Who we are

Trenches Law has grown to become one of the most renowned legal firms in this fast-growth sector.

Recognising the pace and complexity of the electronic communications industry – not least when it comes to Code powers and wayleaves – we have filled an important gap in the market. And, we believe we’re nothing like your average legal practice. 

Our collegiate is made up of strategic professionals who have lived and breathed the world of fibre, connectivity and technological infrastructure, for most of their careers. We also work hard to recruit specialists local to our clients’ projects as nobody will know the area quite like them. As a result, we speak the same language as our clients, know how and when to take and manage risks that support business growth, and provide proactive advice to aid legislative compliance every step of the way.

Wayleaves

Whether delivering a fully managed service or support on a specific wayleave matter, we initiate proactive dialogue with landowners and local authorities, to enable rapid network expansions.

Legal

Regulated by the SRA and drawing on our portfolio of commercial law expertise, we’re frequently asked to become our clients’ bolt on legal team. Our services are designed to fuel business growth while remaining compliant.

EV charging points

Guiding commercial clients through the negotiation of wayleave agreements so they can legally and accurately progress the installation of electric vehicle charge points, at pace.
Working with Trenches Law

Hear from our clients

“Having taken part in Trenches Law’s wayleave training sessions, I would highly recommend them to anyone keen to develop their specialist knowledge. The team is incredibly experienced in this area and it really shines through. We found the guidance very informative and for any future wayleave queries, we know we can rely on quality responses from George and her colleagues.”
Nick BrattBusiness Development manager, Swish Fibre
“I can safely say that without Trenches Law’s guidance when we approached them to help us obtain Code powers, it would’ve remained a pipe-dream for our business. This is a vital piece of the overall jigsaw and assists in our company growth. We can’t thank the team enough for their expertise, patience and support throughout.”
Alan Cameron Managing Director, GigaAir
“If you want a trusted, specialist partner to help you successfully apply for Code powers, look no further than Trenches Law. Since our very first meeting, nothing was over complicated and the team’s industry knowledge and personal touch shone through. The responsiveness and commitment to progress everything ahead of schedule meant we didn’t have to chase OFCOM, and our application was never delayed. The entire process was completely effortless thanks to Trenches Law.”
Matthew HarrisonManaging Director, Ociusnet
“We’re proceeding at pace and Trenches Law has quickly embraced our requirements to deliver the pragmatic solutions that help us maximise the number of customers we can serve. The team has responded well when asked to ramp-up capacity and at the same time continued to provide excellent wayleave and legal advice.”
Steve CooperChief Delivery Officer, Ogi
“I can’t believe how easy and painless Trenches Law made the entire process of securing Code powers. I originally went into this with an element of trepidation, believing the project to be complex and lengthy to complete. It was anything but this with Sharon and the team’s knowledge, and I’m excited to continue this strategic relationship for many years to come.”
Ross WilliamsDirector, Stix Internet
“I’ve known Trenches Law’s founder Sharon for many years, from her time at Virgin. She is well-respected in this field, and Trenches Law is MAP Group’s ‘go to’ legal advisor as a result. They review our tenders, manage legal disputes, mark-up T&Cs – the list goes on. It’s their flexible approach that means they’re an important part of the team when it comes to securing deals.”
Mike Carlin CEO, The MAP Group
“We engaged Trenches Law to progress our plans to install a green wall for a significant new London office development, and up to 16 neighbouring terraced properties for residents. However, we were faced with strict planning deadlines – and each property was under different ownership – so we required an expert who understood all these factors and could deliver expert advice in a swift and concise way. Trenches Law did exactly that. We knew what we needed to do when applying for a wayleave agreement, and we can’t thank Sharon McDermott and her team enough for their unwavering support.”
Darren VogelLandlord and Director, AAA Media Ltd
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“Having taken part in Trenches Law’s wayleave training sessions, I would highly recommend them to anyone keen to develop their specialist knowledge. The team is incredibly experienced in this area and it really shines through. We found the guidance very informative and for any future wayleave queries, we know we can rely on quality responses from Sophie, George and their colleagues.”
Nick BrattBusiness Development manager, Swish Fibre
“I can safely say that without Trenches Law’s guidance when we approached them to help us obtain Code powers, it would’ve remained a pipe-dream for our business. This is a vital piece of the overall jigsaw and assists in our company growth. We can’t thank the team enough for their expertise, patience and support throughout.”
Alan CameronManaging Director, GigaAir
“If you want a trusted, specialist partner to help you successfully apply for Code powers, look no further than Trenches Law. Since our very first meeting, nothing was over complicated and the team’s industry knowledge and personal touch shone through. The responsiveness and commitment to progress everything ahead of schedule meant we didn’t have to chase OFCOM, and our application was never delayed. The entire process was completely effortless thanks to Trenches Law.”
Matthew HarrisonManaging Director, Ociusnet
“We’re proceeding at pace and Trenches Law has quickly embraced our requirements to deliver the pragmatic solutions that help us maximise the number of customers we can serve. The team has responded well when asked to ramp-up capacity and at the same time continued to provide excellent wayleave and legal advice.”
Steve CooperChief Delivery Officer, Ogi
“I can’t believe how easy and painless Trenches Law made the entire process of securing Code powers. I originally went into this with an element of trepidation, believing the project to be complex and lengthy to complete. It was anything but this with Sharon and the team’s knowledge, and I’m excited to continue this strategic relationship for many years to come.”
Ross Williams Director, Stix Internet
“I’ve known Trenches Law’s founder Sharon for many years, from her time at Virgin. She is well-respected in this field, and Trenches Law is MAP Group’s ‘go to’ legal advisor as a result. They review our tenders, manage legal disputes, mark-up T&Cs – the list goes on. It’s their flexible approach that means they’re an important part of the team when it comes to securing deals.”
Mike CarlinCEO, The MAP Group
“We engaged Trenches Law to progress our plans to install a green wall for a significant new London office development, and up to 16 neighbouring terraced properties for residents. However, we were faced with strict planning deadlines – and each property was under different ownership – so we required an expert who understood all these factors and could deliver expert advice in a swift and concise way. Trenches Law did exactly that. We knew what we needed to do when applying for a wayleave agreement, and we can’t thank Sharon McDermott and her team enough for their unwavering support.”
Darren VogelLandlord and Director, AAA Media Ltd
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Hear from our experts

Discover the latest news, insights and views from Trenches Law.

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What is a master service agreement (MSA) and why does it matter?

A master service agreement, or MSA, is not just a tick-box legal document. For organisations at any stage of growth, these strategic documents enable you to operate efficiently, manage risks, and build enduring partnerships for long-term success. Discover how to navigate them with confidence and deliver mutual benefit for all parties.
Read more

Why legal fees are a barrier to meeting gigabit roll-out targets

For an operator entering into a wayleave agreement, it’s very likely that they’ll cover the legal — and often surveyor — fees for the landowner. This is perfectly reasonable because, in most cases, a landowner shouldn’t be ‘out of pocket’. However, the issue then arises not from an operator paying these fees, but in the amount that some law firms are charging to negotiate the contract.
Read more
Alex Lawrence — Trenches (1)

Trenches Law celebrates seven years of industry impact

This month, on 28 June, Trenches Law is proud to mark its seventh birthday. Founded in 2017 with a mission to provide straight-talking, business-changing legal support, the company has built an enviable reputation as the go-to expert for telecom operators, tech start-ups, and others. Now, when taking stock of the strides it has made to date, the team celebrates its relentless pursuit for innovation, seasoned expertise, and customer-first approach that has made reaching this milestone possible.
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Commercial EV charging: Legal support for installation success

The UK’s EV charging network has undergone seismic changes, since the first major round of installations in 2013. But as today’s government targets pivot, charging companies are under greater scrutiny to ensure infrastructure keeps pace — not least when it comes to the commercial EV chargers powering some of the UK’s most ambitious businesses. Terry Daniell, operations director and commercial EV sector specialist, explores how inviting a bolt-on legal partner from the outset can curb financial, operational, and environmental challenges.
Read more
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If you need advice, or would like to discuss how we can help your business grow, please contact us to start the conversation.

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Registered Office

  • Unit 2 Grove Farm,
  • Crookham Village,
  • Fleet, Hampshire,
  • GU51 5RX