1
Rail
Ashurst advises the leading players in the rail sector, notably in the public sector. The team continues to excel in rail franchising, and it has been involved in some of the most nationally significant infrastructure projects in recent times. It also garners praise for its expertise in rolling stock procurement. Other areas of expertise span advising on financing, rail operations and rail regulation. Naomi Horton has a wealth of experience in infrastructure projects and commercial contracts. Horton advises a wide range of rail industry companies on all aspects of the rail sector in the UK. Terry van Poortvliet enjoyed another busy year advising on some key rail mandates. Mark Elsey advises on various projects across the EMEA region, acting on behalf of a range of clients including governments, municipal authorities, funders, equity investors and contractors.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Very experienced, capable and knowledgeable team. Always impressed with Ashurst's approach to identifying key issues, negotiation and helping devise strategy.’
‘Overall, an excellent team. Our key contacts are Naomi Horton and Alice Dawson, both of whom are very experienced, knowledgeable, practical in their approach and very easy to work with.’
‘Ten plus years experience in a complex, highly regulated market.’
‘Mark Elsey and Rachael Chapple both have outstanding knowledge in a complex contractual and commercial environment.’
‘Ashurst has a developed and evolved structured finance practice which provides fantastic coverage across all the industry sectors which we have required. The ease with which other specialist teams are introduced as required is second to none.’
‘Naomi Horton has a long history of involvement in the transportation sector and combined with an excellent understanding of a client's requirements consistently delivers required results.’
‘A well-rounded understanding of the transport market and regulatory models. A willingness to spend time with the client getting up the curve in new areas and really understanding their business.’
‘Naomi Horton is a stand-out partner at Ashurst and actively markets her team and others in a way which shows an understanding of her client's needs. She is the one you want on your team, and hugely supportive of her clients.’
Key clients
- Department for Transport
- GCRE
- West Coast Trains
- Keolis
- Amey
- Transport for London
- HS2 Ltd
- East West Rail
- Docklands Light Railway
- Crossrail
- National Express/Mobico
- Agility Trains
- SNCF
- Women in Rail (Pro bono)
- Railway Children (Pro bono)
- Transport for Greater Manchester
- London Underground Limited
Work highlights
- Advised East West Railway Company Limited (EWR) on the core aspects of their development and delivery of proposals for a strategic railway connecting East Anglia with Central, Southern and Western England.
- Advised HS2 Limited on the structuring, development and finalisation of the ground breaking new Rail Systems Alliance arrangements for up to nine separate rail systems package contractors to be appointed by HS2 Limited in relation to the HS2 project.
- Advised Transport for London and the Docklands Light Railway on the £2.3bn refranchising of the Docklands Light Railway.
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 associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Jamie Illingworth
AshurstPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Terry van Poortvliet, Naomi Horton, Mark Elsey