
Bio
Our Sector Lead for Infrastructure, Dominic is consistently ranked as a leading infrastructure lawyer by Legal 500, recognising his role supporting the delivery of infrastructure projects.
Dominic has and continues to advise on projects in sectors including roads, rail & rail freight, shipping, defence, energy, water & environmental services and social infrastructure. Dominic is regularly involved in industry working groups provides advice to a diverse range of clients including Government departments and agencies, Projects Sponsors, lenders and contractors. Dominic is recognised as a "Leading Partner" in Legal 500 2025 in the Energy, Project Finance and PFI category and is also listed in the Rail, Infrastructure: Project Finance and Development and Transport categories.
Highlights include advising:
- Tarmac (Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd) as part of the FCC / Meridiam Consortium on the A465 MIM Road PPP £450 million PPP road project procured under the Welsh Assembly government's MIM structure.
- A bidder on all stages of the competition for the HS2 HV Power Systems Contract including downstream contract arrangements and negotiation of the HS2 Alliance Agreement terms.
- UK central government departments on the handback process for major PFI projects. This includes advice on all aspects of the existing contract, application of the contract mechanisms including those for surveying and assessing the condition of assets in the lead up to expiry and support on planning for future service delivery and competitions to appoint replacement providers.
- Alstom on the variation of a number of contracts relating to Manufacture and Supply Agreements for new rolling stock being supplied to a number of UK Rail Operators.
- Procuring Authorities (as sponsoring organization) on all stages of the procurement, construction and operation of new build railway stations in the UK.
- UK Heat District Networks / CHP Schemes advising developers on capital stage and long term operation arrangements i) to connect a development located at Barts Square to the E.ON operated Citigen District heating network; ii) to connect the redeveloped Barbican YMCA building to the Citigen Network and iii) on a long term arrangement between the developer (Royal London) and Veolia for the construction and long term operation of a heat network and CHP in Colindale, London
Clients
Tarmac, Alstom, Ministry of Defence. CRRC, DVLA, Severn Trent., Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (CEFAS), Amey Hallam Highways, Department for Education, UK Power Networks, FP Airports, Transport for Greater Manchester, Ofwat, GE Hitachi, Summit Air.
Bio
Our Sector Lead for Infrastructure, Dominic is consistently ranked as a leading infrastructure lawyer by Legal 500, recognising his role supporting the delivery of infrastructure projects.
Dominic has and continues to advise on projects in sectors including roads, rail & rail freight, shipping, defence, energy, water & environmental services and social infrastructure. Dominic is regularly involved in industry working groups provides advice to a diverse range of clients including Government departments and agencies, Projects Sponsors, lenders and contractors. Dominic is recognised as a "Leading Partner" in Legal 500 2025 in the Energy, Project Finance and PFI category and is also listed in the Rail, Infrastructure: Project Finance and Development and Transport categories.
Highlights include advising:
- Tarmac (Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd) as part of the FCC / Meridiam Consortium on the A465 MIM Road PPP £450 million PPP road project procured under the Welsh Assembly government's MIM structure.
- A bidder on all stages of the competition for the HS2 HV Power Systems Contract including downstream contract arrangements and negotiation of the HS2 Alliance Agreement terms.
- UK central government departments on the handback process for major PFI projects. This includes advice on all aspects of the existing contract, application of the contract mechanisms including those for surveying and assessing the condition of assets in the lead up to expiry and support on planning for future service delivery and competitions to appoint replacement providers.
- Alstom on the variation of a number of contracts relating to Manufacture and Supply Agreements for new rolling stock being supplied to a number of UK Rail Operators.
- Procuring Authorities (as sponsoring organization) on all stages of the procurement, construction and operation of new build railway stations in the UK.
- UK Heat District Networks / CHP Schemes advising developers on capital stage and long term operation arrangements i) to connect a development located at Barts Square to the E.ON operated Citigen District heating network; ii) to connect the redeveloped Barbican YMCA building to the Citigen Network and iii) on a long term arrangement between the developer (Royal London) and Veolia for the construction and long term operation of a heat network and CHP in Colindale, London
Clients
Tarmac, Alstom, Ministry of Defence. CRRC, DVLA, Severn Trent., Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (CEFAS), Amey Hallam Highways, Department for Education, UK Power Networks, FP Airports, Transport for Greater Manchester, Ofwat, GE Hitachi, Summit Air.
Experience
Experience
Highways
- A465 MIM advising a Tarmac / FCC / Roadbridge Joint venture as part of the successful FCC/Meridiam consortium for this £600 million road project procured under the Welsh Assembly government's MIM structure, and post contract support on issues relating to the JV partners and variations to the O&M contract.
- Sheffield Highways PFI – adviser to Amey consortium on bid for combined highways and street services PFI (approx value £2 billion) and on multiple major variations (the last of which concluded in 2025) and matters relating to the impact of COVID-19 on the operation of the Project.
- A303 Stonehenge Tunnel Adviser to Highways England on a £1.5 billion privately financed DBFM scheme for the construction of a new link road (including a 3km twin bore road tunnel) through the UNESCO World Heritage site at Stonehenge, and on arrangements for the contract to be let as a D&B contract following the cancellation of the PF2 programme. Advising on procurement, the form of contract, risk interfaces with the DCO, relationships with other parties (including reporting to HM Treasury and the DfT) and arrangements around changes to the procurement timetable in consequence of COVID-19.
- Highways England – M25 DBFO Adviser to Highways England on ongoing management and variations to M25 DBFO contract, include a variation to enable the construction of the HS2 tunnel under the M25, measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and advice on multiple variations including potential expansion to the services performed under the DBFO contract.
- Kenya Toll Operator PPP Provision of legal support (as part of a consortium with KPMG) on the development of a form of contract to be entered into with the preferred contractor to design, construct and operate all tolling infrastructure and collection for the first mover road PPP projects.
- Saudi Arabia Highway PPPs part of the team providing advice to the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Transport on the Jeddah-Jizan and Yanbu-Jubail road PPPs.
- M8 Highways PPP – adviser to Amey (as main contractor) on a £450 million bond financed project to upgrade the M8 / M73 and M74 motorways in Scotland.
Rail
- Open Access: advising a UK open access operator on leasing agreements relating to rolling stock for a new Open Access rail operator.
- HS2 advising a bidder on all stages of the competition for the HS2 HV Power Systems Contract including downstream contract arrangements and negotiation of the HS2 Alliance Agreement terms.
- Cardiff Parkway station advising an Investec led vehicle on the development of a new mainline railway station funded by private capital. This has included advice on structuring and on the use of existing statutory and regulatory provisions (under the Railways Act and the delegated powers subsequently granted to Transport for Wales) to enable the funding and delivery of the scheme. This is a first of its kind project and involves advice on i) the potential use of delegated powers; ii) using novel funding structures to deliver strategically significant capital projects; iii) working with the ORR to obtain approvals for changes to Station Access Conditions and iv) managing outturn cost risk on major projects.
- Brent Cross Thameslink: advising the London Borough of Barnet on the appointment of an implementation partner for the delivery of a new Thameslink Station on the Midland Main Line. Supported all stages of a competition run using a TfL Framework including preparation of the ITN and form of con- tract documents, hosting of Market Engagement activities, support with bidder clarifications, leading Moderation activities, preparation of notifications to bidders, management of potential challenges and negotiation of the final form of contract, including supporting activities to ensure the transfer of staff, assets, IP and data from an incumbent provider.
- New Station: advising a Procuring Authority (as sponsoring organization) on all stages of the procurement of contractor for the construction of a new build railway station in the UK.
- UK Rolling Stock advising a rolling stock manufacturer on variation of contracts relating to the supply of new rolling stock for a UK Train Operating Company, including advice on variations relation to COVID, the introduction of EMAs and ERMAs.
- CRRC Corporation Inc. Dominic has advised CRRC since 2016 on a number of agreements including contracts for the supply of wagons to TfL, contracts for the supply of rolling stock for a mining project in Guinea, on a bid to supply the UK's first catenary-free trams to West Midlands Metro, and on the establishment of CRRC's UK technical innovation centre in Birmingham. Dominic will bring this experience of working with a foreign direct investor, of direct involvement in the bid stages of complex technical procurements, and his experience of working with Chinese SOEs and organisations including DIT to encourage investment and competition in UK markets.
- UK Freight Operating Company advising on arrangements relating to the renewal of its Track Access Contract with Network Rail and on arrangements relating to a potential restructuring.
- Grandi Stazioni S.P.A advising on the renegotiation of funding agreements with the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development relating to Grandi Stazioni Česká republika s.r.o. as part of the demerger of Grandi Stazioni's Retail operation.
- Developer Client (Confidential) advising a developer on the negotiation of arrangements with East West Rail Limited concerning the use of land value capture arrangements to finance the cost of new railway infrastructure.
- London Underground – Track Service Contracts; advising on competitions to appoint service providers to undertake certain track maintenance activities relating to the London Underground network.
- Transport for London advising on the development of infrastructure schemes involving shared underground and National Rail facilities at Tottenham Hale, Paddington & Finsbury Park Stations. In each case Dominic negotiated bespoke "interrelated project" agreements to govern reciprocal arrangements for track possessions and works being undertaken by NR on TfL track / TfL on NR track.
Airports
- Doncaster Airport advising the FP Airports consortium on a tender (in consortium with Munich Airport) for the acquisition, development and future operation of Doncaster Airport.
- Plymouth Airport advising the FlyPlymouth consortium on potential arrangements for the acquisition, development and future operation of Plymouth City Airport.
- Norwich Airport Limited advising Regional & City Airports (as the private partner to the Norwich Airport PPP) on potential variations to a long term PPP Contract.
Ports and Logistics
- Poti Port – providing advice to Poti New Terminals corporation on arrangements relating to a Terminal Services Agreement for Poti port, Georgia.
- Plymouth & South Devon Freeport advising the Sherford consortium (Taylor Wimpey, Bovis Latimer and Linden Homes) on its participation in the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport, including negotiations concerning the Freeport Compliance Agreement.
- Associated British Posts advice on terms of Track Access Contracts with Freight users of ABP track assets and maintenance arrangements with Network Rail.
- Peel Ports on Track Access Arrangements & rail connections for the Port Salford Freight scheme.
- St Modwen advising on Track Access Arrangements & rail connections in relation to East Midlands Gateway.
- Freight Terminal Operator – Advising a Freight Terminal Operator on arrangements to take over an International Rail Freight terminal and ongoing operation.
- SEGRO – Rail Freight Advising developers on arrangements for the establishment of new Rail Freight Facilities forming part of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects ("NSIPs") at Northampton Gateway and East Midlands Gateway, including the provision of support on Operations Agreements, Track Access Arrangements & rail connections.
Maritime
- Advising on the procurement of an ocean going research vessel under a bespoke arrangement include all elements of development of the procurement strategy, market engagement and the bespoke contract arrangements.
- MOD - Successor Submarine Programme. led the team advising the Ministry on the drafting of the Long Lead items contract with BAE Systems, including negotiations with BAES and reporting to CLS. A major focus was on applying lessons learnt from other Long Lead Item Contracts, including the development of a specific approvals process, enhanced provisions on fragility and structuring to ensure the availability of shipbuilder relief for Long Lead items supplied under the agreement.
- UK Future Provision of Marine Services PFI Advising Serco Holdings Limited as equity investor in the SPV, including advice on a sale and purchase agreement with the SPV's majority shareholder.
- Advising MoD on elements of the Continued Provision of Marine Services contract that was awarded to Serco in December 2022.
- Advising MoD on other procurements and renegotiations relating to the long term provision of Marine Assets.
PFI Expiry
- Providing advice to a UK Government Department on arrangements relating to the expiry of a PFI relating to the operation of facilities.
- Newham Housing PFI providing advice to Sanctuary Housing Association / Swan Housing Association on arrangements relating to works forming part of the Newham Housing PFI and arrangements for expiry.
- DVLA Advising DVLA on the expiry of their accommodation PFI with a Telereal Trillium SPV. Role includes advice on operational management, enforcement of existing contractual entitlements, strategic approach to expiry obligations, arrangements for early termination of soft services as part of the approach to management of the expiry process.
- Highways England DBFO PFIs Adviser to Highways England on ongoing management and variations to its 11 DBFO PFIs, including operational support on the M25 DBFO and advice on handback arrangements for nine projects. This has included advice on measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (the main PFI contracts are shadow tolled, meaning they have been affected by changes to traffic volumes) retention accounts; handback obligations; arrangements for surveys; ensuring 'business as usual' services during the handback period; advice on phasing of handback works and entitlements to retain the Unitary Charge in the period up to expiry.
- Solihull Leisure PFI Dominic advised the Council on all aspects of the termination including: negotiation of terms with Project Co and its owner (Equitix); terms for voluntary termination (including exceptions to enable the Council to pursue defect claims against the original building contractor); negotiating break terms with the FM and Operational service provider (including terms for a short-term direct award to enable design and transition of services while the Council ran a procurement for future services); and negotiation with Senior Lenders regarding the termination process, including operation of a swap break, IRR calculation and repayment of outstanding senior debt.
- HMRC – Expiry of STEPS Real Estate PFI: Advising HMRC advising on matters relating to the expiry of this major PFI contract (also identified by NAO as one of the 'Top 10 largest PFI initiatives by capital value ending in the next 10 years') including assisting them in facilitating an exit from those current contractual agreements. Dominic was involved in advising (and consolidating advice including that received from HMRC's original legal advisers) on potential ways to advance claims / resolve problems relating to issues with the condition of the PFI buildings, the financial condition of the Project Co and the operation of the process to expiry.
- Home office Operational PFIs Dominic gave advice to the Nottinghamshire and North Wales police forces on 3x SoPC3 PFI Contracts, including on operational issues with performance, record keeping, undocumented variations and potential grounds for default. This included advice on formal variations and measures to de-scope and revise future operations. The projects included an office accommodation PFI (which was to be vacated on project expiry) and the Venson Police Vehicles PFI (subsequently the subject of a voluntary termination).
Defence
- MOD – QinetiQ LTPA – Negotiation of an extension to the 25-year, £1 billion, Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) with QinetiQ for the provision of flight training and testing services. Role involved is advising on changes to the structure and the performance and payment regimes, measures for conversion to a QDC under the Defence Reform Act (and an innovative structure to address issues relating to severability of variations) advising on key strategic changes to the project including the structure and funding of the long term investment strategy for the project capabilities and moving the project to a capability based performance regime.
- MOD – Babcock Defence Support Group Land Services Contract – advising MOD on issues arising around proposed Strategic Support Supplier transformation (and the decision not to progress this) and certain variations to the structure of Service requirements under the Land Equipment Contract.
- Falkland Islands SAR Advising the operator on a contract for the establishment and operation of a new helicopter transport and search and rescue operation for the UK MOD, and on multiple variations and changes to the contract structure.
- FOST: advising the operator on certain arrangements relating to the most recent extension of the Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) Contract.
- Ministry of Defence – Project Marshall Advising the UK Ministry of Defence on a programme for the replacement and long term maintenance of Air Traffic Control equipment across the RAF estate.
- Ledcor – UK RAF Parachute Training advising Ledcor Inc (through its subsidiary Summit Air) on contracts and subcontracting arrangements on a contract with the UK MOD for the provision of Parachute training aircraft and services.
Justice
- RCMP Division E Headquarters P3 Lead adviser to Bouygues Energies & Services Canada on the negotiation through to financial close of the RCMP Division E Headquarters PPP in Surrey (Vancouver) as part of Bouygues / Bird / HSBC consortium.
- Surrey Pre-Trial Services Centre P3 Lead adviser to Bouygues Energies & Services Canada on the negotiation of the Surrey Pre-Trial Services Centre PPP (Vancouver), as part of Bouygues / HSBC consortium and one of three shortlisted bidders.
- Toronto West Courthouse PPP Lead adviser to Bouygues Energies & Services Canada on the negotiation of the Toronto West Courthouse PPP.
Nuclear
- UK FNEF providing advice on grant funding agreements, nuclear law and nuclear liability to companies looking to be involved in the construction of a new fleet of nuclear power stations in the UK.
- DESNZ – Changes to Paris and Brussels Conventions on Nuclear liability advising the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy / Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on changes to nuclear insurance and financial cover arrangements to reflect the ratification of changes to the Paris and Brussels Conventions on nuclear liability. This has included advice on proposed arrangements from nuclear operators and insurers and the preparation of a form of UK Government indemnity arrangement to be used to cover long term personal injury liability. Dominic will bring this specific knowledge of the licensing and liability regime and of UK Government policy making.
- advising the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority on arrangements relating to certain of its sites.
- Advising Wood Group on its bid (through a competition procured using competitive dialogue) for packages forming part of the Sellafield Programme and Project Partners project, to deliver site wide design, civils and construction works at the Sellafield site under an integrated PPP. This included support on the project contracts and the dialogue stage of the procurement.
- UK NDA – Magnox, advising a consortium of Atkins, Amec and Rolls Royce on its bid for the decommissioning and site management of the UK's estate of Magnox nuclear power stations, including support through the dialogue stage and submission of the final tender.
- UK NDA - Advising a leading international nuclear contractor, Washington Group, on bids for UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority site management and operation contracts.
Energy
- Gibraltar diesel power project Lead adviser to Bouygues Energies & Services S.A. on bid, as part of a Joint venture with IMM S.A and Volker Stevin BV on a bid for the Government of Gibraltar diesel power generation/distribution scheme.
- UK Heat District Networks / CHP Schemes advising developers on capital stage and long term operation arrangements: i) relating to the connection of central heating and cooling centre at Segro's SmartParc Derby scheme; ii) to connect a development located at Barts Square to the E.ON operated Citigen District heating network; iii) to connect the redeveloped Barbican YMCA building to the Citigen Network and iv) on a long term arrangement between the developer (Royal London) and Veolia for the construction and long term operation of a heat network and CHP in Colindale, London.
- UK Solar Parks, advice on the EPC and O&M elements of a scheme to build two solar parks, and negotiations with EPC Contractor Wirsol AG.
- UK Wind Advising Infinis on EPC contracts relating to a portfolio of UK Windfarms.
- Shorne - Isle of Grain Gas Pipeline - Advising National Grid plc on the procurement and construction of a gas pipeline using alliance principles.
Health
- NHS Medicines Warehousing advice to the NHS on arrangements to procure medicines warehousing facilities as part of preparations for a potential no-deal Brexit.
- Ayrshire & Arran Hospital NPD – Cofely Workplace Advising Cofely Workplace as Facilities Management contractor on this hospital PPP, procured as part of the Scottish Government's NPD (not for profit distributing) PPP Programme.
- Dumfries & Galloway Hospital NPD – Cofely Workplace Advising Cofely Workplace as part of the Balfour Beatty Consortium on a bid for a major acute hospital scheme let as part of the Scottish Government's NPD Programme.
- Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust on a major variation to the Worcester Royal Hospital PFI. Dominic advised on a variation for the construction of a new Radiotherapy Centre built within an existing PFI hospital, including extensions to Hard and Soft FM Services, amendments to Lifecycle and handback provisions under the existing PFI contract (a bond financed scheme signed in 1999).
- Surrey Out Patients Facility P3 Lead adviser to Bouygues Energies & Services on the establishment of British Columbia subsidiary and negotiation through to financial close of the Surrey Out Patients Facility PPP with the Fraser Health Authority (Vancouver).
- Surrey Memorial Hospital P3 Lead adviser to Bouygues Energies & Services on the negotiation through to submission of the RFP response for the Surrey Memorial Hospital (Vancouver) PPP, as part of Bouygues / Bird / HSBC consortium.
- King Edward Memorial Hospital (Bermuda) PPP Provision of advice to Bouygues Energies & Services (as adviser to Bouygues / HSBC consortium) on the King Edward Memorial Hospital (Bermuda) PPP.
- Turks & Caicos Islands Hospital PPP advising First Caribbean International Bank as senior lenders to the preferred bidder for one of the first PPP schemes to be procured in the Caribbean.
Leisure/ Stadia
- Solihull Leisure PFI advising Solihull MBC on the voluntary termination of its PFI Contract (with an Equitix / Parkwood consortium), including negotiation and settlement of compensation on termination with senior lenders and equity holders in the PFI SPV.
- 1Life Leisure PFIs advice to 1Life on certain amendments to the structure of the Lewisham, Brent and Uttlesford Leisure PFI contracts, including replacement of the FM Contractor and potential variations to provide for the services to be delivered using a leisure trust model.
- Parkwood Leisure, Wyre Forest Leisure DBOM Project Advising Parkwood Leisure on a bid for the construction of new leisure facilities under a 25 year DBOM contract, to include operation of a second facility in Wyre Forest District, Worcestershire.
- Portway Lifestyle Leisure Lead adviser to Primary Plus (Equitix) on the Portway Lifestyle Leisure / Healthcare scheme, procured as part of the Sandwell NHS LIFT.
Waste
- Shropshire Waste PFI providing advice to the procuring authority in relation to post contract.
- East London Waste PFI Scheme providing advice to the East London Waste Authority on an MOU with its contractor concerning the process to expiry of a long term PFI Contract.
- South London Waste PFI Advising the South London Waste Partnership on the South London Waste PFI Scheme, which included a CHP facility to be developed as part of the scheme.
Education
- Providing advice on a number of academy conversions involving PFI Schools
- Saudi Arabia Technical Colleges PPP advising TQ education & Training Limited on contracts with TaHeel for the operation of Madinah college and the Saudi Railway Polytechnic.
- Whitecross School PFI, Hereford Advising Stepnell Ltd as project sponsor on a series of variations to this schools PFI scheme and changes to the structure of service provision.
Social Housing
- Newham Housing PFI providing advice to Sanctuary Housing Association / Swan Housing Association on arrangements relating to works forming part of the Newham Housing PFI and arrangements for expiry.
- North Tyneside Social Housing PFI (advising Gleeson Building on the FM Sub-Contracts) – Dominic advised in relation to the preparation of a facilities management contract for the long term provision of Hard Facilities management services to social housing.
- New Brunswick Social Housing PFI – Dominic advised Gleeson Building on their bid (as part of a consortium) for the New Brunswick Social Housing PFI.
Pro Bono
- Global Healthcare Partnership providing advice to the Global Healthcare Partnership (formerly the Tropical Health and Education Trust) on grant funding agreements with DHSC and the creation and negotiation of sub-grant agreements with delivery partners relating to the training of nursing staff in developing countries through ODA funded assistance.
- United by 22 Advice to United by 22 (legacy charity of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games) in relation to grant funding terms for delivery of projects including the 2025 Kabaddi World Cup.
- Our Future – provide advice to Our Future, a charity focussed on identifying routes to enable more effective sourcing of funding (including government, philanthropic and Impact investment) and delivery of social impact projects in communities identified by social economic deprivation.