Projects and PPP

One of the UK’s most highly-regarded and experienced projects and PPP teams, we offer pragmatic, commercial advice at all stages of the complex public-private partnership process.

Often highly sensitive and always complicated, successful public-private partnerships require deep technical knowledge and strong relationships. Having worked on more than 100 PPPs, we know what it takes to set up these partnerships effectively and how to step in to solve operational challenges on existing projects. 

The team includes several lawyers with over 20 years of experience in the UK PFI sector, two of whom have been involved since the inception of the sector in the 1990s, and one of whom who advised on the UK’s last PFI to reach financial close.  

The team’s activity is now focussed on operational support, including major variations and dispute support. We also have live instructions on projects preparing for handback and expiry.

Our clients are drawn from the public sector (central and local Government and the NHS), investors and project companies, funders and contractors.  

We have valuable cross-sector experience, specialising in education, defence, health, social housing, blue light, waste, transport, energy and detention.

Our experience

Here is a selection of the successful PPP projects our team have acted on:

  • We worked on both phases of the Morpheus Programme, a £multi-billion complex procurement by the Ministry of Defence to evolve and transform its Bowman battlefield and tactical communications system.
  • We acted for DIF Capital Partners on a PPP student accommodation project with The London School of Economics and Political Science. The new 676-bed student residence will be located on Glengall Road, Southwark, and provide additional housing primarily for postgraduate students of the LSE.
  • We have supported Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust in relation to its hospital PFI scheme in Portsmouth. Our work has involved refinancing of the scheme, some very large variations and the insolvency of the main PFI contractor. 
  • We acted for Kingston University on its £100+ million student accommodation PPP project. The project involved the refurbishment of 1,216 existing rooms and the addition of 117 new rooms on the University’s Kingston Hill and Seething Wells sites.
  • We advised the Maritime Coastguard Agency on all aspects of its £1.6 billion Second-Generation Search and Rescue Aviation programme – known as UKSAR2G. 
  • We helped with the provision of over £300 million of equipment, spares and repair services for the Queen Elizabeth class of aircraft carriers and Type 45 destroyers.
  • We have worked on NHS LIFT schemes, PFIs and other PPP structures to acute, community and primary care with a combined value of over £500 million. We have acted for all sides, from NHS providers to independent sector and investors, and Aviva Commercial Finance. 
  • We supported GEOAmey on its successful bid for three prisoner escort and custody services contracts, worth £770 million.
  • Advised the investor group on the £100 million North East Batch Priority Schools scheme, the UK first PF2 scheme.
  • Acting for MOD on several high profile PFI Projects (including supporting on the operational interface between the Department and its Contractors and providing strategic advice on a number of PFI contracts as they are managed to expiry).  

Did you know?

£3.2 billion

Advising the MOD on the Morpheus Programme, a £3.2 billion procurement to develop its Bowman communications system.

1,500+ rooms

Supported the University of Exeter on two student accommodation projects with University Partnerships Programme to deliver 1,582 rooms.

£60 million

Helped The Geo Group on its successful bids for Immigration Removal Centres.

What do others say?

 

“Mills & Reeve’s major quality was their ability to provide clear and accessible advice and guidance. Their advice was always very commercial, explained clearly and delivered in plain English. I am yet to meet a Mills & Reeve lawyer that is not easy to get along with!”

Senior Commercial Officer

Ministry of Defence

“10/10...You have been responsive, flexible and accommodating in dealing with service requests. Communication has been prompt and clear with designated personnel but with alternatives offered if the usual contact is unavailable. Advice has been clearly articulated and always explained with further clarification provided upon request.”

Director of Estates, Facilities, PFI and Capital Development

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

“The team leads the market for advice to HE institutions for student accommodation projects in the UK.”

Chambers UK

Our clients

We have vast experience working with organisations across a range of sectors, with our clients including:

  • UCL
  • University of Exeter 
  • University of Southampton 
  • Ministry of Defence
  • Maritime Coastguard Agency 
  • Defence Infrastructure Organisation
  • Infrastructure Funds, developers and bidding consortia and their project companies
  • Homes England
  • NHS and foundation trusts 
  • Local authorities 
  • UPP
  • DIF

Our lawyers

Our partners are recognised as industry leaders by Chambers UK and Legal 500, with deep experience in the sector. Supported by a team of specialist, approachable lawyers, we bring in the right people for your project.

Our expertise

Aerospace and defence projects
Detention projects
Health and care projects
Student accommodation projects

Your main contacts

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

We help you keep pace with the changes, challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving landscape.

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Related sectors & services

Construction and engineering Education Energy Government Public procurement Health and care Real estate investment Commercial Corporate law Litigation and arbitration legal services Planning law Projects and PPP Public law Real estate Solving the housing crisis