Addleshaw Goddard‘s transport practice is led from Manchester with market-leading rail disputes and regulatory knowledge. The team has a number of key focuses including rail franchising and concessions, station development, freight, logistics and aviation. Paul Hirst is a leading rail expert and specialises in infrastructure projects and franchises. He co-heads the practice with Sara Gilmore, who advises in relation to bus reform, and regulatory expert Michael Rainey. Ursula Gould frequently advises on high-value contracts in relation to new operator models, expansion of light rail systems and operating agreements.
Transport in North West
Addleshaw Goddard
Practice head(s):
Paul Hirst; Sara Gilmore; Michael Rainey
Other key lawyers:
Ursula Gould
Testimonials
‘The AG team quite simply has more experience than any other legal firms. This allows them to support their clients with deep knowledge and insight – while being prepared to listen and learn from others.’
‘The team were expert in taking technology that is more established on other sectors and applying them to the bus leasing market. They helped us to negotiate and document a commercial structure that delivered for all parties in the transaction and to a very tight timescale.’
‘Sara Gilmore is knowledgeable and approachable, providing thought-through and insightful advice to clients. Sara has particular strengths in the field of bus regulation.’
‘Simon Gwynne was absolutely committed to getting the deal over the line and was always available with helpful suggestions and innovations to make sure that the transaction worked for all parties.’
Key clients
Prologis Group Companies
VTG Rail UK Limited
London Luton Airport Limited
Eversholt Rail
Department for Transport
High Speed Two (HS2) Limited
Volkswagen AG
Greater London Authority / Transport for London
West Yorkshire Combined Authority
West Midlands Combined Authority
Hitachi Rail Limited
MerseyTravel
Manchester Airport Group
HS1 Limited
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
Freightliner Heavy Haul Limited
Ove Arup & Partners
SMBC
DB Cargo
Sealink Travel Group
Transport for Greater Manchester
The Road Haulage Association (RHA)
Associated British Ports Limited
Merseyrail
Cornwall Council
Rock Road
Work highlights
- Advised the Department for Transport on the development and roll out of the new National Rail Contract.
- Advised Merseytravel on the development of its bus franchising assessment for the Liverpool City Region.
- Advised West Midlands Combined Authority on the rebuild of two existing train stations at University and Perry Barr.
Clyde & Co
Clyde & Co has an excellent marine practice with experience in several areas including cargo claims, international logistics, defence of transport liability claims, insurance and policy coverage. The firm’s casualty experience extends to leisure yachts and marine trades while also acting for airlines and their insurers in the aviation sector. Emma Rice focuses on marine insurance disputes, cargo and logistics and leads the team. Robert Muttock handles complex injury claims, with Liz Watton providing assistance in shipping and transportation claims. Other co-head Craig Rooney specialises in aviation while Ruth Graham handles catastrophic injury claims.
Practice head(s):
Emma Rice; Robert Muttock; Craig Rooney
Other key lawyers:
Mark Hemsted; Liz Watton; Ruth Graham; Simon Jones; Rachael Lumb; Joanne Francis
Testimonials
‘The transport team has a wealth of knowledge and experience within the motor liability arena. The team engage with key industry groups to stay abreast of developments and challenges within the sector, and share relevant legal insights with members of those groups.’
‘Ruth Graham as a partner has an excellent and well deserved reputation within the industry, and I and my clients have over the years come to trust & appreciate her advice and skill set.’
‘The team has a very strong presence in the market in the North West. They are competent, diligent and very experienced.’
Work highlights
- Acted for the Marina interests to defend claims brought by more than 80 vessel owners and/or their insurers against Holyhead Marina Ltd.
- Appointed by the owners of a registered vessel to pursue claims for unpaid freight arising under a voyage charterparty in the amount of USD120,000.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper advises on transactions of local, national and international significance in the transport sector. Liam Cowell leads the team out of Manchester with a focus on project finance and operational matters. Contentious lawyers Paul Giles handles construction matters relating to infrastructure. Lee Brierley handles IT procurement and outsourcing issues in the transport industry. Asset finance expert Rebecca Williams advises on a variety of structures including equipment leases, debt based arrangements and receivable finance.
Practice head(s):
Liam Cowell
Other key lawyers:
Paul Giles; Lee Brierley; Rebecca Williams
Key clients
Welsh Ministers
Transport for the North (TfN)
Vinci Concessions
Vinci Highways
Implenia Schweiz AG
Transport for Greater Manchester
Highways England
Work highlights
- Advised Highways England on the procurement and construction documentation relating to the Lower Thames Crossing project.
- Advised Transport for Greater Manchester on its proposed bus franchising scheme.
- Advised Iduna on the creation of letting documents for roll out of EV charging points across the North of England.
DWF
DWF offers transport expertise across a number of areas including road, motor criminal defence, and health and safety. The practice acts for government and private sector clients in the automotive, rail, maritime, aviation, logistics and retail industries. Vikki Woodfine regularly represents companies and individuals in gross negligence and corporate manslaughter cases. She co-leads the team with Joanne Witheford who is well-versed in issues relating to compliance.
Practice head(s):
Vikki Woodfine; Joanne Witheford
Testimonials
‘This practice offers a very personal service, which enables great collaboration with our organisation to continually improve the way we operate as a business.’
‘This is a close-knit team that works closely together and communicate well together. During team meetings to which I have been invited there has always been a supportive and corroborative approach.’
‘I must mention Joanne Witheford as a stand out individual at DWF because of her balanced and measured guidance and challenge when necessary, to our business. Her knowledge, commitment, drive and support in relation to the challenges faced has always been exemplary.’
Key clients
Booker plc
Wincanton plc
MM Freight Ltd
WM Morrison Supermarkets Plc
Hiscox
BT plc
Allianz
NFU Mutual
Aviva
RSA
Work highlights
- Advised and audited one of the country’s largest parcel delivery companies on all aspects of transport compliance.
- Provided crisis management support to household name transport operations.
- Acted for a governmental body advising in relation to investigations and prosecutions.
Hill Dickinson LLP
Hill Dickinson LLP’s cargo and logistics practice is particularly active in advising corporate clients on logistics and supply chain issues, in advising logistics operators on standard trading conditions and logistics agreements as well as in providing advice to marine insurers and intermediaries. In particular the latter is an area of focus of practice head Adrian Marsh who can boast a ‘depth of knowledge and experience in the sector‘ and specialises in handling logistics, shipping and marine insurance coverage disputes. The team further includes ‘focused legal practitioner with great analytical skill’ Caroline Bridge, who is also qualified as a barrister and has a focus on advising clients in the logistics industry on service level agreements and standard trading conditions, as well as ‘the key contact for large freight liability insurance matters’ Richard Allingham.
Practice head(s):
Adrian Marsh
Other key lawyers:
Caroline Bridge; Richard Allingham
Testimonials
‘The practice has a great depth of knowledge and experience in this sector which means they can really get to the heart of contractual risks and issues in general and advise in a commercial and practical way and ultimately in a way to best inform the business.’
‘Adrian Marsh in particular is a very valued member of the team. Adrian’s ability to translate tricky legal issues into commercial and pragmatic advice for the business to understand is great. This combined with his depth of knowledge and experience in the sector and his ability to react quickly when needed means that he is a trusted and well valued advisor.’
‘The professionals are all extremely knowledgeable and specialised, precise and always available to give support. They have a practical approach that is highly appreciated by clients and they can explain very complex issues in simple terms.’
Key clients
RSA
WE Cox Claims Group/WE Cox Recoveries Ltd
PCL Claims Ltd
CNA Hardy
AXA XL
Aviva
TMK
NMU
DSV
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics
Zurich Insurance
Kuehne + Nagel
ABP
Agri Marine
Wincanton
My Furniture
Nacora
C&C Insurance
Europa Road
Pinsent Masons LLP
The transport team at Pinsent Masons LLP acts for an extensive client base ranging from blue chip companies to public sector bodies in the UK and internationally. The practice undertakes work in relation to road, rail, aviation and ports. Mark Job co-heads the team and is well-versed in PPP regeneration and real estate projects. Fellow co-head Michael Hopkins specialises in large and complex construction projects. Graham Alty advises on projects in the rail, roads and water sectors with support from Laura Tetlow. Anthony Bradley is experienced in acting on airport expansion schemes, development of highway programmes and harbour projects.
Practice head(s):
Mark Job; Michael Hopkins
Other key lawyers:
Graham Alty; Anthony Bradley; Laura Tetlow
Testimonials
‘Two keys words: collaboration & understanding. The real strength of the practice is to work closely with its customers and get a deep understanding of requirements and converting that understanding into meaningful contract wording that is simple, to the point and very clear.’
‘Laura Tetlow understands construction and how it is delivered, and is particularly focussed on producing clearly drafted agreements (including process maps) which are easy to understand and administer by all parties. Laura also has a great work ethic and tenacity – even through the most difficult and protracted negotiations, she keeps going and supports us to come to an agreement.’
‘Pinsent Masons understand construction both from both a contractor and client perspective. Their ability to apply their knowledge across difficult challenges both pre and post contract is unique and is the main reason we continue to work with them on our most complex projects.’
Key clients
BAM Nuttall
Ferrovial Construction
Yapi Merkezi Insaat va Sanayi A.S.
Eiffage Genie Civil
Vinci Construction Grands Projects
Balfour Beatty
Heathrow Airport Limited
Vinci Construction UK
Systra
The Manchester Airport Group
Transport Infrastructure Ireland
Connect Plus Services
Leeds Bradford Airport Limited
Lendlease
Suffolk County Council
United Utilities
Work highlights
- Advised on the procurement of the Dublin Metrolink project.
- Advised Manchester Airport PLC in relation to a potential high value and complex dispute in connection with the installation of a fuel pipe line.
Backhouse Jones
Backhouse Jones has particular strength in the road transport sector which includes road haulage operators, logistics businesses, trade associations, bus and coach operators. The practice covers the full spectrum of issues including regulatory, employment, commercial litigation and insurance. Practice head Mark Davies handles regulatory issues covering goods and passenger carriage. James Backhouse is experienced in compliance matters while Jonathon Backhouse is experienced in road traffic investigations.
Practice head(s):
Mark Davies
Other key lawyers:
Jonathon Backhouse; James Backhouse
Testimonials
‘They are without a doubt, the experts in all matters road transport-related. They advise on this all day long, so really know what they are talking about. Where other firms seem to dabble in this, they really know their craft. You want them in your corner, not on the other side!’
‘The Backhouse Jones business provides an unparalleled depth of knowledge and experience which sets them apart from other solicitors in the same field. Transport legislation is complex and good legal guidance requires not only a keen knowledge of the detail but also a rounded view of how the regulations are interpreted and enforced by regulators and enforcement authorities. Backhouse Jones is close to every detail which allows clients to be provided with options before making truly informed decisions to protect and support their own business.’
‘Specialising in what is a relatively niche market, Backhouse Jones have carved an enviable reputation as the leaders in their field and undoubtedly the team are at the heart of this.’
‘BHJ have an unrivalled approach to client care and attention to detail. Their knowledge on transport regulation and the wider transport, fleet and HGC sector is unparalleled. We feel as though we are in safe hands when dealing with BHJ.’
‘Very personable, always know you by name.’
‘I like the fact I got advice from people at a senior level. They do loads of other stuff like training and free webinars, all delivered by lawyers.’
‘The individuals at Backhouse Jones stand out for their culture of relationship building. Solicitors are approachable and understanding which makes them a pleasure to work with. The teams passion for the business is palpable and they demonstrate a genuine desire to help their clients.’
‘Backhouse Jones are our first port of call for all legal matters and as such we have only limited experience of others in the sector.’
Key clients
Biffa
Krispy Kreme
Go South Coast
Abellio
Veolia UK
Viridor
Somerset Passenger Solutions Ltd
Blackpool Transport
Day Aggregates
Rotala plc
MDS Distribution Limited
Bidfood
Tesco
Forfarmers
Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire
Malca-Armit
Howdens
Work highlights
- Advised on the Road Haulage Association collective proceedings claim in the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
- Appealed to the Upper Tribunal in respect of setting aside the decision of the Traffic Commissioner regarding the refusal to allow the appellant’s application to vary the terms of goods vehicle operator’s licence.
- Acted for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) seek to impose a bus franchising scheme under the Bus Services Act 2017.
Dyne Solicitors Limited
Dyne Solicitors Limited specialises in road transport law, handling numerous operator licensing public inquiries for national and international client companies. The regulatory, defence and advisory work is led by Jared Dunbar. He co-heads the team with John Dyne who is well-versed in environmental, health and safety law.
Practice head(s):
Jared Dunbar; John Dyne
Testimonials
‘Dyne and their team were knowledgeable, responsive, and very helpful in resolving our legal issues the first time. Would highly recommend.’
‘Jared Dunbar dealt with our company during our case and was easy to arrange meetings both in person and via teams at a time that suited our company work commitments. Information was requested from the firm regarding our case with daily up dates from them and confirmation of information received and issues closed out leaving our case well prepared.’
‘Dyne Solicitors offers a boutique legal service, with expertise across all transport licensing, operating and governance issues, in addition to bringing vast knowledge in regards to niche arenas such as environmental and waste legislation, Health & Safety conjoined with a comprehensive corporate team, providing a 1 stop shop for all transport operators, and those in the surrounding environs.’