Land Rights for Utilities and Networks
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Supporting the essential infrastructure that keeps people and businesses connected.
Electricity, gas, water, wastewater, heat and telecoms networks underpin everything our communities and industries rely on. As demand increases and regulation becomes more complex, operators and developers need legal support that is practical, informed and genuinely invested in helping projects move forward.
We work closely with clients across all network types to secure the necessary land rights, ensuring that power, gas, water, telecoms and other services are available, energised and available for use in accordance with project timetables to avoid uncertainty and to meet milestones.
Complete visibility and control, from instruction to delivery with our market-leading portal
We provide a secure, interactive portal that gives you real-time visibility of all matters and their progress in one place.
Access can be granted to authorised third parties on a matter-by-matter basis, with permissions tailored to reflect each stakeholder’s role. This allows everyone involved to see exactly what they need, without unnecessary noise or risk.
Through our online platform, we capture and analyse key project and legal data, enabling clear monthly and quarterly reporting. This includes insight into historic performance as well as forward-looking trend analysis, helping you anticipate issues rather than react to them.
The portal can track predicted and actual legal and project spend, completion timescales and key milestones, alongside any additional data points that matter to your projects.
Automated prompts and alerts keep stakeholders informed in real time, ensuring actions are clear, progress is visible and projects continue to move forward. The system can be configured for internal teams and extended to customers and clients where appropriate.
Working with you to deliver reliable, resilient networks
Whether you are planning a new connection, upgrading existing assets or navigating regulatory and commercial challenges, we provide clear, practical and committed support. Our aim is straightforward. To help deliver networks that are efficient, compliant and ready for the future.
Land rights support across essential infrastructure
Electricity and gas networks
We help utilities providers and developers deliver network infrastructure by securing the land rights needed to connect and energise services, without unnecessary delay or risk.
Advising DNOs, IDNOs, IGTs, ICPs and developers, we support the full lifecycle of network delivery. Our role is to make sure the legal, regulatory and practical issues are aligned so projects can move forward with confidence.
We focus on securing the rights required for infrastructure on the ground, including transfers and leases for substations, pumping stations and gas governors, alongside easements, wayleaves and adoption agreements. Where possible, we progress matters through negotiation with landowners, but we also advise on statutory powers, compulsory acquisition and property disputes where agreement cannot be reached.
Heat networks
As heat networks become a bigger part of the energy mix, we support clients in securing land rights for heat infrastructure while helping them prepare for regulation by Ofgem from 2026. Our advice balances regulatory compliance with the commercial realities of delivering these projects.
Water and wastewater infrastructure
We work with water companies, local authorities and developers to support the planning, construction and adoption of water and wastewater assets. This includes advising on S104 and S185 agreements, connection applications, drainage strategies, environmental obligations and disputes around adoption or network capacity.
Telecoms
We advise landowners and operators on agreements under the Electronic Communications Code, helping to balance the need for digital connectivity with the rights of property owners. Our expertise covers leases, wayleaves, site access, upgrades, and navigating disputes to facilitate the expansion of telecoms infrastructure.
Why choose Shakespeare Martineau?
- Our team offer prompt and professional service, whether through in-person meetings or virtual consultations, you can trust that our advice will be timely and professional, helping you feel confident in your legal matters, every step of the way
- We provide advice that is not only pragmatic and quick but also easy to understand. Every lawyer in our firm is approachable, helpful, and committed to offering reliable legal solutions, making the process straightforward for clients
- Our clear and easily understandable approach has kept clients coming back for years, knowing they can depend on us for comprehensive legal support time and time again
- Our clients regularly highlight the exceptional expertise and professionalism of our lawyers. Our team cares deeply about every aspect of your case, ensuring you receive a thorough and attentive service
What sets our Land rights for utilities and networks expertise apart
Sector expertise that delivers
We work day in, day out with utilities providers, statutory undertakers and major developers. Our land rights team is one of the most experienced in the UK, with specialists who have built their careers in this sector. We understand the realities of energisation and we know how to unlock progress when projects stall.
Involved from the outset
Land rights rarely start with legal instruction. We can support projects from the earliest stages, identifying land ownership, shaping routes, engaging landowners and building momentum long before formal documentation begins. That early involvement helps reduce risk, avoid delay and keep programmes on track.
More than a legal service
We are not just lawyers. Our multidisciplinary land rights team brings together legal, technical and project expertise to support the full lifecycle of infrastructure delivery. This joined-up approach removes friction, reduces handovers and accelerates outcomes.
Integrated technical support
Our in-house CAD technicians work closely with design teams to support route planning and prepare accurate legal drawings and revisions. Their integration with our legal and project teams allows plans to be turned around quickly, with the practical and legal detail aligned from the start.
Project management that keeps things moving
Our dedicated project managers coordinate stakeholders, maintain momentum and keep projects progressing. With a clear understanding of the sector, they ensure everyone knows what is required, when and why it matters.
A single point of accountability
The buck stops with our team. We take ownership of delivery, manage all parties and make sure actions are clear, coordinated and delivered on time, so issues are addressed early and nothing falls through the gaps.
Meet our Land rights for utilities and networks team
Andrew Whitehead
Partner & Head of Energy
James Hawkeswood
Partner & Head of Corporate
Selina Hinchliffe
Partner & Head of Commercial Services
Eddie Flanagan
Partner
James Woolstenhulme
Partner
Peter Dilks
Partner
Tim Speed
Partner
Bhikhu Samat
Legal Director
Matthew Harris
Legal Director
Nicola Lediard
Legal Director
Sarah Evans
Senior Associate
Gabriella Norton
Solicitor
Georgia Spyrou
Solicitor
Kristine Malok
Solicitor
Charley Feenan
Chartered Legal Executive
Building a responsible business
Our commitment to sustainability and social impact
We are an accredited B Corporation that is committed to driving positive change in our communities, minimising our impact on the environment, and ensuring an all inclusive diverse and supportive culture for our people.
Wherever you are on your journey, our Land rights for utilities and networks specialists are here to answer any questions you might have
If you’d like to speak to a member of our team, please fill out the enquiry form. We will aim to reply to your query within 2 hours
Need to talk to someone sooner? You can call use at the number below
Call Us: 0330 024 0333
Land rights for utilities and networks FAQs
We secure the rights required for infrastructure on the ground, including transfers and leases for substations, pumping stations and gas governors, alongside easements, wayleaves and adoption agreements. We also advise on statutory powers, compulsory acquisition and property disputes where agreement cannot be reached.
Yes. We can support projects from the earliest stages, identifying land ownership, shaping routes, engaging landowners and building momentum long before formal documentation begins. That early involvement helps reduce risk, avoid delay and keep programmes on track.
