The 'very commercial and responsive' team at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is best-known for its rail-related procurement, leasing and finance work for a lessor-focused client base that includes Angel Trains and Beacon Rail. 'Very strategic' team head Russell Clifford 'knows the rail market inside out', ensuring that he is instructed not only on high-profile domestic mandates but also an increasing volume of international work, as certain clients seek to expand into Continental Europe. The 'level-headed' Jamie Wiseman-Clarke is 'a pro-active problem solver', acting on his own, as well as with Clifford, on core rolling stock leasing work. Drawing upon in-house expertise gained through his time at the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising and the Strategic Rail Authority, Jason Chamberlain has deep rail knowledge and 'is indispensable when dealing with highly technical matters'. Anton Chambers is the main contact for the firm's much smaller aviation finance offering and handles work for lessors, asset management firms and start-up airlines.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'The team at BCLP is very commercial and extremely responsive.'
'Russell Clifford's knowledge of the sector is broad and deep, and he is a partner to our business and a valued confidante.'
'Russell Clifford is strategic and knows the rail market inside out. He always provides pragmatic legal advice, which we highly appreciate.'
'Jamie Wiseman-Clarke leads the majority of our leasing matters - he is level-headed and a pro-active problem solver in all discussions.'
'Jason Chamberlain is indispensable when dealing with highly technical matters.'

Key clients

EY
Falko Regional Aircraft
ICBCIL Aviation Company
Milestone Aviation Group
Condor Flugdienst
Green Africa Airways
Fosun Investment Holdings
ACR Capital Research
Angel Trains
Beacon Rail
Heathrow Airport
Transport for London
National Westminster Bank

Work highlights

Advised Angel Trains on the impact on its rolling stock leasing arrangements of passenger operators’ existing franchise agreements expiring early, including, for example, the Greater Western and East Midlands franchises, and being replaced by direct award franchise agreements in the form of national rail contracts.
Advised Angel Trains in relation to the procurement of train-borne equipment and software as a service to capture the LiDAR data of Network Rail's infrastructure
Advised Beacon Rail on the leasing and procurement of 30 new Stadler locomotives, for operation by GB Railfreight.