Utilities and Energy law firm

Structural reorganisation can be key to gaining efficiencies, especially if you are looking to expand or enter a new market. Our utilities and energy lawyers advise on the most effective way to structure organisations.

Our utilities and energy lawyers have vast experience within this area of law and can advise on statutory obligations. This includes historic private law acts imposing obligations prior to the Water Industry Act 1991.

We advise firms purchasing buildings bordering rivers, such as the Thames. This includes energy saving schemes, Landlord and Tenant fit out with associated rental allowances, flexible working capabilities, community access arrangements and revised basement pumps to alleviate flooding.

Our property experts advise on lease renewals; access rights; solar panel leases; dilapidations; acquisitions and disposals; advice on deed of easements (including electricity easements); license to assign; development works; license renewals for fishing rights; access agreements; and land investigations.

We have advised an energy provider on a new online app and service. Brought into the project early, we were able to influence design to incorporate data protection compliance and policies into the app to improve user experience, as well as drafting privacy notices. We identified issues with data sharing that were readily adjusted at the early stage and avoid more complex concerns.

As a utilities and energy law firm, we support on regulatory matters, such as advising on dealings with Ofwat and Ofgem who has enhanced oversight and enforcement powers. Our team have expertise in environmental law and industry regulations for the utilities and energy sectors.

We advised on procurement in a wide range of projects, including facilities management services, energy procurement and discrete project procurement. We help in the production, negotiation and development of agreements in accordance with legislative requirements.

We have significant experience in auction and negotiated sales for both buyers and sellers, and have teams well versed in both buyer and seller due diligence. A significant number of our utilities and energy lawyers regularly work on cross-border and international transactions, and we are therefore well-suited to handling acquisitions and divestitures in nearly any jurisdiction, in conjunction with local counsel as needed.

Our Project Development and Finance team includes lawyers with extensive experience of working with funders, developers, utilities, operators and other stakeholders in the relevant industries and are supported by lawyers from our highly-rated planning and construction practice group.

We have experience in advising funders on refinancing of renewables projects, for example, advising a major bank on review of project document structure and terms on refinancing portfolios of solar panel farms.

The team have advised a number of energy providers in relation to Electricity Act licences and negotiating agreements with National Grid. We have also advised on feed-in tariffs (FITs) as part of energy projects and project due diligence.

Our dispute resolution team includes lawyers who are experienced in conducting proceedings in the London Commercial Court, the London Court of International Arbitration, and the International Chamber of Commerce, among other forums. Our lawyers have particular experience in litigating disputes in the energy sector.