He has a deep understanding of the upstream market and commercial drivers combined with a top-level legal knowledge.

Chambers UK, 2020

Darren Spalding is co-chair of the firm’s oil and gas practice. He is a transactional and projects lawyer with more than two decades of experience in the energy and resources industry and is particularly noted for his work in the oil and gas sector, where he is recognized by Who’s Who Legal as a global leader. Darren advises clients on energy and resources M&A transactions and projects, with a particular focus on cross-border matters, having worked on deals and projects in more than 40 jurisdictions. He has a wealth of experience in the structuring and development of energy and resources projects, including in relation to shareholder arrangements, and is also regularly called upon to advise on, and negotiate, key industry project documents, including production sharing contracts, joint operating agreements, sales and transportation agreements, and royalty and streaming arrangements.

Darren is widely lauded across the industry and is praised as a leading M&A lawyer by IFLR1000 Financial & Corporate and M&A Guide (2017-2023), ranked in Chambers Global (2024) and Chambers UK (2019-2024), and is also highly regarded by The Legal 500 United Kingdom (2014-2021, 2024). Clients note that he is “extremely conscientious,” provides “a full suite of support,” has “deep contractual expertise” and “a fantastic understanding of extremely complicated issues.”