A collaborative, multi‑disciplinary legal effort
Our 15‑lawyer team worked together across corporate, real estate, commercial energy, regulatory and employment disciplines to meet the project’s demands. Collaboration was underpinned by a structured communication plan, including weekly one‑to‑one stakeholder meetings, regular progress reports and legal panel reviews. The result was a coordinated, responsive approach that ensured the right expertise was applied at exactly the right moment.
Designing a robust joint venture structure
Our corporate team advised on the design and negotiation of the joint venture and the asset transfer arrangements that sat at the heart of the transaction. Working closely with STDC’s internal leadership, we developed a structure capable of meeting shareholder approval requirements while adhering to the heightened transparency expected following the Government’s 2023 independent review. Ensuring the deal could withstand intense public scrutiny was a central focus throughout.
Managing the real estate complexity of the Teesworks estate
Given the scale of the site, our real estate experts worked meticulously with STDC’s estate management team to map, verify and assess the numerous land parcels, substations and legacy assets involved. Each asset carried its own history and implications, and our work ensured they were all accurately reflected in the transaction documentation. This level of detail was essential to creating a clean and functional foundation for the new joint venture.
Navigating energy regulation and drafting critical commercial agreements
Our commercial and regulatory energy specialists tackled the intricacies of the Electricity Act 1989 framework and the specific licence exemptions needed for the network’s operation. The team drafted and negotiated the full suite of energy‑related agreements, while navigating the maintenance of both high-voltage and low-voltage electricity assets. This work was fundamental to future-proofing Teesworks’ energy infrastructure.
Employment and utilities expertise to support operational transition
Beyond the core corporate and energy workstreams, our employment team advised on the TUPE transfer of staff into Steel River Power Limited, ensuring a smooth and compliant transition. Meanwhile, our utilities’ regulatory experts provided guidance on the site’s private water network, helping STDC manage the full breadth of utilities considerations tied to the transaction.
Agile document management, negotiation and completion
With numerous interdependent agreements requiring simultaneous development, our teams adopted an agile and highly collaborative working style. We used digital data rooms to manage complex document flows, maintained close communication across all parties and coordinated a remote multi‑party completion to meet pressing timelines.
Ian Stubbs, Partner and Head of the Projects, Infrastructure and Construction team, led the case, supported by Mark Greatholder (Partner) and Aliki Zeri (Managing Associate), who headed the commercial energy and contracts work. Real estate matters were supported by Kutahya Cherry (Partner), alongside Ed Johnson (Managing Associate) and Hannah Coppen (Senior Associate). In addition, Abigail Phillpotts (Senior Associate) and Colin Shear (Associate) assisted across energy workstreams, while Nathalie Ingles (Partner) advised on employment and TUPE matters and Nathan Peacey and Alexandra Hammond (Partners) and Tamsin Robson (Associate) provided regulatory expertise.
