Proficient across all areas of parliamentary work, and with ‘unparalleled experience of private and hybrid bill practice and procedure’, BDB Pitmans is a prime choice for clients seeking the promotion of major infrastructure schemes, private bills, and secondary legislation, or objections thereto. Government agents, parliamentary bodies, and devolved administrations requiring support with legislative change also frequently turn to the practice. The team enjoys an extensive track record in promoting Development Consent Orders (DCOs) and Transport and Works Act Orders (TWAOs), with a strong footing in rail, highway, and airport expansions. Housing a significant number of Roll A Parliamentary Agents, the practice is led by Nick Evans, who is valued for his ‘clear, frank, and practical advice’ to various HS2 petitioners, as is the ‘resolutely charming and knowledgeable’ David Mundy, while Mustafa Latif-Aramesh is commissioned by Government and private bill promoters alike for infrastructure and nuclear projects. Other key contacts include Sarah Clark, who advises on flood defence and electricity transmission, Tom Henderson, who leads on highway and airport expansions, and Angus Walker, an authority on the consenting regime for nationally significant infrastructure projects.

‘Knowledge, expertise, and judgement’ are the hallmarks of Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP’s parliamentary and infrastructure consenting practice, which counts among its client portfolio major players in the transport, energy, and ports sectors, all relying on the team’s extensive experience with hybrid and private bills, legislative drafting, and the promotion of or opposition to major infrastructure projects. Widely acknowledged for its position promoting the HS2 railway project, the practice is also well versed in advising on projects advanced by way of DCOs, TWAOs, and Harbour Orders. The ‘approachable, experienced’ Roll A Parliamentary Agents Stephen Collings and James O’Connor lead the offering, acting for a roster of major rail and energy companies, transport authorities, and local councils. Key support is offered by infrastructure and renewable energy specialist Juliet Clark. The team is rounded out by Jessica Craven, who advises key transport, energy, and water stakeholders, and Darren White, who is sought after for assistance with rail and energy infrastructure authorisation processes.

Pinsent Masons LLP boasts a ‘superb, highly knowledgeable team with huge experience’ poised to offer assistance to a range of government bodies, local councils, transport operators, and other infrastructure stakeholders with the full spectrum of parliamentary and public affairs work. Drawing on extensive expertise across the energy, transport, and water sectors, the team is well placed to advise on the promotion, drafting, and opposition of private bills, hybrid bills, Harbour Orders, TWAOs, and DCOs, as well as support on regulatory and legislative developments. The practice flourishes under the guidance of ‘legendary’ Roll A Parliamentary Agent Robbie Owen, who is ‘in a league of his own’ in matters relating to the development of critical infrastructure projects. The ‘exceptionally able’ George Wilson leverages longstanding experience in planning, consenting, parliamentary and public law issues to provide counsel on large-scale infrastructure schemes.

‘A real specialist team’ in parliamentary and planning advice, Sharpe Pritchard LLP is a mainstay for public bodies pursuing the promotion of private bills, as well as opponents of infrastructure projects requiring approval by way of hybrid bills, DCOs, and TWAOs. Reputed for its high volume of work both promoting and opposing nationally significant infrastructure private bills, the team is sought out by local authorities, large landowners, and registered charities for assistance with opposing different stages of the HS2 railway project. The practice benefits from the acumen of Roll A Parliamentary Agents Alastair Lewis, who ‘exemplifies the ability to bring great expertise and experience to clients’, particularly in the energy and transport sectors, and Emyr Thomas, who is ‘knowledgeable, experienced, and well-connected’ in lodging objections to large infrastructure projects. Real estate specialist Aidan Dickinson lends his compulsory purchase law expertise to clients with land affected by infrastructure schemes and DCOs.

‘Legally astute and incisive’, Winckworth Sherwood LLP fields a team of expert legislative drafters and promoters, highly regarded for their work promoting legislation for strategically important infrastructure projects. Advising both government bodies and local authorities on the HS2 hybrid bill, as well as its implementation, the team is also a key player in the wider railways and harbours spaces, offering support to an array of banks and registered charities. Roll A Parliamentary Agent Paul Irving, whose mastery of parliamentary, planning, compulsory purchase, compensation and environmental law positions him well to support on infrastructure promotions, stands at the centre of the practice. Alex Dillistone's substantial experience in rail, port, and energy projects is complemented by a thorough understanding of DCOs, TWAOs, and hybrid bills. Jane Wakeham is ‘always polite, thorough, and quick at providing advice’ on the broad spectrum of primary and secondary legislation. Emma Rodican-Jones is another key contact for major rail infrastructure projects, while Hazel Anderson remains in a consulting capacity with the firm following retirement in December 2023.