PFI, PPPs and Major Projects

Having been involved in all major national PPP programmes and initiatives – including PFI, PF2, Welsh Government Schools MIM projects, the Scottish Hub programme, NHS LIFT, and Building Schools for the Future – our dedicated team of experts is well placed to advise on all forms of project and funding structures. 

We advise on all aspects of PFI/ PPP schemes, partnerships, and joint ventures including advising clients on: 

• High-value and complex variations, refinancings, benchmarking/market testing, disputes, and other operational and contract management issues for existing schemes. 
• The expiry and handback of PFI contracts, providing practical legal support in line with the relevant guidance. We guide clients through early termination strategies and handback processes, including the “reset” of projects and the condition survey process prior to expiry. 
• The structuring, procurement, and delivery of new infrastructure projects and complex commercial arrangements using bespoke and standard documentation. We understand the complexities of long-term financing, lifecycle maintenance, and stakeholder engagement, enabling us to deliver pragmatic solutions that balance commercial objectives with public accountability. 

We act for all major stakeholders, including contracting authorities (such as central government, government agencies, local authorities, NHS bodies), project companies, facilities management contractors, and investors on high-value, long-term contracts that underpin essential infrastructure. This gives us invaluable insight into the commercial drivers for a diverse range of clients across multiple sectors. 

We are at the forefront of some of the most nationally significant projects. Our market-leading team consists of specialists in procurement, construction, real estate, commercial, planning/environment, public law, and corporate/banking to provide clients with all the legal services needed to deliver an infrastructure project. 

Featured experience

• Advising DHSC in relation to its Centre of Best Practice (CoBP) survey template PFI deed 
• Advising the Environment Agency and Surrey County Council on the procurement for the design and construction of the River Thames Scheme and the collaboration agreement for funding the project 
• Advising a major FM provider on the expiry and handback of PFI schools 
• Advising a city council on its portfolio of PFI schemes including advice on refinancings, high-value variations, and disputes