Data centres

Data Centres lie at the core of the digital infrastructure platform that enables the modern world to operate. Whilst originally a peripheral asset class left to a small collective they have become mainstream. They are a cross between infrastructure and real estate. They are at the centre of discussions around energy transition and the race to net zero. They are the home of the Cloud and the powerhouse of the promise (and challenges) of AI. As the interest in and demand for data centres both as investments and as a service have risen over the past two decades so have the complexity of laws surrounding them. The data centre sector demands an understanding of power, technology, real estate as well as the intricacies of the world of funding and finance.

Simmons & Simmons multi-disciplinary international team is led by experts in the data centre space. Much like the digital infrastructure world we service we are a fully integrated team working across the Simmons & Simmons platform. We are deeply immersed in and driven by a passion for the sector. We constantly engage with non-legal experts in the sector to ensure our knowledge and understanding remains up to date so that we can advise based on the present but with an eye to the future. Our team comprises specialists from our real estate, energy, banking, digital business, funds, corporate, intellectual property and tax groups. We cover the transactional, advisory and disputes space including:

• Data Centre development and construction
• Data Centre acquisitions
• Data Centre platform M&A and JVs
• Co-location, leasing and licensing
• Power procurement and power solutions (including renewables and battery storage)
• ESG
• Telecoms, fibre and network connectivity
• Cyber security and data privacy
• Data Centre related disputes

Other areas where we have specialist knowledge relevant to the data centre sector include:

• Fund formation and fund advisory
• IP and Licensing
• Crypto and digital assets
• Sanctions advice