We advise a broad range of clients at the forefront of international passenger transport. Active in the rail and bus industries for many years, we understand their history and are helping shape their future, from high-speed rail to electric buses.

Our services for rail and bus clients include:

New-build fleet projects | Franchise and concession bids and ongoing management | Fleet leasing | Maintenance and technical support agreements | Infrastructure projects | Regulated procurement | Track, depot and station access and other rail regulatory issues | Trade union and industrial relations | Rail disputes | Corporate acquisitions | Real estate | Rail technology | Finance | Tax structures

We work across all legal disciplines, advising on rail regulatory issues, franchise/concession bids and mobilisations and fares and ticketing projects. We support clients on rolling stock procurement and associated maintenance and technical support, modifications and maintenance programmes. Our expertise in trade union and industrial relations can help defuse potential disputes, while our experience in regulatory matters (including domestic and EU rail regulation, competition, and health and safety laws) helps our clients avoid regulatory pitfalls.

"They are very pragmatic and respond in good time."  Chambers UK 2022

We advise clients across the sector, including domestic and international rail and bus operators, regulatory bodies, infrastructure operators and their contractors, freight and rolling-stock operating companies, manufacturers, public transport authorities and engineering and technology companies. Seeing the market from all perspectives promotes flexible, informed advice. Our clients include the Department for Transport (DfT), Eurostar, Eversholt Rail, Beacon, Ricardo Rail, Siemens and Transport for London.

"The team is very client-focused."  Chambers UK 2022

Many of our clients operate cross-border, whether as transport operators or manufacturers, with a strong presence in the sector internationally. We support their overseas activities through our network of international offices.

With first-hand experience of advising clients across the market, our established team provides straightforward, considered advice on the many challenges facing the sector.

Experience

Department for Transport

Advice on multiple fares and ticketing and other projects requiring analysis, negotiation and amendment of complex commercial contracts with train operating companies and other counterparties.

Beacon

Advised on the acquisition and leaseback of 109 Class T77 locomotives from Netherlands-based freight operator Lineas. This was a complex high value transaction requiring co-ordination across several jurisdictions and involving OC offices in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.

Eversholt Rail Group

Advised on a highly innovative project with Alstom to convert existing trains to run on hydrogen, an important step in the move to decarbonise rail, re-purpose existing fleets and address sustainability issues in transport.

Tenzing Private Equity

Advising on an investment in Ticketer, the UK’s leading provider of bus ticketing technology. 

 

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TransDev Blazefield

Advising on the acquisition of Yorkshire Tiger bus company, as well as on competition, commercial, employment, real estate and other corporate matters.

Beacon Rail Financing

Advised on the procurement and leasing of a fleet of battery-operated shunting locomotives from manufacturer Clayton. These are intended for use in non-electrified off network applications and support the transition to a decarbonised rail fleet for operators in these environments.

Gazeley

Advising on the Development Consent Order and Compulsory Acquisition of land for Rail Central, a joint venture with Ashfield Land, to develop a proposed new 7 million sq ft Strategic Rail Freight Interchange in Northamptonshire at a cost of £700 million.

Department for Transport

Supporting on the operation and management of the HS1 rail concession.

Electric and alternative fuel bus projects
Working with manufacturers, funders and operators on new delivery models for electric and alternative fuel bus fleets.
Eversholt Rail Group

Advised on the €600m procurement of two substantial new fleets of CAF-built Civity UK rolling-stock units to serve the Northern passenger rail franchise.

Tower Transit

Advising on a variety of issues, including acquisitions, commercial disputes, health and safety, employment and real estate.

Eversholt Rail Group

Advised on the operating lease financing of a £110m order of 10 x six-car CAF-built Civity UK intercity EMUs, for operation by First TransPennine Express.

Eurostar

Advising on the management of Eurostar's trademark portfolio across 80 jurisdictions.

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