The ‘hugely impressive and much admired’ team at Addleshaw Goddard is ably co-led by Paul Hirst and Anna Heaton. It is regularly instructed on the premier transactions in this sector. The group has considerable strength in franchising, rolling stock, projects and infrastructure. In addition, it continues to grow its international client base. It is also noteworthy that its clients are a balanced mix of public/private sector clients. The ‘excellent’ Simon Gwynne has a broad knowledge of rolling stock and other rail assets, such as depots. Gwynne continues to be active on various transactions both in the UK and internationally, acting for a diverse range of clients including governments, financial institutions, lessors, lessees and equity investors. Carla Hancock plays a key role in the department. Hancock has considerable experience of advising on a wide range of transport and infrastructure projects, but is primarily focused on the heavy and light rail sectors.

Ashurst advises the leading players in the rail sector, notably in the public sector. The team continues to excel in rail franchising, and it has been involved in some of the most nationally significant infrastructure projects in recent times. It also garners praise for its expertise in rolling stock procurement. Other areas of expertise span advising on financing, rail operations and rail regulation. Naomi Horton has a wealth of experience in infrastructure projects and commercial contracts. Horton advises a wide range of rail industry companies on all aspects of the rail sector in the UK. Terry van Poortvliet enjoyed another busy year advising on some key rail mandates. Mark Elsey advises on various projects across the EMEA region, acting on behalf of a range of clients including governments, municipal authorities, funders, equity investors and contractors.

Praised for providing an ‘excellent service’, the large and dedicated rail team at Burges Salmon LLP covers a broad range of specialisms in this sector. It has an outstanding client base, which includes some of the UK’s largest train operating groups. It continues to be involved in many of the most significant franchising matters. In addition, the firm has been involved in a significant number of the UK’s largest rolling stock procurement exercises. The group plays a pivotal role in many infrastructure projects too, and is skilled at advising on health and safety matters, as well as regulatory issues. The group is also recognised for its considerable cross-border capabilities. Brioney Thomas is highly recommended. Ian Tucker continues to advise on some of the largest disputes in this industry. Chris Simms is vastly experienced in all aspects of rail regulation, and in infrastructure finance transactions. Simon Coppen, Charlotte Whitaker, and Chris Jackson are all highly recommended.

Matthew Hanslip Ward leads the dedicated practice at Dentons, which covers all aspects of the rail industry. Areas of expertise include advising on franchises and concessions, as well as projects and infrastructure. It also plays a leading role in advising on regulation and reform. The first-class team remains busy advising on a whole host of other areas, such as major acquisitions in the rail sector. The group has considerable rolling stock experience, and frequently advises on passenger and freight operations. The London team continues to be involved in several high-profile rail projects around the world. Martin Watt has particular expertise in rolling stock. Jonathan Smith specialises in franchising and concessions, in addition to rolling stock, commercial contracts and regulation. Christopher McGee-Osborne is another key contact who has a wealth of experience in the rail and transport sector.

‘Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP has been building this team for over 20 years and it shows. They have genuine strength of depth at all levels, with industry leaders in key positions’. The practice is renowned for its experience in all key sectors of the rail industry, with particular expertise in rail franchising/operating contracts. It has substantial expertise in rolling stock and infrastructure matters, and is highly sought after for its parliamentary and planning knowledge. Agnes Koko is ‘really well-known’ for her extensive experience in advising on complex rail infrastructure projects. These projects include both ‘brown field’ and ‘green field’ projects. Another core area of her practice is advising on concession agreements in the UK, and in international markets. Anne Harris is recommended for her advice on rail-related commercial contracts. This work includes advising on rail franchise agreements, regulated access agreements, and on rail project procurement-related issues. William Spickett remains busy working on major transport and infrastructure projects.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP’s rail practice spans every aspect of the rail sector. It frequently advises on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters relating to the development of new railway infrastructure, as well as rolling stock procurement and leasing. Gavin Williams heads the practice. It is skilled at advising on passenger and freight operations, regulatory matters, infrastructure management and operational issues. Tim Briggs regularly advises on the rail regulatory regime, as well as on competition, procurement, and subsidy control matters. John Williams advises clients on issues such as the development of railways, access and operational issues, and the procurement of rolling stock.  David Nitek has advised on various disputes, which have arisen out of some of the largest and most significant projects of recent years.

Linklaters LLP is among the leading firms domestically and internationally in this space. It advises on the full range of deals – heavy rail (including high speed rail), light rail, rolling stock, train systems and station real estate. Under the joint leadership of Fiona Hobbs and Charlotte Morgan, it continues to assist a wide range of sponsors, lenders, rolling stock companies, and governments on major rail deals. Hobbs has worked closely with government and private sector companies for many years on some of the largest and most complex rail projects in the UK and internationally. Morgan has considerable knowledge of the regulated infrastructure sector. Rasha Sami is another name to note.

The team at Stephenson Harwood specialises solely in rail-related work, but is able to draw on cross-practice expertise where necessary. It is one of the best-known rolling stock advisors, advising a broad client base of operators, financiers, manufacturers and maintainers in major UK transactions. The group also has immense experience in access disputes and arbitrations, in addition to having an excellent reputation for its work on franchising and concessions. Led by Tammy Samuel and Suzanne Tarplee, the team is well regarded for its procurement work, and for its knowledge of rail regulations. Darren Fodey is another key figure, and particularly excels in advising on rail regulation and regulated contracts. Caroline Hooton is vastly experienced in infrastructure and outsourcing. Hooton regularly advises on the procurement of station facilities management services, station improvements and upgrade projects.

The ‘highly competent, responsive and proactive’ team at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, is one of the UK’s leading rail financing and leasing law firms, notably in relation to rolling stock. The practice also advises some of the most prominent developers and investors on major rail-related projects. In addition, it is equally skilled at handling disputes in this sector. Jason Chamberlain continues to work on many important transactions in the UK rail market, including advising on railway passenger franchising. Practice head Russell Clifford is another leading figure who advises on rail financing and leasing transactions in the domestic and international markets. Jamie Wiseman-Clarke is highly regarded for his particular specialism in rolling stock leasing, procurement and financing work.

Paul Carrington spearheads the agile team at Clifford Chance LLP, which consistently acts on the UK’s leading rail projects. It has a particular emphasis on financing and infrastructure work. As well as working on major UK-based rail transactions, it also regularly advises on significant deals involving both UK and cross-border elements. It works on behalf of and with rail infrastructure bodies, manufacturers, and rail operators. Michael Pearson advises on key rail infrastructure projects in the UK and internationally. Ranbir Hunjan is an important contact in the firm’s asset finance group, and has considerable knowledge of the rail industry. Dominic Watts has extensive experience across the rail sector.

CMS is thriving under the excellent leadership of Bill Carr. It is best-known for its work on large infrastructure projects, as well as rolling stock procurement and funding. It has considerable expertise in light rail, and remains busy working on some key international rail PPPs. Other members of the full-service rail team include Manchester-based Chris Hallam, who is recognised for his expertise in major projects and construction work. Jacqueline Vallat advises on a range of antitrust, merger control and foreign control issues. Vallat is frequently asked to advise on various complex regulatory matters.

The excellent team at DLA Piper advises private and public sector clients in the rail sector on a wide range of issues affecting the industry. Its strong planning and consenting practice has recently advised on some large new build rail projects in the UK. The firm’s rail commercial and regulatory team has been working on an array of regulatory, commercial and PPP matters. It continues to be busy working on various high-profile rolling stock procurements. In addition to working on some key national and international transactions, the group has been fully supporting clients on various operational matters. These matters have included advising on rolling stock leasing, as well as station and depot leasing. Robert Smith and Colin Wilson are recommended.

The agile team at K&L Gates LLP has particular expertise in light rail metro and mass transit systems. The group excels at advising on a range of issues relating to operational railway systems. Recent work has included devising complex performance regimes measuring availability, reliability and maintainability of rolling stock. It has also been advising on contracts for transmission based, and communication based, train control systems. The team has extensive experience in advising on other matters, such as complex signalling procurements. It continues to work on various high-value rail projects in the UK. Matthew Smith has significant experience in advising on high speed rail, and light metro projects. Nicola Ellis is also recommended.

Norton Rose Fulbright has a broad client base, which includes governments, rail companies, transport authorities and cargo companies. Other key clients are rolling stock owning companies, financiers, train operating companies, as well as manufacturing and leasing companies. The team is adept at handling a variety of high profile rail transactions both in the UK and internationally. Global head of rail Andrew Buisson is well-regarded. Susanna Rogers frequently provides regulatory advice to a variety of stakeholders in the rail sector. Rogers also heads up the procurement practice, and often advises clients on compliance with procurement rules. Louise Auty specialises in asset financing matters on both domestic and cross-border deals. Auty's practice encompasses rail procurement and leasing, as well as other areas such as rail franchising.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s work in the rail industry is a key part of its work in the infrastructure sector. Its work follows the entire life cycle of rail projects and assets. It has substantial experience of advising on rail projects both in the UK and internationally, and has considerable experience of advising on the planning and consenting of large rail and infrastructure projects. The group additionally includes a parliamentary and planning offering, which is involved in various rail and infrastructure projects. Robbie Owen continues to work on the promotion of major UK rail projects, with a focus on public policy, planning and consenting issues. Owen leads alongside Jonathan Hart, who works with some major clients across a range of major civil engineering and infrastructure projects.

The ‘highly commercial and pragmatic’ team at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP is best known for working on strategic rail contracts for train operators. It also fields an excellent rail planning & authorisations team. David Rewcastle had another busy year advising on various rail matters. Rewcastle specialises in rail franchise bids, transfer schemes, rolling stock procurement/leasing, and rail infrastructure projects. Paul Coleman is recommended for his work on heavy and light rail franchises and concessions. Coleman is also experienced in advising on rail infrastructure projects. Joseph Causer is well-regarded for his advice to both public and private sector clients on a variety of issues concerning the rail industry.

BDB Pitmans has a large and specialist infrastructure practice. It has particular expertise in securing planning consents and other authorisations for major rail projects. The group also has considerable Parliamentary expertise, with five ‘Roll A’ Parliamentary Agents. As a result of this, it has substantial experience in the promotion and opposition of railway bills. The practice has an established track record of advising on complex rail projects.  Practice head, Nick Evans is highly regarded, along with Duncan O’Connor, Mark Challis and Sarah Clark.

At Freeths LLP, the group has a diverse range of expertise in rolling stock financing, procurement, leasing and maintenance, as well as many other areas such as rail regulation, franchising and concessions. The group additionally acts for a range of non-transportation clients on transport matters. It frequently advises statutory utilities and landowners when faced with the impact of large transport infrastructure projects. London-based Tom Johnson heads the rail practice. Johnson has an ‘excellent reputation‘ in the market.  Bristol-based Michael Bray heads the transport offering.

Winckworth Sherwood LLP has a solid reputation for its advice on the planning, promotion and statutory authorisations for major rail projects. The able team is skilled at advising the key players in the UK rail sector on the promotion of major railway infrastructure and tramway schemes. The group is well-equipped to advise on diverse matters such as compulsory purchase and compensation, environmental impact assessments, and related property matters. Practice head Paul Irving specialises in advising on, and drafting, legislation relating to railways.

Charles Ford leads the multidisciplinary rail practice at Hogan Lovells International LLP, which has clients from across all segments of the industry. It acts for passenger rail, light rail, freight rail, rail car builders and lessors. The nimble team represents clients before all of the relevant courts, departments, administrative agencies, and quasi-regulatory bodies on a whole host of rail-related matters.

The dedicated rail team at Hugh James is led by Aled Walters. It regularly supports rail operators and the wider rail industry on a broad range of issues which affect their commercial activities. It is well-equipped to advise on procurement, dispute resolution, construction and project work.

Nottingham-based Michelle Craven-Faulkner heads the practice at Shoosmiths LLP. Craven-Faulkner covers all areas of contract work relating to rolling stock light rail projects, and underground projects in the UK, and is also recommended for her advice on a broad range of regulatory matters. Joanne McGuinness is another name to note. McGuinness is a partner in the real estate team, and has considerable experience in working on projects in the rail regulated environment.

Spearheaded by Louise Mor, the rail offering at Watson Farley & Williams LLP covers a broad range of issues from financing and capital markets work, to advising on dispute resolution and employment matters. It has a large asset finance practice, and continues to be busy advising on various aspects of rail financing. Clients include lessors, banks, project sponsors, sovereign wealth funds, and operators. Ryland Ash has considerable experience in construction matters.