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Energy & Climate Change

With more than 450 energy and climate change lawyers, including over 100 partners, the CMS Energy and Climate Change practice is one of the largest of its kind in the world. Led from its centres of excellence such as London and Aberdeen, the practice works across 75 offices globally. Our early work in designing and implementing modern energy markets and subsequently guiding the sector in the push to decarbonisation means CMS is not only a transactional or project adviser to the sector, but uniquely placed to help shape its present and future. 

The modern energy sector requires specialist legal advisers attuned to global geopolitics, economics and regulation. But as the sector has matured, rather than become more standardised and commoditised, the pace of change is accelerating. When the energy sector found itself on the frontline of decarbonisation, CMS guided the sector through this new landscape. CMS teams now work in every corner of the sector across the globe to help it meet the demands of climate change, technological disruption, urbanisation in developing economies, social concerns and political agendas.  

We have supported the success of our clients by recognising the sector is ever more diverse and by working actively against ‘silo thinking’. We are market-leading, global advisers on oil & gas exploration and production, mid-stream activities, traditional or newer electricity generation technologies, energy transition and climate change strategies, energy efficiency, finance, M&A, disputes or regulatory and commercial issues. Thanks to our cross-sectoral knowledge and expertise, we make sure clients receive the advice best suited to their commercial needs and to our collective future.

"It's a strong team that is very commercially minded."

Chambers, 2024

"CMS has a strong multi-disciplinary team of specialists which enables them to tackle complex problems."

Chambers, 2024

"CMS always adopts a can-do, proactive approach to finding solutions."

Chambers, 2024

"CMS's renewable team is very highly regarded in the sector."

Chambers, 2024

"The team is extremely helpful and quick to respond."

Chambers, 2024

"Large inclusive team that collaborated well with each other and the wider team."

Legal 500, 2024

"Chris McGarvey’s power team are exceptional. They really understand the industry and give very practical, commercially focused advice."

Legal 500, 2024

"Very knowledgeable and also with offices in the right place to really assist their clients."

Legal 500, 2024

"Personnel are open to discussion to explore alternative views and respond quickly to requests for information and clarification as to requirements."

Legal 500, 2024

"They are demonstrating rapid and impressive growth in which the quality of domestic and international work is conducted to an exceptional standard. I would suggest their practice matches and exceeds a number of their London competitors."

Legal 500, 2024

"Louise Dalton, Katie Duffield, Nicholas Ross-McCall and Will Fenn all have excellent technical knowledge in their areas of expertise and are able to deliver on all aspects of renewable energy financings. They all adopt a hands-on approach to getting things done and do not shy away from taking on additional work or delivering to challenging timelines."

Legal 500, 2024

"They are always focused and take time to clearly explain the steps forward and risks involved."

Chambers, 2023

"The CMS team had shown commitment, dependability and dedication across the board on the deal."

Chambers, 2023

"Flexible approach to fees and making deals work. A strong partnership has been built over the last 10 years. They know energy and are quick to respond on potentially difficult issues. They are commercial rather than being purely legal. They set out the risks and then offer suggestions as to how to proceed."

Legal 500, 2023

"Extremely client-oriented and results driven. They listen to what the client needs."

Legal 500, 2022

"They are demonstrating rapid and impressive growth in which the quality of domestic and international work is conducted to an exceptional standard. I would suggest their practice matches and exceeds a number of their London competitors."

Legal 500, 2023

"From partners to trainees, they are all client-focused and knowledgeable."

Chambers, 2023

"CMS has a great network and goes the extra mile to develop relationships with clients. It is a go-to firm for oil and gas transactions."

Chambers, 2021

"An ability to quickly understand complex and technical industry issues and work seamlessly with other teams such as competition."

Legal 500, 2023

"Their practical and commercial ability to apply comprehensive knowledge of regulations has proven invaluable."

Chambers, 2023

"The team has an excellent understanding of the commercial dynamics of a transaction which helps them broker pragmatic and fair positions."

Chambers, 2023

"Everything you would expect from an outfit like CMS, but with a little more charm than most."

Legal 500, 2023

“This practice is deeply embedded in the energy/oil and gas industry in the UK and in many countries overseas. It has an enviable strength in depth among its Energy partners and associates. It was the first City firm to open an office in Aberdeen, the UK’s oil and gas capital. My company has instructed this firm on UK and Asian projects and strongly recommend it. Very friendly partners and associates. A pleasure to work with.”

Legal 500, 2021

"The team is incredibly responsive to queries and they're always available to discuss issues. They always provide pragmatic, commercially astute advice."

Chambers, 2023

"Their subject matter expertise, can-do approach and proactivity is a major reason for our instructing CMS."

Chambers, 2021

“They do not waste time on unnecessary activity, but focus on the client request and execute it.”

Legal 500, 2021

“CMS are experts in oil and gas, they provide local advice but are also able to draw on particular specialist expertise from elsewhere in their organisation when required.”

Legal 500, 2021

"Depth and breadth of experience is top drawer – you will find they have been involved in most of the key deals in this sector."

Legal 500, 2022

"Excellent capabilities in the oil & gas sector, from project inception and development to the operational phase of a project to decommissioning."

Legal 500, 2022

"Leaders in energy transition and provide excellent technical and commercial support to new energy projects. Overall they offer the full package for 21st century energy and natural resources clients."

Legal 500, 2022

"Full service capability, deep industry knowledge and very pragmatic, solutions-focused advice."

Legal 500, 2022

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Nature
Carbon Offsetting and Nature-based Solutions
With more than 450 energy and climate change lawyers, including over 100 partners, the CMS Energy and Climate Change practice is one of the largest of
green leaves
Decarbonisation and Climate Risk
With more than 450 energy and climate change lawyers, including over 100 partners, the CMS Energy and Climate Change practice is one of the largest of
wind turbines on hillside
Energy Consenting & Real Estate
We are acting on some of the biggest and most innovative current UK projects, taking a leading role on many of the UK’s most significant energy
power station chimneys
Energy Disputes
We have a dedicated energy disputes team which focuses solely on disputes arising across the oil & gas, power and renewable sectors.  The dis
hydrogen tanker and windmills against blue sky
Energy Finance
To find out more about other related services you can visit the Energy & Climate Change expertise section.Our recent experience related to energy
solar panels, wind turbines farm
Energy M&A
CMS has the pre-eminent Energy M&A group in the UK, Advising financial investors, strategic investors, utilities and developers on high-profile, h
electricity pylon
Energy Networks
CMS are expertly placed to advise energy network operators across projects, transactions and regulatory advice. We have acted on every M&A transac
row of tubular lightbulbs
Energy Storage
Our early work in designing and implementing modern energy markets and subsequently guiding the sector in the push to decarbonisation means CMS is not
solar panels, wind turbines and a hydrogen vehicle
EVs, Hydrogen and e-Mobility
EVs and e-Mobility. CMS has market-leading experience in relation to EVs and e-Mobility, advising OEMs, charging point providers, investors, landlords
excavators working on an open mine pit
Mining and Minerals
The CMS Mining and Minerals team advises miners, manufacturers, regulatory bodies, financiers, construction and engineering entities and service provi
Offshore and Onshore Wind
Offshore wind. CMS is a leading advisor and “go to” firm for the offshore wind sector, having been deeply involved in all the innovations
mining plant
Oil & Gas
The oil and gas industry is a challenging and exciting sector which has far reaching effects on the world we live in.The top tier CMS Oil & Gas Te
Power station
Power Projects
We advise on high value projects, financings, disputes and transactions in the sector internationally, as well as servicing the daily needs of the sec
windfarm at sunset
Power Regulation
Our Energy & Climate Change team comprises individuals with deep sectoral knowledge who have helped shape the regulatory regime for electrici
solar wind farm
Solar
With an active presence in the international power sector for 30 years, CMS has a market-leading practice which has seen it advise industry players ac
large water pipes on a hill
Water
We have worked on water projects around the world and bring our core experience of commercial and regulatory frameworks operating across regulated ind
07/12/2023
COP28: how the law can unite, act and deliver the UN SDGs
The law, and the work of lawyers, should enable countries, communities and companies to deliver the changes needed to achieve the UN SDGs and the Paris Agreement. As COP28 urges us to unite, act and deliver, Advocates for International Development (A
Law-Now: Energy
Visit Law-Now for legal know-how and commentary
CMS Renewables Guide

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