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Public Private Partnerships

Public private partnerships (PPPs) and public finance initiatives (PFIs) transactions have become a common approach in recent years, helping to facilitate new infrastructure and service improvements in the public sector and across a variety of industries. We have been involved in numerous PPP projects since the beginning of the concept and we have extensive experience of operating in the many related structures that preceded and continue to operate alongside PPPs including DBOs, BOTs and DBFMs.

Whether you are a funder, insurer, investor, developer, contractor, local or national authorities or consultant, we have the expertise and innovation to ensure you are well placed to share risk, secure revenue and resolve disputes.

Why Choose Us

From identifying risk to agreeing terms and conditions we can devise and negotiate agreements that focus on delivery and reward. Our advice can help you develop the best contractual framework according to industry standards and the demands of your sectors.

PPP Expertise

PPP/PFI is one of our principal areas of expertise. Throughout its history, the practice has advised on traditional infrastructure projects for governments and PPPs. Our European team is a leading player in the expanding PFI/PPP market, having worked on numerous projects in the UK and across Eastern Europe – several of which have been groundbreaking projects.

Our team advises on all aspects of PPP/PFI transactions and contains individuals with significant experience in a number of key sectors, including healthcare, social housing, education and transport. At the forefront of legal developments in these areas, we have consolidated our position as a leading practice in the field.

We also advise project sponsors or awarding authorities and, in this sense, we are perceived as a practice genuinely focused on PFI/PPP. The team also has a successful track record of advising on the funding of projects, acting for both lenders and borrowers.

An Individual Approach to PPPs

There is a broad spectrum of possible structures for these partnerships, but the objective of all of them is to utilize the technical knowledge, economies of scale and financial resources of the private sector to construct, maintain and operate such systems. Our lawyers have substantial experience in analyzing and implementing PPPs, new construction, concession mandates and management contracts.

We do not treat PPPs as projects. Instead, we treat them as lasting businesses that require long-term attention throughout their lifecycle. In particular, we focus our expertise on variations, refinancing, market testing and other operational activities, and deal with secondary investments in projects by investors, investment funds and or pension funds, enabling us to stand alongside our clients throughout the PPP lifecycle.

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  • Olympic Delivery Authority – Advising on the delivery of London 2012 and, in particular, advising on the velodrome, main stadium, Aquatic Centre and secondary venues project, as well as the preparation of a bespoke form of contracts for civil engineering and transportation consultancy services. 
  • ABB Combined Heat & Power Limited – Advising on various contracts in the public and private sector, as the provider of energy services. Some of these contracts were based on the NHS Model Form of Contract Version 3, including a project at the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Trust. 
  • Carbon and Energy Fund (in conjunction with various hospital trusts) – Advising on the £1.2 billion fund regarding energy services and related construction contracts across the NHS estate. 
  • Contractor – Acting on the development of new schools under a £30 million PFI contract, including negotiation and completion of the design and build contract. 
  • Shrewsbury Sixth Form College and Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology – Acting in their £70 million co-location development in Shrewsbury. 
  • Coventry City Council – Advising this UK government authority on the construction of an energy center (CHP) and related district heating scheme using the NEC Option A contract. 
  • Owner of the Phoenix Coyotes National Hockey League team – Representing in negotiations with the city of Glendale, Arizona, for the development, financing, construction, leasing and operation of a new multipurpose sports and entertainment center and surrounding site. 
  • US-based engineering firm – Advising on a PFI deal in respect of hospital upgrade works in Scotland. 
  • Serco – Advising on various PPP schemes in the leisure sector, including with Sport England in relation to construction works and Bisham Abbey and Lilleshall. 
  • Private sector participants – Advising on each of the NHS Express LIFT Projects procured under the Express LIFT National Framework at Cumbria and West Sussex. 
  • Compass UK – Advising on the Ministry of Defence £3 billion PPP project at the Royal School of Military Engineering. 
  • Compass UK – Advising on the £350 million Greater Peterborough NHS Hospital PFI Project.