DLA Piper continues to stand out for its vibrant practice, covering the full gamut of energy and infrastructure projects. The Manchester-based practice handles nationally significant projects, including PPPs and PFIs, in the nuclear decommissioning, decarbonisation and heating, renewable energy, transport infrastructure fields. Practice head Andrew Davies is highly experienced in the nuclear waste field and continues to lead the firm on nationally significant nuclear decommissioning mandates, including on the Nuclear Waste Services Geological Disposal Facility Project. Further key contacts in the team include Liam Cowell, who covers transport infrastructure projects, Ben Morton, who regularly handles decarbonisation and green technology projects and Lorna Pattison, who handles projects in the nuclear and biogas sectors. Lauren Fisher and Hayley Mason are key associates in the team.

With one of the biggest teams on the market, Pinsent Masons LLP fields a renowned group of specialists handling a litany of large-scale energy and infrastructure projects across the nuclear, conventional, offshore wind, biogas, water and energy from waste sectors. In this regard the firm advises along the entire project lifecycle, including related disputes. Leadership of the team is shared among Mark Job, who leads on the projects side and has experience on national infrastructure projects, including those in HVDC, battery storage and CCGT energy and Michael Hopkins, who heads up the construction and advisory disputes side. Anthony Bradley handles a range of contentious and mediation matters related to PFIs, construction and professional negligence, Graham Alty is well versed in international nuclear projects, while Siân Hughes and Arwyn Jones are key contacts for construction and engineering disputes. Jo Falencka covers procurement models for clients in the water sector and is a further key team member based in Manchester, as is Scot Morrison.

Addleshaw Goddard’s Manchester office handles an array of energy and infrastructure projects, assisting on project finance, project development and regulatory matters in the context of large-scale power generation, energy transmission and storage projects, including renewables and nuclear, water and transport infrastructure, as well as various aspects of PFI and PPP projects. Practice head Sara Gilmore has projects expertise in both the energy and the transport sectors, with specialist expertise in bus regulation. Michael O’Connor advises public sector bodies, particularly in the healthcare sector, on public-private transactions, procurement and contract structuring, while Philip Dupres focuses on the utilities sector. Stephanie Townley is a further key contact in the Manchester-based practice.

The CMS Manchester-based energy, projects and construction team continues to lead on a number of high-profile nuclear, energy and rail infrastructure projects where leading engineering contractors, government and public sector bodies, various employers and institutional investors belong to the firm’s regular client base. Chris Hallam leads the team and handles all aspects of contract structuring and drafting for infrastructure projects in the nuclear and rail industries. Tim Williams was made partner in May 2024 and has experience advising on electricity transmission, solar, nuclear and battery storage projects, following which Nick Case received his partner promotion in April 2025 and bolsters the team in contentious engineering and construction mandates. Chris Henshaw is noted for his experience handling PFI and PPP projects and senior associates David Turner and Helen Achilleos are also active in the sector.

DWF's energy and natural resources practice has a solid base across Manchester and Liverpool, with the team’s recent project portfolio including battery energy storage project financings, various renewable and green energy projects, nuclear decommissioning as well as assisting on the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Global head of energy Darren Walsh is based in the North West and is highly experienced in the regulated energy and low carbon sectors. Michelle Headridge joined the practice in August 2024 from Addleshaw Goddard and is an expert in environmental and sustainability requirements, which she applies in diverse contexts, including real estate, corporate, financing and restructuring transactions. Catherine Haslam, Charlotte Hampson and Louise Walker are also noted.