Specialist advice for PPP/PFI arrangements and handbacks
Public sector entities require procurements to be economic, expeditious and efficient; funders focus on preserving future income streams, while making sure that borrowers adopt sensible risk-transfer strategies; and the supply chain looks for contract revenue on reasonable commercial terms. Our lawyers understand all the angles and stages of complex procurement projects in the UK and advise authorities, sponsors, lenders, contractors and operators with equal ease.
"Osborne Clarke frequently worked beyond expectations to meet deadlines. They also have specialists readily available to assist on difficult, technical matters."
How we can help you
We can work with you from project inception through to expiry of the concession. We provide a holistic service and work hard to add extra value at all points of a project's lifecycle.
PPP/PFI arrangements
Our projects team is hugely experienced and dedicated. We focus on meeting your objectives and providing great client service, whatever the scale and complexity of your project.
The deals we advise on span the full spectrum of PPP/PFI and project finance structures, private development, partnering and joint ventures and infrastructure outsourcing. We can support you through all stages of your project from scoping, through bid phase, financial close and to post-close activities, including variations, refinancing, disputes, disposal and acquisition.
PFI handback
Handback, take-back, PFI expiry or expiry: if you're involved in the PFI market in the UK, you'll be aware of the terminology. Over the last few years, there has been a growing amount of commentary, guidance and reports about the practical reality of contracts for national critical infrastructure assets coming to an end.
It's universally acknowledged that timely preparation and planning for PFI contract expiry will be a critical factor in any successful PFI asset and service provision handback. Early engagement by all PFI project parties to identify and agree relevant handback obligations and asset conditions are key.
Whatever your role in the arrangement, we can advise you on what handback means for you and help you prepare and plan for project expiry. We will help you successfully navigate the complex legal and commercial issues that you'll face and plan for what comes next.
Our PPP and PFI lawyers
Our dedicated OC Projects team is supported by a full range of legal specialists, including procurement, restructuring and insolvency, property and construction issues (including dispute resolution), as well as employment and pensions.
We work across the social, economic and energy infrastructure sectors, both domestically and internationally. These include projects in the education and university, social justice, health and social care, energy and renewables, waste and transport sectors. We have extensive experience of advising SPVs/investors, lenders and FM contractors on operational and primary projects in the UK PFI market.
Our clients include sponsors/infrastructure funds, major contractors, banks, FM providers and procuring authorities.
