The offering at Burges Salmon LLP comprises a large group of specialists who are singled out as ‘leaders in their fields‘. On the energy side, Ross Fairley and Ian Salter are the key names at leadership level, noted for their extensive expertise in renewables and nuclear energy, respectively. For the projects angle, Mark Paterson and Keith Beattie are core contacts. Julian Boswall is noted for his niche knowledge in the field of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, while Charles Robson, who joined the team from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP in November 2022, singificantly strengthened the firm’s proficiency in mandates relating to heat networks.  Alec Whiter - who was promoted to partner in May 2023 - and Emma Andrews are also active members of the group.

Osborne Clarke LLP‘s ‘knowledge and experience of work on both sides of the table informs an empathetic and collaborative approach‘ to project development and financing work across a range of sectors on a UK-wide level and internationally. Chris Wade oversees the offering from the projects side, while Matthew Lewis is the key senior contact on the energy front. Corporate specialist David Ferris also regularly takes a leading role, particularly in mandates relating to Smart City developments. In addition to advising on established renewable technologies, the firm is increasingly involved with matters relating to flexible transition technologies.

The ‘unfailingly excellent‘ cross-practice future energy team at TLT is able to advise across the entire project lifecycle, with typical recent highlights ranging from assistance with battery storage M&A transactions to debt funding for an onshore wind turbine. Maria Connolly spearheads the department, with Kay Hobbs, Gary Roscoe and Matthew Grimwood providing corporate, financing and real estate expertise, respectively.  Legal director Stuart Urquhart has extensive experience handling contractual and regulatory matters relating to commercial arrangements in the energy projects space.

Following a concerted expansion strategy, the practice at Ashfords LLP has recently seen significant diversification and an increasing focus on a wide spread of projects work in both the renewable and traditional energy spaces; the hire of Carl Thompson, whose expertise lies in construction and infrastructure matters, from Osborne Clarke LLP in February 2022 is a key example of this. Brian Farrell oversees the offering, leveraging his commercial background to advise clients from both the public and private sectors. Jonathan Croley is another key contact on the commercial front. Stephen Humphreys is the name to note on the planning side, while Emma Warren leads on real estate-related mandates. Key recent areas of work have included advice on carbon credit, phosphate offsetting and biodiversity schemes, as well as decarbonisation and sustainability projects.

Bevan Brittan LLP‘s Bristol office works as part of a seamless national team assisting with projects across a breadth of sectors, including energy, waste, transport, social infrastructure, street lighting and regeneration matters. The firm continues to be highly regarded for its involvement with innovative PPP arrangements; in a recent example, the group advised 24 public sector clients on the completion of the 21st Century Schools MIM Programme. Nadeem Arshad, who is noted for his niche expertise in energy-from-waste PFI projects, oversees the energy and resource management team, while Nathan Bradberry is a key contact for infrastructure projects. The partner bench was further strengthened by the lateral hire of Harriet Murray Jones from Harrison Clark Rickerbys in October 2022, and the internal promotion of Olivia Blessington in May 2022.

Under the leadership of ‘exceptional communicator‘ Ian Stubbs, the offering at Foot Anstey brings together energy, construction, planning and corporate specialists to advise on complex energy and infrastructure projects. The ‘truly epic‘ team has developed particular strength in the solar, nuclear, battery storage and electric vehicles spaces. In a demonstration of the firm’s commitment to the field, January 2023 saw the promotion of energy specialists Kutahya Cherry, Suriya Edwards and Dickon Court to the partnership.

Noted by clients as ‘a specialist firm in the field of PFI‘, Michelmores LLP fields a dedicated offering in this area, overseen by experts Carol McCormack and Ben Hogan; major new procurements, service contracts and complex projects all fall within the team’s remit. On the energy side, Ian Holyoak takes the lead, ably supported by Alexandra Watson. For project financing mandates, Karen Williams is the key name to note. At the senior associate level, Jo Spalding and Hannah Slater are particularly recommended.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP handles the gamut of issues which occur during developments, projects and disputes in the energy space, with a particular focus on offshore and onshore wind, hydrogen and heat network matters. Richard Cockburn heads up the firm’s national energy offering from the Edinburgh office, while Christopher Towner, who is particularly experienced on the commercial side, leads the local team in Bristol. Vicki Redman, another key contact within the group, specialises in all aspects of contentious and non-contentious planning, environmental, highways and compulsory purchase matters.

Clarke Willmott LLP takes a cross-departmental approach to wind, solar and biogas projects; the firm’s wide-ranging offering consequently spans corporate, planning, real estate, commercial, financing, and regulatory advice. Construction expert Priscilla Hall heads up the practice, splitting her time between the London and Bristol offices. Laurence Lacey has extensive experience advising on property aspects relevant to this field.

Freeths LLP fields a core team focused on clean energy projects and transactions; as well as advising across the gamut of traditional renewables issues, including those relating to wind, solar and energy from waste, the group is also increasingly active in the hydrogen and nuclear spaces. Rhianna Wilsher has established a niche expertise in solid heat networks issues, while Duncan Tringham and Emily Settle bring real estate and corporate knowledge, respectively, to the practice.

Under the leadership of Helen Rumford, who ‘has a fantastic grasp of her specialist area‘, GA Solicitors focuses on assisting with the gamut of issues affecting the energy sector. A particular area of expertise is advising developers on renewables projects throughout the UK, especially in the onshore wind, solar and battery storage spaces; this includes handling heads of terms, exclusivity agreements, and land options for leases. James Peterson and Ieuan Jones provide a key link with the corporate and disputes practices, respectively.