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Vini is a Partner within the Energy and Infrastructure team with over 20 years’ experience working for private sector and public sector clients, across a broad range of sectors including utilities (power, water and wastewater) using a variety of delivery models (both based on standard form contracts and bespoke contracts). Vini has advised on both non-contentious and contentious matters and she specialises in the electricity sector, with a particular focus on transmission and interconnectors, and in carbon capture and storage.

Vini completed an 18-month secondment to SP Energy Networks in July 2021 where she worked exclusively within the SPEN legal regulatory team, which gives her a unique insight into electricity regulatory issues and their impact on the GB electricity market. Vini is dual qualified which allows her to practice in Scotland and England and Wales. 

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. Building on 40 years of experience advising on power, oil & gas and renewables through to energy disputes, emerging areas and Energy Transition, CMS is uniquely placed to ensure clients receive advice best suited to their commercial needs and to our collective future.

Awards & Recognitions
01
  • Quote
    "Special mention to Vini Cowden who provided exceptional support to the whole Project Team and managed a complex negotiation with great skill."
    Legal 500, 2025

Relevant experience

  • SP Transmission on their onshore transmission strategic framework agreements and SP Transmission and National Grid on their subsea HVDC transmission links, including the Eastern Green Link 1 project.
  • SP Energy Networks on regulatory matters, including licensing issues and drafting. Advice and support in relation to RIIO-2 price control reviews, including an appeal by SPT to the Competition and Markets Authority.    
  • Advising developers on UK energy regulatory matters associated with carbon capture and storage.
  • Investors on bids for, and operational advice on, offshore windfarm transmission assets.
  • A local authority in relation to variations, disputed matters and termination and a contractor on EfW plant and component failure. Also local authorities, investors and funders on various new waste projects.
  • Local authorities and funders on the design, construction, financing and operation of new schools being delivered through the hub programme. Also local authorities, investors and contractors on operational schools PFI projects.
  • Investors on defects and termination of a health PFI project. 
  • NHS Boards on the design, construction, financing and operation of new health facilities being delivered through the hub programme.

Memberships & Roles

  • Member of the Society of Construction Law

Education

  • 2008 – Admitted as Solicitor in England and Wales
  • 2003 – Notary Public
  • 2003 – Admitted as Solicitor in Scotland
  • 2001 – Diploma in Legal Practice (Dip.L.P.), Glasgow Graduate School of Law, Glasgow

Insights by Vini

Getting the CATO(ut) of the Bag: A Review of Progress Towards Early Competition in Onshore Transmission in 2025

19 Dec 2025 7 min read

CMS advises NGET and SPT on electricity superhighway joint venture

05 Jun 2025 2 min read

CMS advises on sale of Transmission Investment to TAQA

06 May 2025 2 min read

The UK – Norway Green Industrial Partnership: A Collaborative Energy Transition?

07 Jan 2025 5 min read
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