Chris Simms > Burges Salmon LLP > Bristol, England > Lawyer Profile

Bristol-based firm Burges Salmon LLP has ‘deep and practical knowledge of UK rail, its structure, contracts and stakeholders’, ensuring that it is well-placed to advice both lenders and borrowers on complex transactions. Chris Simms, who is a ‘market leader in rolling stock projects’,  co-heads the team alongside Brioney Thomas , with both regularly handling major rolling stock procurement and financing work for many of the country’s largest train operating companies.

Burges Salmon LLP has a ‘great practice’ with a large and dedicated rail team, which covers a broad range of specialisms in the rail sector. It has an excellent client base, including some of the UK’s largest train operating groups, and has an excellent track record in franchising and major rolling stock procurements. The group also has a superb reputation for its regulatory and health and safety work. Names to note include Brioney Thomas, who is a known name in public service rail contracting and procurement matters. Ian Tucker garners praise for his work on some of the largest industry sector disputes. Simon Coppen is also well-regarded, along with Chris Jackson. Chris Simms is recommended for his knowledge of all aspects of rail regulation, as well as for his experience in infrastructure finance transactions. Charlotte Whitaker has recently been promoted to the partnership – she frequently advises clients at the incident response phase to multi-fatality health and safety incidents in the railway sector.

Fielding a team of ‘experts in their field’ providing ‘helpful and delimitative’ advice, Burges Salmon LLP is active on a high volume of transport-related mandates which form the cornerstone of its practice. Entrenched knowledge of the sector results in the firm regularly guiding clients through emerging technologies such as large-scale EV charging infrastructure mandates and electric and bi-mode train procurements. Beyond this, the group oversees impressive mandates relating to the development of lithium refineries in Europe and UK power matters including nuclear and wind projects. Team head Stuart McMillan is sought out by numerous established corporates and sponsors on finance and development deals, while Ian Salter is recognised for his proficiency in nuclear matters and environmental and low-carbon considerations. Lloyd James specialises in renewables, working with a stellar list of contractors and developers, while Keith Beattie is reputed for his defence and security work. Chris Simms is also recommended for his wide-spanning rail knowledge.