Ranking tables

Infrastructure | UK

UK-wide

The Infrastructure UK-wide section ranks the top firms and lawyers who advise on transactions relating primarily to infrastructure assets that have already been completed and are operational. Infrastructure assets can include (but are not limited to) airports, ports, transmission lines, pipelines and (resources) storage. Secondary market transactions, where operational infrastructure is the underlying asset, form a crucial aspect of the work recognised, while equally, contract variation, asset management and other legal issues that arise over the course of the operation of an asset are also relevant.        The Infrastructure PFI/PPP section is a separate sub-section which recognises those undertaking the aforementioned work primarily in the context of operation PFI/PPP assets. As well as assets structured on a PFI/PPP basis, other non-traditional models such as Regulated Asset Base (RAB), Mutual Investment Model (MIM), Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) and Direct Procurement for Consumers (DPC) are relevant for this section.

Rankings overview for Departments

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. A&O Shearman
    1
    A&O Shearman
    Infrastructure
    2025 | Band 1 | 11 Years Ranked
    A&O Shermans infrastructure group is deemed a first port of call for high-profile M&A, with significant experience in transport, energy and utilities matters. The team is sought after for its expertise in multi-source refinancings. Its clients include a number of multinational sellers, banks, buyers and financial institutions. The firm is particularly active on large-scale transportation matters, including rail, motorway and airport facilities.
  2. Linklaters
    1
    Linklaters
    Infrastructure
    2025 | Band 1 | 10 Years Ranked
    Linklaters is highly sought after for its in-depth acquisition financing expertise. The team demonstrates notable experience in refinancing and whole business securitisation. The firm counts a number of leading finance and sponsor-side companies as clients. The firm also provides advice on regulatory matters. It is well regarded for the handling of innovative and unusual finance structures.
  3. White & Case LLP
    1
    White & Case LLP
    Infrastructure
    2025 | Band 1 | 10 Years Ranked
    White & Case regularly advises on M&A transactions involving assets in a range of infrastructure classes. The team is particularly active on road, telecoms and renewable energy transactions. Its clients include investment funds, asset managers and banks.
2

Band 2

  1. Ashurst
    2
    Ashurst
    Infrastructure
    2025 | Band 2 | 10 Years Ranked
    Ashurst is a specialist group with wide-ranging expertise in M&A transactions and financing, alongside considerable strengths in related regulatory, tax and competition matters. The firm is active in a range of industries, including utilities, education and transport infrastructure. The team often advises on PFI and PPP secondary market work. Partners offer further depth across the energy market as they frequently handle renewable and oil and gas matters.
  2. Clifford Chance LLP
    2
    Clifford Chance LLP
    Infrastructure
    2025 | Band 2 | 10 Years Ranked
    Clifford Chance maintains a strong reputation for closing challenging and high-value infrastructure transactions both domestically and abroad. The firm offers impressive lender-side credentials and counts numerous specialist infrastructure funds, pension funds and institutional investors among its roster of high-powered clients. Clifford Chance is a go-to firm for securitisation and debt restructuring. The team advises on transactions involving a broad spectrum of assets, including energy, district heating, rail and telecoms infrastructure.
  3. Herbert Smith Freehills
    2
    Herbert Smith Freehills
    Infrastructure
    2025 | Band 2 | 10 Years Ranked
    Herbert Smith Freehills is a regular presence in major domestic infrastructure transactions, with notable roles in waste, energy and transport matters. The team advises on acquisition financing, refinancing and asset disposal matters. The firm is regularly engaged on deals across Western and Northern Europe, as well as in various other overseas jurisdictions. It also displays strong abilities in handling contentious disputes surrounding infrastructure developments.
  4. Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
    2
    Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
    Infrastructure
    2025 | Band 2 | 2 Years Ranked
    Kirkland & Ellis combines its acclaimed sponsor-side finance capabilities with a strong bench of infrastructure specialists. The team has significant expertise advising on the acquisition and disposal of energy, transport and telecom assets.
  5. Latham & Watkins
    2
    Latham & Watkins
    Infrastructure
    2025 | Band 2 | 6 Years Ranked
    Latham & Watkins has a strong London team, with expertise in infrastructure financing and acquisition transactions across a range of industries, including transport, energy and technology. The team acts for various clients including private equity groups, infrastructure and pensions funds, and other investors.
  6. Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP
    2
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP
    Infrastructure
    2025 | Band 2 | 6 Years Ranked
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges has a noteworthy team offering expertise in the representation of infrastructure funds. The team regularly advises clients on the acquisition, financing and refinancing of energy, transport and social infrastructure developments. The firm possesses particular strength in relation to cross-border transactions involving European assets.
3

Band 3

  1. CMS
    3
    CMS
    Infrastructure
    2025 | Band 3 | 10 Years Ranked
    CMS fields a multi-talented team with strong credentials in a range of secondary market transactions, with particular strength in PFI/PPP investments and disposals. The team regularly deals with transactions in the energy, transport and telecommunications sectors. The firm is adept at handling complex cross-border transactions. CMS represents a client base which includes banks, pension funds and investment management groups.
  2. Freshfields
    3
    Freshfields
    Infrastructure
    2025 | Band 3 | 10 Years Ranked
    Freshfields draws from a roster of corporate law experts to assist clients with prominent infrastructure transactions. The firm has significant experience advising on the acquisition and disposal of telecoms, transport and energy developments. It offers additional strengths in environmental, regulatory and tax matters.
  3. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
    3
    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
    Infrastructure
    2025 | Band 3 | 1 Years Ranked
    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has a strong London infrastructure team, experienced in acting in corporate matters for clients in this sector. The group has particular expertise in the energy sector and in cross-jurisdictional matters.
  4. Hogan Lovells
    3
    Hogan Lovells
    Infrastructure
    2025 | Band 3 | 10 Years Ranked
    Hogan Lovells exhibits key strengths in power, transport and infrastructure transactions, including those involving PPP/PFI-built assets. The firm is regularly called upon by clients to advise on structured finance, insolvency and project repackaging matters. The team frequently works with public and private clients in Eastern Europe and Africa. It is particularly adept at handling joint venture agreements.
  5. Paul Hastings (Europe) LLP
    3
    Paul Hastings (Europe) LLP
    Infrastructure
    2025 | Band 3 | 2 Years Ranked
    Paul Hastings is home to a strong team of infrastructure lawyers who regularly advise on M&A deals across a range of sectors, including telecoms, transportation, technology, healthcare and energy. The team also provides strong advice on debt work, including financing and refinancing of large infrastructure deals.
  6. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
    3
    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
    Infrastructure
    2025 | Band 3 | 2 Years Ranked
    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett's infrastructure team regularly advises on high-value and complex international M&A across a range of sectors, including telecoms and energy. The team also regularly assists infrastructure funds with debt refinancing and acquisition finance matters.