Clients choose to instruct Addleshaw Goddard on their water-related matters because it ‘understands the water industry on a more detailed, comprehensive and practical level than any other law firm’. The team is particularly noted for its expertise in DPC models. David Shaw and Phil Dupres are the duo at the head of the practice. Shaw is a specialist in water infrastructure and is the go-to for clients using the new DPC model for major infrastructure projects. Dupres is an expert in project finance in major water infrastructure. Rona-Bar Isaac is a standout feature of the team and brings water-focused competition and regulatory expertise to the group.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner's energy, environment and infrastructure practice is responsible for handling its work related to water for utility and water companies, investors, governments and regulators. The group has a significant portfolio of work for water companies involving the generation of water resources projects including reservoirs. James Good spearheads the group and takes charge of planning and environmental work, notably large infrastructure and environmentally sensitive projects. Mark Richards is also a key name in the practice and specialises in finance transactions and M&A in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Kimberly Roberts is experienced in implementing sustainability principles into infrastructure projects.

As well as acting for major water companies, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP regularly acts for bidders, funders and investors, notably private equity, infrastructure, pension and sovereign wealth funds, on their interests in water and sewage companies, including secondary market transactions in the water sector. Malcolm Lombers and Tim Briggs take on the role of jointly leading the group. Lombers brings significant experience handling water and infrastructure M&A and restructuring transactions to the team. Briggs brings strength in the regulatory side of the practice with extensive expertise in competition law, procurement and subsidy control in the water sector.

Clients in the water sector turn to Linklaters LLP when requiring assistance with matters involving financing and capital structures, regulation and competition, the environment, investigations, disputes, pensions and sponsor-level M&A. The practice is jointly led by Natura Gracia and Mark Nuttall. Garcia focuses on the regulatory side, frequently advising on investigations and the price control framework, particularly PR24. Nuttall leads the firm’s structured finance work, regularly assisting clients with financing restructurings and equity raises. Emma Crawford, who was promoted to partnership in May 2025, advises water companies on financing, regulatory and investigations matters. Former co-head Julian Davies retired from the firm in April 2025.

In addition to being ‘very experienced in hydropower projects and the related construction’, Pinsent Masons LLP‘s water practice is also highly regarded for its work involving SRO and CPO projects. Aside from consenting and property work during project cycles, the team also handles contracting, project finance and regulatory enforcement. Gordon McCreath sits at the helm of the practice and focuses his practice on advising on consent large infrastructure projects in the water sector. George Wilson is a reference for clients seeking advice on planning matters.

Praised for its ‘in-depth and insightful advice on issues affecting the water industry in the UK’, Burges Salmon LLP is well placed to advise water utilities on the regulatory and commercial aspects of practical business operations in the water retail sector. Michael Barlow spearheads the practice and is a point of reference for all environmental compliance issues. Solicitor advocate Victoria Barnes offers a wealth of experience in environmental regulatory investigations and disputes, notably those regarding renewable projects.

Gowling WLG leverages its cross-border team structure to handle a range of multijurisdictional water projects and deals involving desalination, wastewater, water transmission and water storage. The trio at the head of the practice is formed of Alexandra Poynter, who is a name to note for DPC initiatives for UK water infrastructure projects; Mike Stewart, whose expertise lies in the contentious side of the practice and Ravi Randhawa, who is a key contact for public, administrative and regulatory matters in the regulated utilities sector. Former co-head Andrew Newbery retired from the firm in November 2024.

Utilising its ‘genuine industry insight’, Weightmans LLP is rated for its knowledge of regulatory and operational matters experienced by water and sewage companies. Simon Colvin and Clive Mottram jointly steer the water sector team. Colvin is well known for his ability to advise water companies on their AMP schemes and water pollution incidents. Mottram’s broad practice covers legislative, regulatory and operational expertise in the water sector, seeing him advise on significant reforms to the water sector. Nick Barker is well versed in matters involving environmental obligations.

With a strong footing in South West England, water companies operating in this area regularly turn to Ashfords LLP for assistance with their infrastructure, resource and energy-based projects in the water sector. Mark Manning and Brian Farrell jointly head up the team. Manning advises water companies of infrastructure projects, network asset repairs and maintenance contracts. Farrell is a key point of contact for water M&A and joint venture transactions. Following his time in house at DEFRA, Paul Collins is well versed in environmental and climate change compliance regimes.

Sharpe Pritchard LLP’s water team has a notable emphasis on regulated water matters. The group remains a key contact of Ofwat and other regulators on the structuring of DPCs and other regulatory matters. A standout feature of the team is practice head Steve Gummer, whose expertise in regulated water sees him advising on environmental matters and license conditions, as well as developing financeable regulated project structures.