Acting on its own as well as often in conjunction with the firm’s Birmingham office, the ‘personable and responsive’ team at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP provides ’efficient and effective’ planning advice to developers on large-scale developments throughout the UK. The team is particularly adept at handling Wales-specific matters where it has deep knowledge of the intricacies and differences associated with Welsh devolved planning law. As well as handling transport and utilities-related matters, the team is particularly skilled at handling major renewable energy projects, where it is appreciated for its ‘wider understanding of relevant issues facing energy developers’. Principal associate Stephen Jefferson has ’an excellent understanding of the sector’ and has been particularly active of late advising developers through the nascent Development of National Significance (DNS) Regime which governs the process for large-scale onshore wind and solar projects in Wales. Senior associate Gareth Davies co-heads the team alongside Jefferson and is particularly effective at providing strategic planning advice relating to data centres and residential developments.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The efficient and effective team has the ability to draw upon a number of years' experience of working on energy projects.'
  • 'They have a wider understanding of current, relevant issues facing the energy developers ensuring that the advice, steer and support given through the process is based on the very latest in the industry.'
  • 'Stephen Jefferson has an excellent understanding of the (energy) sector which translates to clear and precise advice.'

Key clients

  • Dwr Cymru Welsh Water
  • EDF Renewables
  • RWE
  • Transport for Wales
  • GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
  • Thames Water Utilities Limited
  • Pennant Walters
  • University of Reading
  • Statkraft UK Ltd
  • Taylor Wimpey

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Stephen Jefferson, Gareth Davies

Other key lawyers

Alice Watts-Jones