Richard’s expertise includes major infrastructure projects, compulsory purchase orders, highways and town and country planning. Richard principally promotes major infrastructure orders, including linear infrastructure projects and generating stations.
Richard has drafted petitions to Select Committee for major private companies and public corporations affected by Crossrail and HS2.
He also advises on compulsory purchase compensation for promoting authorities and those subject to compulsory acquisition.
He is a board member (and former chair) of the Compulsory Purchase Association and previously headed the reform group of that Association. He regularly lectures on compulsory purchase law. He holds CEDR's mediation accreditation. He is a member of the National Infrastructure Planning Association.
Experience
Examples of experience include advising:
- The MetroWest Authorities promoting the DCO to reopen the Bristol to Portishead Railway. He is the lead project legal advisor
- National Highways promoting DCOs for major road schemes
- A county council on Transport and Works Act Order applications for guided transit schemes
- A national rail infrastructure provider in promoting an Order under the Planning Act 2008 for a rail scheme. He advised on the Planning Act 2008 procedure, drafting orders and supporting documentation, consultation processes and risk mapping. He represented the client at hearings considering the Order
- The promoters of DCOs for offshore wind schemes promoted off the south Coast of England
- Securing a DCO for promoter of a biomass power station proposal (100MW) on the DCO application process, including advocacy at hearings
- DONG Burbo Extension (UK) Limited and Dudgeon Offshore Wind Limited on Electricity Act CPOs for onshore assets for proposed offshore wind farm schemes.
"A brilliant lawyer".
Legal 500
"He brings a lot of detailed knowledge and standing to projects, which is invaluable,"
Chambers and Partners 2020
"Richard is always very thorough, always highlighting where there could be risks and challenges, but giving us solutions."
Chambers and Partners 2021
"He is really good, we wouldn't be where we are without him. He has a wealth of experience and is very committed to seeing the project through."
Chambers and Partners 2021
Band 1 ranked lawyer
Chambers and Partners 2020 and 2021
'Richard Guyatt, who is "a brilliant and imaginative thinker’‘'
Legal 500 2020
