At Freeths LLP, the group has a diverse range of expertise in rolling stock financing, procurement, leasing and maintenance, as well as many other areas such as rail regulation, franchising and concessions. The group additionally acts for a range of non-transportation clients on transport matters. It frequently advises statutory utilities and landowners when faced with the impact of large transport infrastructure projects. London-based Tom Johnson heads the rail practice. Johnson has an ‘excellent reputation’ in the market. Bristol-based Michael Bray heads the transport offering.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Tom Johnson has an excellent reputation in rail. He is very knowledgeable and has a fantastic grasp of the industry.’
'Tom's experience across various types of transactions including new build trains, leasing and maintenance had been invaluable to our company, especially when working with us as part of a negotiating team where his knowledge of market standards is key.'
'Tom Johnson - having been involved in rail for nearly 25 years, he knows the rail industry very well and is a very capable rail lawyer. Supported primarily by James Urmston and Lewis Whalley (each of whom has a bright future in the Rail sector), he has advised us well.'
- 'Michael Bray is a very experienced, calm practitioner, with strong experience in the rail sector, who has done an excellent job and has provided consistently pragmatic advice.'
‘Tom Johnson has had a long career in rail commercial law, and the experience he brings is vital. Tom is a truly nice man who always wants to do his best by his clients. He works diligently with a great deal of enthusiasm.'
- ‘Tom Johnson knows the railway industry well and was a great help with our undertaking.'
- 'Tom Johnson is an outstanding lawyer to have on your side, and for that reason I'd be more than happy to consider Freeths.’
‘Tom Johnson - smart, knowledgeable and knows the market exceptionally well.’
Key clients
- Porterbrook
- GB Railfreight
- Hitachi Rail Limited
- Stadler Rail
- Related Argent
- HS1
- Crown Commercial Services Public Sector Legal Services, Lot 3 Rail
- Leicester City Council
- Walsall Council
- Travis Perkins Group Plc
Work highlights
Advising GB Railfreight in relation to the leasing of certain locomotives from A Locomotive Pool Structure 3 Ltd., a subsidiary of Akiem S.A.
Advising Porterbrook in relation to the €500m financing, leasing and maintenance of a fleet of 10 new rail tri-mode rolling stock assets to be manufactured by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles S.A, financed by Porterbrook and leased to London North Eastern Railway Limited.
Advising Hitachi Rail on multiple updates to the contracts which relate to the £6bn InterCity Express Programme (IEP) – the largest rolling stock procurement ever undertaken in UK - including in relation to design changes, alterations to routes and technological updates.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Practice head
Tom Johnson; Michael Bray
Other key lawyers
Lewis Whalley; James Urmston; Iain Bowler