Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is widely recognised for its expertise in parliamentary and infrastructure consenting, advising on all aspects of the legislative and statutory approvals process. The team has particular strength in hybrid and private bills, as well as DCOs, TWAOs and Harbour Orders. Known for its role in promoting the HS2 railway project, the practice combines legal and strategic insight in supporting major infrastructure schemes. James O’Connor, a partner and Parliamentary Agent, leads on advising infrastructure stakeholders through the consenting and implementation phases. Stephen Collings focuses on coordinating DCO and TWA projects and developing commercial strategies to secure statutory powers. Juliet Clark plays a key role in promoting transport infrastructure projects. The team’s capabilities have been further enhanced by the addition of Robert Gowing, reinforcing its strength in navigating complex legislative processes.
Infrastructure (parliamentary) in London
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
James O’Connor; Stephen Collings
Autres avocats clés:
Juliet Clark; Robert Gowing
Les références
‘Juliet Clark, a legal director at Eversheds Sutherland, has been instrumental in supporting Anglo American’s interests, particularly in negotiating side agreements related to third-party DCOs. We consistently rely on her expertise in this area, and her ability to navigate complex negotiations has delivered excellent results.’
‘Leading knowledge and expertise.’
‘Extremely reliable and excellent judgement.’
Principaux clients
Department for Transport
Network Rail Infrastructure Limited
Stena Ports Limited
PD Teesport Limited
Blyth Harbour Commissioners
HS2 Limited
Transport for London
Associated British Ports
RWE Renewables
Transport for Wales
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Network Rail on the delivery of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (including the promotion of two TWA Orders) which is a major, multi-billion-pound programme of railway improvements which will bring better journeys to passengers travelling across the Pennines between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.
- Advising DfT on the delivery of the High Speed Rail project including the promotion and securing of 2 hybrid bills. Currently advising DfT on the development of a third hybrid bill to deliver the first phase of Northern Powerhouse rail between Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.
- Advising Stena Line Ports Limited on the promotion of a Harbour Revision Order to provide modernised harbour facilities at Fishguard Harbour to improve the operation of Stena Line’s twice daily Ro Ro ferry service from Fishguard Harbour to Rosslare, County Wexford in the Republic of Ireland.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP's parliamentary and infrastructure team advises on the statutory and legislative frameworks that support major infrastructure projects. The team works across the transport, energy and water sectors, with experience spanning private and hybrid bills, DCOs, TWAOs, Harbour Orders and broader legislative developments. Much of their work involves navigating the intersection between legal process and parliamentary procedure, particularly where statutory powers are required. Robbie Owen, a Roll A Parliamentary Agent, has long experience advising on infrastructure schemes promoted through parliamentary and statutory routes. Heidi Slater focuses on public sector infrastructure and regeneration work, often acting on behalf of local and regional authorities. David Thorneloe draws on experience from government legal departments, where he was closely involved in the development and passage of primary and secondary legislation. His insight into parliamentary procedure and policy-making informs much of the team’s legislative advice. George Wilson advises on planning and consenting matters, with a focus on infrastructure requiring TWAOs, DCOs and parliamentary powers. The team operates with an emphasis on legal detail and institutional process over promotional positioning.
Responsables de la pratique:
Robbie Owen
Autres avocats clés:
Heidi Slater; David Thorneloe; George Wilson
Les références
‘Pinsent Masons is one of the very top planning law firms in the field of infrastructure planning. PM has a vast planning team that allows it to handle the largest projects and, indeed, more than one large project at a time.’
‘Robbie Owen is one of the truly « big dogs » of the infrastructure planning world. He is very high profile in the field and at the heart of all that is going on in infrastructure planning.’
‘Superb proactive leadership of Robbie Owen.’
Principaux clients
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Transport for London
National Highways
Crown Estate Paving Commission
Forth Ports
Port of Belfast
Principaux dossiers
- Advising MHCLG on the Bill required to facilitate the development of the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre (the UKHMLC) in Victoria Tower Gardens.
- Advising on all aspects of the successful application for development consent for the A66 Northern Trans Pennine scheme.
- Advising UK harbour authorities and another, unrelated, London-based statutory body on the extent and application of their local statutory powers.
Sharpe Pritchard LLP
Sharpe Pritchard LLP focuses on parliamentary and infrastructure work, primarily acting for public sector clients. The firm is particularly known for promoting private Acts of Parliament—having promoted more than any other firm of parliamentary agents—and for advising those opposing infrastructure projects requiring statutory authorisation, including hybrid bills, Development Consent Orders, and Transport and Works Act Orders. Alastair Lewis advises on the consenting of nationally significant infrastructure projects, including DCOs, TWAOs and harbour revision orders. His work also involves drafting primary and secondary legislation, advising on amendments to government bills and navigating parliamentary procedures. Emyr Thomas specialises in drafting, promoting and opposing legislation, advising on procedural issues, and acting as an advocate before parliamentary committees. He is regularly involved in DCO processes, including the special parliamentary procedure, and also advises on compulsory purchase, planning and environmental law. Aidan Dickinson leads the firm’s compulsory purchase work, advising acquiring authorities through all stages of the process. He also advises on land transactions and represents clients promoting or objecting to infrastructure projects requiring statutory powers.
Responsables de la pratique:
Alastair Lewis
Autres avocats clés:
Emyr Thomas; Aidan Dickinson
Les références
‘Extensive experience and expertise coupled with commercial acumen and sound common sense makes it difficult to beat.’
‘Alastair Lewis and Emyr Jones are personable, practicable and hard working – allied with great knowledge of workings of the system.’
‘Exceptional knowledge, dedication and always being there. I cannot praise highly enough the support we have received, and the effort made to provide a truly exceptional service.’
Principaux clients
Suffolk County Council
Malvern Hills Trust
London Historic Parks & Garden Trust
The National Trust
West Sussex County Council
Principaux dossiers
- Drafted, and deposited in Parliament, the Malvern Hills Bill on behalf of the Malvern Hills Trust.
- Advised the London Historic Parks and Gardens Trust on the Holocaust Memorial Bill in Parliament.
- Advised West Sussex County Council, as part of a consortium of 8 local authorities, on the Gatwick Airport development consent application.
Winckworth Sherwood LLP
Winckworth Sherwood LLP has a well-established parliamentary practice, recognised for its work drafting and promoting legislation for major infrastructure projects. The team has played a significant role in the development and implementation of the HS2 hybrid bill and remains active across the rail and harbour sectors. Its expertise spans hybrid bills, Development Consent Orders and Transport and Works Act Orders, with clients including local authorities, statutory undertakers and public bodies. Paul Irving, a Roll A Parliamentary Agent, now acts in a consultant capacity, drawing on his extensive experience in parliamentary, planning, compulsory purchase and environmental law. Alex Dillistone advises on infrastructure projects in the rail, ports, and energy sectors, with a strong understanding of statutory consent processes. Jane Wakeham supports clients on a wide range of legislative matters and is noted for her clear and prompt advice on primary and secondary legislation. Emma Rodican-Jones is a key contact for rail infrastructure projects, contributing to the team’s ongoing work on long-term statutory schemes. The practice continues to provide detailed, process-driven advice on complex infrastructure matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
Alex Dillistone; Paul Irving
Autres avocats clés:
Jane Wakeham; Emma Rodican – Jones
Principaux clients
Secretary of State for Transport and HS2 Ltd
West Midlands Combined Authority
Associated British Ports
Port of London Authority
Network Rail Infrastructure Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised the Department for Transport and HS2 Ltd on the promotion of the Bill for the construction and operation of the High Speed 2 railway.
- Advising the West Midlands Combined Authority on the implementation of the Midland Metro (Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Land Acquisition) Order 2020.
- Advising Associated British Ports, the owner of more than 20 ports, handling every kind of cargo on a variety of matters.
Addleshaw Goddard
Addleshaw Goddard's infrastructure consenting and government team advises on a broad range of parliamentary matters, with particular focus on Development Consent Orders, Transport and Works Act Orders and Harbour Orders across the energy, water and transport sectors. The team also handles wider parliamentary work, including legislative procedures and strategy. Francis Tyrrell continues his established practice advising on hybrid bills, TWAOs, Harbour Orders and DCOs. Marnix Elsenaar leads the national Planning & Infrastructure Consenting team and is actively advising on major transport and regeneration projects, including rail schemes promoted through TWAOs. Gary Sector, based in London, is leading on several ongoing DCO applications. Together, the team supports clients navigating complex statutory processes linked to large-scale infrastructure.
Responsables de la pratique:
Francis Tyrrell
Autres avocats clés:
Marnix Elsenaar; Gary Sector
Les références
‘Dynamic and insightful team with deep knowledge of the technical issues and wider political awareness and acumen.’
‘Francis Tyrrell is an exceptional practitioner with a genuinely collaborative approach which effective demystifies even complex processes – such as for Hybrid Bill processes.’
Principaux clients
BP Oil Exploration Company Limited
DP World London Gateway
Manchester to Birmingham Connectivity Review
Belfast Harbour Commissioners
Nexus
Principaux dossiers
- Advising the Manchester to Birmingham Connectivity Review, on hybrid bill process and powers as well as other consenting orders for alternative connectivity options between Manchester and Birmingham in the wake of the cancellation of HS2 Phase 2B.
- Promoting development consent orders for major energy network operators for new network creation.
- Promoting TWAOs for major transport operators for network extensions and alterations.
Broadfield Law UK LLP
Broadfield Law UK LLP is known for its expertise in infrastructure promotion, private bills and parliamentary procedure. Led by Mark Challis, the team advises on legislative processes central to delivering major infrastructure projects. David Mundy brings extensive experience in public, constitutional and regulatory law, with a focus on drafting and promoting legislation. He regularly advises on Brexit-related legal issues, devolution and infrastructure governance. Public authorities rely on his expertise in procurement, state aid and compliance under the Procurement Act and EU-derived regimes, making the firm a trusted adviser in complex infrastructure matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
Mark Challis
Autres avocats clés:
David Mundy
Les références
‘Broadfield has an exemplary track record in infrastructure practice. David Mundy is the doyen of this area of practice and always brings to bear a calm and measured intelligence to solve the most intractable problems.’
‘The team has great experience and knowledge.’
Principaux clients
The Corporation of the Hall of Arts and Sciences (Royal Albert Hall)
Northern Ireland Assembly
National Audit Office (NAO) and Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG)
High Speed 2 Petitioners
National Grid
General Cemetery Company
Bournemouth Motor Road and Ferry Company
Corporation of Trinity House
Health and Care Professions Council
East West Rail
Mersey Docks and Harbours /Global Ports Holdings
Principaux dossiers
- Advising on new legislation in Parliament for the Royal Albert Hall to update its constitution, which is set out in a number of Acts of Parliament and Royal Charters.
- Retained by the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission to draft bills for non-executive members.
- Reappointed to the Legal Panel of the Financial Conduct Authority to advise on accountability and audit, risk, procurement and outsourcing, public law litigation, JR, regulatory failure investigations, insolvency and recovery advice.