Rail

Legal experts and long-term strategic advisors to the rail industry

Our lawyers have over 30-years’ experience advising the UK rail industry, spanning from its privatisation through to landmark developments including High Speed Rail and Crossrail.

Shoosmiths’ national multi-disciplinary rail team has a proven track record supporting the rail sector. Our specialisms include advising on complex matters across rolling stock, freight, manufacturing, supply chains, major works and construction, property and rail regulatory matters.

The collaborative approach we take means we are able to provide market-leading legal expertise on all aspects of the rail industry, including real estate, dispute resolution and litigation, corporate and commercial, banking and finance, tax and regulation.

Our expertise:

Employee relations support 

Framework compliance

Light rail projects

Public procurement

Rail asset finance

Rail freight and logistics

Rail infrastructure projects

Rail operations

Rail regulatory advice

Rail related disputes

Rail safety and incident response

Rail stations, depots and real estate

Rolling stock maintenance arrangements

Rolling stock manufacturing and supply arrangements

Spare part supply arrangements

Supply chain management


Our experience:

  • Advising Mutares on its acquisition of Alan Dick Communications Limited (“ADC”) from Panasonic. ADC offers technology solutions and services to owners and operators within rail infrastructure and was Mutares’ second investment in the UK rail sector - having previously acquired Gemini Rail
  • Acting for Alstom in the inquest into the Croydon tram derailment
  • Advising Wolverhampton City Council as a station investor in relation to the promotion of three material change proposals for the redevelopment of Wolverhampton Station as part of the Wolverhampton Interchange Project

Shaping the future of the rail industry

As well as helping to deliver some of the sector’s major infrastructure and station projects in recent years, our lawyers play a pivotal role in the network’s evolution.

The team has an intimate knowledge of current developments, including the transition to renewable energy, high-speed rail, Great British Railways and electrification. Our experts have and continue working on projects for clients including, Loram UK Limited, Alstom, Mutares, Porterbrook, Hitachi and many more.

Shoosmiths is committed to helping shape the future of the rail industry. Members of our team hold positions on the Rail Forum Midlands Board and have advised the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Department for Transport on matters impacting the rail sector.

Our pre-eminent knowledge of the sector is critical to being able to not only advise clients on legal matters, but guide them through a rail ecosystem that is undergoing significant economic, legislative and structural change.

Strategic partner

We understand the importance of creating a reliable and integrated rail network and its potential benefits on the economy, society and environment.

That is why Shoosmiths has a multi-disciplinary rail team featuring 30 lawyers from across the UK - cementing our position as a long-term strategic advisors to the industry.

 

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