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Rail

Connecting global and local rail expertise with market leading insight

As population growth and urbanisation continue, cities require greater connectivity and infrastructure to support societal and economic demands. Metros, light rail, conventional and high speed rail each play a pivotal role in connecting people and transporting goods, often in the most environmentally friendly way.

Our multi-disciplinary team of world-leading rail specialists and regional experts provide practical legal advice based on a deep and thorough knowledge of the rail sector.  We work alongside our clients and, as part of their team, enable them to achieve their objectives whether:

  • investing in a train operator or infrastructure owner 
  • the successful funding or delivery of a rail project 
  • a station development or other redevelopment scheme associated with a rail project 
  • the operation, maintenance or renewal of existing rail infrastructure such as signalling and communication systems
  • procuring or leasing rolling stock
  • dealing with environmental, health and safety issues or other operational issues 
  • navigating complex regulatory frameworks or 
  • commercial arrangements such as passenger rail franchises

Our understanding of the complexities and nuances of the rail sector means that we are ideally placed to advise clients if disputes arise. Our rail team includes dedicated rail disputes experts who understand the specific industry dispute resolution arrangements and who have leading expertise in all forms of dispute resolution including litigation, arbitration and adjudication.

By acting for clients on some of the world’s largest rail projects, M&A transactions and commercial arrangements, we are at the forefront of legal and industry developments. 

We advise project sponsors, train operating companies, governmental bodies and regulators, infrastructure funds and other investors in the rail sector, rolling stock leasing companies, infrastructure owners and developers and public and private sector funders. This experience gives us a unique insight and understanding that allows us to develop innovative solutions and meet our clients’ objectives.

 

Recent Experience

HIGH SPEED 2 RAILWAY - THE MOST SIGNIFICANT RAILWAY PROJECT IN THE UK AND EUROPE

Advising High Speed Two (HS2) on the procurement of the infrastructure, stations and rolling stock for phase 1 of the new HS2 railway

€800 million European rail project arbitration

Advising a member of a consortium of international contractors in relation to an ICC arbitration against the employer in respect of the early termination of a €800 million construction contract for a high profile European rail project

PROCUREMENT OF XTRAPOLIS TRAINS AND NEXT GENERATION TRAMS

Advising the Victorian Department of Transport in Australia on the AUS$1.48 billion investment to design, manufacture and maintain 100 next generation trams with associated stabling and maintenance yards and also the procurement of new Xtrapolis trains.

GAUTRAIN RAPID LIGHT RAIL PROJECT

Advising Bombela on all legal aspects of its successful bid for the Gautrain Rapid Light Rail PPP - the first light rail PPP in Southern Africa.

Haramain High Speed Railway Project

Advising the Al Shoula consortium on all legal aspects of the construction and operation of the project linking the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from the commencement of the bidding process through all the project's milestones 

Kazan High Speed Rail Project

Advising a consortium of investors on the construction of a High Speed Rail Project between Moscow and Kazan (High Speed Rail Line 2  project)

Insights and updates

18th November 2021
‘Cyber-ransoms’ are on the rise, and with new cyber tactics and ways of working, the...
5th November 2021
With tough challenges ahead in decarbonising transport, rail should be a bigger part of the...
30th March 2021
The Australian Centre of International Commercial Arbitration ( ACICA ) has unveiled revised Arbitration Rules...
22nd September 2020
Our legal specialists in transport comprising Tom Marshall, John Williams, Patrick Mitchell, Oliver Grabowski, Tim...

Our Capabilities

Our expert teams provide a diverse range of legal services to our clients in the Rail sector

Diverse Knowledge, in-depth experience

Learn more about how we help our clients in

Infrastructure

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