The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > Yorkshire And The Humber > Transport

The transport practice at Addleshaw Goddard has broad expertise spanning franchising, acquisitions and sales of rolling stock, freight and haulage arrangements, infrastructure projects and instructions relating to urban transit. The group has a particularly strong reputation for its work in the rail sector and also regularly handles instructions relating to bus services, logistics, port and airport infrastructure and electric vehicles. Paul Hirst, who focuses on the rail sector, jointly heads up the practice alongside real estate specialist Anna Heaton. Legal director Sara Gilmore, who has broad transport expertise, is also a key name to note.

Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP's department has the capabilities to handle a range of contentious and non-contentious shipping matters. The group's experience ranges from charter party disputes, carriage of goods by sea, speed and performance claims and collisions, to commercial contract advice, the use and hire of vessels, ship sale and purchase transactions and ship finance matters. Practice head Dominic Ward focuses on dry shipping and cargo work and assists clients with carriage of goods and international trade agreements, while Andrew Oliver handles a range of ship finance and fisheries instructions. Other lawyers to note include associate Sarah Pether, for the defence of personal injury claims, and senior solicitor Paul Newbon, who has experience in a range of contentious shipping instructions.

The transport team at DLA Piper UK LLP is highlighted for its expertise in a broad range of public transport matters, including rail and bus service issues and road, highway and bridge projects; it is also developing a growing expertise in the aviation sector. Robert Smith, who is regularly instructed by public and private sector clients on a range of transport matters, and Petra Billing, who focuses on planning and property litigation, jointly lead the team from the Leeds and Sheffield offices respectively. The Leeds-based team also includes Allison Page, who has expertise in a range of public sector projects, head of infrastructure planning Andrew Batterton and legal director Carla Hancock, who has particular experience in rail and highway projects.

The aviation team at Plexus Law is known predominantly for handling personal injury claims, fatalities, damage to aircraft, property damage and contractual disputes. It has a strong reputation acting for insurers, and also counts airport operators, ground handlers, light aircraft owners, airlines, concessions and fuel suppliers among its clients. Jarrod Parker has a breadth of experience in aviation and aerospace sector claims and heads up the practice, which includes associate Jennifer Chan, who is an airport operators liability claims expert, and solicitor Jennifer Howden, who assists with a range of general aviation losses.

Shulmans LLP has notable capacity to assist clients with a range of regulatory road transport issues, including acting in public inquiries, criminal proceedings and hearings before the traffic commissioner. Key names to note include practice head Richard Wadkin, who is noted for his regulatory advice and advocacy in court and public inquiries, and Jim Wright, who has experience in road-related employment issues.

The transport regulatory team at Weightmans has capabilities across the sector with clients including contractors, infrastructure owners, post and courier service providers, hauliers, bus and coach companies, and marine insurers. Liverpool-based Dewi Ap-Thomas and associate Martin English head up the national team; the Leeds group includes Gary Hodgson, who is experienced in road regulatory matters at hearings, inquiries and tribunals, and Ben Daniel, who is a key name for employment matters, particularly transport-related industrial disputes.

Wrigleys Solicitors LLP's 'tenacious and friendly' transport property team is highlighted for its representation of train and bus operators in non-contentious property law matters. The group attracts praise for being 'very knowledgeable, going the extra mile, always being available and offering swift and sound advice'. Elizabeth Wilson and Paul Nash jointly head the team and have a particular focus on the rail and bus service sectors respectively. Rachel Meredith has notable experience assisting clients with letting commercial premises at railway stations.