Stephenson Harwood’s rail practice centres on franchising and concessions, procurement, and rolling‑stock mandates, fielding a team of three dedicated partners and a wider group of rail specialists. Often led by Darren Fodey, franchising and procurement remain a key strength, advising major public-sector transport authorities on the procurement of key urban rail concessions and supporting bidders in rail procurement processes. Fodey leverages vast experience acting on rail matters in both private and in-house roles, serving as key contact for some of the firm’s most significant clients. Tammy Samuel is noted for her rolling‑stock work, spanning the bidding, delivery, and operational phases. Charlotte Heywood boasts a strong contentious rail practice, including issues in relation to construction-related rail and infrastructure and rolling stock manufacturing. Suzanne Tarplee left the firm in 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Excellent industry knowledge, genuine people who care about their work and their clients as individuals.’
'Strong proactive lawyers. Expertise in the transport sector.’
‘Great knowledge coupled with great client management/service proposition.’
- 'Encyclopaedic knowledge of the industry. Availability. Give advice, rather than accepting instruction.'
Key clients
- CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles); including subsidiaries CAF Rail UK Limited and CAF Rolling Stock Limited
- Transport UK Group (formerly Abellio Transport Holdings) (including all TOCs – Transport UK Greater Anglia, Transport UK East Midlands, West Midlands Trains, and Merseyrail)
- Trenitalia UK Limited and Trenitalia c2c
- ComfortDelGro
- Arriva Plc and Arriva UK Trains Limited (including all TOCs – Arriva Rail London, CrossCountry, Chiltern, Grand Central)
- Lombard North Central plc
- Transport for London/London Underground Limited/Rail for London Limited
- Northern Trains Limited
- LNER
- Centrus/Corelink
Work highlights
Advising Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles and CAF Rail UK Limited (CAF) on its tender for the manufacture and supply of between 81 and 140 units and associated maintenance arrangements for the same.
Advising new client ComfortDelGro for the Docklands Light Railway operating and maintenance contract, which covers both passenger and infrastructure operations.
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.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Tammy Samuel; Darren Fodey
Other key lawyers
Charlotte Heywood; Caroline Hooton