DWF has advised Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority in the successful termination of its waste disposal and recycling contract with Viridor Laing (Greater Manchester) Limited.

Manchester-headquartered global legal business DWF has advised Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority in the successful termination, by mutual consent, of its waste disposal and recycling contract with Viridor Laing (Greater Manchester) Limited. 
 
The original 25-year contract was signed in 2009, with a value of approximately £3.8 billion, and promised to deliver significant diversion from landfill and environmental benefits.  More recently, the project has experienced technical and operational challenges with a number of the facilities and, in light of those issues and against the need to manage the continuing pressures on the public purse, the Authority made the decision to terminate the arrangements. In doing so, it has achieved significant efficiency savings and operational improvements.
 
DWF has assisted the Authority in bringing the contract to a close, enabling the Authority to release significant private financing as well as preserving important elements of the scheme, such as the Thermal Power Station located at Ineos Chlor in Runcorn.
 
Michael Mousdale, commercial partner at DWF, led the team that advised on the matter, along with support from commercial partner James Lupton, litigation partners Chris Henshaw and Jon Hainey, banking partner Paul Brown and senior associate in the corporate team Vicky Ross.

Michael Mousdale commented: "The Authority has taken a very brave decision to terminate a hugely complex PFI contract and manage to both avoid dispute and achieve substantial savings, and we are proud to have assisted the Authority in achieving this outcome. To walk away from such a complex PFI transaction, without loss and deliver such future benefits for people in Greater Manchester, is no mean feat, and we are really pleased to see the Authority move forward in its ambition to reduce waste, deliver sustainable energy facilities and influence change in the sector."