CMS provides full lifecycle advice on major infrastructure, transport and energy projects across Scotland, with core strengths in HVDC and grid upgrades, battery storage, hydrogen and social infrastructure mandates. The team is increasingly active on PFI handback mandates and operational project disputes. Team head Ailsa Ritchie is a go-to adviser to utilities, government bodies and local authorities, assisting with procurement, bidding, construction and operational matters. Amanda Methven is a key driver behind the firm’s PFI handback offering, while Jenny Durie regularly handles complex PFI operational issues. Shona Frame and Fenella Mason offer deep contentious construction capabilities across a range of project types. The partner bench was bolstered in late 2024 by the arrival of Caroline Maciver from Burness Paull LLP and the promotion of Laura West to partner. Eleanor Lane relocated to the UAE in 2024.

Morton Fraser MacRoberts has a strong track record across Scotland’s major infrastructure projects, particularly in the education, health, and transport sectors. It is active on operational PFI/PPP matters, handback and expiry issues, and project-related disputes. Group lead Rod Munro is a seasoned practitioner with deep expertise in urban regeneration and social infrastructure projects, and is noted for his familiarity with both traditional and emerging infrastructure delivery models. Duncan Osler acts for a range of sponsors, developers and funders, and is especially well-regarded for his procurement expertise. Jennifer McKay supports the team with her focus on contentious matters.

Pinsent Masons LLP is instructed on many of the UK’s high-profile and complex infrastructure projects, acting for central government, major developers, institutional investors and key contractors. The team is especially strong across transport, social infrastructure and energy mandates, with growing demand for its expertise in operational matters, PFI expiry work, and cross-border project delivery issues. Stuart Barr leads the group alongside Graham Alty and is widely recognised for his deep experience advising on procurement, operational and handback issues in PFI/PPP projects. Victoria Miller focuses on operational asset development, while Michael Allan is a key contact for construction-related matters. Chris Owens handles a broad mix of project, finance, real estate and corporate work. James McDonald also comes recommended.

Addleshaw Goddard advises public and private sector clients on complex infrastructure projects across Scotland and the wider UK, with notable strength in transport, energy transition and secondary market mandates. The team is active on public sector decarbonisation initiatives and is recognised for its expertise in operational PPP/PFI handback and government advisory work. Team head Suzanne Moir is regularly instructed by public sector clients for her procurement expertise, particularly on major transport, hydrogen, and campus infrastructure projects. Andrew Orr advises sponsors, funders and contractors on finance and commercial arrangements, while Stewart Maciver oversees a variety of greenfield and brownfield transactions. Euan Wilson is noted for his strong track record in PFI/PPP handback matters. Sophie Black also comes recommended.

Brodies LLP advises on the full lifecycle of complex infrastructure and energy projects across the UK and Ireland. The practice is particularly strong in project finance, procurement, and public sector mandates, and regularly supports clients on transport, district heating, and renewables projects, as well as operational PPP and innovative financing structures. Stuart Murray leads the team and regularly advises high-profile public and private sector clients on large-scale PFI/PPP projects, with a focus on the education, healthcare and water sectors. Co-head Michael Stoneham contributes significant finance expertise across a broad range of infrastructure mandates, while Sarah-Jane MacArthur focuses on energy transition matters. Fiona Scott is active across bidding, procurement, operational, and handback instructions.

Burness Paull LLP's projects team maintains a strong presence across the Scottish market, advising on high-profile infrastructure, energy transition, and digital connectivity projects. With experience spanning public sector strategies, procurements, operations, and disputes, the team is active across the full project lifecycle and has continued to support key clients including NHS bodies, local authorities, and Scottish Futures Trust. Team head Gavin Paton is a key adviser to hub West and plays a central role on numerous projects. Co-heads James Forbes, Andrew Little, and Chris Horsley bring their construction expertise to a wide range of operational issues and project contracts. Richard Lockhart focuses on project delivery, leveraging his extensive knowledge of various delivery models.

Shepherd and Wedderburn is active on projects throughout the UK, with a burgeoning contentious offering which supplements its well established expertise in operational projects practice. Clients include employers, procuring authorities, sponsors, and funders, across numerous sectors. Stephen Colliston leads the team, and has more than 25 years’ experience in relation to both new build and operational projects. Also key area Nigel Sievwright, who has a particular focus on operational matters, and David Anderson, noted for his expertise as a commercial litigator.

Anderson Strathern advises on a broad range of complex and high-profile public sector infrastructure projects across Scotland, including for local authorities, national institutions, and higher education providers. The team also supports clients on renewables and decarbonisation matters, with an expanding private sector client base. The practice is jointly led by Martin Whiteford, who is highlighted for his experience handling complex regulatory and environmental issues; Pat Loftus, a key figure in the team’s construction offering; and Audrey Cameron, who advises local government and authorities on governance, procurement and operational matters. Mary Frances O’Neill leads on contentious issues.

With a strong track record across the full energy and infrastructure project lifecycle, Dentons advises on complex domestic and cross-border mandates, including major developments in the renewables, digital infrastructure and CCUS spaces, with particular strength in regulatory and finance matters. Gareth Tenner sits at the helm of the group and is noted for his strong understanding of a wide range of assets, including transport and social infrastructure builds, with particular expertise in finance and PFI/PPP secondary transactions. Mark Macaulay is a key contact for transactional construction procurement mandates, regularly acting on national, UK-wide and international projects, while Kirsti Olson focuses on contentious construction matters.

Harper Macleod LLP remains a key adviser on complex infrastructure developments across Scotland, with recent mandates spanning port upgrades, rail connections, urban regeneration schemes, and LEIP-funded education projects. The team has longstanding experience in operational PFI/PPP contracts, hub DBFM structures, and secondary market activity, and is increasingly active on public sector initiatives and project handbacks. Team head Euan Pirie is routinely instructed by sponsors, developers and public authorities for construction and engineering matters, and is well-versed across the full spectrum of infrastructure assets. Catriona Kemp is noted for her PFI/PPP operational expertise and growing involvement in secondary transactions.