expertise is highly valued by clients.’
‘Sophie Coffey is a very experienced with Scottish renewable energy projects. She is knowledgeable, easy to work with and can sensibly benchmark positions across similar projects.’
‘The team has a wide breadth of experience across the sector with very deep knowledge across energy real estate, energy finance and regulatory. The attentiveness and excellent client care are second to none in this market.’
‘The depth of the team is key, with a range of partners and associates who are able to pick up where others have left off. Their strengths in this people management and collaboration stand out in the field due to their consistent engagement with the sector as a whole, and the individual clients.’

Key clients

EDF Energy Renewables
Green Investment Group
Statkraft UK
Ventient Energy
Invenergy Wind Europe
Brockwell Energy
Orsted
Fred Olsen Renewables
BayWa r.e. UK
Brookfield Renewables
Ocean Winds
SMS
Magnora ASA

Work highlights

Advising Ocean Winds in relation to its joint venture negotiations with Mainstream Renewable Power with regard to their 50/50 joint venture to develop a 1.8GW floating offshore wind farm off the Shetland Islands.
Acting as lead advisor to Scottish Enterprise in relation to the provision of an additional senior debt investment into the Meygen project, the world’s largest tidal energy project in construction.
Acting for leading renewable energy developers, including BayWa r.e. UK, Brockwell Energy, EDF Renewables, Orsted, Invenergy, Statkraft and Ventient Energy, as lead counsel on various aspects of project development, ranging from early-stage land and property issues to complex regulatory and offtake arrangements.