Addleshaw Goddard has a diverse transport practice, with specific expertise in the rail sector. Areas of growth for the group include freight and logistics issues, with a focus on developing sustainable supply chains, as well as broadening its expertise in urban transit schemes, particularly in the bus market. The team has a strong reputation in advising on transport-led regeneration and infrastructure projects, with practice co-heads Paul Hirst
and Anna Heaton spearheading the firm’s work in this area. Bill Gilliam and legal director Ryan Geldart are recommended for contentious matters related to procurement challenges, while associate Jack Harris has experience advising on various rail projects across the UK.
Transport in Yorkshire And The Humber
Addleshaw Goddard
Practice head(s):
Paul Hirst; Anna Heaton
Other key lawyers:
Bill Gilliam; Ryan Geldart; Sara Gilmore; Jack Harris
Testimonials
‘Deep and practical transport sector knowledge, including great detail around bus enhanced partnership and regulation. I consider them to lead the sector in this area.’
‘Paul Hirst – exceptional sector knowledge, approachable, personable and efficient.’
‘Paul Hirst (Partner) is a trusted adviser, embedded in the business and understands our priorities. Paul has helped find and provide flexible resourcing solutions for our in-house team during periods of unexpected absences/staff turnover. Paul has his finger on the industry pulse, and can pre-empt potential issues. Jack Harris (Associate) is extremely professional, efficient and commercially minded. Jack has quickly worked to understand business priorities and work collaboratively with the business to find pragmatic solutions.’
Key clients
Prologis Group Companies
VTG Rail UK Limited
London Luton Airport Limited
Eversholt Rail
Rail Operations Group Limited (“ROG”)
Department for Transport
High Speed Two (HS2) Limited
Volkswagen AG
Greater London Authority / Transport for London
West Yorkshire Combined Authority
West Midlands Combined Authority
Hitachi Rail Limited
MerseyTravel
Manchester Airport Group
HS1 Limited
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
Freightliner Heavy Haul Limited
SMBC
DB Cargo
Sealink Travel Group
Transport for Greater Manchester
The Road Haulage Association (RHA)
Associated British Ports Limited
Work highlights
- Advised the Department for Transport on the development and roll out of the new National Rail Contract (replacing franchise agreements).
- Successfully defended HS2 Limited against a major challenge to the awarding of the £1.3 billion contract for the development of Old Oak Common Station.
- Advising Merseytravel on the development of its bus franchising assessment.
Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP
Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP has broad expertise within shipping, transport and fishery law. The group is led by Dominic Ward who specialises in dry shipping and cargo matters, with a particular focus on multi-party charter disputes. It also has a strong vessel finance sub-group that advises UK banks and international financial institutions on large-scale vessel finance projects; Andrew Oliver and head of banking, Nick Scott are key contacts. Elsewhere, the marine fisheries team handles prosecution and defence work, acting for both governmental organisations and private individuals.
Practice head(s):
Dominic Ward
Other key lawyers:
Andrew Oliver; Rebecca Forder; Nick Scott; Paul Newbon
Key clients
Associated British Ports
SMS Towage Limited
Blue Water Shipping
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
vac-Q-tec Limited
Woods River Cruises Limited
Work highlights
DLA Piper
Under the leadership of Robert Smith and Petra Billing, DLA Piper handles a wide range of complex and crucial transportation issues for a variety of public sector bodies as well as major corporates within the private sector. The firm has a reputable public transport practice, including handling matters relating to bus and heavy and light rail issues in addition to experience in aviation, roads and highways mandates. It also has strong litigation capabilities and continues to develop its expertise in regulated transport modes such as micro-mobility and taxi mandates.
Practice head(s):
Robert Smith; Petra Billing
Other key lawyers:
Carla Hancock
Testimonials
‘We have a long-standing relationship with DLA going back a number of years. This allows us to have positive conversations about our requirements with a supplier who is sensitive to our needs and objectives. It also means that although DLA provide specific specialisms, there is a high degree of collaboration and very positive support wherever we need it.’
‘The team seamlessly merged with the client and fellow consultants, creating a unified approach. There was an excellent level of challenge, advice and cooperation which was all you could wish for and more from your legal advisors. The DLA team worked tirelessly to support through a very fluid environment and never missed a single deadline (one wonders when they actually slept!). Their knowledge was faultless.’
‘Carla Hancock was leading the team, but whenever she was unavailable for whatever reason, the other team members were able to slot seamlessly in, fully briefed and able to participate fully in negotiations. That level of seamless service is rare. Carla has an incredibly analytical mind, and so was able to work with us to look at a wide range of scenarios during negotiations and offer her opinion on the strategy adopted, identifying risks as negotiations unfolded and also identifying where there were implications for other areas of a very complex commercial contract being discussed.’
Key clients
Department for Transport
Merseytravel
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)
Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive (Nexus)
National Highways (formerly known as Highways England)
HS2 Limited
Volkerrail Limited
British Airways plc
Hitachi Rail Europe
National Air Traffic Services
Transport for Wales
Transport for the North
Voi
Gett
Urban Transport Group
South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive / South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
Transport North East
Abellio Transport Holdings Limited
Work highlights
- Acting for the Department for Transport on the £1.4bn refinancing of the Thameslink Rolling Stock project.
- Advising TfGM and GMCA on the decision to implement a bus franchising scheme for Greater Manchester.
- Advising National Highways on the Lower Thames Crossing, one of the largest construction projects currently in procurement in Europe.
Plexus Law
Plexus Law is instructed by major UK international airports as well as a number of overseas airports. The team also represents aviation insurers and insured clients in a diverse workload that includes aircraft damage and loss claims, fatalities, airport byelaw drafting and litigation relating to balloon flights and operations. Led by Jarrod Parker, the team is well-known for its defendant aviation work, handling claims and litigation both in the UK and abroad. Other key practitioners include associate Jennifer Howden, who has extensive experience in general aviation losses; Jennifer Chan, an expert in Airport Operators Liability claims; and Louise Brown, a specialist in balloon-related incidents and losses.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Jennifer Chan; Louise Brown; Jennifer Howden
Testimonials
‘Everyone within the aviation team at Plexus are very knowledgeable, approachable, efficient and always adapt to meet our and our clients needs. They are always focused on the claims handling strategy and take on any changes we request. Their claims notification/reporting process is very efficient and we are always kept fully advised in reports or face to face meetings.’
‘Jarrod Parker and Louise Brown have been our main points of contacts within the practice. They are both excellent solicitors. They both have a great relationship with our team and will always go the extra mile to fight our corner. They have achieved some great results on many cases and will seek to settle cases early if liability is clear. Jarrod and his team are always available to take a call to discuss strategy. Overall they are a pleasure to work with.’
‘Plexus Law are incredibly knowledgeable regarding the nuances of aviation law, which places them in a very unique position within the UK legal fraternity.’
‘The senior partners and all of their junior solicitors are very responsive to the needs of their clients; they are not only proficient in terms of understanding the law, but can relate this in a practical way to the way in which the aviation industry operates. In particular I would commend the work of Jarrod Parker and his team and would have no hesitation in recommending their services.’
Key clients
Global Aerospace
Heathrow Airport
AIG
Airports Fiji Limited
Starr Underwriting Agents Limited
Chubb
Schiphol Airport
Copenhagen Airport
Generali Insurance
Manchester Airport
Belfast International Airport
NATS
Aeropuerto Internacional La Aur
Eindhoven Airport
PAC Kingston Airport Limited
Dyer & Butler Limited
Cobalt Ground Solutions Limited
The Balloon Network
Stansted Airport
Work highlights
- Advised Starr Underwriting Agents Limited and its insured in defence of claims and litigation arising out of the crash of a Diamond DA42 NG Aircraft in Norway in November 2021, instantly killing the pilot and the two passengers on board.
- Advised Global Aerospace and its insured MRO in defence of claims and litigation relating to substantial damage caused to the wing and fuselage of an easyJet Airbus A320 NEO Aircraft.
- Advised Chubb insurance and its insured balloon operator client in defence of claims and litigation arising from a serious accident that happened during the Bobbiaco Balloon Festival in Italy, causing multiple serious injuries and property damage.
Wrigleys Solicitors LLP
The transport property team at Wrigleys Solicitors LLP specialises in non-contentious property law matters, acting for several major train operating companies (TOCs) as well as community and heritage transport organisations. Its niche in the rail sector attracts instructions from TOCs, from franchise and concession-related strategy planning issues to major station and depot redevelopments. Elizabeth Wilson leads the team that includes Rachel Meredith, Richard Marson and Paul Nash, who focuses on the bus sector. Associate Caroline Wilson provides strong support to the team.
Practice head(s):
Elizabeth Wilson
Other key lawyers:
Rachel Meredith; Richard Marson; Paul Nash; Caroline Wilson
Testimonials
‘The team at Wrigley’s led by Elizabeth Wilson are industry leaders in their understanding of the complex world of property matters across the UK rail network.’
‘Elizabeth Wilson leads the team – she is a focused, professional lawyer who offers concise and detailed advice to clients across a wide spectrum of industry matters.’
‘I have been impressed by the increasing influence of Caroline Wilson and her forensic and detailed approach, especially in the area of third party lettings on stations.’
‘I do not believe there are any other practices that could provide such a bespoke service.’
‘Local firm with a personal touch – treating instructions as if they care and not just a number, a ‘go to’ firm of solicitors when legal advice required.’
‘You deal with Partners and Associates who are at the top of their game.’
‘They come up with solutions rather than options.’
Work highlights
Myton Law
Myton Law is frequently instructed on marine health and safety and regulatory matters, and also has a strong litigation arm, assisting clients with marine debt recovery issues by way of ship arrests, ship builds and repair disputes. The group is well-equipped to handle both dry and wet shipping matters, with Scott Yates and John Habergham being the main contacts, respectively. For rail and logistics expertise, Chris Thornes is recommended.
Practice head(s):
John Habergham; Chris Thornes; Scott Yates
Testimonials
‘No nonsense, straightforward, clear advice.’
‘John Habergham – an experienced, confident and very knowledgeable marine lawyer who knows his subjects inside out.’
Key clients
Samskip Multimodal BV
TT Club
Post & Co
PD Ports
Thor Shipping & Transport UK Limited
DC Rail
Eco-Railfreight
Wascosa AG and Wascosa UK Limited
Moorland & City Railway
Railheads Limited
Swift & Bold Transport Limited
Fiducia MGA
John Good Logistics
Work highlights
DWF
DWF focuses on road transport regulatory and insurance work. It provides a full-service offering to government and private sector clients and is particularly adept at handling crisis management work and public inquiries; Leeds practice head David Chant has extensive experience representing haulage companies called to public inquiry before traffic commissioners for issues relating to bridge strikes and tachographs, among others. Sophie Parkin advises on regulatory and criminal proceedings, while Mark Thompson handles road traffic matters.
Practice head(s):
David Chant
Other key lawyers:
Sophie Parkin; Mark Thompson
Key clients
NFUM
Serco employees
Work highlights
- Represented the driver of a tractor in a police prosecution for causing death by careless driving.
- Represented two employees of Serco charged with a number of offences including causing death by dangerous driving, arising out of an incident whilst at work.