Shepherd and Wedderburn is a key player in the Scottish infrastructure market, managing a growing number of instructions concerning the conclusion of expiring PFI/PPP projects, with a particular focus on the contentious aspects. The firm showcases an impressive portfolio of projects, spanning hospitals, student accommodation, schools, roads and railways, urban renewals, and emerging energy transition initiatives. The ‘exceptional’ Stephen Colliston heads up the team and has extensive PFI/PPP experience, acting for an array of public and private sector entities on new and operational projects. Nigel Sievwright is active across the full gamut of infrastructure design, build and financing matters and has a strong understanding of financing and procuring initiatives.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Effective practical advice, client friendly and collaborative in approach to challenging project delivery.’

  • ‘Stephen Colliston is exceptional in his straightforward and practical approach to advice, and identification of effective solutions in complex projects.’

  • ‘S&W has a good range of expertise which is made available to us as and when required. S&W provide prompt and detailed responses to our queries and are available to support with advice and assistance.’

  • ‘The team has the diversity of expertise that complex PFI healthcare projects require, led by our key contact Nigel Sievwright who is always diligent, considered and timely in response. We have had a range of diverse issues that we have not previously seen, in all cases Nigel and his colleagues have been able to support and successfully advise on.’

  • ‘Attentive to detail, proactive, well resourced and perform reliably to agreed timescales.’

Key clients

  • Acciona Industrial SA/Acciona Industrial UK Limited
  • Balfour Beatty
  • West Lothian Council
  • South Ayrshire Council
  • City of Edinburgh Council
  • Consort Healthcare (Mid-Yorkshire) Limited
  • Consort Healthcare (Blackburn) Limited
  • Ofwat
  • Highway Management (Scotland) Limited
  • Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale

Work highlights

  • Advising Balfour Beatty Construction Limited on the West Slopes Student Accommodation Scheme.
  • Advising Consort Healthcare (Blackburn) Limited on several variations and service transfers on the Royal Blackburn Hospital project.
  • Advising West Lothian Council on a number of projects involving Design and Build Development Agreements in respect of the new schools under the Scottish Government hub model.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
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Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Stephen Colliston

Other key lawyers

Nigel Sievwright