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England - London • Transport
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Rail

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DLA Piper

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DLA Piper advises public and private‑sector clients across a range of rail matters, offering commercial, regulatory and PPP expertise, acting on nationally significant projects, including HS1 and HS2. Recent work also includes advising government‑owned rail operators on franchising reform and operational issues arising from the transition to public ownership. Birmingham-based Howard Bassford leads the firm’s rail projects practice, while Leeds‑based Robert Smith contributes PPP and regeneration expertise to the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team are knowledgeable, approachable and supportive. My experience has been across certain individuals but has been positive and all people within the team that I have been involved with have been very knowledgeable in the subject areas that I have required support and easy to work with an engage with. I have found an openness and approachableness that is positive.’

  • ‘Professional, exceptionally competent, customer-focused, and committed team in the delivery and support for rolling stock contractual agreements, and associated assurance. First class attitude, response, communication skills and articulation with peers/stakeholders.’

  • 'The team has extensive experience in advising on all aspects of major rail projects. Given their diverse client base, they can offer viewpoints from both sides of a deal to ensure pragmatic, commercial solutions are found. They work well as an extension of the business team and facilitate collaboration with other experts.'

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Key clients

  • Transport UK
  • Northern Trains Limited
  • DfT Operator Limited
  • Agility Trains
  • High Speed Two (HS2) Limited
  • Hitachi Rail
  • South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive / South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
  • Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive (Nexus)
  • VolkerRail Limited

Work highlights

Advised on the successful return to public sector control of the South Yorkshire Supertram network following the end of a 20+ year private sector concession let to Stagecoach.
Advising Northern on a pathfinder project to replace up to 450 new trains.
Acted for West Coast Railway Company (WCR), the UK’s leading operator of heritage and steam trains.

Practice head

Robert Smith; Howard Bassford