PFI/PPP Projects

Health

• We advised the Trusts on 3 of the last 4 PFI health projects to reach financial close (Papworth, Alder Hey, North Bristol), including leading the first Treasury led funding competition for financing. One of our team advised on the only PF2 project in health, Midland Metropolitan Hospital
• We advised on the structuring and drafting of the standard LIFT contract and procurement documentation, and further updates thereafter
• We have advised on every Strategic Estates Partnership to come to market, acting for either the public or private sectors
• We advised an NHS Trust in respect of significant defects in the construction of the fire compartments within their PFI Hospital, including advice as to whether grounds existed for the termination of the Project Agreement for default as a result of the construction defects or the insolvency of the bond financed Project Company, the process of termination and the consequences of both default and voluntary terminations

Education

• We were at the "cutting edge" of Grouped Schools PFIs, instructed by the DfE/PfS to help scope Building Schools for the Future and delivered the most projects for the public (19) and private sector (9) clients combined. This included the outsourcing of all services either in PFI or more traditional FM contracts
• We advised a bidder on the first PF2 Priority Schools Building Programme with a project value of £170m 
• We advising a Council seeking to exit its PFI Schools Programme (with remaining unitary charge payments of £900m)

 Leisure

• We advised on the first 8 leisure projects, as pathfinder projects
• We advised the private sector PFI partner operating a range of PFI leisure projects on the management of defect issues and the resolution of those issues through formal adjudication procedures

Waste

• We advised Viridor Waste Management Limited on a complex Waste Public Private Partnership (PPP) Contract for Project Green - a partnership of five local authorities from across South Wales
• We advised the South West Devon Waste Partnership on the development of the award winning Devonport Energy Recovery facility
• We advised a City Council on their costs savings agenda, including their entitlement to terminate the contract and the resolution of high value disputes
• We advised a Project Company in respect of the commissioning tests to be undertaken on the completion of the construction of their new waste incineration facility, including the timing of tests and their binding (or non-binding) effect.

Blue Light

• We advised on the procurement of PFI schemes for police authorities in Gloucester, Kent and Sussex
• We advised a police authority on potential default of their PFI partner and the application of benchmarking provisions.

Social Housing

• We advised the Project Company in the procurement, delivery and settlement of disputes under the Social Housing PFI for the delivery of 420 new social and private homes and the refurbishment of 318 existing council homes.

Street lighting

• We advised three councils on their combined procurement of as street lighting PFI, negotiated together but then separately entered into by Southampton, Hampshire and West Sussex.

ICT

• ICT had a poor PFI track record but there are many long term outsourced and PPP type projects for back office services. We are currently advising councils how to review its options for termination of back office contracts, re-negotiating its contracts for back office services and terminating its ICT service contract.