Oliver is a Associate in the firm’s Infrastructure department. He advises clients on public law across a range of complex and high-profile projects, with a particular emphasis on subsidy control and public procurement.

Subsidy Control
Oliver assists central and local government bodies with compliance assessments against the principles set out in the Subsidy Control Act 2022, including by evidencing market failure cases in technical industries. Oliver helps his clients design competitions to ensure proportionality and compliance with the new regime.

Oliver has experience advising on subsidy control issues relating to subsidies and schemes of particular interest – including the consequences of referral to the Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU). Other experience includes advising on the subsidy control implications of flowing down central government funding (under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund); advising on the subsidy control implications of contractual variations made to a PFI contract (including consideration of the Energy Principles); and advising on the minimal financial assistance regime for low-value subsidies. Oliver also advises on the terms of grant funding agreements.

Oliver acts for both public authorities awarding grants and grant recipients.

Public Procurement

Oliver is familiar with all aspects of procurement law, regularly helping clients navigate the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016. His work involves helping clients at all stages of the public procurement process and he has experience amending all major standard form contracts.

Recent experience includes advising on a range of high-profile, eight-figure procurements. These have included designing a multi-lot competition, establishing a framework, and a single supplier award following further competition. Oliver also advises public authorities on complex public procurement questions, including Regulation 72 “safe harbours”. Oliver drafts bespoke goods/services contracts and non-disclosure agreements for clients, as well as mandatory contractual terms for use across contractual suites.

Oliver also has experience in the energy sector, including assisting local authorities with district heating schemes and advising on regulated electricity. He has further experience advising on commercial agreements in the water industry.