Eversheds Bianchini, with Marco Franzini, partner heading the private equity and banking practice, and Tremonti Vitali Romagnoli Piccardi e Associati, with partner Lorenzo Piccardi and senior associate Stefania Trezzini, have advised Private Equity Partners (PEP) on the legal and tax aspects relevant to the agreement with Keyhaven Capital Partners for the launching of an Italian private equity co-investment partnership, dedicated to mid-market growth capital, pre-IPO and buy-out investments.

Trowers & Hamlins has advised the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s nationally respected youth services department on becoming an independent public service mutual (PSM).

DLA Piper has advised UK Mail on an agreement with the Department for Transport to relocate its central distribution hub in the West Midlands to make way for the High Speed Two rail link between London and Birmingham.

The current depot, in Bromford, stands on the site of the proposed line, but will be relocated to a 200,000 sq ft facility in Coventry, subject to planning. Construction is scheduled to commence in early 2014, with the move anticipated in spring 2015.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has advised Toshiba Corporation on its agreement to acquire a 50% indirect stake in NuGeneration Limited (NuGen) from Iberdrola, the Spanish utility provider. NuGen is the developer of the Moorside project which aims to build a nuclear power station of up to 3.6 GW in West Cumbria, England (the Project).

Completion of the acquisition is subject to certain conditions. French utility group GDF Suez holds the remaining interest in NuGen.

Baker & McKenzie has advised leading public transport company Keolis on the project management, legal risk management and execution of an agreement that sees the company retain the operating contract for bus services in Lidingö and Stockholm City.

The award of this important public infrastructure project enables Keolis to invest in a more environmentally friendly bus fleet and work with the local contracting authority SL to increase the volume and satisfaction of travellers. The contract is worth EUR 1.4 billion and is valid for eight years, with a four year extension.

Burges Salmon and HSBC, have assisted Milk Partnership Limited (MPL) with its accession to corporate membership of Europe’s leading dairy cooperative Arla Foods amba. The transaction completed on Monday 30 December 2013.

Hogan Lovells has advised the Shah Deniz Consortium (BP, State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), Statoil, Total, Lukoil, TPAO and NICO) as project counsel for the Stage 2 development of the Shah Deniz gas field in the Caspian Sea, offshore Azerbaijan, which reached final investment decision (FID) on 17 December 2013.

Hogan Lovells advised Venezuela’s state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) in its US$1 billion loan transaction from Russia's Gazprombank.

The eight-year loan, which was finalized on 28 November, will go towards expanding infrastructure and increasing production at the Petrozamora oil project to 104,000 barrels per day from 63,000 currently. Funds from the deal are expected to become available in January 2014.

CMS has advised Low Carbon, the renewable energy investment company, on a joint venture with Macquarie Capital to deliver a portfolio of up to 300MW solar projects in the UK that could power up to 100,000 homes annually.

The first phase of the collaboration, scheduled to be operational in February 2014, will see the construction of three projects based in Cornwall and Wales, representing a total investment of £29 million.

Clyde & Co has been engaged by the Guinean government to advise on the high profile Simandou South iron ore mining project. The Guinean government is developing Simandou South in partnership with Rio Tinto, Chalco and the International Finance Corporation – a member of the World Bank.

Clyde & Co has been engaged by the Guinean government to advise on the high profile Simandou South iron ore mining project. The Guinean government is developing Simandou South in partnership with Rio Tinto, Chalco and the International Finance Corporation – a member of the World Bank.