Infrastructure
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Australia
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+61 2 9225 5000About
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
Herbert Smith Freehills are recognised as a market leader in major construction and infrastructure projects, the financing of those projects and related disputes.
Our team provides end-to-end project support covering the full asset lifecycle for our clients. The team consists of our:
- Projects, Energy, and Infrastructure Practice which combines experts from our leading Project Development, Project Finance, Corporate/M&A and Environment, Planning and Communities teams.
- Project Finance team which is acknowledged as a dominant practice in the market across renewable energy, battery storage, social and economic infrastructure, and other growing sectors.
- Construction and Infrastructure Disputes Practice which effectively handles complex, high value construction and infrastructure disputes.
Together, the team are trusted strategic advisors to clients on high value, high stakes projects in all sectors.
Our team are at the forefront of market trends including sustainable finance, new project delivery and procurement models, social and affordable housing, resilient infrastructure and data centres, and the need for alternative, flexible dispute resolution processes as a result of ongoing inflationary pressures.
Chambers Review
Herbert Smith Freehills has a highly regarded team that handles projects in the transportation, energy and social infrastructure arenas and offers significant experience in respect of all aspects of projects, including financing. It handles front-end and contentious construction matters, fielding expertise in the tendering process, procurement, design, construction and subcontracting matters. The firm advises borrowers, lenders and sponsors on the financing of a variety of infrastructure projects, including road, rail and energy projects. Its clients include large contractors, major banks, government bodies and other industry participants.
Work Highlights
- Herbert Smith Freehills advised Energy Corporation of New South Waleson four New South Wales Renewable Energy Zones.
- Herbert Smith Freehills advised Canberra Metroand its equity investors in relation to Stage 2A of the ACT Capital Metro PPP project, specifically structuring of the augmentation with Stage 1 and all aspects of the concurrent refinancing of Stage 1 of the Project.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The HSF team is strong in technical skill but also is commercially-minded and solution-focussed, but always with an understanding of our company's objectives and approach to transactions."
"HSF has a very good understanding of the market and the right balance in protecting its client's position whilst negotiating the appropriate commercial outcome within competitive bid processes."
"The HSF team is strong in technical skill but also is commercially-minded and solution-focussed, but always with an understanding of our company's objectives and approach to transactions."
"HSF has a very good understanding of the market and the right balance in protecting its client's position whilst negotiating the appropriate commercial outcome within competitive bid processes."
Notable Practitioners
Erin Wakelin is based in Sydney and frequently advises on the finance aspects of projects concerning significant public transport and social infrastructure developments.
"Erin's experience across the sector on other major transactions is often useful for us in understanding how the market is dealing with current issues or trends that affect us all."
Gerard Pike assists financiers, lenders and bidders on finance matters, often acting on those pertaining to renewable energy projects. He is based in Melbourne.
Andrew Griffiths manages a large share of the firm's project assignments from the Sydney office, regularly assisting both contractors and public authorities with regard to projects in the transport space.
"Andrew's knowledge and experience in all major transactions in our sector make him a valued advisor to us."
Geoff Hansen acts across a range of back-end construction issues, mostly within the transport infrastructure space. He is based in Melbourne.
Ranked Lawyers at
Herbert Smith Freehills
Australia
Members
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills